Dick Dowling is the recently retired executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, a position he held since late 1984. Headquartered in Annapolis, the Conference represents the mutual public-policy interests of the Catholic bishops serving Maryland in the Baltimore, Washington, and Wilmington (arch)dioceses.

Mr. Dowling is a native of Scranton, Pa., and a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton. His master’s degree was earned at Boston University’s School of Public Communication, his Juris Doctorate at the Georgetown University Law Center. He is a recipient of The Saint Thomas More Society’s Man for All Seasons Award, presented annually to Maryland attorneys who exemplify the spirit and ethics of the 16th century lawyer, writer and statesman; the Ignatian Volunteer Corps’ Della Strada Award; and the Frank O’Hara Award, the highest honor bestowed jointly by the University of Scranton and its Alumni Society. He is a past president of the National Association of State Catholic-Conference Directors.

Prior to joining the Conference, Mr. Dowling was a National Leadership Fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the first nonacademic to have been granted a Kellogg fellowship award. The fellowship enabled study at M.I.T., the University of Southern California, Louisiana State University, and in Brazil.

Following his undergraduate work, he was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. During and following his law-school years, he served as legislative assistant to former U.S. Congressman and Senator William D. Hathaway of Maine and, thereafter, as director of governmental affairs for the American Speech and Hearing Association, and as executive director of the American Society of Allied Health Professions.

Dick Dowling is a long time advocate for the Catholic Church’s Social Teachings and has been instrumental in his role as Director of the Maryland Catholic Conference championing the death penalty issue.

To book Dick call (202) 541-5290 or e-mail Karen Clifton.