John David "J.D." Merrill Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Supporting a cluster of agencies working to advance the health and well-being of Baltimore City residents.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Supported the day-to-day operations of the Mayor's office including the Mayor’s Communications, Correspondence and Constituent Services, Government Relations, Neighborhoods, and Scheduling teams as well as special projects to advance the Mayor’s agenda including the Mayor’s vacants strategy, the Mayor’s attendance challenge, the redevelopment of Harborplace, and the expansion of middle school athletics with Baltimore City Public Schools. Served as the Mayor’s designee at the Unified Command’s Incident Command Post following the Key Bridge incident.

Mangrove Strategies provided communications, human capital, operations, and project management support to public sector organizations. In thirteen months of operations we supported more than 20 clients across across 5 states.

Helped open ChallengeU's first charter school in the United States. ChallengeU re-enrolls and re-engages students who dropped out of school and then provides personalized support to help students graduate and transition successfully into post-graduate opportunities.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Areas of responsibility include management of grades 5-8 team, building operations and the physical plant, community relations and social media, student enrollment, human capital recruitment and retention, special projects, and the development and monitoring of our $9.5 million annual operating budget. Created a new master schedule to align to goals, enabling weekly grade-level and content team meetings, helping to achieve 7.4% schoolwide student growth in one year, the most improvement among K-8’s in City Schools in 2019. During Spring 2020, helped develop and implement COVID-19 pandemic strategy that resulted in 92% daily student engagement in online learning, the distribution of 500 laptops, and the distribution of more than 250,000 lbs of groceries to the public through a partnership with the Maryland Food Bank. During Summer 2020, facilitated reopening workgroup that led to our school being the only public school in Baltimore City open on the first day of school with in-person learning and ended the year with 41% of students learning in-person, among the top 10% in Baltimore City Public Schools for in-person learning. Ended SY20-21 as the #1 public school meal distribution site in Baltimore City and 90% overall attendance, 10% greater than district average.Served on the school district’s negotiating team to develop an MOU with the Baltimore Teachers Union for school reopening during COVID-19, and served on the district’s contract negotiating team for negotiations with the Baltimore Teachers Union.Developed Giving Tuesday strategy in 2020 that led to $35,889 raised from 341 donors in one day.Served as point person for all building construction projects, managed relationships with architect, contractor, and partners on $2 million classroom renovations during summer 2020 and $1.5 million track and field construction during summer 2021.

Baltimore, Md

Campaigned for improving public education by knocking on over 50,000 doors, earning nearly 40% of vote in competitive primary. Campaign was endorsed by the Baltimore Sun, 21 community leaders, 7 elected officials, and 3 labor unions. Received over 1200 individual contributions, totaling over $220,000.

Baltimore, Maryland Area

Supported the Chief of Staff in monitoring and managing the day-to-day operation and coordination of activities and services for $1.2 billion organization with over 80,000 students and 10,000 employees.Represented the Chief of Staff and served as liaison with all departments on matters relating to administration, management, operations, and strategic planning.Coordinated special projects including the development of a research-based and comprehensive vision for system-wide improvement in Baltimore City Public Schools titled, Building a Generation: City Schools Blueprint for Success; a grassroots enrollment campaign with the Baltimore Teachers Union and City of Baltimore; building renovations and transformations with the Heart of America Foundation; and student athlete development with Under Armour, the InSideOut Initiative, and the Fund for Educational Excellence.

Baltimore, Maryland

Instructed over 350 students in three years as a classroom teacher. Taught ninth grade IB MYP Individuals and Societies and 10th grade IB MYP U.S. History. Received the highly effective designation, the highest professional rating possible.Led effort that raised over $2.2 million to build new 13,000 square foot library. One year after the new library opened student achievement on the IB Extended Essay, a rigorous independent college-level research project, increased by 158%.Coached and facilitated prospective families through the high school choice process, planned and executed prospective student days, open house days, and led middle school outreach program. Visited over 50 middle schools during the 2015-2016 school year.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Provided daily updates to centermaryland.org with the latest political, business, education, energy, and health care news for over 4,000 subscribers including Maryland political, business, and community leaders.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Developed field strategy for campaign, supported candidate and staff throughout campaign, monitored progress toward campaign goals, provided on-going consultation and support for the execution of campaign strategy contributing to the candidate receiving 2,361 votes and finishing first out of six candidates.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Successfully led and implemented a field program in two city council districts producing 27,766 voter contacts, over 150% greater than average team production and over 200% greater than voter contact goals contributing to a city-wide victory with 52% of the vote in a six-candidate field. Candidate did not lose a single precinct in districts responsible for.

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Executed successful field program for 27-year old former teacher and political newcomer en route to an 18-point upset victory over a 27-year incumbent. Supported a field staff of 4 field organizers, more than 200 volunteers, and 10 interns. Implemented successful Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) program on Election Day that turned out 46% non-traditional voters and exceeded the district’s historical average by 43%.

Graduate Certificate

Master Of Science (M.S.)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.)

High School Diploma, International Baccalaureate Certificate