![[photograph of Comptroller Schaefer]](/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/images/msa01489.jpg)
WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Comptroller of Maryland (Democrat)
Member, City Council, Baltimore City, 1955-71. President, City Council, Baltimore City, 1967-71.
Mayor, City of Baltimore, 1971-86.
Governor of Maryland, 1987-95. Chair, Board of Public Works, 1987-95. Member, Maryland Environmental Trust, 1987-95; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 1987-95. Member, Appalachian Regional Commission, 1987-95; Chesapeake Executive Council, 1987-95; Education Commission of the States, 1987-95; Interstate Mining Commission, 1987-95; Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, 1987-95; Southern Regional Education Board, 1987-95; Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1987-95.
Member, Board of Trustees, St. Mary's College of Maryland, 1995-; Board of Visitors, Towson University, 1995-. Chair, Maryland Commission for Celebration 2000, 1997-. Member, Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force, 1998-. Board of Directors, Maryland African American Museum Corporation, 1998-.
Comptroller of Maryland, 1999-. Member, Board of Public Works, 1999-; Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, 1999-; Banking Board, 1999-; Board of State Canvassers, 1999-; Capital Debt Affordability Committee, 1999-; Maryland Industrial Financing Authority, 1999-; Maryland Food Center Authority, 1999-; Hall of Records Commission, 1999-; Maryland Higher Education Investment Program Board, 1999-; State Information Technology Board, 1999-; Maryland State Employees Surety Bond Committee, 1999-; Board of Trustees for State Retirement and Pension Systems, 1999-; Board of Revenue Estimates, 1999-; State Use Industries Advisory Committee, 1999.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, November 2, 1921. Attended Baltimore public schools; Baltimore City College; University of Baltimore School of Law, LL.B., 1942. Served in U.S. Army (World War II). Colonel (ret.), U.S. Army Reserve. Distinguished Public Service Award, Brandeis University. Schools for Success Lifetime Achievement Award, State Department of Education, 1999.
Comptroller Schaefer is a life-long Maryland resident, born in West Baltimore on November 2, 1921 to William Henry and Tululu Irene Schaefer. He was educated in Baltimore's public schools and graduated from Baltimore City College in 1939. Mr. Schaefer received his law degree in 1942.
Mr. Schaefer's legal career was put on hold by the U.S. entry into World War II. He joined the Army, achieved officer rank, and took charge of administering hospitals in England and Europe. Following his tour of duty, he remained in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired in 1979 with the rank of Colonel.
After the war, Comptroller Schaefer resumed his legal career, practicing real estate law. He earned a Master of Law degree in 1954 from the University of Baltimore School of Law and formed a general practice law firm with two colleagues. His concern for city planning and housing in the city propelled him to a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1955.
In 1967, Mr. Schaefer ventured into citywide politics by running successfully for Baltimore City Council President. Four years later, he also ran successfully for Mayor, serving four consecutive terms until he was elected Governor in 1986.
Former Governor Schaefer currently holds the Schaefer Chair at the University of Maryland's School of Public Affairs in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies. He is actively involved in a project to revitalize the Hampden area of Baltimore, working with interns from Hopkins. Before his election as Comptroller, Mr. Schaefer was Of Counsel at the law firm of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC, in downtown Baltimore. In 1997, Governor Parris Glendening appointed Schaefer Chair of the Maryland Commission for Celebration 2000, the State's official agency to plan and implement an observance of the millennium.
Former Governor Schaefer also is involved with many civic and charitable organizations and is on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, as well as state and local colleges.
He is the recipient of 15 honorary degrees; President's Medal, Johns Hopkins University; Jefferson Award for Public Service by an elected official; the Vernon Eney Award, Maryland Bar Foundation; and the Distinguished Service Award, Democratic Party.
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