Two people were nominated Monday to represent Prince George’s County on Metro’s board of directors, the latest pieces to fall into place amid the largest turnover in the agency’s history. Maryland Port Commissioner Alvin Nichols was named as the governor’s representative, while Howard University administrator Artis Hampshire-Cowan was chosen as an alternate director by the county executive. Both still need to be confirmed by the Maryland Senate and County Council, respectively, but are expected to join the board by March 24.
They will be among seven new faces to join the 14-member board after it came under scrutiny following the June 22, 2009, Red Line crash that killed nine people and injured scores more. Nichols is taking the seat of Betty Hewlett, who had asked months ago to be replaced. Hampshire-Cowan is filling the seat that has been empty since December, when Marcell Solomon’s contract was terminated.
Solomon had missed more than half of all board meetings in an 18-month period, according a Washington Examiner analysis of board attendance.
Scott Peterson, spokesman for County Executive Rushern Baker, raised Hampshire-Cowan’s “experience, integrity and esteem.” She could not be reached for comment Monday. The Mitchellville resident serves as a senior vice president and corporate secretary of Howard University. She is a lawyer who also has worked for the District and served on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Nichols, who will be stepping down as commissioner to fill the Metro role, told The Examiner he is honored to serve, saying he is “happy to be a part of this next phase of life” at Metro. He previously worked for Fannie Mae, the county and as a former city administrator of Takoma Park. He takes Metro at “every opportunity,” Nichols said.
“I’m certainly not shy and bashful. I want to be an active member.”
