Biographies of Planning Board Members

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George's County
Planning Board Commissioners

Samuel J. Parker, Jr. is Chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board, Chairman of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and serves on the Executive and Finance Committees of the Commission. His present term expires in June of 2009. An accomplished expert in land use and planning issues, Chairman Parker has more than 25 years of professional planning experience - particularly in the areas of historic preservation planning, and community revitalization and redevelopment. From 2004-2006, he served as the Associate Director for Community and Business Development of the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority, and from 1991-2004, held a series of progressively responsible positions as a preservation planner, senior planner, planner coordinator and acting division chief for The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In addition to his experience with the Commission and Prince George’s County government, Chairman Parker’s career has also encompassed planning positions with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Metropolitan Washington Planning and Housing Association, and Mount Pleasant Home Center, Inc. He has presented novel projects and positions on housing, planning and community development at national conferences and international forums. A former instructor in the Graduate School of Planning of the University of the District of Columbia, and in the Fontainebleau L’Ecole de Beaux Arts Foreign Studies Program of The Catholic University School of Architecture, Chairman Parker holds a bachelor’s degree from Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in regional planning from Cornell University. He also holds numerous memberships in professional and community organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Planners, and has won recognition from a number of groups, including the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Neighborhood Design Center.

Sylvester J. Vaughns was appointed to the Prince George’s County Planning Board and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 2003 to fill Commissioner James Brown’s unexpired term.  He was reappointed as Commissioner, and designated Vice Chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board in June, 2007.  A long-time Prince George’s County resident, and community activist and volunteer, his civic affiliations include the Palmer Park Citizens Association, Neighborhood Action Partnership, and Boys and Girls Club. He is a Trustee of Hemingway Memorial A.M.E. Church, former member of the Prince George’s County Police Chief’s Advisory Committee, and has served as a member of the County’s Republican Central Committee and President of both the County and State Black Republican Councils.  Mr. Vaughns is widely recognized for his work as Past President of the Prince George’s County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where he directed the Association in successful lawsuits for desegregation of the public schools, and against police misconduct. He retired from Prince George’s County Government in 1997, as an administrator in the Department of Environmental Resources.  Mr. Vaughns is the proud father of four children, and grandfather of five grandchildren.     

Sarah A. Cavitt was appointed in 2007 tofill the seat vacated by former Commissioner, William M. Eley. A long-time resident of Prince George’s County, Ms. Cavitt is retired from a 25 year career with the Social Security Administration where she served in numerous roles, including EEO Officer and Branch Office Manager.  She is well-known throughout Prince George’s County as a civic and community activist devoted to the protection and enhancement of the quality of life in the County, particularly the Southern Area. She is also President of the Indian Head Highway Area Action Council Inc., Vice President of the Police District IV Citizens’ Advisory Council, and the Chair of the Dictionary Initiative for all 3rd graders in the County.  Ms. Cavitt earned her bachelor’s degree from Creighton College.

Jesse Clark was appointed to the Commission in 2006 to fill Commissioner James Harley’s term, which expires in 2007. An accomplished attorney, Commissioner Clark began his service as the Senior Central Legal Staff Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in 1976. An expert in military legal issues, Mr. Clark served as Counsel to Senior Judge Robinson O. Everett, provided advice on Constitutional law, Congressional legislation, international treaties and agreements, and various federal court and United States Supreme Court rulings, and earned the Meritorious Service Medal for his expertise and dedication. A graduate of Morgan State University and the University of Michigan Law School, Commissioner Clark has more than 30 years of experience as a practicing attorney. A long-time active member of the Federal Bar Association, he has served as Chairman of the Association’s Criminal Law Committee, Deputy Chairman of its Administration of Justice Section, and Coordinator of its Nationwide Student Law Day project. He has also held membership in the American and National Bar Associations, and served as Founder and Director of the American Youth Bar Association. Commissioner Clark is active in a number of community and civic organizations, including the Tantallon Citizens Association, and has received numerous awards and citations for his professional and civic activities.


John Squire, whose term expires in 2007, was appointed to the Commission in 2003. A long-time resident of Glenn Dale, Commissioner Squire served with distinction in numerous posts and commands during a distinguished thirty-year career with the United States Army. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from South Carolina State University, and a master of business administration degree from Howard University, and is a graduate of the United States Army War College. Particularly skilled and experienced in budgeting and administration, Commissioner Squire also holds experience in the private sector, including corporate Board memberships, and serving as former Chairman of the Board and president and publisher of Metro magazine, and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Brokerage and Marketing, Inc. He is Chairman of the Finance Committee and Head Elder for the Seabrook Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a member of the Executive Committee and Corporation Council of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Dream Academy, and holds membership in the Maryland Realtor Association.


Mailing Address for Commissioners

Commissioner
Prince George's County Planning Board M-NCPPC
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive 
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 

Phone: 301-952-3560; Fax: 301-952-5074
Chairman Parker: 301-952-3561