Board of Advisors

Trustee, Montgomery College

Former legislator for Montgomery County, retiree and was the first Chair of the Board of Advisers in 2000. He was instrumental in the creation of USG. Additionally, he helped with efforts to secure funding for SG Building III. He currently serves as Chair of the Government Affairs Committee.

Counihan's career is distinguished for his contributions to education in Montgomery County. He taught high school in the County for 29 years. During his tenure on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, he became an advocate for adding daytime classes to the four-year degree programs offered at USG.

He recognized with other civic leaders that Montgomery College students needed a local option to pursue a baccalaureate degree at a public institution after earning their associate degree. As a member of the BOA, he remains involved with USG students by annually attending the graduation celebration and achievement breakfast.

Counihan served in the Maryland legislature from 1983 through 1995. After retiring from teaching, he became the government relations officer for the Washington Area Transit Authority, from which he recently retired.

In addition to being a past chair of the BOA, he was a chair of the Montgomery College Board of Trustees. In 2005, he received the Outstanding Leader Award from Montgomery County Leadership.