Towson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Hafford is among the three new appointees to the Baltimore County Planning Board, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced Friday.
"I think it's a really good fit," Hafford said, citing her years of experience working with area residents and the business community. "I think it can work out really well for everybody."
In addition to Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce since 2007, Kamenetz appointed Jeffrey Gordon and Rainer Harvey to the 15-member volunteer panel.
Before she accepted the position, Hafford consulted with the executive committee of the Towson Chamber of Commerce and members of the community to ensure they would be on board with her new responsibilities.
"If there was a problem and they thought it would cause a problem with the community, I wouldn't have done it," she said.
Should conflicts arise, Hafford said her background and experience in the community will be an asset.
"Anything we do, even concerts, I can never make everybody happy," Hafford said. "But I always have an open door, I'm willing to listen, and I think that's why I'll hopefully do a good job with this."
Gordon, who lives in Reisterstown, will bring his experience as a business lawyer to the Planning Board.
Harvey, a Windsor Mill resident, is a retired Baltimore County police officer who currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer for the Maryland Department of Human Resources.
The county news release also announced that Paul Miller, a Lutherville resident who has served on the Planning Board for seven years, will be promoted to vice chairman of the board, pending County Council approval.
"I am very pleased that this outstanding group of individuals has agreed to serve on the Planning Board, which is one of the most important volunteer boards in Baltimore County," Kamenetz said in a statement Friday. "They have a broad spectrum of experience, and bring important perspectives to the board."
In addition to Miller and the three newcomers, the county executive's other appointees are Chairman Edward Gilliss, Howard Perlow, Gerard Wit and Albert Zawicki.
The seven members appointed by the County Council are William Moore, (1st District), Mark Schlossberg (2nd District), Wayne McGinnis (3rd District), Randy Thompson (4th District), John Polek (6th District), and C. Scott Holupka (7th District).
The term of Dennis Hoover, who represents the 5th District on the Planning Board, ends this month.
The Baltimore County Planning Board makes recommendations for the county's capital program and budget, advises the administration and County Council on the Master Plan, area and special plans, the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process, and development issues.