Parris N. Glendening is president of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, a project of Smart Growth America, a nationwide coalition of nearly 100 organizations promoting a better way to grow; one that protects open space and farmland, revitalizes neighborhoods, keeps housing affordable, and makes communities more livable. He also serves as senior advisor for NSI’s Energy and Environment team.
Glendening spent eight years (1995-2003) as governor of the State of Maryland, where the environment was a focus of his legislative, administrative and personal agenda. In addition, Governor Glendening had the honor of being elected chairman of the National Governors Association, where he made quality of life issues his top agenda item. He also served as president of the Council of State Governments. He was elected to statewide office after serving three terms as county executive of Prince George’s County.
