Diane W. Gordy today was appointed Director of the Frederick County Department of Social Services. DHR Secretary Christopher J. McCabe, Frederick County Commission Chairman John Thompson, Jr. and Frederick County Social Services Board Chairwoman Ruth Bruening jointly announced the appointment.

Ms. Gordy had served as Acting Director since September of 2003. Secretary McCabe lauded Ms. Gordy’s wealth of executive experience, her strong academic and community service background and her success as acting director.

“We were certain that Ms. Gordy would do an excellent job overseeing the daily operation of the department while we searched for a permanent director,” Secretary McCabe said. “After Ms. Gordy served several months in that role, it became increasingly clear that she brought the leadership and vision we were searching for in a permanent director.

“She has successfully mobilized and re-energized the staff, community partners, and the Commission around the charge of the department.”

Secretary McCabe, the Frederick County Commissioners and the Frederick County Board of Social Services concurred in the appointment.

“In the short time Ms. Gordy has been on board as acting director she has demonstrated her concern for the citizens of Frederick County,” said Ms. Bruening. "Speaking on behalf of the Social Services Board, we look forward to working with her to further improve social service delivery to the customers of the Frederick County Department of Social Services.”

Ms. Gordy has served as Executive Director of DHR’s Social Services Administration. She also has overseen the Department’s Office of Corporate Services, spearheading its successful United Way campaign fund drive and reaching out to private, state and national programs that benefit the agency and its customers.

In addition, her management responsibilities have included program planning and review, personnel and public policy development for human services and local and State government.

Ms. Gordy’s community involvement includes leadership roles with organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Baltimore Maryland, The Laurence Pacquin School, Baltimore City Crisis Response Center, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Child Welfare League of America.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland in Political Science and a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins University. She also has pursued postgraduate studies in Political Science, Government and Public Policy at Lehigh University. Additionally, she holds various certificates from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Ms. Gordy’s appointment is effective immediately.

web posted: May 1, 2004