Board Members
Fatmata Barrie, Attorney and Education Advocate
Shana Davis-Cook, Hillandale Community (Board Secretary)
Rachael Evans, Whitehall Square (Board Chair)
David Feehan, Gatestone Townhomes
June Henderson, White Oak volunteer (Board Vice President)
Ken Jones, Burnt Mills Resident
Kim Jones, Nonprofit Advisor (Board Treasurer)
Daniel Koroma, Business Development Specialist, Montgomery County Government
Shane Pollin, PS Ventures, LLC
Nichole Reilly, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center
Rob Richardson, Labquest
Joshua Wooldridge, NRP Group
FOWO envisions a district where strong professional networks, engaging public and private partners, and individuals and families contribute to strengthening the economic, social, and cultural structure of the community. Our mission is to develop, connect and inspire individuals and businesses to build a vibrant White Oak community through educational and employment opportunities, business and housing development, and healthy lifestyles. Our values include leadership, engagement, community, diversity, collaboration, and transformation.
A Brief History of the Friends of White Oak (FOWO)
The Friends of White Oak (FOWO) was the brainchild of former County Executive Isiah Leggett and facilitated by former Kensington, MD Mayor Peter Fosselman, who was serving as the County Executive Office’s Planning Coordinator for the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan. The goal of the volunteer advocacy group was to provide the White Oak community with information about, marshalling support for and providing guidance to the implementation of the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan.
The first meeting of volunteer community residents, developers, small business owners, and activists was held on the evening of November 21, 2017, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center. Topics of discussion included the commercial real estate vacancy rate in White Oak, revising the name and/or the mission statement for the group, how often the group should meet, and the downed fence along Route 29 North.
The organization has grown significantly, with the addition of new board members and an expanded agenda to serve the White Oak community. Proposals have included the Master Science Gateway Plan, White Oak Apartments, and renovation to the White Oak Town Center. The organization has held community-based events including food trucks, a National Night Out to connect with residents and hear their needs, and rally around community organization and volunteering.
As the group’s priorities evolved and expanded, it became clear that formal incorporation would be necessary to achieve important goals, such as sponsoring placemaking events and activities, receiving county funding and corporate donations, and seeking support for economic development with local lawmakers. With this in mind, the Friends of White Oak was designated a 501(C)6 by the IRS in early 2021.
Elise Wright Barnes and Dave Feehan were elected as the first co-chairs of Friends of White Oak and the infrastructure of the organization continues to take shape as an independent charitable organization. The current directors continue to focus on White Oak as a Federal Opportunity Zone, promoting the area as friendly to new business and expanded biotechnology business, increased pedestrian safety, improved landscaping and placemaking, a viable site for the expansion of Montgomery College to the eastern part of the county, and the creation of a marketing strategy for the development of White Oak as a destination because of the diversity of the population and restaurants.
The Friends of White Oak has maintained the support of the Elrich administration and the organization is included in the County Executive’s annual budget to support ongoing placemaking, community advocacy and marketing for programs or services. Increased business development has become the one imperative of the organization as it continues to grow and garner more volunteer leadership in the White Oak community.
As the Friends of White Oak defines the imperatives that will bring the visibility, resources, and programs to enhance the individuals and businesses in the community, we will continue to alert the community through strategic plans and events through our website.