CHEVY CHASE, MD, July 18, 2025, Mayor Jeffrey Z. Slavin has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Slavin has served as mayor of the Town of Somerset, Maryland, since 2008, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to public service and local governance. Throughout his terms, he has been recognized for his expertise in philanthropy, fundraising and nonprofit and government operations. He also continues to write two monthly columns in the Somerset Town Journal. Overall, he is most proud of his comprehensive review and rewriting of all procedures governing the committees, council and board within the Town of Somerset. This significant accomplishment has contributed to more effective and transparent municipal operations under his leadership.

In addition to his mayoral responsibilities, Mr. Slavin is also a board member of the Maryland Municipal League, where he collaborates with other municipal leaders to advance the interests of cities and towns throughout the state. Prior to his tenure as mayor, he owned and managed C.J. O’Shaughnessy Inc. REALTORS from 1987 to 2013. During these twenty-six years, he successfully operated a real estate business without any formal professional training in the field. Earlier in his career, he served as executive assistant at The Council of the District of Columbia from 1983 to 1987.

Mr. Slavin has held numerous other leadership and advisory roles in recent decades, including appointments to the Montgomery County and D.C. Human Rights Commissions, the Housing Opportunities Commission and other civic bodies. He served as co-chair of the Family Philanthropy Affinity Group for the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers and was board president of the 4620 North Park Avenue Condominium Association from 1988 to 1999. Prior to this, he gained legal experience as an intern with the U.S. Department of Labor and Legal Counsel for the Elderly. His public service began with roles on Capitol Hill and in D.C. government, such as staff assistant to Councilmember Hilda Mason and Chief of Staff to Councilmember Polly Shackleton.

Widely recognized for both his philanthropic leadership and community service, Mr. Slavin was named Philanthropist of the Year by both the Montgomery County Community Foundation and the National Capital YMCA and received the prestigious Irene and Abe Pollin Humanitarian Award from the Bender JCC. In 2021, he was inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame for his advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ and women’s rights. Additional honors from state legislative bodies and numerous nonprofits reflect his long-standing commitment to education, health equity, housing and youth development.

Educationally, Mr. Slavin’s background has played a pivotal role in shaping his professional achievements. He earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law at Georgetown University in 1980 after graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, in 1977. Further enhancing his credentials, he obtained a certification in senior executives in state and local government from Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2009.

Throughout his career, Mr. Slavin has attributed his success to being a good listener and recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. He places great value on respecting others’ opinions, even when they differ from his own, qualities that have contributed significantly to his effectiveness as a leader and community advocate. Today and in the future, he aims to mentor and share his wisdom with the next generation, continuing his legacy of service by guiding future leaders toward meaningful contributions in their communities.