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Comings & Goings
Williams joins Sol Systems energy investment firm
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].
Congratulations to Andrew Williams on his new position as Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, Energy Infrastructure & Markets with Sol Systems, LLC. Sol Systems is one of the premier renewable energy investment firms in the country with more than a decade of operational success across the United States. To date, Sol has developed and/or financed more than 850 MW of solar projects valued at more than $1 billion for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities, and schools. The company also actively trades in and shapes environmental commodity and electricity markets throughout the United States.
Prior to joining Sol Systems, Williams was with the Environmental Defense Fund where he served as Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. climate and energy. While there, he helped shape EDF’s state-level domestic advocacy strategy. Prior to working with EDF he served as Vice President and General Counsel for Hickory Creek Ventures, LLC; and as Operational Officer and Vice President for Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent in Tulsa, Okla.
Williams was appointed to the advisory board of SAFER PA and is an immediate past member of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s Natural Gas Workgroup. He was appointed by then-Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry to the advisory council for the Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells and is a past board member of the Natural Gas and Energy Association of Oklahoma and served on the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee for the Gas Processors Association. He is a member of the board of the Blade Foundation.
Congratulations also to John (Jack) Rayburn in his new position as Director of Legislative Affairs for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood spends money on politics and elections through the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (its federal political action committee), through its Super PAC, and through a variety of related 501(c)(4) entities. Upon starting the position, Rayburn said, “It’s an amazing privilege to have this opportunity to get up each day and fight on behalf of those who are too often marginalized from society. I’m proud to work for an organization that is leading with its values in our federal advocacy and in the health care we provide for our patients.”
Prior to joining Planned Parenthood, he served as Senior Government Relations Manager with the Trust for America’s Health. He has been an active political volunteer with the Democratic National Committee; with the Jason Kander for U.S. Senate campaign and with the 2016 Democratic National Convention Committee. He is also a volunteer at Whitman-Walker Health.
He earned his bachelor’s in Biology (Pre-Med) from Georgetown University, and his master’s in Public Health from The George Washington University.
District of Columbia
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
Matthew Mahl once served as head of LGBT Liaison Unit
D.C. police announced on April 14 that they have placed one of their lieutenants, Matthew Mahl, on administrative leave and revoked his police powers after receiving information that he was arrested in Maryland one day earlier.
Although the initial D.C. police announcement doesn’t disclose the reason for the arrest it refers to a statement by the Harford County, Md. Sheriff’s Office that discloses Mahl has been charged with sexual solicitation of a minor and child porn solicitation.
“On Tuesday, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office contacted MPD’s Internal Affairs Division shortly after arresting Lieutenant Matthew Mahl,” the D.C. police statement says.
“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast to the values of the Metropolitan Police Department,” the statement continues. “MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate violations of MPD policy once the criminal investigation concludes,” it says.
“MPD is not involved in the criminal investigation and was not aware of the investigation until yesterday,” the statement adds.
Mahl served as acting supervisor of the MPD’s then Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit in 2013 when he held the rank of sergeant. D.C. police officials placed him on administrative leave and suspended his police powers that same year while investigating an undisclosed allegation.
A source familiar with the investigation said Mahl was cleared of any wrongdoing a short time later and resumed his police duties. Around the time he was promoted to lieutenant several years later Mahl took on the role as chairman of the D.C. Police Union, becoming the first known openly gay officer to hold that position.
NBC 4 reports that Mahl, 47, has served on the police force for 23 years and most recently was assigned to the department’s Special Operations Division.
Records related to Mahl’s arrest filed in Harford County District Court, show Sheriff’s Department investigators state in charging documents that he allegedly committed the offenses of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor and Child Porn Solicitation on Monday, April 13, one day before he was arrested on April 14.
The court records show he was held without bond during his first appearance in court on April 14. A decision on whether he would be released while awaiting trial or continue to be held without bond was scheduled to be determined during an April 15 bond hearing. The outcome of that hearing could not be immediately determined.
Maryland
Evan Glass is leaning on his record. Is that enough for Montgomery County’s top job?
Gay county executive candidate pushing for equitable pay, safer streets, and cleaner environment
By TALIA RICHMAN | During a meet-and-greet at Poolesville Memorial United Methodist Church, Evan Glass got his loudest applause of the night with a plan he acknowledged was decidedly unsexy.
“Day one, I’ll hire a director of permitting services,” the county executive candidate said.
Doing so, he added, is a step toward easing the regulatory burdens that can stifle small businesses in Montgomery County.
The only problem? At least one of his fiercest competitors is making a similar pledge.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
District of Columbia
D.C. bar, LGBTQ+ Community Center to mark Lesbian Visibility Week
‘Ahead of the Curve’ documentary screening, ‘Queeroke’ among events
2026 Lesbian Visibility Week North America will take place from April 20-26.
This year marks the third annual Lesbian Visibility Week, run by the Curve Foundation. A host of events take place from April 20-26.
This year’s theme is Health and Wellness. For the Curve Foundation, the term “lesbian” serves as an umbrella term for a host of identities, including lesbians, bisexual and transgender women, and anyone else connected to the lesbian community.
The week kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony on April 19. It will take place in New York, but will be livestreamed for the public.
“Queeroke” is one of the events being held around the country. It will take place at various participating bars on April 23.
As You Are, an LGBTQ bar in Capitol Hill, is one of eight locations across the U.S. participating. Their event is free and 21+.
On April 24, the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center will hold a screening of “Ahead of the Curve,” a documentary about the founder of Curve, Franco Stevens. The event is free with an RSVP.
April 25, is Queer Women in Sports Day. And on April 26, several monuments in New York will be illuminated.
Virtual events ranging from health to sports will be made available to the public. Details will be released closer to the start of Lesbian Visibility Week. Featured events can be found on the official website.
Some ways for individuals to get involved are to use #LVW26 and tag the official Lesbian Visibility Week account on social media posts. People are encouraged to display their lesbian flags, and businesses can hand out pins and decorate. They can also reach out to local lawmakers to encourage them to issue an official Lesbian Visibility Week.
Gay D.C. police lieutenant arrested on child porn charges
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An effort to increase the number of psychiatrists of color
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Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
