Comfort named new county administrator

Friday, March 23, 2007

Click here to enlarge this photo Paul W. Comfort E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Comfort will take the helm of county government on May 22, replacing Roy E. Hancock, who has been serving as interim county administrator since October 2005. Hancock will then resume his duties as the director of the department of planning and growth management.

Comfort was chosen from three finalists interviewed by the commissioners after an initial interview with a five-member panel that included Hancock, County Attorney Roger Fink, Director of Human Resources Stephen Brayman, Charles County Board of Education Vice Chairman Roberta Wise and Minority Business Council member Mike Moses.

According to a county press release, the commissioners chose Comfort out of 53 applicants for the position. The county’s screening process narrowed the field to eight semifinalists, from which three final candidates were recommended and forwarded to interview with the commissioners.

‘‘All three individuals that we interviewed had outstanding qualities,” said commissioners’ President F. Wayne Cooper (D) in a prepared statement. ‘‘The decision was difficult, but one stood out with professionalism, experience, and the leadership style that the County was seeking. [Comfort] is familiar with Charles County and has been actively involved in statewide organizations for many years. I look forward to working with him and welcome him to Charles County.”

Under the direction of the commissioners, Comfort will oversee all county departments and be responsible for the day-to-day management of government, including the county budget, administration of county programs and maintenance of county facilities.

According to the county, Comfort served as county administrator for Queen Anne’s County for the past four years, and he is in his third term as the president of the Maryland County Administrator’s Association. As Queen Anne’s county administrator, Comfort supervised 12 local government departments in addition to serving as human resources director and economic development director. Queen Anne’s County, like Charles County, is a code home rule county with five county commissioners.

E-mail Jay Friess at jfriess@somdnews.com.