Love Power

The Adams Family having fun at a photoshoot. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS//PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

Judge Sheila Tillerson-Adams And Mayor Tim Adams Are Among the County’s Most Influential Power Couples

By Ian Harmon with reporting by Raoul Dennis

“I’m blessed that I met my soulmate.”

The soulmate spoken of is Mayor Tim Adams and the soulmate speaking is Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams. They have each mastered stellar careers which make their powerful bond all the more special.

Tim Adams is the newly elected Mayor of Bowie, the first African American and first paraplegic person to be elected to this position. Tim is also President and CEO of Systems Application & Technologies, Inc. (SA-TECH), a professional services firm providing technical support to the defense industry, a company he founded in 1989.

Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams was born in Washington D.C. and scaled the climb to prominence through many degrees and countless accolades on her journey toward becoming Chief and Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland which includes Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties.

Twins Kayla and Timothy Jr are a vocal duo with incredible talent. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS//PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

But before they became who they are today, they were two people set up on a blind date by a friend.

“He was trying to get us to meet for about two years,” Tim recalls of his friend’s persistence, “We had dinner with him and his wife and it took off from there.”

But it was Tim who had to take off – back to California where he was living at the time when they met.

“I was between here and California. I was coming here for business. I was late for the dinner – trying to grow my business at the time. But we ended up meeting and had a great dinner and a great time. I had to ask her name again – a very good sport. Anyone who can deal with that is alright with me.”

“His only reason for staying here was me. It wasn’t until after the twins were born that he [permanently] stayed here,” Judge Adams said speaking of Timothy Jr and Kayla, who along with their other daughter Tiara form the family that has lived in Bowie for over 25 years. “We were a bi-coastal family before then.”

The spark lit by a chance encounter is now a flame that has been kept ablaze for over 25 years. A period of time that has seen professional promotion, children, and a continuously positive impact on their community - especially the Bowie in which they reside.

“We are blessed to be able to call this home. People don’t always realize how fortunate we are. To be able to continue with our growth as a county. This is a special place, and we know that we are in a special time. I just happen to be with a special person,” Tim said.

Sheila Adams thanks her husband, Tim, and her family at a women’s month reception at which she was honored in 2019. PHOTO: COURTESY TIM ADAMS

Powerful couples often have strengths in varied areas that may not always appear to align, but their individual attributes combined with mutual love and respect can create a balanced dynamic.

Tim said of their career paths, “We were in such different areas. My interest was in supporting the warfighters. Sheila’s work was supporting people’s lives and freedom in the courthouse. We were both doing work that impacted other people’s lives. What I did on the defense side had nothing to do with the court side. We supported each other and made the best of our time together.”

Power couples aren’t just in Hollywood anymore. The political realm has seen an uptick in the number of couples whose professional profiles are ascending. In Maryland, there are  Governor Larry Hogan and his first lady Yumi Hogan, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby and Del. Nick Mosby, and Former Governor Martin O’Malley and Baltimore City District Court Catherine Curran O’Malley. Nationally, Barack and Michelle Obama lead the list of admired duos. 

“He’s my best friend,” Judge Adams said about Tim and then gave some great advice that most power couples dealing with the pressures of serious professions, “We won’t take each other too seriously.”