HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A Howard County resident has been appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan as the newest member of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) board. Attorney and certified public accountant Cynthia Penny-Ardinger will fill the seat occupied by board member Peter J. Basso, who completed his term after serving on the MDTA Board since 2007.

"Cynthia's expertise in law and business operations will be positive assets to the entire MDTA team. I'd like to thank Peter for his years of dedicated leadership and wisdom, especially in ensuring the authority's financial integrity," said MDTA Chairman and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn in a press release.

A partner at Baxter, Baker, Sidle, Conn & Jones, P.A., Penny-Ardinger has two decades of experience in representing clients in business and estates and trust practice areas. She received a bachelor of science in economics from the University of Maryland and a juris doctorate at the University of Maryland School of Law. She is a former president of the Friends of Howard County Library and has served on the boards of numerous organizations including the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Co., the Charter Review Commission of Howard County and Neighborhood Ride, a Howard County organization that provides transportation to seniors. She has chaired numerous ad hoc committees devoted to educational advocacy.