CSM Foundation Welcomes Jose Gonzalez, Bert Johnston and Jay Webster as New Board Members  

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Foundation Board announces that Jose Gonzalez, Bert Johnston and Jay Webster have joined the board as its newest directors. The three were voted in at the board’s October meeting.  

With 23 volunteer members, the CSM Foundation serves as the fundraising organization of the college by connecting donors and regional partners with students, faculty, and staff to enhance access to higher education, to ensure learners have the resources they need to succeed, and to create educational pathways that improve lives.  

“I am thrilled to have such talented and experienced members of the Southern Maryland community serving on the CSM Foundation Board of Directors to help new and continuing students succeed at the College of Southern Maryland,” said CSM Foundation Executive Director Jeane Wharton.  

Gonzalez, a resident of Charles County, served on the CSM Board of Trustees from 2020-2024. During his tenure, he served as liaison between the trustees and the foundation board from 2022-2024. He brings a distinguished record of public service that includes more than 30 years of experience in weapons systems development and acquisition for the U.S. Department of Defense. Gonzales earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and is a graduate of the Leadership for a Democratic Society program from the Federal Executive Institute.  

A resident of St. Mary’s County, Johnston is a Navy veteran of more than 32 years as a pilot, test pilot, and acquisition professional. His command tours were as commanding officer of the Naval Plant Representative Office in Melbourne, Australia; as a Major Acquisitions Program manager; and as the commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, in China Lake, California. After retiring from the Navy as the rear admiral and vice commander of NAVAIR in 2005, Johnston worked in the support services business for six years, and as a consultant for another seven years. Johnston has served as the president of the Historic Sotterley Board of Trustees; president of The Patuxent Partnership Board of Directors; a graduate of the 2007 Class of Leadership Maryland; a founding member and 2014 board president of Leadership Southern Maryland; and a co-chair for the Capital Development Campaign in support of the St. Mary’s Family YMCA.  

Webster served on the CSM Board of Trustees from 2016-2023 and as the board's chairperson in 2021 and 2022. A resident of Calvert County, Webster recently retired as vice president of Marrick Properties, Inc., and is now serving as a consultant with the SBW Group with Re/Max United Real Estate. His relationship with CSM spans nearly 25 years. From sponsoring the CSM Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic for more than 22 years through Marrick Properties, to helping facilitate the creation of the Prince Frederick Campus market garden and partnership with Farming 4 Hunger, Webster has been a long-serving advocate and champion of the college and its students. He has served on the Calvert County Hospice Board of Directors as president and as chair of the steering committee for the Burnett Calvert Hospice House. 

To learn more about the CSM Foundation and its work to transform the lives of CSM students and enrich the community, visit https://www.csmd.edu/foundation/about/index.html.