Duncan Names Department Heads for Health and Human Services and Liquor Control

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 2003

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today appointed Carolyn W. Colvin as director of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and George F. Griffin as director of the County’s Department of Liquor Control.

Colvin comes to Montgomery County from the District of Columbia, where she has served for the past two years as the Cabinet Director of the Department of Human Services. Griffin has served Montgomery County government for eight years, filling the role of acting director of the Department of Liquor Control for the past two while serving as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.

“We searched nationwide to find the best individuals for these jobs,” said Duncan. “Now that we’ve found them, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Carolyn Colvin and George Griffin to roles where they will contribute significantly to the quality of life in our community.”

Health and Human Services

Colvin will manage the functions of seven service areas within the County’s Department of Health and Human Services -- Accountability and Customer Services; Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Aging and Disability Services; Children, Youth and Family Services; Crisis, Income and Victim Services; Early Childhood Services; and Public Health Services. The department has a staff of 1,643 (1,435 workyears) and a current budget of $192.9 million.

“I am pleased to have found someone of Ms. Colvin’s experience and knowledge to lead a department that provides so many vital and important services to our community,” said Duncan. “Her experience at the local, state and federal level will serve this county and its residents well.”

“I am honored and excited about my appointment. I’m really looking forward to working with County Executive Duncan and the County’s leadership team,” said Colvin. “Montgomery County has one of the most comprehensive human service delivery systems in the country. The Health and Human Services agency is a national model, one that every human service administrator strives to achieve. The level of government innovation and community collaboration is refreshing. I think the position will be a great opportunity for me to contribute and make a difference for the citizens of Montgomery County.”

During Colvin’s two years with the District of Columbia’s Department of Human Services, she oversaw the agency’s transition to a performance-based budgeting process; directed the agency’s welfare to work efforts – earning the District two high performance financial bonuses for improvement in numbers of customers entering the workforce; and introduced the District’s new Fatherhood Initiative, a continuum of services for fathers and families designed to reduce the incidence of father-absence among District children. Colvin’s efforts on homeless issues in the District earned her praise this week from Mayor Williams during a group meeting with advocates.

Prior to her position in the District, Colvin spent six years with the federal government at the Social Security Administration as Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Policy. She also served under Governor William Donald Schaefer as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources from 1989 to 1994.

A resident of the District, Colvin received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in business administration from Morgan State University.

Liquor Control

Montgomery County is among 18 states and one other Maryland county that operates as an alcohol control jurisdiction. The County’s Department of Liquor Control is responsible for operating 24 retail stores and a warehouse that distributes beverage alcohol to County stores and approximately 845 private licensed establishments, including beer and wine stores, restaurants and clubs. The department has a staff of 277 and total sales of $150 million. Net income last year exceeded $21 million.

In naming Griffin as director, Duncan said, “George has the right combination of knowledge, experience, and dedication to public service we need to lead the Department of Liquor Control which must carefully balance responsibilities that have been legally mandated since the end of national prohibition in 1933.”

“I take seriously the dual responsibilities we must balance in service to the citizens of Montgomery County,” said Griffin. “One is the revenue we generate and contribute to the County’s General Fund, which benefits every resident of our community. The other is the responsibility to help maintain and enhance our quality of life by operating a control system which promotes responsible behavior and discourages risky consumption and unlawful activity. My goal is for the Department of Liquor control to be a partner with the private sector in continuing to create a vibrant hospitality industry that responsibly serves our residents and guests.”

Griffin joined Montgomery County government in 1994 as Special Assistant to the County Executive, where he served as liaison to business and civic groups, as well as to other local governments. He was appointed Assistant Chief Administrative Officer in the year 2000, working with municipalities and local government and arts organizations, as well as chairing the Liquor Policy Committee. It was in this role that he was tapped to serve as acting director of the Department of Liquor Control.

Griffin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Lee University (Lexington, Va.). He is expected to receive his Master’s degree in public policy and administration in December from the University of Maryland.

Duncan’s appointments are subject to County Council confirmation.

 

Release ID: 03-047
Media Contact: Donna Bigler 240-777-6507, Mary Anderson 240-777-6507