The Charles County Commissioners are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Belton as the new County Administrator. Belton will begin his employment with Charles County Government on Monday, Dec. 17. Belton will replace Roy E. Hancock, who has been serving as Acting County Administrator. As the County Administrator, Belton will oversee all county departments and be responsible for the day-to-day management of county government, in accordance with the policies and directives of the Commissioners.
The recruitment process was a rigorous one that involved a national search. As part of a comprehensive screening, each candidate participated in panel interviews, which included leading community members. The candidates also met with county department heads. Based on his excellent qualifications and abilities, the Commissioners selected Belton to fill the County Administrator position.
Belton has 29 years of leadership experience in business management and public policy in the government and non-profit sectors. His local government experience is especially comprehensive, having served as a governor-appointed member of a local board of education and as an elected member of a county’s governing body. Belton served for 11 years as County Administrator for jurisdictions in both Maryland and Virginia.
“I’m both professionally privileged and personally delighted with the opportunity to serve as County Administrator for Charles County, Md. I’m particularly looking forward to working with the Board of County Commissioners to achieve their goals for the county, and to working with the county’s dedicated staff in serving the needs of citizens,” said Belton.
Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly said, “Mr. Belton’s skills as an administrator are evident from his previous experience. Hiring Mr. Belton will ensure a swift and smooth transition for Charles County Government and we look forward to welcoming him.”
Belton’s government and private sector experience is complemented uniquely by a parallel career in the reserve component of the U.S. Navy, serving as a Rear Admiral and commanding officer of a 3,700-member organization with a mission to organize, train, equip and deploy units for sea and air port cargo-handling operations and logistics support to theater commanders.
From 2005-2012, Belton was the County Administrator in Page County, Va., and from 1999-2002, he was the County Administrator in Queen Anne’s County, Md. He also worked for two years as the Assistant Secretary for Management Services at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. His tenure with this organization allowed him
