JULIA W. GOUGE
Julia W. Gouge is President of the 57th Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County. She was reelected in 2006 to her fifth term. This is a first in Carroll County History. Commissioner Gouge is a seventh generation resident of Carroll County and has been in community service for over 40 years and has been a public servant to the citizens of Carroll County for 23 years. Commissioner Gouge embarked on her career in public service as a Councilwoman and Mayor for the Town of Hampstead and was the first woman elected as Mayor in Carroll County. Commissioner Gouge was also the first woman elected as Carroll County Commissioner in 1986. Commissioner Gouge served as Vice President of the Board of County Commissioners from 1986-1990 and was re-elected in 1990 and served through 1994. In 1994, Commissioner Gouge ran as the Lieutenant Governor candidate with Bill Shepard. From 1994 to 1998 Julia hosted a weekly cable show, "A Closer Look with Julia Gouge" on channel 3. She is now the host of "Issues & Insights," a weekly cable show aired on Comcast Channel 24. Commissioner Gouge has twice been selected as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women, and has recently been selected a third time, placing her in the Circle of Excellence. .
Economic development, workforce development, education, environmental and ethical issues have been at the heart of Commissioner Gouge’s service to the County throughout her career representing Carroll County on many national, state, and regional boards and associations. Commissioner Gouge graduated as a Rawlings Fellow from the James MacGreggor Burns Academy of Leadership, University of Maryland, 2008. Gouge also graduated from the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma in 1992. During this present term of office, Commissioner Gouge has served on the Committees listed below:
- 2008 - Present: Chair, EELU Water Sub Committee (NACO)
- 2007 - Present: President of WON (Women of NACO) (National Assoc. of Counties)
- 2007 - Present: President of the Women of MACO (Maryland Assoc. of Counties)
- 2005-2007: Vice President, Women of NACO
- 2001-2007: Treasurer, Women of NACO
- 2001-2007: Audit Committee, Chair
- 2000-2005: Treasurer, Women of NACO
- 1999-Present: Board of Directors, Greater Baltimore Alliance
- 1999-Present: Advisory Committee Reservoir Committee, Baltimore Metropolitan Council
- 1998-Present: Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission
- Economic Development Commission - Commissioner Liaison
- Carroll County Farm Museum Board of Governors Committee
- Carroll Community College Board of Trustees
- Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League
- Economic Development Commission-Commissioner Liaison
- Carroll County Farm Museum Board of Governors Committee
- Carroll Community College Board of Trustees
- Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League.
National Appointments
National Association of Counties Board of Directors;1994,1999-2000
- National Association of Counties Credentials Committee 1999-2005
- Women of National Association of Counties (WON) –Treasurer, 1999-2004; vice president, 2005-2006; chair, 2007
- National Association of Counties Labor and Employment Steering Committee, 1999-2006
- National Association of Counties Environmental, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee; 1999-2002; Vice-chair water Subcommittee, 2006-present
- National Association of Counties School to Work Transition Committee Chair;1993-1994
- National Association of Counties Leadership Steering Committee;1993-1994
- National Association of Counties Welfare Reform Task Force;1993-1994
- National Association of Counties Ethics Committee;1990-1994
- National Association of Counties Employment Steering Committee;1992-1994
- National Association of Counties Steering Committee; 1993
- National Association of Counties Caucus Voting Procedures Committee; 1993
- National Association of Counties Conference Planning Committee; 1991
- National Association of Counties Community and Economic Development Steering Committee; 1991
- National Association of Counties Task Force on the Implementation of the National Crime Bill; 1991
- National Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET);1984-1994
- Maryland representative appointed by President of Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources;1984-1994
- CARET Committee for Water Protection; 1989-1995
JULIA W. GOUGE
State of Maryland Appointments
