Shannon now administrator

Job becomes permanent; Freeland named general services director

Friday, June 26, 2009

The decisions came following the receipt of Doug Parran's retirement, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2010. Parran, who had long served the dual role of county administrator and general services director, is still recovering from a brain aneurysm suffered last November, but is reportedly doing well.

Both Shannon, who the commissioners said was the county's first female administrator, and Freeland had been filling in for Parran since he was hospitalized and were expected to permanently fill those roles. But the commissioners waited for Parran to make his retirement official.

"Transitions are always stressful and this has been a very long one," Commissioner Susan Shaw (R) said. "I think the citizens of Calvert County are very fortunate that we're going to have very experienced people."

In addition to their duties as acting county administrator and general services director, Shannon and Freeland had continued in their now-former positions as director of finance and budget and chief of the buildings and grounds division, respectively.

"We have stretched them to the limit, there's no question about it. They've put in a lot of extra hours, a lot of extra time," Commissioner Linda Kelley (R) said. "It helped keep the ship on course and you've done a great job and you both deserve both of those promotions."

Shannon, a county employee for more than 21 years who has served as the finance director since 1999, was elated to hear that her temporary status had become permanent.

"I am very honored that the commissioners have that much support and faith in me that I can do the job and I will give it everything I have," Shannon said. "The county has a great management team in place and has great employees that work hard. I think their heart and soul is in what they do and it just works well."

Freeland, who was surprised by the promotion, is looking forward to his semi-new responsibilities.

"My whole career has been within the Department of General Services, so I had first hand knowledge of all the staff in the department," Freeland said.

Parran was known for being pragmatic and knowledgeable on a number of subjects. He was also praised at the meeting for running an administration that was prepared to fill his shoes.

"The sign of a good administrator is a person who has other people who can step into the position and follow him without any falters, without any slips," Stinnett said.

While all five commissioners said they would miss Parran at the county courthouse, they were happy to see him begin a well-earned retirement.

"Doug was a tough guy but he was a fair guy, and he did a good job while he was here," Commissioner Jerry Clark (R) said.

The board also appointed Deputy Director of Finance and Budget Tim Hayden as acting director until a permanent replacement can be chosen.

jnewman@somdnews.com