Historic Preservation Commission

John Peter Thompson is a self-employed contractor, nationally recognized lecturer, and authority on history, horticulture, and invasive species. He previously served as president of the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, chair of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, and director of the Prince George’s County Community Foundation. In addition to his professional and civic leadership, he is actively involved in mentoring and coaching students, sharing his expertise and advancing public understanding of history, civics, and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Arlisha R. Norwood, a resident of Clinton, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and has taught classes in Historical Research, United States History, and African-American History. She taught in the Department of History at Baruch College-City University of New York as a Visiting Professor at Howard University. Dr. Norwood previously served as a Program Aide/Program Coordinator with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. She received her undergraduate degree in History from Dillard University and her Doctorate in History from Howard University. Dr. Norwood is a member of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALAH), the Southern Historical Association, and the Society of Civil War Historians.

Ms. Pamela D. Jenkins, a resident of Bowie, is an award-winning licensed realtor and a board member of the Prince George’s County Association of Realtors (PGCAR). She provides guidance and assistance to individuals in purchasing property for the best value at the best terms while performing comparative analyses. Ms. Jenkins previously served as an adjunct professor at Prince George’s Community College Center for Entrepreneurial Development. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Columbia Union/Washington Adventist University and her Master of Business Administration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Kelly Porter, a resident of Seat Pleasant, serves as the Honorable Mayor of the Town of Seat Pleasant and has served on the City Council since 1996. In this role, he provides leadership while developing, implementing, and evaluating city government initiatives and programs. He has decades of strategic planning, budget management, public administration, and economic development experience. Mr. Porter is a Librarian Assistant in Montgomery County, is employed by Giant Food, and is a realtor. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York.

Susan Pruden holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has been a licensed Realtor since 1994. She was appointed to the Prince George’s County Historical and Cultural Trust in 2006 and the Historic Preservation Commission in 2009. She has also served on the Legislative Committees for the Prince George’s County Association of Realtors and the Maryland Association of Realtors.

Royal holds degrees and certificates in urban planning and historic preservation and previously served with the New Orleans Historic Districts Landmarks Commission staff and the Columbus, Ga. planning department. Currently a marketing and communications manager, he is a former U.S. Army and Veterans Affairs Department public affairs officer and chief of public affairs for United States Army NATO.

He is an Army Veteran serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Israel, and Ukraine, among other overseas assignments, and a two-time Bronze Star Medal recipient. He maintains connections to veterans and veteran causes through veteran service organizations, including the American Legion Post 108 in Cheverly, where he serves as its finance officer.

A Native of Duluth, Minn., Royal now calls Prince George’s County home and is a proud Cheverlian.