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—– By: Ann Costantino —–
After a three-month national search and extensive selection process which involved 50 applicants, Stacy L. Rodgers has been named Baltimore County’s new county administrative officer.
At a press conference announcing her appointment today, Rodgers said she was so excited, she was still “pinching” herself.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled and I am so grateful to the county executive and the executive leadership team …When the county executive extended this invitation for me to join the team, I accepted with the full commitment to excellence and passion for service that has driven me throughout my life and my career,” she said.
Rodgers, 58, brings a broad range of experience, having worked with federal, state, and local government agencies and non-profits for nearly 30 years. She most recently worked as Mayor Catherine Pugh’s director of the Department of Social Services in Baltimore City. Prior to that, Rodgers worked as senior advisor to the deputy commissioner for the Social Security Administration during the Obama administration.
As county administrator, Rodgers will serve as the chief operating officer of Baltimore County government and will oversee the day-to-day operations of county agencies under the direction of County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr.
Her job will include ensuring that the county’s policies, regulations and operating programs are implemented efficiently. She will also serve as the overseer of the county’s budget, will supervise the preparation and submission of annual budgets and will make recommendations to ensure the county’s fiscal stability. Her salary, $240,000, is the same as her predecessor, former county administrative officer, Fred Homan.
In December, at the request of Olszewski, Homan retired from the position. Homan had served as Baltimore County’s administrative officer since 2006, but had worked in county government for 40 years.
Homan had earned a reputation for bypassing county procedures in order to get projects done. Some controversies throughout the county came to a head preceding the 2018 midterm election, making Homan a core issue in the minds of some undecided voters.
- Towson’s “Tree-Gate” scandal: “Small” Towson Gateway Story Tells Much Bigger Tale, The Baltimore Post, 2017
- Hunt Valley’s Ag Center: MARC vs. MERC: Baltimore County government and councils battle over fate of Maryland Agricultural Center, The Baltimore Post, 2018
- Main Sail, LLC: In an earlier debacle, Baltimore County lost $21 million in pension funds in a failed investment, in less than one month. Balto. Co. detailed investment loss in 2007 letter to council, The Baltimore Sun, 2012
Homan had also become a central theme during campaign debates in which candidates were put on the spot and asked that, should they win, would they fire him.
Then-primary candidates, Jim Brochin (D), Al Redmer, Jr. (R), Pat McDonough (R) and Olszewski, Jr. (D) all said they would.
During a general election candidate forum in October, Olszewski answered the question about Homan. “…Anyone who does not share (my administration’s) values will not be part of my administration. There will be a new approach, new leadership and a new day,” Olszewski said.
Rodgers will work alongside deputy county administrative officer, Andrew G. Vetter, who also formerly worked for Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh, as the city’s director for the Office of Criminal Justice.
Of Rodger’s appointment, Olszewski said during the press conference, “We share a vision of an open, transparent government which holds itself accountable… and to deliver topnotch services.”
Rodgers, who is the county’s first African-American and woman to have the position, said she looks forward to “this journey as we work to build a better Baltimore County.”
