Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has promoted a controversial determine as supervisor of the county’s day-to-day operations.
D’Andrea L. Walker, director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, was named county administrative officer right this moment by Olszewski, changing Stacy Rodgers, who plans to retire next month.
As CAO, Walker will maintain the highest management place under the county govt, overseeing a $4.9 billion annual funds, greater than 6,500 full-time workers and dozens of county departments.
Her present yearly wage of $216,548 will advance to $263,000 when she begins as CAO, press secretary Erica Palmisano mentioned.
Hailed in a press launch as “a forward-thinking chief whose revolutionary efforts have constantly improved county operations,” Walker’s tenure at DPWT has been dogged by staff turnover and a bundle of complaints to County Inspector General Kelly Madigan.
Hired because the county’s first transportation officer in February 2020, Walker was elevated by Olszewski to performing director of public works 9 months later after director Steve Walsh resigned and his successor, Tom Keifer, retired.
Over the next 18 months, the company underwent a mass exodus.
Fully two-third of the senior staff retired or resigned, together with 5 bureau chiefs, 4 division chiefs and 5 part chiefs.
Former staffers who spoke to The Brew mentioned they left as a result of Walker, who had labored on the Maryland Transit Administration and the workplace of former Democratic Gov. Parris Glendening, had no background in public works and coated up her lack of expertise with an erratic administration fashion.
As the onetime girlfriend of U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume, she was criticized by some for making selections based mostly on politics and choosing hires based mostly extra on loyalty than competence.
Support from Above
Olszewski absolutely backed Walker throughout the staff rebellion, though she was not a licensed skilled engineer, as required by the county constitution.
To get across the constitution language, Walker was saved on as “performing director” of DPWT till voters authorised a constitution modification in 2022 that modified the job description to incorporate 10 years of expertise as a transportation and infrastructure supervisor.
During the identical time interval, Walker superior Olszewski’s political ambitions.
The day after a fundraiser was held for Olszewski in June 2021, for instance, Walker reversed a call by the strong waste division chief to reject a waste switch station proposed by Jack Haden, the chief sponsor of the fundraiser.
• Baltimore County’s largest division sees exodus of senior staff (5/26/22)
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In an electronic mail reviewed by The Brew, Walker mentioned she was requested by “the CE” (county govt) to reexamine Haden’s request for the waste station, though it may price taxpayers tens of millions of {dollars} in misplaced “tipping charges.”
Walker’s efforts had been aided by Rodgers and Lauren Buckler, Walker’s deputy, in line with DPWT correspondence.
The Eagle Transfer Station proposal was tabled by the County Council a month after The Brew story was printed and the plan underwent scrutiny from County Inspector General Madigan.
In November 2022, Madigan wrote a report that faulted Walker for overruling a subordinate and ordering personal alleyway repaved in downtown Towson, at a price of $70,000, on the behest of then-Council Chairman Julian Jones.
The report drew an indignant response from Stacy Rodgers. “The Administration unequivocally doesn’t concur with lots of the conclusions in your report,” she wrote.
Flyer for the 2021 fundraiser held by Jack Haden whereas he was searching for a non-public switch station allow by the county.
In an announcement right this moment, Walker mentioned she is “excited to construct on the unimaginable legacy of Stacy L. Rodgers, who I’m proud to name a good friend and mentor.” Her appointment must be confirmed by the County Council, which is anticipated to behave next month.
Lauren Buckler was named the performing director of DPWT, changing Walker.
Future Scenarios
The largest growth affecting Walker – and county residents – entails Olszewski.
Last week, he formally launched a marketing campaign to grow to be U.S. congressman for Maryland’s 2nd District, succeeding retiring C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.
Under the county constitution, the CAO turns into performing county govt within the occasion of a “non permanent emptiness.”
The largest growth impacting Walker will contain Olszewski’s political future.
In 2018, following the sudden demise of Kevin Kamenetz, CAO Fred Homan served as performing county govt till Donald Mohler was appointed the everlasting alternative by the County Council.
An analogous state of affairs may happen if Olszewski wins the congressional race.
The Council may theoretically appoint a alternative as quickly as November to proceed till Olszewski’s time period ends in December 2026.
In the meantime, the CAO has a four-year time period in workplace.
Or as Walker famous right this moment, “I sit up for persevering with to serve the residents of Baltimore County on this new function for years to come back.”
