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Montgomery County Executive Elrich Retains All Five Regional Services Directors

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 7, 2018

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has announced that his new administration will include all five regional service directors who were in place at the conclusion of the term of previous Executive Isiah Leggett.

The regional service directors oversee operations in facilities that are the respective neighborhood hubs for County Government and work closely with neighborhood leaders and associations to help represent local priorities.

The five regional services directors are:

"The regional service center directors are crucial to helping County Government stay close to, and address, the issues that are important to neighborhoods and local businesses," said Elrich.  "I have appreciated the way the existing directors have worked to understand the needs of their designated areas.  I look forward to working with community members and the directors to help us meet the distinct priorities of each area."

Jewru Bandeh

Jewru Bandeh joined Montgomery County Government in 2006 and served in several management level positions in the Upcounty and Silver Spring regional service offices and as manager at the Silver Spring Civic Building before his appointment as East County Regional Services Director in 2013. In East County, he helped increase delivery of human services, adult education, workforce development, community engagement and place-making initiatives. Prior to coming to Maryland, Jewru served as the deputy commissioner of the Department of Social Services and the Workforce Development programs in Westchester County, NY, and as director of the Maryland Family Investment Administration.  He also served in executive roles with Head Start, senior services and operations/logistics programs with the Tulsa public school system. He graduated from Missouri State University with a master’s degree in resource planning and management after earning a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning.

Ken Hartman

Ken Hartman began his career in local government 25 years ago and has served in a variety of high-profile positions including public outreach strategist for the City of Rockville; legislative analyst for the Montgomery County Council; and chief of staff for a County Councilmember. Appointed director of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) Regional Services Center in 2008, he has worked to promote community leadership; develop community-based partnerships that serve older adults; expand programs at the B-CC Regional Services Center; and build urban services in the emerging Pike District.  He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Tech.

Catherine Matthews

Catherine Matthews has served as director of the Upcounty Regional Office since 2001 and works to represent the northern region of Montgomery County. She assisted County departments and agencies in developing strategies for delivering services and identifying potential challenges, solutions and resources. Cathy works with community leaders to broker partnerships and help develop programs that will strengthen their communities. She is the liaison to the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board that represents approximately 340,000 residents and oversees operations at the Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown.

Luisa Montero-Diaz

Luisa Montero-Diaz has 30 years of experience in local, national and international community/program development, project management, fundraising and training program design. She has served as director of a regional nonprofit serving minority and immigrant youth and as deputy director for the Office of Partnerships and Grants in the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C.  After she was appointed Mid-County Regional Services Director in 2015, she established relationships with residents, businesses, civic associations and organizations in the Mid-County and Wheaton area. She serves as County liaison for the Wheaton Revitalization Project and the Small Business Assistance Program, which helps local businesses impacted by the three-year revitalization project. Luisa served for five years on the Maryland State Board of Education, where she championed the social/emotional well-being of students, particularly minority students.  Luisa was born in Cuba and grew up in a small town in North Carolina.  As a Peace Corps volunteer and staff member, she has served in Central America and South America.   

Reemberto Rodriguez

Reemberto Rodriguez brings a diverse mix of experiences in his role as Silver Spring Regional Services Director, which he has filled since 2009. His background includes architecture, urban planning, community development, community organizing and leadership development and training. Born in Cuba, he grew up in Atlanta. He oversees operations at the Silver Spring Civic Building and has focused on working with residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations and faith communities with a goal to build a thriving, vibrant, and inclusive Silver Spring.

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Release ID: 18-760
Media Contact: Neil Greenberger 240-777-6507