Statement
Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich Regarding the Passing of Longtime Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer
For Immediate Release: Monday 12 June
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Bruce Romer who served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Montgomery County for 12 years. Bruce was a dedicated public servant who collaboratively worked with others to enhance our community.
He served the County in many ways, including helping shape a generation of managers through coaching, training and mentoring. His work was in the national spotlight when snipers terrorized the region in 2002; Bruce played a key role in assembling a task force of law enforcement and other local government officials to coordinate the County’s response to the terrifying series of events.
Bruce started his career in 1977 as a city manager of Sidney, Ohio, before becoming city manager of Rockville, Maryland. Following that appointment, he served as Montgomery County’s CAO from 1994 to 2006, managing all aspects of County government. He then worked for 10 years at Westat, Inc., as vice president for administration and was also on the company’s corporate-level Ethics Compliance Committee. Bruce was appointed to the Montgomery County Ethics Commission in April 2018.
Bruce’s work extended far beyond that of County. He held leadership positions with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the National Association of Counties, and the Maryland Municipal League. He also volunteered at WAMU 88.5 Radio and the Metropolitan Washington Ear.
Bruce was committed to improving the quality of life for the people he served, and he spent his career working to make life better for others. My condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time, and I ask the residents of Montgomery County to keep them in your thoughts. We will miss Bruce but will not forget his work and its impact on our community.
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Release ID: 23-011