ABOUT TONY O'DONNELL

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1961, Tony graduated from the Middletown Area High School. A few weeks after high school graduation, Tony began service in the United States Navy for over 8 years. While in the Navy, O’Donnell completed a rigorous set of training schools. He first became an Electronics Technician and then a Reactor Operator in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Program.

Tony served onboard the nuclear powered guided missile cruiser U.S.S. South Carolina (CGN-37) as a reactor operator and reactor technician. He then served as an instructor at the Knowles Atomic Power Laboratory in Ballston Spa, NY. While at the Knowles Lab, ET1 O’Donnell was designated as a Navy Master Training Specialist and completed Bachelor of Science degree requirements at the University of the State of New York, Regents College (now known as Excelsior College). Upon exit from the Navy in 1987, O’Donnell began working at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, MD. Tony started at Calvert Cliffs as a nuclear instrumentation and controls technician. He was certified by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) as a control technician. Over 15 years, he served as a supervisor in this field, as well as a maintenance engineering technician and as director of emergency preparedness for the plant. Tony left the plant at the end of 2002.

He also volunteered in his local community and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the now defunct Drum Point Road Company. He also coached youth soccer and is a long time member of the Arick L. Lore American Legion Post #274 in Lusby. Over the years Tony has worked in many volunteer and charitable causes.

Tony got his first taste of politics at the age of 28 when he worked on a Congressional campaign of his friend and former navy colleague. That led to his involvement and work on local political issues with the Republican Central Committee of Calvert County. He worked on developing a precinct level organization and on various committee activities. O’Donnell was awarded the Edward T. Hall Outstanding Republican of the Year for Calvert County in 1993. In 1994, at the age of 33, Tony O’Donnell was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 29-C. Since that time Tony has earned many leadership positions including serving as the House Minority Leader and is a member of the House Environmental Matters Committee.

Tony O’Donnell and his wife Lori have three children and two grandchildren. They live in Drum Point in Lusby. Tony is a US Navy veteran and Lori works in the local public schools in Calvert County.