John Griffin

As the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership (CCP) senior policy advisor, John works to advance large landscape conservation initiatives in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by convening diverse, multi-disciplinary stakeholders. CCP seeks to extend the conservation of large landscapes throughout the region to benefit multiple values, including sustainability; scenic, historic and cultural heritage; working lands; important bio- diversity and wildlife habitat; water quality and supply; and overall quality of life. John is the former secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources under two Governors, the deputy secretary of the department, the general manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and served as chief of staff for Governor Martin O’Malley.

He brings decades of experience with resource conservation and environmental protection as well as relationships across the Chesapeake watershed. John holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Niagara University and master’s degree in social work from the Catholic University of America. He has five children and three granddaughters and lives in Annapolis with his wife Michele and their twin boys.