David Brinkley

Budget Secretary
State of Maryland

Born and raised in Frederick County, David Brinkley graduated from the University of Maryland in 1981 and began a career in life insurance. He opened his own insurance office in Fredrick in 1988.

In 1994, Brinkley was elected to the House of Delegates as a Republican from a district that included parts of Frederick County. In 2002, Brinkley was elected to the Maryland Senate for three terms. When Republican Larry Hogan was elected governor in 2014, he appointed Brinkley as his budget secretary.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Becoming secretary was very exciting and quite an honor. However, the pandemic tested every fiber of the Hogan administration and proved a challenge no seminar or book can teach. DBM presented suggestions, recommendations and solutions to the governor so he and the agencies could respond effectively. Time meant lives, money and jobs. Being a part of this team is nothing I could have anticipated, and I am very proud to have helped the governor and the citizens as best I could.

What is the most important life lesson you learned?

Never, never stop learning life’s lessons and learn something from everyone! When working with people I try to be loving, truthful and empowering. Look at everything we take for granted! I am truly grateful for all the challenges and blessings in my life — combined they’ve made me a better person.