M.C. Keegan-Ayer - District 3

Council Member - District 3

I moved to Frederick County more than 25 years ago with my husband Brent Ayer.  We have three children, Brendan, Alex and Brigid, all graduates of Frederick County Public Schools.  I love Frederick County and am excited to be on the first County Council under the new Charter government.  I have been involved in county issues for the past 20 years, particularly those dealing with education, growth and development.

I am honored to be a part of the new government in Frederick County and I want to change the tone of our government and the way our elected leaders engage the average citizen in the decision making process -- decisions that will impact their lives.  I want to find ways to get people involved whose voices have traditionally been limited and have therefore felt marginalized.   And I want to ensure the people living in Council District 3 are provided a seat at the table, and afforded the opportunity to work collaboratively with their elected officials.

Through my advocacy efforts over the past 20 plus years, I have worked with the community, the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners to get a new playground for Waverley Elementary School; to bring about the renovation of West Frederick Middle School and got the ball rolling to update Frederick High School, which resulted in the decision to build a whole new facility.  Recently, I have been deeply involved in the efforts to address the overcrowding situation at Hillcrest Elementary School, which currently has 26 portables (more than any other school in the entire county).

 I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders as we move forward with Charter government and I want to hear from all residents of Frederick County on issues of concern to them, but particularly those of the 3rd Council District.  I want Frederick County to be the best place to live, work, raise a family and then live out your retirement years.  Together we can make this a reality.


Biography


M.C. Keegan-Ayer graduated from Bridgewater College, Bridgewater VA, with a degree in Education.  After teaching school for two years, she went to work on Capitol Hill for ten years, first as a Legislative Assistant, then as a Legislative Director, and finished up as a lobbyist for an organization representing workers from across the U.S.
  
 After her first child was born, M.C. gave up the commute down the road and worked part-time as a staffer in the campaign office of Congresswoman Beverly Byron, and continued to work for her until her loss in the early 90’s.   
 
 Ms. Keegan-Ayer has served in leadership positions on various organizations over the years including being the President of the homeowners association in her neighborhood, on the PTAs at her children’s schools, continuing to work on these PTAs for over 20 years in various capacities. 
 
 M.C. also served on the PTA Council of Frederick County, first as Chair of the Legislative Issues Committee, and later as the 2nd Vice President in charge of all legislative issues and advocacy efforts.  

M.C. was elected to the County Council of Frederick County in November of 2014, and after being sworn in, was elected as the Vice President of the Council.  She held that leadership position all four years of her first term as the Representative District 3, being re-elected to VP in December of 2016.  She was re-elected to represent District 3 in the gubernatorial election of 2018, and was subsequently elected as the President of the Council, a position she was re-elected to in December of 2020.

In her capacity as a representative for District 3, as well as the President of the Council, Ms. Keegan-Ayer sits as a liaison on the boards of various commissions and organizations including:  

  • Containment Laboratory Citizens Advisory Commission
  • Senior Services Advisory Board 
  • Workforce Development Board 
  • Frederick Community Action Agency Board 
  • Frederick County Board of Elections 
  • Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (serving on several committees) 
  • Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Executive Board
  • MACo Legislative Committee and as Land Use Subcommittee Chairperson 
  • President of the Women of MACo since summer of 2017
  • National Association of Counties (NACo) Committee on Energy, Environment and Land Use.