# Richard A. La Vay

Richard A. La Vay (born July 16, 1953), is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 15, which covers western Montgomery County, Maryland. First elected in 1990, Delegate La Vay served for 12 years before he decided not to seek reelection in 2002. In the 2002 election, Kathleen M. Dumais and Brian J. Feldman won seats vacated by La Vay and Mark K. Shriver.

## Early life and education

Born in Nassau County, New York, La Vay graduated from Mount St. Mary's College, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1975. He later attended American University. La Vay attended Naval War College from 2005 to 2007, where he studied strategy and policy.

## Career

La Vay started his career as principal and Chief Financial Officer for the La Vay Companies, from 1978 until 1995. In addition to his work, he is active in several community organizations. He was a board member of Citizens for Fair Representation in 1992. He was also president of the Stepping Stones Homeless Shelter in Rockville, Maryland in 1994. He is a member of the Maryland Building Industry Association.
La Vay has received several awards over his career, including 1st Place in the Finest for Family Living by the Suburban Maryland Building Industry Association (SMBIA). He also received the Alexandria Civil Neighborhood Revitalization Award. La Vay is a regular contributor to the Washington Post Sunday Section with an article called "Close to Home".

### Maryland Legislature

Over his 12 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, La Vay was a member of the Economic Matters Committee from 1991 through 1994, and again from 1997 through 2003. He was selected to be the Minority Whip from 1995 until 1996. Additionally, he was a member of the Appropriations Committee, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, and the Legislative Policy Committee, from 1995 until 1996. He was on the Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer in 1996. the Special Joint Committee on Competitive Taxation and Economic Development from 1996 until 1997, the Joint Committee on Fair Practices from 1997 until 1998 and the Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems from 1999 until 2003. Finally, he served on the Special Committee on Gaming from 2001 until 2003 and was a member of the Bi-County Committee and the Montgomery County Delegation.

## Election results

* 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 15
    Name Votes Percent Outcome Mark K. Shriver, Dem. 26,114  22%  Won Jean B. Cryor, Rep. 22,160  19%  Won Richard LaVay, Rep. 18,395  16%  Won David B. Dashefsky, Dem. 17,818  15%  Lost William Ferner Askinazi, Rep. 16,882  14%  Lost Anthony Patrick Puca, Dem. 16,841  14%  Lost
* 1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 15
    Name Votes Percent Outcome Mark K. Shriver, Dem. 20,696  20%  Won Jean Cryor, Rep. 18,804  18%  Won Richard La Vay, Rep. 17,214  17%  Won Stuart D. Schooler, Dem. 15,882  15%  Lost Elizabeth Tookie Gentilcore, Dem. 15,325  15%  Lost Davis M. Richardson, Rep. 15,847  15%  Lost
* 1990 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 15
    Name Votes Percent Outcome Jean W. Roesser, Rep. 21,052  1%  Won Gene W. Counihan, Dem. 20,059  18%  Won Richard A. La Vay, Rep. 18,896  17%  Won Rosemary Glynn, Dem. 18,196  16%  Lost Sally McGarry, Dem. 17,652  16%  Lost Michael J. Baker, Rep. 16,347  15%  Lost