Tammy Downin, President
Tammy is returning to the Washington County Board of Elections for a fourth term, first sworn in on June 6, 2011. She has served as both Board Secretary and Vice President. Her elections experience began as an Election Judge (1998–2004), followed by Chief Judge (2004–2010), before her appointment to the Board. She completed the Open Meetings Act Training in 2017 and regularly attends Maryland Association of Election Officials conferences.
Tammy has worked full-time at Hospice of Washington County since 2005 and has experience in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, with a preference for nonprofit work. Her community involvement includes Leadership Chambersburg graduate (1997), a 1999 Citation Award for Contribution to Community Life, and service with Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, where she was Board Secretary. She is also a lifetime member of the Hagerstown Community College Alumni Association and has served multiple terms on its Board, including as Secretary and President. Tammy is a graduate of Hagerstown Junior College and Frostburg State University.
A lifelong Washington County resident with strong family ties, Tammy enjoys staying active in her community and spending time with family and friends.
Kandace Carpenter, Vice President
This will be Kandace’s first experience with elections. She is a practicing attorney in Washington and Frederick Counties and is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association.
Kandace is a past president of the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Maryland Theater and Lasting Change.
Kandace and her husband, Robert, have a 6-year old son, and they enjoy traveling together. Kandace is also an avid Lego builder!
Donna Brightman, Secretary
Donna is no stranger to the Board of Elections. Her name was on the ballot five times and was elected to the Washington County Board of Education. While on the Board of Ed, she served as President.
Donna also served as President of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) and served on the Kirwan Commission, which reformed education spending in Maryland.
Most recently, Donna served as chairwoman of the Washington County Democratic Central Committee. As such, she attended many Board of Elections meetings and other election activities.
Donna and her husband, Courtney Hirsh, have two sons. Courtney has been active with First Hose Boonsboro for the last ten years, serving as President for six of those years.
Donna is now semi-retired, enjoying gardening, hiking, traveling, and continuing to engage in community activities.
Nancy Armstrong, Assistant Secretary
Nancy joins the board as a former provisional judge and chief judge at both Bethel Gardens and Ft. Ritchie, respectively.
Nancy has worked for Coldwell Banker in Washington County for over 34 years and has helped with several non-profit/community organizations, including the Clear Spring carnival. She also volunteers in the nursery at her church.
Nancy and Mark, her husband of 25 years, have a daughter who is a junior at college in Tennessee. Nancy enjoys the beach, reading, and spending time with her dog, Snowball. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor! Way to go, Nancy!
Peter E. Perini, Sr., Member