Meet the people serving on the Board of Directors for MASC

Jeremy Brown- Board Chair and Regional Advisor
Karen Crawford – Executive Director – Board President
Andrew Boone – Treasurer
Matt Talley, At Large Member
Siya Jain – Student
Nina Marks – At Large
Jesse Orth – At Large
Wayne Perry – Registered Agent
Henry Meiser – At Large
Dr. Debbie Dennie – Liaison to the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals

Board Chair and Regional Advisor:  Jeremy Brown
MASC Connections – Linganore High School student council advisor since 2000, and Frederick County Association of Student Councils (FCASC) regional advisor since 2016

Jeremy Brown has served as regional advisor for the Frederick County Association of Student Councils FCASC).  Since 2000, he has also served as the advisor to the Linganore High School (LHS) student government association.  Mr. Brown works as a Work-Based Learning Coordinator at LHS in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS).  He has been a teacher and leader for FCPS for over 25 years.  Mr. Brown began his work at LHS as Team Leader/Project Coordinator for a USDE Smaller Learning Communities grant, developing and implementing a first-year student academy program.

Mr. Brown teaches multiple levels of Career Research and Development coursework, including dual enrollment courses.  He supervises students in Work-Study, Mentor-Internship, Student Service Learning, and Youth Apprentice programs.  He is the FCPS Youth Apprentice Teacher Coordinator. He serves on several county, regional, and state committees and advisory groups.

Mr. Brown is the academic awards and graduation coordinator at his school and serves as faculty advisor to the Key Club.  Outside his roles in FCPS, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Dependable Strengths and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the James Madison University Alumni Association.  He is an adjunct professor at Frederick Community College.  When not working, he is an active traveler and serves as a volunteer for the Olympic Games.

President and Acting Executive Director: Karen Crawford
MASC Connections – Acting MASC Executive Director (June 2018 – Oct 2019, July 1, 2024-Present), Montgomery County Regional Advisor (1999-2014), Montgomery County Junior Councils Regional Advisor (1990-1995, 2012)

Karen Crawford has worked with student leaders since 1977 as a junior high school student council advisor.  Since then, she progressed to working at the county, state, and national levels in specific positions or facilitating workshops.  From 1999-2014, as the administrator of student leadership in Montgomery County Public Schools, Karen worked directly with her county middle and high school student council advisors and county and state-level student leaders. “Retiring” in 2014, her continued work with student leaders exemplifies the simple philosophy, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”  Serving mainly as the volunteer Assistant Executive Director of the MASC, Karen is passionate about supporting the student voice and enjoys working with student leaders to address issues and create change in their schools and communities.  She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Maryland, a master’s in Special Education from Bowie State University, and an Administration and Supervision Certification from Johns Hopkins University.

Treasurer: Andrew Boone
MASC Connections: MASC Alumni

Andrew Boone, an alumnus of the Maryland Association of Student Councils, is proud to return to serve on the Board. His journey as a student leader with MASC shaped his passion for service, advocacy, and empowering youth voices. Today, Andrew is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Maryland Print House, where he leads client partnerships and growth initiatives. He remains dedicated to fostering leadership opportunities for the next generation while continuing to give back to the organization that helped launch his own leadership path.

Student: Siya Jain
Currently serving a second year as a Student Workshop Coordinator

Siya Jain, a sophomore at Severn Run High School, currently serves in her second year as a Student Workshop Coordinator (SWC) for the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC). In her position as a SWC, Siya trains student leaders to become MASC Certified Workshop Presenters as part of the certification program, as well as selects, reviews, and edits hundreds of workshop sessions that are offered at all MASC conferences, providing student leaders with essential skills to thrive. Over the past four years, Siya’s efforts on the MASC Executive Board have also been reflected in her time as the MASC 2nd Vice President, and as a regional representative, where she launched countless resources for middle school leaders statewide.

Outside of MASC, Siya serves as an active member of numerous leadership organizations, such as the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC), alongside being the two-time President of the Severn Run High School Class of 2028. She participates in many clubs, including Model United Nations, Student Government, and honor societies. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching TV shows, playing board games, baking, attending concerts, and curating playlists for any occasion!

At Large Member: Nina Marks
MASC Connections: State SMOB 2011-2012; MASC Publications Coordinator 2010-2011; MASC Health & Social Issues Coordinator 2009-2010

Nina Marks is a trial attorney in Baltimore City at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. She believes strongly in the mission of the Office of the Public Defender, that zealous advocacy is a civil right afforded to anyone facing the loss of liberty. She holds a JD from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and her B.A. in Government and Politics with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland. In high school, Nina was the Student Member on the State Board of Education after serving in other roles within MASC. MASC helped Nina develop her advocacy skills, which she continues to utilize in her current practice.

