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City Candidates, On Paper and On Stage


Frederick city candidates for aldermen and mayor gathered one last time before early voting, Oct. 27 and 28, Election Day, Nov. 7, giving voters one more chance to hear from them directly. If you missed the Oct. 23 debate at Frederick Community College, you can catch up here. Nine Aldermanic candidates took the stage from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the two mayoral candidates debated from 8:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Republicans vying for aldermen, seated left to right in the debate video above: Bryan Chaney, Hayden Duke, Alan Imhoff, and Nate Power. Democratic candidates, from left to right: Donna Kuzemchak, Ben MacShane, Kelly Russell, Derek Shackelford and Roger Wilson. Mayoral candidates, Republican Randy McClement and Democrat Michael O'Connor.

Each answered questions from a four-member panel including FCC's Phi Theta Kappa's Stephanie Freniere; The Frederick Extra's Katherine Heerbrandt; Frederick Magazine's Nancy Luse, and 930 AM WFMD's Kevin McManus. Bob Miller, host of 930 AM WFMD's morning show, was emcee.

To learn more about the city election, check out the stories on the City Election page of The Frederick Extra. For more candidate questionnaires, visit Downtown Frederick Partnership, and The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

Below are brief bios of those candidates who sent them to The Frederick Extra. For those who didn't submit a bio, The Frederick Extra included information from their websites.

Early voting began today at noon and is open until 8 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Parking is at a premium, and by 2 p.m. about 400 voters had cast their ballots, according to Election Director Stuart Harvey. Early voting resumes tomorrow at the same place, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. General election day is Nov. 7, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information and to find your polling place, visit the City of Frederick's website here. For a sample ballot, go here.

Republican Alderman Candidates

Bryan Chaney

[From his website]

A realtor with The Verdant Companies in Frederick, Chaney is a graduate of Penn State University, and has worked in technology and sales for 20 years, according to his website. He’s worked in telecommunications, education technology, speech recognition technology, and information security and biometrics in the intelligence community.

He helped startup a current multi-cultural church in 2012, Hope Christian Fellowship, and volunteers/leads in the technical ministry. The owner of three businesses, including Chaneygang Technical Solutions, audio, visual, lighting (AVL) and telephone technologies consultants; Certified Divorce Coach, and COO and CFO for his wife Charlotte’s speaking, writing and coaching business, “Charlotte’s Soul.”

A member of Rotary Club, Chaney has volunteered for Celebrate Frederick, and a table leader for the Waterboyz organization.

Chaney is featured in The Frederick Extra here, and here.

Hayden Duke

I am running to be YOUR Alderman. I filed in May because I have a vision for our future here in Frederick and because I believe deeply and passionately in public service. For the past decade, I have worked to help and improve this community that I love.

I served on the Frederick County Human Relations Commission (HRC) where I was twice elected Chair by my peers. My team worked tirelessly to let people know how the HRC could serve them and always operated in a taxpayer friendly manner. My belief in openness and utter transparency in government led me to serve on the Frederick County Ethics Commission where I was elected Chair by my peers. While I was on the HRC I helped to organize several Naturalization Ceremonies where we swore in new citizens who had gone through the process to become an American. This led me to teach Citizenship classes at Centro Hispano de Frederick for several years.

I am currently a Master’s candidate at Mount Saint Mary’s University where I am working on my certification to teach in an elementary school. I have currently begun my internship or student teaching this semester. In addition, I have working as a long-term substitute teacher at elementary schools in the City of Frederick.

Duke is featured in The Frederick Extra here, here, here and here.

Alan Imhoff

"My experience as a former Alderman (2005 to 2009) confirmed my belief that it is the character and experience of the person not the party label, that is the most important. So, I am reaching out to those I believe that the City of Frederick needs elected officials who can work together, regardless of party affiliation – as I demonstrated in my prior service."

Imhoff’s list of community service includes: Member, Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Committee, Department of Economic Development; Mock Interviewer, Frederick County Workforce Services; Member, Region Forward Initiative, Washington Area Council of Governments; Co-Chairman, Economic Competitiveness Indicators Working Group; and Alternate Member, City of Frederick Planning Commission.