Maryland Association of Counties (MACO)
- Board of Directors;1988-1994
- President;1994
- 1st Vice President;1993
- 2nd Vice President;1992
- Secretary; 1991
- Legislative Committee; 1987-1994; 1999-2001
- Employee Relations Subcommittee;1990-1992
- Legislative Planning Committee member;1991-2001
- Finances Review Committee;1993
- Labor Relations Committee Chair;1992-1993
- Conference Planning Committee Chair;1992-1993
- Budget and Personnel Committee;1991-1994
- Conference Committee;1987-1988
- Education Subcommittee;1999 to present
MACO/Maryland Municipal League Relationship Committee member;1987-1994
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Conservation Advisory Committee 1993-1994
Maryland Department of the Environment Air Quality Control Advisory Council 1999-2001
(AQCAC)
Governor’s Pesticide Council;1990-1994
Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) Board of Trustees Chairman;1993-1994
- Trustee;1987-1994
- Vice Chairman and Secretary;1992
- Claims Committee member;1987-1992
- Underwriting Committee member;1987-1990
- University of Maryland, Chancellor’s Advisory Council;1989-1994
- University of Maryland, Chancellor’s Governmental Relations Subcommittee;1987-1994
- Institute for Agricultural and Natural Resources
- Presidential Advisory Committee Vice Chairman;1987-1993
JULIA W. GOUGE
Regional Appointments
Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore Board of Directors and Executive Committee member;1999 to present
Baltimore Metropolitan Council, chair 2006
- Reservoir Watershed Protection Subcommittee;1987-1994
- Advisory Committee and Reservoir Committee;1999 to present
Baltimore Regional Council of Governments;1987-1992
- 2nd Vice President;1991
- Secretary;1990
- Economic Development Commission voting member;1988-1992
- Reservoir Committee;1987-1992
Local Appointments
President and Board representative 56th Board of Commissioners of Carroll County 1999 to 2002
President and Board representative 57th Board of Commissioners of Carroll County, 2002 to present
- Carroll Community College Board of Trustees
- Carroll County Chapter of Maryland Municipal League
- Carroll County Economic Development Commission
- Carroll County Farm Museum Board of Governors Committee
54th Board of Commissioners of Carroll County Secretary;1991-1994
53rd Board of Commissioners of Carroll County Vice President;1986-1990
Board of Commissioners representative for:
- Agriculture Center Advisory Board;1987-1994
- Cable Television Committee;1990-1994
- Carroll County Economic Development Commission;1994
- Citizen’s Advisory Board for the Sexual Assault Treatment Center;1990-1994
- Farm Museum Board of Governor’s Committee;1990-1994
- Maryland Association of Counties/Maryland Municipal League Liaison;1987;
- Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Advisory Committee;1990-1994
- Planning Commission Member;1987-1990
Appointments by Carroll County Commissioners (Before election as a County Commissioner):
Carroll County Economic Development Commission Chairman, 1983-1984, 1985-1986
Carroll County Economic Development Commission, 1979-1986
Carroll County Tourism Council, Charter Member, 1977-1980
Board of Directors, Hashawha, 1976-1981; 1975-1976 – Charter Member; served as Publicity Chair, Secretary
Planning Committee for the Carroll County Environmental Center, Hashawha – 1975. Put together the
script for a slide program to introduce Hashawha to County citizens.
Town of Hampstead
Former Mayor, Town of Hampstead, 1983-1986 (First Woman elected as Mayor in County
Former Councilwoman, Town of Hampstead, elected 1979-1983
Carroll County Maryland Municipal League (1979-1986)
President, 1983-1984
Vice President, 1982-1983
Secretary/Treasurer, 1981-1982
Maryland Municipal League
Board of Directors, 1983-1986; Elected as member at large representing Carroll County
Carroll County representative of the Legislative Action Committee, 1980-1983
Presented workshop at 1982 Maryland Municipal League Convention on Municipal/County Relations
Presented workshop at 1985 Maryland Municipal League Convention on Annexation
Carroll County Republican Central Committee
Elected 1982-1986 Carroll County Republican Central Committee
Vice Chairman and Chairman
Maryland Cooperative Extension Advisory Council – University of Maryland
Charter Member of Council, 1978-1986
President – 1981-1983, Vice-President 1979-1981, Secretary 1978-1979
Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1980-1985 – Planned/coordinated visits with Congressional
members in D.C.
