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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 Pugh’s 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 executive’s office and manage hiring decisions.
- Elisabeth A. Sachs as director of government reform and strategic initiatives, a position that doesn’t 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 Olszewski’s transition team.
- Charles R. Conner III as chief legislative officer, which effectively is the county executive’s 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. O’Neil as senior adviser. O’Neil, a vice president with the Margrave Strategies consulting firm, is also an adviser to Olszewski’s transition team. Her role as senior adviser will involve overseeing communication, outreach and partnerships, as well as developing policy.
County residents and community activists who have been frustrated with the government have often pointed to Homan as the source of their problems.
In a statement, Olszewski called his team “deeply talented” and said it will be able to “hit the ground running on day one.”
“I’m thrilled that these experienced, thoughtful and energetic leaders will help us fight to expand opportunity in every community,” 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 Olszewski’s request.
Olszewski will be sworn into office during a ceremony at Towson University on Dec. 3.