His current non-profit positions include Executive Committee, American Legion Post 11 and the Board of Directors, Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, and the Board of Directors of SeniorScapes.

A part-time faculty member at Frederick Community College for 18 years, Imhoff teaches Information Systems and Technology and Understanding Business. Retired after 32 years from AT&T as a Global Project Manager, imhoff holds a Masters of Business Administration from Hood College;, undergraduate degrees in American History and Business Administration from Loyola University-Baltimore. He is a United States Army Veteran, with the Army Security Agency during the Vietnam Era.

Imhoff is featured in The Frederick Extra here and here.

Nate Power

Mr. Nathan “Nate” Power has over 35 years’ experience in leadership and management positions specializing in US Army Logistics; Senior Program Manager with over 30 years of progressively increasing management and leadership experience. Nate’s wife of 44 years is the former Mary Ann Broderick of Lawton, OK, together they have four children, 2 daughters and 2 sons, three of whom served or are serving in the U.S. Army and 5 grandchildren.

His primary concerns are smaller government, lower property taxes, and lower fees.

Nate has extensive management/leadership background relating to staff coordination, budget execution, and program management. Although he has not served in political office before, Nate has broad experience at strategic planning, decision making, business development, communications, business process improvement, personnel, and resource management. Nate’s experience as a leader ranges from small group leadership to larger organizations of up to 1000 people.

Mr. Power is currently serving as the Director Maintenance Programs for Tech Services Division, ManTech International. Previously, Mr. Power has served in various Senior Program Management roles with Lockheed Martin over the previous 12 years.

Nate ended a successful military career following Battalion Command at Fort Carson, CO and a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) assignment. He has published numerous articles in both and .

Nate graduated from Cameron University in Lawton, OK with a BA/BS in History and Business. Later in his career, he graduated from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA., with an MBA in Business Management. He also holds a PMP Certification. Nate is a graduate of the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) with an MMAS in Military History/Science. The Program Management Institute certified him as a PMP in March of this year.

In 2004, Nate and Mary moved to Frederick, and are members of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish.

Power is featured in The Frederick Extra, here and here.

Democratic Aldermanic Candidates

Donna Kuzemchak

Donna Kuzemchak moved to the City of Frederick in 1985. As a mother, former PTA leader, classroom aid and substitute public school teacher, "Donna K", as she is known by many, began her life as a public advocate on behalf of children. Today, although her own children are now grown and out of the house, Kuzemchak has remained a single mom for most of the 23 years since her husband passed away.

Kuzemchak was elected Alderwoman and spent 1998-2009 serving the citizens of the City of Frederick. During her time in public life, Kuzemchak has earned a reputation as a passionate champion for education, equal access, social justice and affordable living. Kuzemchak was re-elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2013 and sits on the Human Relations Commission, Frederick Arts Council and is liaison from the Board of Aldermen to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Kuzemchak is featured in The Frederick Extra here, here, here here, and here.

Ben MacShane

I'm proud to be running this year as a Democratic candidate for the Frederick Board of Aldermen. As a new father and small business owner who believes in the future of Frederick, I will be your progressive voice in local government to expand economic opportunities, deliver quality city services, and build a more connected community.

MacShane is featured in The Frederick Extra here and here

Kelly Russell

Kelly is serving her second term as Alderman. Ms. Russell is a lifelong resident of Maryland, and has lived in the City of Frederick since 1983. She is a graduate of the 25th Frederick Police Academy, and served for 22 years with the Frederick Police Department. She retired as commander of the Human Resources Division in June of 2005. After retirement, Alderman Russell received Mayoral appointments to serve on the city's Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Now President Pro Tem of the Board of Aldermen, she serves on Planning Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Sustainability Committee, Taxicab Commission, Frederick Area Committee for Transportation (FACT), Transportation Services Advisory Council (TSAC), Downtown Frederick Partnership, ad hoc Watershed Committee, and on MWCOG’s Transportation Planning Board. She is the owner and steward of an historic home in the College Park neighborhood of the city. She enjoys working in her yard and on home restoration projects.

Russell is featured in The Frederick Extra here, here, and here.

