TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski this week made the following personnel announcements:

• Elisabeth A. Sachs has been named Deputy Administrative Officer for Health and Community Services
• Mike Fried has been named as Director of the Office of Information Technology
• Walt Pesterfield has been named Director of the Department of Corrections
• Kevin D. Reed has been named Director of the Office of Budget and Finance
• Bob Smith has been named Acting Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks

“These dedicated public servants bring a wealth of experience and passion to put to work on behalf of the residents and communities of Baltimore County,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “With the addition of these talented leadership team members, we will continue making Baltimore County’s government more open, accountable, and accessible.”

Elisabeth A. Sachs will serve as Deputy Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Health and Community Services, overseeing health and human services, housing, aging, and recreation and parks. She will also serve as a liaison to Baltimore County Public libraries. Sachs most recently served as the County’s director of Government Reform and Strategic Initiatives (GRSI) since 2018, where she spearheaded the creation of BCSTAT, the County’s data-driven performance management system. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the work of GRSI and BCSTAT. Prior to her service in Baltimore County, Sachs has served as executive director of the Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF), senior advisor to the secretary at the Maryland Department of Labor, program director for EARN Maryland, interim secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), interim director of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board, and director of Policy and Planning for the Maryland Department of Labor. Sachs holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a law degree from Yale Law School.

Mike Fried will serve as director of the Office of Information Technology. Fried most recently served as chief technology and innovation officer for Enoch Pratt Free Library, where he worked to leverage technology to create social change and community impact. Prior to Enoch Pratt Free Library, Fried served as chief information officer at the Baltimore City Health Department, where he oversaw the technical infrastructure of the agency and worked to position Baltimore City as a leader in public health and healthcare information technology. He has also worked with Emerson Electric as a cybersecurity expert. Fried holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems from the University of Maryland – University College and master’s degree in information systems engineering from Johns Hopkins with a specialization in information security.

Walt J. Pesterfield will serve as director of the Department of Corrections. Prior to this, Pesterfield served as chief adult probation officer for the Franklin County Court of Common Plea in Columbus, Ohio. Pesterfield also served as secure care bureau administrator for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections in Phoenix, Ariz., superintendent of the Closed Study Youth Facility at the Summit View Youth Correctional Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and director of probation, pre-trial and court services for the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court in Woodstock, Ill. Pesterfield holds a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on organizational leadership from National University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern State University.

Kevin D. Reed will serve as director for the Office of Budget and Finance, where has served as deputy director since 2019. Prior to this, he worked for the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Service from 2012 to 2019, serving as deputy director for finance and administration and chief financial officer. Reed holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree from the University of Baltimore.

Bob Smith will serve as acting director of the Department of Recreation and Parks. Smith has served in various positions in Baltimore County’s Department of Recreation and Parks since 1989, most recently as deputy director of Recreation and Facilities Operations. Throughout his career, Smith has worked as regional coordinator, community supervisor, PAL center leader, park attendant, camp instructor and field leader. Outside of the Department, he spent 20 years as a youth recreational, high school and club level soccer coach and holds a Coaching License from USYSA. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore, a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional Certification from the National Recreation and Parks Association and holds a Certified Youth Sports Administrator certification from the National Alliance for Youth Sports.