Montgomery County Deputy Director Craig Howard was approved unanimously and now is the executive director. He is responsible for leading a 100-person staff that provides fiscal and policy analysis on the county’s operating and capital spending budgets.
He also will oversee all council operations.
Howard has 22 years of experience, including five years as deputy director.
Council President Andrew Friedson praised Howard, noting, “His depth of knowledge navigating complex fiscal and legislative issues as well as Council and county operations position him to seamlessly move into the executive director role. Craig is a collaborative, proven, and trusted leader.”
Howard has analyzed programmatic data and outcomes that led to improvements in governmental data collection, processes and structures, according to a news release from the county.
He has a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan. He lives in Montgomery County with his family.
Howard succeeds former Council Executive Director Caven West who stepped down from the position on Oct. 25 for family reasons.
