William Donald Schaefer was elected 58th
governor of Maryland in 1986 by the greatest
margin in State gubernatorial history and was
re-elected decisively for a second term in 1990.
Governor Schaefer came to the job with more than
30 years of legislative and executive experience,
along with a "hands on, heads up" approach to
government. A favorite directive to his staff, typical
of his swift response to problems, is "Do It Now!"

A "people" proponent, Governor Schaefer
brought a fresh view to State government, making
the bureaucracy more responsive to individuals. He
urged Marylanders to get involved personally in
projects ranging from curbing drug abuse to
cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay He expanded
social programs from housing to child care, started
the nation's first state outreach effort for AIDS
patients, and reorganized executive departments to
devote more resources to children, juvenile services
and environmental protection. During his first four
years, he visited every area of the State, directing aid
to local projects and improving schools, roads and
utilities. He championed capital projects, including

a new baseball stadium in Baltimore and the State's
first light-rail transit line.

Willi an eye for business, Mr. Schaefer led eight
international trade missions in four years, seeking
markets for State products, promoting Maryland as
an ideal tourist destination, and strengthening
relations throughout Europe, Asia, and the Soviet
Union. He challenged State and local governments
to work with businesses interested in building in
Maryland or expanding existing facilities. The result
was new jobs, low unemployment, and trade
agreements steering contracts to Maryland
companies.

Adamant that Maryland's youth are the key to
the State's future successes, Mr. Schaefer also
overhauled higher education, directing the largest
increase of State funding to public and private
colleges and universities in Maryland history Public
schools adopted new performance standards in a
multi-year plan to upgrade education.

Under Governor Schaefer's leadership,
Maryland aggressively tackled efforts to restore the