The Montgomery County Council has confirmed Mary Anderson as Director of Montgomery County’s Public Information Office. She was nominated by County Executive Marc Elrich in June after serving as acting director of the office since February. Anderson becomes the first female to be selected and appointed as director of the office.
“Communicating our role as a County government is essential if we are going to accomplish our goals,” said County Executive Elrich. “I have had the pleasure of working with Mary Anderson for many years and believe she is the best person to lead the County’s Public Information Office. We are looking forward to her using her experience, passion and extensive knowledge of the County to help our departments better communicate with the public and engage with our customers to better meet the needs of our community.”
The County’s public information office director is responsible for fielding questions from the media, coordinating the County’s social media and internet marketing strategies across different departments and helping facilitate the County’s cable TV show production. The Public Information Office has 17.5 full-time positions.
“For over three decades, I have taken great pride in working for the Montgomery County government and appreciate County Executive Elrich for this appointment and confirmation from the County Council,” said Anderson. “While communicating to, engaging with and assisting residents has changed over the years, Montgomery County’s high standards and expectations for transparency, equity and collaboration has never wavered. I look forward to working with colleagues, partners and organizations throughout the County government and in our communities while improving and innovating communication outreach efforts of the Public Information Office.”
Anderson is a seasoned strategic communications executive with more than thirty years of experience in public affairs spanning local government, health care and nonprofit sectors. In her role as acting director of the office, she led a multifaceted team and managed a $3 million budget to drive countywide communication initiatives.
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She is recognized for her expertise in crisis communications, stakeholder engagement and building public trust. Anderson has led major campaigns, including the County’s COVID-19 response and high-profile public events. Her collaborative leadership style and commitment to transparency have made her a trusted advisor to executive officials.
Anderson began her career with Montgomery County Government in 1990 as a public information officer for the Department of Health and Human Services. She eventually led communications for the department—Montgomery County’s largest—where she oversaw website content, community outreach and social media. In 2023, she joined the Public Information Office as a manager focused on marketing and engagement.
A longtime Silver Spring resident, Anderson holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland and is a member of Leadership Montgomery and the National Public Health Information Coalition.
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For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=47397