More Changes at Howard County Helm

A Frederick government executive will be joining the Howard County administrative team later this month as deputy chief of staff, and a former staff member will be returning to serve as director of policy and legislative affairs.

Josh Russin, currently the executive assistant to the mayor of Frederick, will serve as deputy chief of staff. On Dec. 5, Elizabeth Edsall Kromm will return to county government as director of policy and legislative affairs.

“Josh has proven to be a goal-oriented, effective administrator,” County Executive Ken Ulman said in a statement. “His organizational skills, his ability to develop short and long-term strategies and his ‘can do’ ethic make him a perfect addition to our team.”

Russin will start his new position on Nov. 26, joining .  

“I look forward to joining such a talented group of energetic, experienced and forward-looking people,” Russin said in a statement. “It’s truly an honor."

Kromm, who returns on Dec. 5 to county government as director of policy and legislative affairs, formerly worked as senior advisor to the county’s health officer, Peter Beilenson. Currently, she is working as a senior officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts.

“Elizabeth has more than a dozen years of experience in public health, much of it in the non-profit sector,” Ulman said in a statement.  “She has proven again and again the ability to design, implement and evaluate innovative policies and initiatives.  Her expertise will be invaluable on a wide range of policy issues.” 

“This is a return to familiar ground since I worked in the Howard County Health Department for more than three years,” Edsel Kromm said in a statement.  “There’s no other place in Maryland that is more thoughtful or creative when it comes to tackling the myriad of issues that face us today.  Executive Ulman’s commitment to making life better for his constituents is unsurpassed,” she said.

Edsel Kromm will join as well as  director of communications for the county. Nitkin will continue to work on policy issues, he said, but take on more responsibilities as the director of communications, a position to which he was elevated last week.

"We all work really well together as a team,” Nitkin said Friday afternoon. “She, Josh and I and others will look for more broad solutions together.”

Related:

- Baltimore Sun Reporter/Editor to Join Howard County Government Staff

- Changes Ahead for Howard County Administration