Member of 13 State North East Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, 1982-1985
Member of National Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, 1982-1986
Maryland Cooperative Extension Homemakers Organization
Member of Homemakers organization, 1959-1990
Attended National meetings 1972-1986
Maryland Extension Homemakers Council, President, 1980-1982
Carroll County Extension Homemakers Council, served four years (two terms) as President
National Extension Homemakers Council
Appointed Special Projects Coordinator, Chairman Trade Show, 1984-1987
Nomination Committee for National Officers, 1982
Chairman, Pilot Project for Maryland Extension Homemakers for Certified Volunteer Units
Chair of committee to write the guidelines for National Extension Homemakers Council of the Certified Volunteer Units "CVU’s" pilot project after Maryland’s plan was accepted by National group.
Presented the finished project in Wisconsin, September 1982
Election Committee for Eastern Region, 1981
Extension 4-H
4-H Leader, 1962-1972
Selected to be member of Maryland 4-H All-Stars
Foster Parents
President of Carroll County Foster Parents Association, 1973-1977
During my terms of office, I was able to obtain a monthly subsidy for foster parents in Carroll County through the Carroll County Commissioners. This was the first time the Commissioners gave the foster parents a subsidy.
Organized training programs for new foster parents and those having children with extreme problems
Member of Maryland Association of Foster Parents, testified in Annapolis several times for annual cost of living raise for foster parents
Church
Member, Shiloh United Methodist Church
Presently serving as children's Sunday school teacher, member of Administrative Council, and Chair Board of Trustees for Shiloh Church
Lay Delegate to National Conference, 1999-2001
Lay Delegate to Baltimore Conference, 1977-1981
Council on Ministries; Pastor/Parish Relation Committee; Administrative Board
Served as Teacher/Sunday School Superintendent for Youth Department from 1965-1982
Community and Civic
Federated Woman’s Club of Hampstead, 1975
President, 1978-1979
Gladys Wimert Lioness Club, 1984-1994
District 22W Roaring Lion Representative in Public Speaking Contest
Program Committee Chairman – 1985, 1992
Audit Committee, 1986
Ways and Means, 1987
Member of Soroptimist Club of Westminster, 1985-1993
Carroll County Agriculture Center (Owned and operated by 7 local farm organizations);
Life and Sustaining Member of Carroll County Agriculture Center
Board of Directors, 8 years
President, 1983-1984, 1985-1986
Chairman, Building Planning Committee, 1979-1983
Chairman of Planning and Building Committee for the Carroll County Extension Office Building. This office owned by the State, University of Maryland, was built on the privately owned grounds of the Agriculture Center. The building project was given the NACo award for 1982.
Work Experience (Career History)
1998 - Present: Board of Carroll County Commissioners, President /P>
"Issues & Insights," Host and Interviewer
1995-1998: "A Closer Look with Julia Gouge," Host and Interviewer
1995-1998: Owned and operated floral business in Carroll County
1994: Ran for Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor
1990-1994: Board of Carroll County Commissioners, Secretary
1986-1990: Board of Carroll County Commissioners, Vice President
1985-1986: Chairman, Public Relations, Carroll Co. Realtors
1979-1983: Town of Hampstead, Member of Town Council
1975-1986: Glenn Falls Realty, Inc
1972-1980: School Bus Contractor
1963-1988: Co-Owner of family trucking business
1964-1968: Augusta Savings & Loan, Teller
1960-1961: Phoenix Savings & Loan, Manager
Awards
2006, 2004: Maryland's Top 100 Women
2003: National Leadership Award, National Council for Continuing Education and Training
1991: 4-H Alumni Award for Carroll County
1991: 4-H Alumni Award for State of Maryland
1985: University of Maryland Meritorious Service Award for Agriculture
1982: Friends of 4-H
1974: Woman of the Year, Carroll County Soroptomist Award
1966: Maryland 4-H All Stars
Education
North Carroll High School Graduate, 1958
Catonsville Community College
Real Estate Courses
GRI Course for Real Estate (Course A) one week
Continuing Education Classes for Real Estate
University of Maryland – Basic Economic Development Course
The University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute – Years I and II Thesis was accepted for third year attendance and graduation in 1992.
Rawlings Fellows Graduate - James MacGreggor Burns Academy of Leadership, University of Maryland, 2008