Annapolis, MD (April 3, 2019) – Today, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced Roz Hamlett as the county’s Director of Multimedia Communications. Roz Hamlett will be the lead media contact for the County Executive and the Administration and assume the duties of public information officer. Ms. Hamlett’s career has focused on journalism, media relations, and government relations at the state, regional, and federal level, including stints on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
“We searched for someone who can engage the public and the media to tell the story of why Anne Arundel County is the best place – and we’ve found her,” said Pittman. “Roz’s incredible breadth of experience in government and media relations will help our administration be more open, accessible and transparent than ever before.”
Most recently, Ms. Hamlett was the senior writer and executive speechwriter for the CEO at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. During her career, she has served as a top aide to several former Maryland leaders, including the House Speaker, the Governor, and the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland. She is a national award-winning journalist and the former Morning Show Producer of WBAL-Radio. She began her career as a Maryland State House reporter for the Afro-American Newspapers.
Brandi Francis has served as acting public information officer since Pittman’s inauguration on December 3. Ms. Hamlett will start on April 29 and Ms. Francis will remain acting PIO until that time. Ms. Francis will then return to her position at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, where her colleagues miss her terribly.
“We are very fortunate to have Brandi as part of our team,” said Pittman. “I, and all of us in the County Executive’s office, owe her a debt of gratitude for answering the call to help our Administration in these early months. She is a dedicated professional who will continue to be an asset to the county in the Department of Aging and Disabilities.”
Pittman also announced Sherri Dickerson as the new Director of Personnel, replacing longtime director Andrea Rhodes, who retired on March 29. Ms. Dickerson is currently the senior human resources executive for the City of Atlanta, but has multigenerational roots in Anne Arundel County. She starts on April 22.
“The opportunity to hire someone like Sherri Dickerson doesn’t come around very often,” said Pittman. “She came to her interview with a plan to make Anne Arundel County the best place to work! She has demonstrated a creative approach to human resources and expertise in workforce development, personnel policy, administration and human resources management. I’m excited to have her on board.”
In the City of Atlanta, Ms. Dickerson played a key role in pension reform, saving the city $22 million annually. She holds a Master of Political Management from George Washington University, Master Public Administration from Valdosta University and Bachelor of Science from Spelman College. She holds several human resources certifications, including Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Society of Human Resource Management - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Finally, Pittman announced that former County Councilmember Peter Smith accepted a part-time contractual position as the county’s Military and Veterans Affairs Liaison. He started in this role on February 18.
“Pete Smith is a dynamic leader who brings people together around good causes,” said Pittman. “His job is to engage Fort Meade, NSA, and the Naval Academy to ensure we are good partners. He is also working with our veterans commission to implement the recommendations of our transition team.”