Biography - Allison Pickard for County Council District 2

MEET

Allison Pickard

img

Meet Allison Pickard and learn more about her efforts and commitment to the citizens and families of District 2, Anne Arundel County and Maryland.

Allison Pickard is serving her first term as County Council member in the Anne Arundel County Council. She has made economic development and smart redevelopment in the county her top priority. Taking a pragmatic approach and working with community stakeholders, Allison has helped identify targeted areas in the county that would benefit from redevelopment creating opportunities for more small businesses and affordable housing while also ensuring fair housing protections for seniors and lower-income constituencies.

Allison also recognizes that economic development doesn’t exist in a silo and is often reflected in a community’s safety and schools. Working across party lines, Allison successfully pushed for increased funding for the county’s public safety departments including resources to hire hundreds more police officers and firefighters. She also championed a pay raise for public school teachers and the continued investment in foundational infrastructure needs like much-needed road repair and school construction.

Before being elected to the County Council, Allison served on the Anne Arundel County Board of Education where she was appointed by Governor Hogan in 2015.  As a Board of Education member, she brought her passion for public education and practical experience as a PTA president to the table and worked with all stakeholders to achieve the best possible results for our schools and students. Allison also chaired the BOE policy committee where she advocated for county resources and tailor legislation to benefit the counties unique constituencies.

As the youngest child of a military family, Allison was taught the values of hard work, personal integrity, community service and to “Be all you can be,” values that Allison continues to put into practice every day. Allison served her community as part of the AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corp where she led a team of young adults in service projects across 17 state regions. One of these service projects, working with low-income seniors lead to a 15-year career in senior housing in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. While at IONA Senior Services, Allison was responsible for managing millions of dollars in grant money for the organization. In this role, Allison also oversaw the staff and programs for the community’s clients. Allison continues to volunteer with local non-profits, church committees, youth sports associations and her local home-owners’ association.

Allison earned her BA in Sociology/ Political Science from the College of Charleston and also completed a graduate-level certification program in NonProfit Management from Georgetown University. She lives in Millersville with her husband Joe, her school-aged children Georgia, Henry and Jamie.

County Council Leadership Positions During 1st term of Service

Chair of the Council, December 2019-December 2020
Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee Representative, 2019-present
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance School Capacity workgroup – Council Representative, present
Stormwater Management Policy workgroup – Council Representative, present
Interview Committee for Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Council Representative

In the Community

Anne Arundel County Council
Council Member, 2018- present

The Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs
President,  2016-2018

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Board of Education:
District 33 Member,  Appointed June 2015: Policy Committee Chairperson

Maryland Association of Boards of Education:
Legislative Committee Member

Oakwood Elementary, Glen Burnie MD:
PTA Secretary, 2011-2012
PTA President, 2012-2014
PTA Garden Committee Chairperson, 2014- present
Equity Team: Member, 2012-2014
Wellness Committee:  Member, 2013-2014
Green School Committee: Co-Chair 2014-present
Character Education Committee:  2012 – present

Unity Gardens:
Board Member, 2012- 2015

Daniel’s Purchase Home Owners Association Board:
Director, 2011-2013

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Missions Commission:
Member, May 2014- 2015

International Women of Portugal:
Volunteer Coordinator, 2007-2009
Board Member, 2008-2010
Democrats Abroad, 2006-2010

St. Julian’s School, Parent Association Combined with Teachers (PACT)
Year 2 Representative 2009-2010

img