PGCOC Statement of Condolence on the Passing of The Honorable David C. Harrington
The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Team and the entire Board of Directors are greatly saddened by the unexpected news of the passing of our President & CEO Emeritus, the Honorable David C. Harrington.
We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Cheryl Harrington, his sons Stephen and Christopher Harrington, the family, friends and colleagues of David C. Harrington, PGCOC President & CEO Emeritus and Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., Senior Director Community Relations, and Stakeholder Engagement.
David Harrington, a proud Howard University Graduate, was more than a leader. He was a public servant and champion for businesses with a career that spanned over 40 years in the Washington Metropolitan Area. David served as a Mayor, County Council Member and State Senator as well as held several other Executive level positions and Board seats.
Prior to joining the Chamber, David completed fifteen years of public life commencing as Mayor of Bladensburg, Prince George’s County Council Member and Maryland State Senator. During this extensive period of public service, David was President of the Maryland Municipal League, National Chair of Economic Development with the National Association of Counties and Chair of the Maryland State Task Force on Physical Education. He had been awarded the Phyllis Newman Award for nonprofit advocacy, Human Services Coalition Legislative Award, Hurston/Wright Ella Baker Award, Legislator of the Year from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, and 100 Black Men Award for Economic Development.
David served as Chair of Bowie State University’s Board of Visitors; Chair, CommonHealth ACTION; Chair Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority; Board Member Meyer Foundation, Board Member if Foundation, and served on the Executive Committee for Junior Achievement and many others. In his Chamber role, he co-headed the Board of Trade Chamber cohort, served on the DMV Regional Congress and was a Principal on MetroNow. He was also a faculty member on Harvard University’s Summer Institute on Reading, Writing and Civic Education, was Associate Director and Faculty at the University of Maryland James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership.
David was loved, respected, and admired throughout the Region. The Chamber shares the sorrow of his family, the community, and businesses of Prince George’s County, as well as the entire public at his passing. We are heartbroken but will continue, as an organization, to honor his mission of EXCELLENCE, service, advocacy, policy advisory, mentorship, and leadership.
We ask that you grant us grace as we take a few moments to process the overwhelming loss of the Honorable David C. Harrington.
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Mourns The Loss of The Honorable David Harrington
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation is saddened to hear of the passing of David Harrington; indeed, it is a sad day for Prince George’s County. Today, we recognize and salute this giant of a person who was a coalition-builder, a visionary and an advocate for Prince George’s County, its business community and its residents.
Not only did Harrington revitalize the way the County does business as president of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, he and was also a longtime advocate for healthy communities, introducing the Wellness Opportunity Zone in Prince George’s County.
“David Harrington was a relentless advocate for the business community of Prince George’s County,” said David Iannucci, President and CEO of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. “He will be greatly missed for his passion, his commitment and his focus on making Prince George’s County the premier location for business growth. One word that I heard from many colleagues who were startled and saddened by his passing was that he had been a mentor for almost a generation of young Prince George’s County entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
A staunch advocate for the businesses of Prince George’s County, Harrington was a beacon of light for all County business owners and a champion of Black businesses to get in the game and thrive. The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation extends its deepest sympathies to the family of David Harrington and celebrates a life well lived.
David Harrington, Former Elected Official And Business Leader, Dies At Age 68
A former mayor, county official and state senator who later became a business community advocate, died Monday at the age of 68.
David Harrington had served as Bladensburg’s mayor (1995 to 2002), a member of the Prince George’s County Council (2002 to 2008) and a state senator (2008 to 2011).
He had begun a new job in April as senior director of community relations and stakeholder development at Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic Region.
One of his neighbors in Cheverly, former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, had known Harrington since they met at Howard University in 1978.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by William J. Ford over at Maryland Matters
