New Board Member Appointed for Somerset County

At the October board meeting, Craig N. Mathies Sr. of Princess Anne was appointed to the Board of Directors of Choptank Electric Cooperative, representing Somerset County. This seat became available when Carl R. Widdowson retired on Aug. 27, 2019. Mr. Mathies will serve the remainder of the unexpired term and stand for re-election at the annual meeting in April 2020.
Mr. Mathies has been a Somerset County resident for over 51 years. Educated in the Somerset County Public School System he graduated from Crisfield High School, and attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, receiving a Bachelors of Arts from Norfolk Theological Seminary. He received his Master’s degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in 2014 and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. 
Mr. Mathies had a career in the automotive business as salesman, finance and sales manager and is presently the pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Cambridge, Md. and president of the Somerset County Commissioners representing District 1. Active in many community and civic organizations, he is married to Clarice Mathies, a Somerset County educator and has two children, Erica Mathies Jackson and Craig N. Mathies Jr.  His mother, Shellie Mathies, is also a retired Somerset County educator.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve and keep the residents of Somerset County informed about Choptank Electric’s reliable electricity and the different projects that will be coming our way. For example, the broadband, that hopefully Choptank will be able to provide for residents of Somerset County will be extremely helpful and important to all the households that lack internet services. I think Choptank has a great vision and the foresight to provide residents of Somerset County with new technology and new opportunities. I look forward to serving and contributing in any way that I can,” said Mathies.
Jeff Rathell, chairman of the Choptank Electric Board of Directors, is pleased with the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to have someone of Craig’s caliber on our Board representing Somerset County. He brings his personal and professional experiences to the table. His connection to our members will help our Board meet the challenges our communities face today.”