Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Earl Stoddard has been selected by Governor Wes Moore to serve as Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, effective December 9, 2026.
Stoddard will succeed Secretary Russell Strickland, who is retiring on December 8 after a 50-year career in public safety. Governor Moore plans to submit Stoddard’s nomination to the Maryland State Senate for confirmation during the 2027 Legislative Session.
Stoddard currently serves as Montgomery County’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, helping oversee county government operations and performance. He previously served as Director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS).
Before leading OEMHS, Stoddard served as Program Administrator for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. He also previously worked at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security.
