LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of License Commissioners on Aug. 14, 2025, elected Matthew Darden as its new chair, succeeding Kathleen Quade after her eight years of service on the liquor board.
Quade, first appointed in 2017 and reappointed in 2022, served eight years on the liquor board, including terms as chair, before concluding her service this month.
Alongside Darden’s unanimous election as chair, Michelle Jones was unanimously chosen as vice chair. The board now comprises Jones, Dorothy Brawner and Tamika Simmons, assisted by attorney Zhypar Beishenalieva and clerk Melody Weschler. Darden previously served as vice chair before stepping into the chair’s role.
The District 2 representative seat, previously held by Quade, is now open. The five-member board — tasked with reviewing and approving liquor licenses, renewals and penalties under the Alcoholic Beverages Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland — holds in-person meetings at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Charles County Government Building.
Under Quade’s leadership, the board adopted a notable policy in March 2025 approving retail alcohol delivery by Liquor Outlet Waldorf LLC. At the Aug. 14 meeting, board members noted that the delivery program had proceeded smoothly and without issues since its implementation. As a result, they voted to reduce review requirements: Instead of providing delivery reports at every meeting, the establishment will now report every other month.
While licensing and compliance remain central to the board’s work, it has faced scrutiny in the past. Earlier this year, during a public meeting, some board members raised concerns about due process after show-cause orders were signed without a formal board vote. They argued the action bypassed established procedure, which they said requires a collective decision before enforcement measures are taken. The discussion highlighted questions about transparency, consistency and the limits of the chair’s authority within the board’s governance structure.
Charles County currently has several vacancies across local boards and commissions. These positions are filled by community members who volunteer their time to help guide county programs and policies. A full list of openings, including details on applying for the District 2 liquor board seat, is available at charlescountymd.gov/government/vacancies-2.
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