My Team
Words from Delegate Gary Simmons
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"In moments of unthinkable tragedy, words often fail to capture the depth of our collective sorrow. The collapse of the Key Bridge has left a void in our hearts and our community that words alone cannot fill. It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to each of you, who have suffered an immeasurable loss."
Meet District 12B Team
Hard Working People Helping Moving the District Forward
Maricruz Abarca
Chief of Staff
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Originally from Mexico. She earned her GED Diploma from Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) in 2016, where she obtained an Associate's degree in General Studies in 2019. While at BCCC, she also served as a board member of the board of trustees. In Spring 2021, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy Law and Ethics (PLE) as part of the Helen P. Denit Honors Program at the University of Baltimore. Currently, she holds a Master's Degree in Legal Studies and has plans to pursue a law degree to become an attorney.
Outside the academic pursuits, she is actively involved in various organizations. She serves on the board of the Latinos Providers Network and is a member of Casa de Maryland, a member of the Latinos Racial Justice Circle. Additionally, she is a member of the State steering committee of the MSE3 organization, which aims to expose students to STEM careers. She is dedicated to advocating for minority groups and works tirelessly to promote education across the state.
Jacqueline Allsup
Constituent Services Specialist
As both educator and community leader, Jacqueline has worked to achieve a quality of life for others and to bring about positive social and community change. As a retired Professor of Anne Arundel Community College, she is maximally involved in her church and community.
A resident of Anne Arundel County, Jacqueline retired after 30 years of service to the State of Maryland as a nursing administrator. She is one of our community’s strongest advocates of programs for Health Care, Education, and Public Safety. Jacqueline supports efforts to increase voter participation in the minority community and other political issues of our times.
Ms. Allsup is a graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel, where she gained an awareness and understanding of county and regional issues, as well as acquired valuable hands-on experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Bowie State University.
Marsha Briley
Volunteer Liaison- Reentry Specialist
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Marsha Briley who is currently working for the Anne Arundel County, is highly experienced Restorative Justice Strategist and Business Consultant with over 25 years of expertise in policy and program development. Specializing in training, contract monitoring, and program management. She has extensive experience in working with women, trauma-informed care, gender-responsive care, and managing sexual offenders. Marsha holds certifications as a trainer, offender workforce development specialist instructor, and global career development facilitator. Currently, she serves as the Reentry Coordinator for Anne Arundel County, overseeing the Reentry initiative and the Reentry Hub at Ordnance Road Correctional Facility. Additionally, Marsha is a Policy Advisor on Reentry and Criminal Justice issues and facilitates the Reentry module at the Community College of Baltimore County. She is actively involved in various boards and is the Executive Director of the Maryland Restorative Justice Initiative for Mandela Enterprises Corporation.
Deborah Dews
New Volunteer Workforce Development Specialist, joined the team on January 12, 2024.
She has over 20 years of experience in management, business development, recruitment, and job placement in the profit/nonprofit industries. She possesses a high level of energy, integrity, and ethics, with an exceptional ability to deliver outstanding bottom-line results. She was recognized for achieving several industries' top performance awards.
Shamira Miles
Volunteer Intern 2024
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Hi everyone! My name is Shamira Miles. I am a Junior majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice with an Astronomy minor on a pre-law track at the University of Maryland, College Park. I reside in District 12B under Delegate Simmons. I am honored to be his intern for the 2024 legislative season and to serve my community.
Edlyn Aguilar
Intern
Edlyn Aguilar is a college student who recently graduated with her Associate’s degree in Psychology from Anne Arundel Community College and is in pursuit of a Bachelor of science in Business Administration with a concentration of Industrial/ Organizational Psychology. She was born and raised in Annapolis and decided to expand her skillset with the MGA internship to gain knowledge about the state’s legislation and who her representatives are.
Eric Davis
Volunteer Internships Specialist
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Eric J Davis is the founder and Exec Director of STEM Center of Excellence, Inc. (STEM COE), with a mission to connect STEM Gems (Students interested in STEM) to the STEM Worforce by offering Out-of-School-Time (OST) Competitive STEM programming opportunities to students. Eric’s vision is to establish STEM Gyms that creates pathways from STEM Exposure to the STEM Workforce within the communities currently unreached and unaware of opportunities that a STEM Education provides. He has established robotics programs in 10 different schools and communities throughout the Greater Baltimore Maryland area. In May 2022, he received the 2022 Inspirational All-Star Award from the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), whose mission and vision is to spark interest in STEM and robotics programs and education worldwide, listen to his story.
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