County Exec Builds New Administration

On Wednesday, Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman named Davidsonville resident Richard Durkee the new director of information technology.

Durkee, currently a NASA contractor, will lead the "modernization of county government" starting March 4, according to a press release. This proclamation comes after The Capital-Gazette reported that Neuman had to order a computer for her office and that former county executive John Leopold was not known to be "tech savvy."

“Richard Durkee will develop a plan to make this County work smarter through better use of technology,” Neuman said in a prepared statement. “Data is the key to efficiency and measuring results.”

In addition to his experience as a contractor providing information technology services and support to NASA, the release states that Durkee served as chief operating officer for Matrics when Neuman was chief executive officer—the company was sold for $230 million in 2004.

Since Neuman took office Friday, The Baltimore Sun reported she has ousted several members of Leopold's administration including county lawyer Jonathan A. Hodgson; Erik Robey, chief of staff under Leopold; and William H. Hyers, a contract employee and formerly of Anne Arundel County police.

A new chief of staff, was appointed Monday by Neuman. Cordle will reportedly lead an Evaluation Committee charged with reviewing individuals and agencies within Anne Arundel County government. He was one of the applicants for the county executive position and made it to the final rounds of voting before the County Council.