Jones named new Dorchester County Manager

CAMBRIDGE - Woodrow “Jerry” Jones III has been named County Manager by the Dorchester County Council.

Beginning May 20,  Jones will serve as lead administrator for all government operations, responsible for “leading the administration and functions of all departments, agencies, and offices of the Government, as well as, the care and custody of Government buildings and all real property of the County,” according to the Council’s press release announcing the appointment.

“The Council will rely on Mr. Jones to fully advise them on the financial condition and future needs of the County and make recommendations.”

Jones began his career as a Maryland State Police Cadet shortly after his 1988 graduation from Cambridge South Dorchester High School.

He holds Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees from Johns Hopkins University and is a graduate of its Police Executive Leadership Program.

In November 2015, Governor Larry Hogan appointed Jones to the rank of Colonel and named him Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. He led more than six hundred sworn and civilian police professionals responsible for securing critical state infrastructure, including toll roads, tunnels, bridges, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and the Port of Baltimore.

In February 2020, Hogan appointed Jones Maryland State Police Secretary and its 20th Superintendent. Serving as a Hogan cabinet member, Jones led 2,400 sworn and civilian members of the Maryland Department of State Police through December 2022.

After a Maryland State Police career spanning 27 years, in positions ranging from patrol, investigative, supervisory, and command, Jones retired as Lt. Col. and Chief of the Field Operations Bureau, a key command staff member responsible for leading a patrol force of nearly 1,000 sworn and civilian personnel.

“After 35 years in law enforcement serving all over Maryland, it is great to be home, serving the community where I have lived my entire life and raised my family,” Jones said.

“I envision advancing relationships with our community, developing ideas together in ways that move our county forward. The most valuable asset of our community is the citizens who call it home. I believe the best ideas to move us forward lie within our citizenry,” he said.