Former Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler honored with McDaniel College award

Former Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler was honored recently with the McDaniel College Trustee Alumni Award, the highest alumni honor given by McDaniel in recognition of alumni career and service achievement.

“I was extremely honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” Mohler said.

Mohler earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1972 and master’s degree in 1977 from the school, when it was named Western Maryland College.

“My entire career has been influenced by the relationships that I made at WMC, both with classmates and professors.” he said. “I am equally proud of the current McDaniel College, particularly its diversity.”

A Catonsville resident, Mohler became the 13th county executive in May 2018, appointed by the Baltimore County Council to fill the seat after the death of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Mohler was serving as Kamenetz’s chief of staff and county spokesperson. Before Mohler worked for Kamenetz, he was communications director for former County Executive Jim Smith for eight years.

Mohler also served as key adviser to four superintendents for Baltimore County Public Schools. He also worked as a central office administrator, including as assistant superintendent for communications and community outreach; area superintendent, where he directly supervised 32 schools in the northeast area of Baltimore County; and executive director of student support services.

He was also principal at Catonsville High and Sparrows Point Middle schools, assistant principal and chairman of the guidance department at Dundalk High School, and guidance counselor and social studies teacher at Lansdowne High School. He began his career in 1972 teaching social studies at St. Mark School in Catonsville.

Currently, Mohler is president and CEO of Mohler Communication Strategies, where he provides community engagement strategies and consults on media and communications, including guiding crisis communication efforts.

Since his retirement from Baltimore County, he has co-hosted the “Baltimore Positive” podcast with locally known radio personality Nestor Aparicio, interviewing major political leaders, business owners and women, civic leaders, and members of the media across Maryland and the nation. He also publishes “The Front Porch” blog.

In addition to his degrees from McDaniel, Mohler holds a master of education from Loyola University Maryland and a doctor of education from Nova Southeastern University. He’s taught at Nova Southeastern University and Goucher College.

“Having served decades in public education and government, there was not a day that went by in which the lessons learned at [McDaniel] were not put to use,” Mohler said. “I simply want to thank everyone who was an important part of my journey.”