Shortly after it was spotlighted in the local media and a reader’s letter to The Bay Net that the college information listed for Tommy McKay, St. Mary’s Commissioner President, was incorrect, the county public relations office released a statement by McKay.
The release stated the information originally was correct, but it was changed by an unnamed staffer.
Below is the text of the release and McKay’s official revised bio.
It has been brought to the attention of St. Mary’s Commissioner President Thomas McKay, and the county, that there is a mistake in the biographical information posted on the County website for Commissioner McKay.
The information originally submitted by the Commissioner accurately depicted his education as attending the University of Maryland from 1974 to 1979 (copy attached). The error has been corrected.
“Changes were made by my staff that were not correct,” said McKay. “I did not direct my staff in any way to make an inaccurate claim. I have spoken with the staff member and am satisfied that this was a clerical error which has been corrected.”
“Additionally, I am glad that I have been made aware of this. I have never tried to represent myself as anything other than what I am,” McKay continued. “My record of accomplishments working on behalf of the people of St. Mary’s County speaks for itself.”
Thomas F. “Tommy” McKay is serving his first term as Commissioner President of the Board of County Commissioners, St. Mary’s County. He was born in Leonardtown, Maryland and is the son of James Manning and Marilyn A. McKay. Mr. McKay was raised on the family farm in Hollywood along with his three brothers and four sisters.
Mr. McKay attended Ryken High School from 1970-1974 and the University of Maryland from 1974-1979. He then joined the family grocery business on a full time basis in 1979.
In 1982, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Mid Atlantic Food Dealers. In 1985, he was named General Manager of McKay’s Food and Drug Company. In 1991, became Chairman of the Mid Atlantic Food Dealers which serves more than 2500 businesses throughout Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
In 1992, Mr. McKay became President of Woodburn’s Gourmet Market and was named Chief Operating Officer for the McKay’s Food and Drug Company in 1999.
Currently, Mr. McKay serves on the Food Advisory Council and the Legislative Advisory Council to the Maryland Retailers Association, is a member of the St. John’s Council of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of the Hollywood Optimist Club, and a member of the SMC Chapter of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge.
Mr.