Howard County, Maryland Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Howard County, Maryland has 8 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, administrative operations, technology infrastructure, and legislative support.

Committed to sustainable waste management and community service, Howard County, Maryland drives environmental progress through efficient resource allocation and innovative public programs designed to enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Leadership Roles at Howard County, Maryland

  • Chief Financial Officer - Best Ada
  • Chief of Staff - Felix Facchine
  • Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services - David Leeds
  • Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung - China Williams
  • Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa - Melissa Affolter
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - John Eckard
  • Chief Administrative Officer - Brandee Ganz
  • Deputy Chief Administrative Officer - Jamar Herry
  • Best Ada - Chief Financial Officer

    Best Ada, the Chief Financial Officer at Howard County, Maryland, manages the fiscal integrity of all waste management and recycling operations. The Chief Financial Officer directs budgetary planning for the Alpha Ridge Landfill, ensuring capital projects align with long-term environmental sustainability goals. By overseeing revenue streams from collection services, Ada maintains the financial health required for community outreach programs. This leadership role involves rigorous auditing of municipal expenditures to maximize operational efficiency across the county. Through precise financial forecasting, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of composting initiatives and curbside services. Best Ada collaborates with administrative leadership to secure funding for infrastructure upgrades, directly impacting the ability of the division to meet ambitious recycling targets. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer guarantees that fiscal resources remain dedicated to providing accessible, responsible waste disposal options for every resident within the regional jurisdiction.

    Felix Facchine - Chief of Staff

    Felix Facchine, the Chief of Staff at Howard County, Maryland, coordinates cross-departmental initiatives to streamline waste management and recycling service delivery. The Chief of Staff architectures internal communication frameworks that connect the Trash and Recycling Division with broader municipal objectives. By facilitating high-level decision-making processes, Facchine ensures that operational priorities remain synchronized with environmental sustainability mandates. This role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships to support special collection events and community educational outreach. Felix Facchine drives organizational alignment by translating policy directives into actionable tasks for the division. Through the optimization of administrative workflows, the Chief of Staff enhances the responsiveness of public services across the county. Facchine maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the division meets the evolving needs of the community while adhering to strict regulatory standards for waste disposal and environmental protection.

    David Leeds - Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services

    David Leeds, the Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services at Howard County, Maryland, secures the digital infrastructure supporting essential waste management services. The Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services architectures robust cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive municipal data and operational systems. By integrating advanced technology solutions, Leeds improves the efficiency of curbside collection tracking and landfill management software. This leadership role involves overseeing the digital transformation of public communication channels to better inform residents about recycling programs. David Leeds drives the implementation of secure, scalable network architectures that facilitate seamless data exchange across county departments. Through proactive threat mitigation, the Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services ensures the continuity of critical services. Leeds maintains a focus on technological innovation to support the long-term sustainability goals of the entire organization.

    China Williams - Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung

    China Williams, the Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung at Howard County, Maryland, facilitates legislative support for environmental and waste management policies. The Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung coordinates constituent outreach efforts to ensure residents understand available recycling and composting resources. By analyzing policy impacts, Williams provides the strategic guidance necessary to advance sustainability initiatives within the council. This role involves managing legislative priorities that directly influence the operational scope of the Trash and Recycling Division. China Williams drives collaboration between council members and department heads to address community concerns regarding waste disposal. Through effective advocacy and administrative oversight, the Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung ensures that public services remain aligned with the needs of the local population. Williams maintains a focus on legislative efficiency, supporting the development of programs that promote responsible waste management practices across the entire county.

    Melissa Affolter - Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa

    Melissa Affolter, the Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa at Howard County, Maryland, manages legislative operations that support the expansion of environmental sustainability programs. The Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa coordinates with the Trash and Recycling Division to align policy goals with practical waste management service delivery. By overseeing the flow of information between the council and the public, Affolter ensures that residents receive timely updates on special collection events and landfill resources. This leadership role involves drafting and reviewing legislative proposals that enhance the effectiveness of county-wide recycling efforts. Melissa Affolter drives the development of community-focused initiatives that encourage responsible disposal habits. Through meticulous administrative coordination, the Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa supports the implementation of long-term environmental strategies. Affolter maintains a focus on public engagement, ensuring that the division remains accountable to the community while striving to meet ambitious sustainability targets.

    John Eckard - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    John Eckard, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Howard County, Maryland, executes the technical strategy for modernizing waste management data systems. The Deputy Chief Information Officer oversees the deployment of hardware and software solutions that track recycling metrics and landfill capacity. By optimizing internal databases, Eckard ensures that the Trash and Recycling Division maintains accurate records for environmental reporting. This role involves collaborating with IT leadership to implement scalable cloud infrastructure that supports county-wide service accessibility. John Eckard drives the integration of digital tools that streamline the scheduling of curbside collections and special events. Through the management of technical teams, the Deputy Chief Information Officer maintains high system availability for critical municipal operations. Eckard focuses on enhancing the digital experience for residents, ensuring that information regarding waste disposal remains easily accessible. This leadership role directly supports the technological foundation required for achieving the sustainability goals of the county.

    Brandee Ganz - Chief Administrative Officer

    Brandee Ganz, the Chief Administrative Officer at Howard County, Maryland, directs the overarching operational strategy for all municipal services, including the Trash and Recycling Division. The Chief Administrative Officer architectures organizational policies that govern waste management programs and landfill operations. By aligning departmental objectives with the broader mission of environmental sustainability, Ganz ensures that resources are utilized effectively to meet community needs. This leadership role involves overseeing the performance of key divisions to guarantee that curbside collection and composting services remain reliable. Brandee Ganz drives the implementation of administrative improvements that enhance the efficiency of public service delivery across the county. Through strategic planning and inter-departmental coordination, the Chief Administrative Officer supports the achievement of ambitious recycling goals. Ganz maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the division provides accessible and responsible waste disposal options while upholding the highest standards of public service and environmental stewardship.
    Brandee Ganz

    Jamar Herry - Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

    Jamar Herry, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer at Howard County, Maryland, executes operational initiatives that support the daily functions of the Trash and Recycling Division. The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer oversees the logistics of waste collection services, ensuring that programs at the Alpha Ridge Landfill operate within established safety and efficiency parameters. By managing the day-to-day administrative requirements of the division, Herry facilitates the smooth delivery of curbside trash and recycling services. This role involves coordinating with field teams to address service gaps and improve community outreach efforts. Jamar Herry drives the execution of sustainability projects that aim to increase recycling participation rates across the county. Through the oversight of operational workflows, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the division remains responsive to the needs of residents. Herry maintains a focus on continuous improvement, supporting the long-term goal of providing effective and responsible waste management solutions for the entire region.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Howard County, Maryland Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Howard County, Maryland?
    Howard County, Maryland is led by Best Ada (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Felix Facchine (Chief of Staff) and David Leeds (Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services).
    Who is part of Howard County, Maryland’s executive team?
    The executive team of Howard County, Maryland includes leaders such as Best Ada (Chief Financial Officer), Felix Facchine (Chief of Staff), David Leeds (Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Howard County, Maryland have?
    Howard County, Maryland has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Howard County, Maryland’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Howard County, Maryland includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Director, Chief Information Officer and CISO, Department of Technology and Communication Services, Chief of Staff To Council Member Deb Jung, Chief of Staff To Councilwoman Jen Terrasa.