Derek Shackelford

Derek Shackelford was born in Frederick, Maryland. He is happily married to Charlotte Janell Shackelford and is the proud father of two children Shamara and Derin.

Derek graduated from Frederick Community College with an Associate in Arts Degree and from George Mason University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science. He also holds a Masters of Divinity Degree and an earned Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. Derek previously served on the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee and has served on numerous boards, commissions and non-profit organizations.

Derek has also guest lectured at Colleges and Universities across the country. He wants to give a voice to the issues you care about and offer a New Brand of Leadership!

Shackelford is featured in The Frederick Extra here, here here and here.

Roger Wilson

Roger is responsible for managing governmental affairs for the County Executive, including serving as a liaison to Frederick County's twelve municipalities, the Frederick County Delegation, and with the County Council. In addition, Roger supports the County Executive with advancing policy initiatives both in the county and with state and federal delegations.

Roger is passionate about Frederick County and Frederick City's economic future. As a technology executive at IBM for more than twenty years prior to joining Frederick County Government, Roger implemented advanced technology solutions for government, retail, and life sciences, as well as travel and transportation clients throughout the country and around the world.

Roger's career as a technology executive taught him the importance of education in the new economy, and the untapped potential the Frederick community has to create economic opportunity through alliances in higher education and private sector partnerships.

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He’s served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the United Way of Frederick County; Commissioner for the Frederick City Planning and Fair Housing Commissions; and on the Advisory Board for Continuing Education at Frederick Community College (FCC). In addition, he has served as a mentor for the Good Guides, Good Will mentoring program. Roger is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and mentors young men through the Necktie Club. Roger is a member of the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, and mentors and reads to students at Lincoln Elementary.

Roger was appointed to the Board of Trustees at FCC by Governor Martin O'Malley in July 2013. Roger believes FCC is the economic heartbeat of the Frederick Community.

Wilson is featured in The Frederick Extra here, here and here.

Candidates for Mayor

Randy McClement

Randy McClement is currently serving his second term as Mayor for the City of Frederick. He has been an active member of the Frederick community for many years. He has served on a number of boards and commissions that have given him a breadth of knowledge about our city, notably: past president of the Tourism Council of Frederick County; Downtown Frederick Partnership Promotions Committee participant; chair of the Charter Review Committee; commissioner on the Ethics Committee; 12-year member of the Chamber of Commerce; and president of Frederick Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League.

Before he and his wife, Maryjane, opened the Market Bagel & Deli in downtown Frederick, Randy worked six years in government sales, 13 years as a property manager – 6 of those years as director of management. He has lived in Frederick County since 1994 and a City of Frederick resident since 2003. He has one daughter, Melissa, who currently lives in Richmond Hill, Georgia with her husband Dan and two children, Charlotte and Jacob.

McClement has been featured in The Frederick Extra here, here and here.

Michael O’Connor

I am lucky to have been born in Frederick and am grateful every day for the opportunities this community offers me and my family. I am equally thankful for those who have chosen Frederick for their homes. They bring diversity and perspective to this place we all call home.

As a two-term Alderman, I have been liaison to Parks and Recreation, the Airport, Celebrate Frederick, the Community Action Agency, the Delaplaine, Historic Preservation, and Blight and Vacant Property boards and commissions.

I have spent the last 10+ years as the Business Manager at Saint Katharine Drexel Church. Prior to my election I spent nearly 20 years as a radio and television journalist, as well as 10 years as adjunct faculty at Frederick Community College. My wife Tammy and I have been married for 24+ years, with two college enrolled daughters (Gov. Thomas Johnson HS) of whom we are enormously proud.

On my Spring listening tour, I heard your concerns— Frederick is a wonderful place to live, but...despite Frederick’s progress, there is no cohesive vision for our future, and that makes our road ahead unfocused. My nearly 30 years of civic, business, media, and non-profit leadership, uniquely qualifies me to serve as your Mayor. Local government represents the greatest potential to positively impact the quality of life of our residents, our neighbors, our families, and our future. My commitment to engagement, stewardship, and community is clear. With you and for you, we will Move Frederick Forward Together!

O'Connor has been featured in The Frederick Extra here, here, here and here.

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