Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has recently named Joseph R. Densford as the Co-op's Board Attorney. The position was vacated upon the passing of Louis P. Jenkins, Sr., who had served as SMECO's Board Attorney for 28 years.
In his new capacity, Densford will be responsible for advising Directors in their capacity as members of the Board and providing guidance on matters of the Co-op's Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Conversion, bylaws, and elections. The Board Attorney counsels Directors with regard to their legal rights, duties, and obligations to the Co-op's members and in their roles as members of Board committees. Densford's duties include attending all regular and special Board meetings, as well as participating in the planning of annual membership meetings and providing advice on related legal technicalities.
Daniel Dyer, Chairman of SMECO's Board of Directors, welcomed Densford by expressing his respect for the attorney's experience and knowledge. Dyer said, "We are fortunate to have such a distinguished member of the community serving the Co-op and assisting with the affairs of the Board. He has experience as an assistant state's attorney, as well as the attorney for St. Mary's County. He is also familiar with a broad range of issues, from real estate to business law."
In addition to selecting a Board Attorney, SMECO has also appointed Mark A. MacDougall to serve as General Counsel. MacDougall serves as the Co-op's Vice President of Legal, Regulatory, and Government Affairs; he has functioned as legal counsel since 1998. As General Counsel, MacDougall will provide advice on all legal matters in the Co-op's day-to-day operations with regard to structural, management, and business matters. He is responsible for determining and directing all legal matters relating to the Co-op and ensures that its legal rights are maintained. In addition to providing in-house guidance and counsel and coordinating outside legal efforts, the General Counsel represents the Co-op on all matters before the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other federal and state agencies.
Densford graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1975 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1976. During his career, he has been a sole practitioner in Leonardtown, a partner in other firms, a corporation counsel to the Town of Leonardtown, and an attorney to the St. Mary's County Planning Commission. Densford has also served as a Director of the St. Mary's County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Leonard Hall School Board of Trustees, as well as additional civic organizations.
MacDougall graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1982 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. MacDougall came to SMECO in 1998 after 18 years with Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission for Calvert and St. Mary's Counties, having been appointed to that position by Governor Ehrlich in 2003, and is a member of numerous professional organizations.