Local
Comings & Goings
Wheeler named SVP of Health Services at CareFirst
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 Brian R. Wheeler on his appointment as Senior Vice President, Health Services, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare company. In his role, he leads a division, dedicated to optimizing high-quality, highly integrated health service operations to drive affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare for the people CareFirst serves. He will oversee all aspects of provider networks, care management teams, clinical support services and quality & accreditation.
Prior to this Wheeler held several roles at CareFirst beginning as Special Assistant to the CEO and then serving in roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, Brian served as Vice President of Provider Collaboration and Network Transformation. Brian has worked in the healthcare sector for over 25 years, serving in various leadership roles in large and small provider organizations, start-up companies, and a multi-national Fortune 500 company. Prior to joining CareFirst, he was Founder and CEO, Derby Service; Director of Professional Services, Medtronic; and President & Chief Operating Officer, LifeLinkMD.
He has served on several community boards including; Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce of which he is Chair Emeritus. Past member of CareFirst Associates’ Political Action Committee, Board of Directors; Chesapeake Regional (Health) Information System for our Patients (CRISP), Board of Directors; City Club of Washington Member, Board of Directors & Chair, Young Executive Committee.
Congratulations also to Anthony Shop, Social Driver co-founder and National Digital Roundtable chair, who will now host “The Chief Influencer” podcast. It is part of an initiative announced by The Communications Board, which launched the Chief Influencer initiative in partnership with Social Driver. Leaders spanning fields from diplomacy and public service to business and the arts will be honored as chief influencers, their stories featured on the podcast. Each Chief Influencer will be featured for having discovered the secret sauce to connecting with others, motivating individuals both inside of their organizations and beyond, and creating a lasting impact.
Shop said, “The Communications Board is a well-regarded source for top communications experts. We believe a key part of professional development is the exploration of real success stories. We know that Chief Influencer’s case studies complement the first-hand learning vision that is a hallmark of The Communications Board.”
Shop has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy, and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, he was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the board of Leadership Greater Washington.
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.
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