More Musical Chairs & Departures in Charles County Government

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, Paul Comfort recently announced the appointment of Willis (Bill) Proper, current Chief of Capital Projects, Buildings and Trades, as the new Acting Director of the Department of Public Facilities.

Proper’s term began July 18, 2007.  He will work with the existing Division Chiefs and outgoing Director of Public Facilities, Michael Mudd to provide an orderly transition into his new position before Mudd’s retirement on July 31.

Mudd began his career with Charles County in 1974 as the Assistant Supervisor and Grounds Manager at the White Plains Golf Course.  In January 1990, he became Director of Public Facilities.

“Mike has been a hard working and innovative employee, and we would like to commend him for all he has done for our community,” read the County Commissioners’ statement.

Proper began his career with Charles County as a Maintenance Mechanic almost 16 years ago in October of 1991.  Several years later he became Chief of Buildings and Trades. Following a reorganization of County Government in the mid-1990s, Proper became Chief of Capital Projects, Buildings and Trades.

The County Commissioners will immediately begin recruiting for a new Director of Public Facilities.

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The Director of the Charles County Department of Utilities, Jerome (Jerry) L. Michael announced his retirement effective August 10, 2007.

Michael has served Charles County since 1977 when he began his career in the Public Works Department as the Plant Superintendent at the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant.  He worked his way through the ranks to Director of Utilities in 1997.

“Mr. Michael has always been a dedicated and loyal employee, and we would like to thank him for his service and wish him well in his new endeavors,” read the County Commissioners’ statement.

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The County also announced a reorganization of some departments to streamline their reporting structures. The Deputy County Administrator position is now the Assistant to the County Administrator, who will manage and coordinate major county projects under the direction of the County Administrator. Mr. Roy Hancock, who served until recently as the Acting County Administrator will now serve in the Assistant position in an acting role.

The County also will consolidate its departments from eleven to eight.  The current Departments of Fiscal Services, Information Technology, Purchasing and Human Services Partnership will merge into a new Department of Administrative Services. The Director of Fiscal Services position (currently held in an acting capacity by David Eicholtz) has been elevated to become the new Director of Administrative Services.

Recruitment for this position will begin immediately. No new positions are to be created from this reorganization. 

County Commission President Wayne Cooper said, “I expect this new reorganization to help us provide a more efficient reporting structure for our new County Administrator.”

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Here is the list of former, new and remaining county government leadership since January 2007.