John Savich has been appointed County Administrator for St. Mary’s County Government, effective March 7, 2007.

The Board of Commissioners for St. Mary’s County announced the appointment at today’s Commission meeting. “I am pleased that Mr. Savich has accepted our offer to lead St. Mary’s County Government forward,” said Jack Russell, County Commissioner President. “He brings a wealth of administrative experience at the national, state and local levels, has developed strong partnerships in our community and has forged a high level of respect among the employees of St. Mary’s County Government. He is a trusted, credible executive and the commissioners voted unanimously to select him for this important post.”

The County Administrator has overall responsibility for planning, supervision and assessment of the work of all County departments, under direction of the Board of County Commissioners. His responsibilities will span programmatic, budget, fiscal, administrative and personnel matters. He has served as Acting County Administrator since Feb. 1, 2007.

He was chosen Director of Economic and Community Development in May 2001. His responsibilities included economic development, tourism, agriculture development and housing.

During the course of his career, Mr. Savich has held a number of economic and community development positions in federal, state and local government.  His responsibilities have spanned business recruitment, international trade, tourism, rural development, and technology development.  He began his career working at the U.S. Economic Development Administration in Washington, D.C.  During the 1980s, Mr. Savich worked for the State of Michigan as deputy director for community development, director of strategy and forecasting, and state tourism director.  His career then shifted to the west coast, where he served the State of Washington from 1991 to 2001, with responsibilities first as tourism director and then as director of the State’s trade and economic development programs.

He has served on a variety of boards encompassing development, finance, tourism, international trade, housing and technology development.  Currently, he is a member of the executive committee of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance, President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and a member of the board of directors of the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation and the Southern Maryland Economic Development Association.

He and his wife Kathy live in Leonardtown and have two grown children, Jana and Zach.