Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy confirmed eight senior members of her administration on Tuesday evening following their confirmation by the County Council.
Braveboy appointed multiple people to head county offices responsible for public safety, the environment and finances. Many of the newly confirmed leaders are long-time residents of the county.
Here’s a look at some of Braveboy’s administration.
Maxene Bardwell — Chief administrative officer
Bardwell, who has 25 years of auditing experience, is set to serve as Prince George’s County’s chief administrative officer. As second in command under Braveboy, her primary responsibility is to oversee the county’s departments.
Most recently, Bardwell worked as an internal audit manager for the Montgomery County government.
“I don’t take it for granted as the second in command of this county,” Bardwell said at the council’s government operations and fiscal policy committee on Sept. 11. “I would make sure that the mission, vision and values that we plan to implement are carried out through the respective agencies of Prince George’s County government.”
Linda Allen — Director of finance
Allen will serve as the finance director. She will oversee the county’s taxes and ensure the government is using its funds properly.
Allen has worked for the county since 2005 and has risen through the ranks of the finance department, most recently serving as its deputy director, Braveboy said during the council meeting on Tuesday.
Allen said she aims to focus on building the county’s financial resilience by maintaining the county’s savings, managing debt and pursuing investments.
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Alice Williams — Procurement office director
Williams, who has 38 years of experience in acquisitions at the U.S. Department of Defense, will now serve as the director of the office of procurement.
This office oversees the purchasing of goods, services and construction for the county using public funding.
“My commitment is to ensure that every procurement decision reflects integrity, fairness, excellence and that every contract awarded contributes to the economic growth and prosperity of this county,” Williams said at the council meeting on Tuesday.
Vernard Wright — Information technology office director
Wright is returning to county government to serve as the director of the office of information technology, a position he held from 2010-2017, he told The Diamondback.
In addition to this position, he currently serves as the chief executive for an AI threat prevention company. He also worked as the director of technology for Hillary Clinton’s Senate re-election and presidential campaigns.
Wright said he hopes to create a “tech ecosystem” within the county to diminish its reliance on federal jobs. He said he wants to expand opportunities for local businesses and students who want to work in technology.
“You can hire anyone who can keep the switches, servers and routers running,” Wright said. “But the goal really is to make sure that we are a destination of technology.”
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Samuel Moki – Director of the environment department
Moki — who holds six academic degrees, including a doctorate degree in political science — is the director of the county’s environment department.
A controversial pick from Braveboy, Moki worked in the department from 2006 to 2014. But he was fired from his role as an associate director in the department after county officials determined he did not properly carry out its stormwater management program, court records from Moki’s 2016 appeal of the decision read.
In a statement to The Diamondback, Moki wrote he is committed to protecting the environment by improving waste management, reducing pollution and beautifying the area.
“Prince George’s County provided the environment that nurtured my growth — both professionally and personally,” Moki wrote. “Serving here isn’t just a job; it’s truly my life’s calling.”
