Mr. Sydnor, Mayor of the City of Laurel since November 2023, brings a lifetime of service, leadership, and community commitment to Grow House as Vice Chairman of the Board. First elected to Laurel’s City Council in 2017, he served three terms as a dynamic and motivating leader dedicated to advancing people, community, and country. Born in Petersburg, Virginia and a Laurel resident since 2003, Keith embodies the rootedness and servant-leadership values that Grow House champions.
Keith’s professional journey includes more than 22 years in law enforcement—serving with the District of Columbia’s Pretrial Services Agency, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Virginia Department of Corrections, and the Petersburg Sheriff’s Office. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, he completed multiple global deployments, including post-9/11 mobilization and tours supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These experiences shaped his resilience, accountability, and deep respect for cultural understanding qualities he now channels into civic leadership and youth advocacy.
As Director of Community Engagement and Relations, Keith has honed the very skills that define effective public service, listening to the community while navigating diverse voices, building coalitions, and delivering responsive solutions. His unwavering commitment to youth shines through his support of in-school and after-school programs, where he works to develop not only stronger students, but impactful citizens prepared to lead with purpose.
At Grow House, he helps steer strategy, amplify partnerships, and champion initiatives that equip youth and families with competence and confidence. His leadership brings tested experience and policy expertise to the table—helping the board confront the urgent challenges in today’s youth ecosystem, from academic gaps and social-emotional needs to community trust and opportunity inequities. Keith’s voice ensures Grow House is not only responsive, but proactive delivering solutions that turn obstacles into opportunities for measurable impact across schools, families, and communities.