Former Baltimore County Executive Dies

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Former Baltimore County Executive Roger B. Hayden has died, according to officials. He led both Baltimore County government and its school board at points in the 1980s and 1990s.

Hayden was county executive from 1990 to 1994.

"A dedicated public servant and tireless advocate for public education, County Executive Hayden exemplified what it means to give back to our communities," County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement.

"Baltimore County is stronger for his service and my sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," Olszewski said. "We collectively mourn the passing of former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden."

Hayden was the second Republican county executive elected in Baltimore County since its charter took effect in 1957, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported he made the first layoffs in county government history in 1993, an unpopular move that contributed to his loss to C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in the 1994 election.

During his time as county executive, Hayden helped reform business regulations, revitalize aging communities and preserve land through county ownership, The Sun reported.

Both before and after he was county executive, Hayden was on the Baltimore County Board of Education, serving from 1974 to 1987 and 2017 to 2019, according to Baltimore County Public Schools. He was president of the school board from 1981 to 1987.

"We will remember Roger for his service to the community, his sense of humor, and his great stories," Board of Education member Cheryl Pasteur said in a statement. "Roger was truly a champion of children and worked tirelessly for the needs of all students in Baltimore County Public Schools."

Hayden's career began in the mail room of Eastern Stainless and included more than a dozen jobs — including director of ballpark operations for the Baltimore Orioles and associate of vice president of facilities at Towson University — before he became president of Hayden Consulting Group, a company he founded to help businesses in the mid-Atlantic.

"The nearly 15 years that he spent on the school board are only part of his substantial legacy in this community," Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams said in a statement. "We join his family in celebrating his life and achievements."

This is a developing story and will be updated.