Baltimore County Executive-elect Johnny Olszewski Jr. is staffing his office with a mix of professionals plucked from other Democratic politicians as well as others who work in consulting.
Olszewski, a Dundalk Democrat, announced several key staff appointments Wednesday morning:
- Andrew G. Vetter as deputy county administrative officer. Vetter currently runs Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pughās Office of Criminal Justice. Before that, he worked for the Baltimore Police Department as chief of staff and director of government affairs.
- Patrick H. Murray as chief of staff. Murray currently works as chief of staff for state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller. He will run the county executiveās office and manage hiring decisions.
- Elisabeth A. Sachs as director of government reform and strategic initiatives, a position that doesnāt currently exist in county government. Sachs currently works as a managing partner with Long Point Strategies, a public policy consulting firm, and is director of Olszewskiās transition team.
- Charles R. Conner III as chief legislative officer, which effectively is the county executiveās lobbyist. Conner currently works as deputy state director for U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and before that, he was director of the Maryland Democratic Party.
- Samantha F. OāNeil as senior adviser. OāNeil, a vice president with the Margrave Strategies consulting firm, is also an adviser to Olszewskiās transition team. Her role as senior adviser will involve overseeing communication, outreach and partnerships, as well as developing policy.
In a statement, Olszewski called his team ādeeply talentedā and said it will be able to āhit the ground running on day one.ā
āIām thrilled that these experienced, thoughtful and energetic leaders will help us fight to expand opportunity in every community,ā he said.
Olszewski has said he is conducting a national search for a county administrative officer. The county administrative officer oversees the day-to-day operations of county government. The longtime county administrative officer, Fred Homan, agreed to retire at Olszewskiās request.
Olszewski will be sworn into office during a ceremony at Towson University on Dec. 3.