At Large Member: Jesse Orth:
MASC Connections: Former regional advisor, Washington County Association of Student Councils (WCASC)

Jesse Orth currently serves as the Membership Coordinator for MASC.  He previously served as the Regional Advisor to the Washington County Association of Student Councils (WCASC) from 2015-2025.  During his time as regional advisor, Mr. Orth was privileged to advise the 2021-2022 Maryland State SMOB and the 2024-2025 MASC President, as well as host the 2018 and 2023 MASC Conventions.  He was also recognized as a recipient of the 2018-2019 Mike Michaelson Advisor of the Year award.

Mr. Orth is an elementary assistant principal at Bester Elementary in Washington County. He previously worked as a Lead Teacher (Staff Development Specialist) and an elementary teacher.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in school administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.  When not working, Mr. Orth enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage daughter, hiking, camping, traveling, and fishing on his boat.

At Large Member: Matt Talley:
MASC Connections: Frederick County Regional President & MASC Environmental Issues Coordinator 2014-2015; Western Divisional Liaison 2013-2014

Matt Talley’s first experiences with leadership began as a student in the Maryland Association of Student Councils, where he discovered the importance of advocacy and collaboration. Now, as an alumnus, he is eager to give back by serving on the Board of Directors and supporting the next generation of Maryland student leaders. He currently works as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving at the University of Maryland Global Campus, guiding alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives that strengthen the university community.

He earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Operations Management & Business Analytics from the University of Maryland, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management & Leadership. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management at UMGC.

At Large Member: Henry Meiser
MASC Connections: St. Mary’s County Regional President (August 2021 to May 2023), St. Mary’s County Regional Vice-President (August 2020 to May 2021), MASC Environmental Affairs Coordinator (August 2019 to May 2020), MASC Liaison to the Maryland Center for School Safety Subcabinet (August 2020 to May 2023), MASC Member (August 2018 to May 2023)

Henry Meiser returns to the Maryland Association of Student Councils as a proud alum and current Board Member, bringing a strong background in legislative advocacy, public policy, and student leadership. A native of Solomons, Maryland, he is a junior at the College of the Holy Cross pursuing a B.A. in Accounting and International Relations. Henry has established himself as a leading voice in the mental health and school safety space. He currently serves as the Governor’s Designee to the State Commission on Suicide Prevention, after previously representing the student body on the Commission and leading the Maryland Center for School Safety Student Focus Group. His leadership experience also includes service on the Maryland 988 Board of Trustees, advising the Worcester County (Massachusetts) School Board on behavioral threat assessment policy, and leading school safety legislative initiatives within the Office of Senator Katie Hester.

In recognition of his work, Henry has received formal citations from the Governor of Maryland, the State Senate, and the House of Delegates. Beyond his policy and advocacy efforts, he serves as Assistant Sailing Director at the Hyannis Yacht Club and enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time with family.

At Large Member: Dr. Debbie Dennie
MASC Connections: SGA advisor

Dr. Deborah Dennie began her career as a middle school teacher in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, where she quickly developed a passion for guiding young people both in and out of the classroom. After moving to the United States, she continued her calling as an educator at St. John’s Catholic School before joining St. Mary’s County Public Schools, where she has served for twenty-four years. Within the district, Dr. Dennie has held a variety of roles, including middle school social studies teacher, human resources supervisor, assistant principal, and principal.

Her commitment to student leadership extends far beyond the school site. Dr. Dennie became actively involved in the St. Mary’s Association of Student Councils (SMASC), where she consistently supported opportunities for students to find their voices and take on meaningful leadership roles. Even while managing the many responsibilities of a school administrator, she stepped in to serve as an advisor when no one else would, ensuring that student leaders always had the guidance they needed to succeed.  Over the years, she has mentored countless students at the school, regional, and state levels, leaving a lasting impact on Maryland student government.

Registrar: Wayne Perry
MASC Connections: Harford County Regional Advisor (HCRASC) for many years!

Wayne Perry is a retired principal from Harford County, Maryland, and holds a BS in Music Education from Towson University and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park.  Wayne has served as the MASC Registrar since 2004, after several additional years as the regional advisor to the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils. Wayne has a deep commitment to youth leadership development that enables young people to be meaningfully involved in their communities at school and at home. Whether serving with a title or without, Wayne believes that, empowered with leadership skills, everyone can contribute to the success of their nation, their communities, their families, and their own lives.