LaMonte Cooke Honored with Renaming of MACo County Professional Recognition Award
The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) announced at its annual Winter Conference that the County Professional Recognition Award will now be known as the LaMonte Cooke County Service Award. The surprise announcement brought the entire room to its feet in celebration at the Awards Banquet, held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD.
This prestigious decision honors Mr. Cooke’s nearly 50 years of exceptional contributions to county government and public safety, as well as his leadership and advocacy on behalf of MACo and Maryland’s counties.
Queen Anne’s County Commission President Chris Corchiarino remarked, “LaMonte Cooke has set an incredible example of dedication, service, and leadership. Renaming this award in his honor is a fitting tribute to a career that has had a profound impact on not only Queen Anne’s County but the entire state. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of county professionals.”
LaMonte Cooke, a resident of Chestertown, MD, began his career in 1975 as Kent County’s first African American Deputy Sheriff. He joined Queen Anne’s County in 1987 and has served as the Warden of the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center for 37 years. His influence extends far beyond his county, with numerous leadership roles across organizations, boards, and committees. He has been a guiding force within MACo, serving on its legislative committee and the Maryland Correctional Administrators Association, among other roles. His frequent testimony at legislative hearings in Annapolis exemplifies his advocacy for county needs and priorities.
LaMonte Cooke reflected on the honor, saying, “I am deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition. Serving Queen Anne’s County and advocating for Maryland’s counties has been the honor of my career. I hope this award inspires others to embrace public service with the same passion and commitment.”
Michael Sanderson, Executive Director of MACo, shared, “We’re in the business of public service – and specifically, local service to our communities. In LaMonte Cooke’s career, you’ll see that he very much embodies the spirit of MACo. We admire his passion for public safety and his dedication to the people of Queen Anne’s County. Most importantly, we wanted to recognize his inspirational career and his steadfast service to all the people of Maryland through his continued service as an advocate for county needs and priorities statewide.”
The MACo Board’s decision to rename the award underscores their recognition of extraordinary leadership and advocacy on behalf of county issues. Sanderson concluded, “It felt most fitting to the MACo Board that an award recognizing county professionals who have heard the call to step forward as extraordinary leaders and advocates for county issues be renamed in LaMonte’s honor.”
About the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo): MACo is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that serves Maryland county governments by articulating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly. The Association’s membership comprises county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo’s members determine Association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and Legislative Committee. Through MACo’s advocacy, training, education programs, and annual conferences, members are given endless opportunities to increase their capacity to serve their residents.
More information and conference program updates are provided at mdcounties.org/MACoCon.