Wayne K. Curry

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Wayne K. Curry

Prince George's County, Maryland Executive
In office 1994 – 2002

Born	Brooklyn, New York January 6, 1951
Nationality	american
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sheila Curry

Wayne Keith Curry (born January 6, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) was elected county executive for Prince George's County, Maryland in November 1994, and served two terms as county executive from 1994 to 2002. His career has encompassed government, civic, and community affairs for more than 20 years.

[edit] Early life and career

Although Wayne Curry was born in Brooklyn, New York, he actually grew up in Cheverly, Maryland, a community in the northwestern portion of Prince George's county. His family was the among the first non-white families to integrate into this community in the 1950s. His father was a school teacher, and his mother was a homemaker and later an office secretary. He and his older brother were the first blacks to attend Cheverly-Tuxedo Elementary school in 1959. Curry earned his high school diploma from Bladensburg High School in 1968.

In 1972, Curry earned his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Western Maryland College, where he was president of the freshman class. Following graduation, he worked as a teacher and director of the "Child Daycare Center of Prince George's County. In 1974, Curry took a hiatus from the professional area, and travled across America. He earned money working at truck stops and slept at campsites throughout the country. ^[1]

[edit] Political career

From 1975 until 1978, Curry worked in the administration of Prince George's County Executive Winfield Kelly. Kelly was the executive for Prince George's County from 1974 until 1978. Curry's career began as a staffer responsible for writing constituent reply mail. He later went on to serve as community affairs assistant, administrative assistant to the county's Chief Administrative Officer and senior assistant to the executive. While working for Kelly, he also attended law school at night, earning his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1980, graduating with honors.

From 1980 until 1983, Curry worked as a real estate and development lawyer for the "Michael Companies". In 1984, Curry started his own law practice and became a well-known, successful corporate attorney.

From 1984 to 1992, Curry was General Counsel for "Dimensions Health Corporation", a major healthcare business that operates Prince George's General Hospital Center, the Greater Laurel-Beltsville Hospital, and the Bowie Health Center. Mr. Curry has served as Chairman of the United Way Campaign of Prince Georges County, President of the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the "School Superintendent's Advisory Committee on Black Male Achievement", Chairman of the "Prince George's County Substance Abuse Advisory Board", a member of the "Board of Directors of the Prince George's County Christmas in April", Director of "United Communities Against Poverty", and Director of the "Bonnie Johns Children's Fund."

In 1994, Curry returned to the county executive's office and made history when he became the first African American to serve in the County's highest elected office. He served two consecutive terms from 1994 to 2002.

Curry was appointed Commissioner to the Maryland Port Commission in 2003 by Governor Robert Ehrlich. He was prominently mentioned in the news media as a speculative candidate for Lt. Governor incumbent Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich in 2006 who was defeated for reelection by Baltimore Mayor Martin O Malley. Curry also served on Gov. Ehrlich's 2002 transition team into the Governor's Mansion. [2]