Olszewski names acting fire chief, director of aging

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski made the following personnel announcements on July 1:

Assistant Fire Chief Scott Ebbert has been named Acting Fire Chief of the Baltimore County Fire DepartmentElisabeth A. Sachs has been named Acting Director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging

Assistant Chief Scott Ebbert brings over 29 years of firefighting and EMS experience and is 25-year veteran of the Baltimore County Fire Department, where he has held senior leadership roles including bureau chief for the training and education bureau, assistant health and safety officer in the health and safety bureau, and serves of the Department’s labor-management relations committee.

He will serve as Acting Fire Chief as Baltimore County continues its search to succeed Chief Joanne Rund, who announced plans to retire from Baltimore County and will serve as the Director of Family Programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

“Assistant Chief Ebbert is a deeply experienced and highly-respected and member of the Baltimore County Fire Department and I am thankful for his willingness to step into this role as Baltimore County completes its extensive search,” Olszewski said.

“I am confident that he will continue to leverage his decades of experience to ensure continued operational excellence and community safety during this time of transition.”

Elisabeth A. Sachs currently serves as Deputy Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Health and Community Services, overseeing health and human services, housing, aging, and recreation and parks. Sachs previously served as the County’s director of Government Reform and Strategic Initiatives (GRSI) where she spearheaded the creation of BCSTAT, the County’s data-driven performance management system.

Prior to her service in Baltimore County, Sachs has served as executive director of the Job Opportunities Task Force, senior advisor to the secretary at the Maryland Department of Labor, program director for EARN Maryland, interim secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and interim director of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board, and director of Policy and Planning for the Maryland Department of Labor.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a law degree from Yale Law School.

She will serve as acting director as Baltimore County continues its search to succeed Director Laura Riley, who announced plans to retire after more than 37 years of service in County government earlier this year.

“I thank Elisabeth for her leadership in delivering results for the residents of Baltimore County and I am fully confident she will continue provide steady leadership throughout this transition,” Olszewski said.

“During her many years of dedicated public service, she has demonstrated an immense passion for people-centered, innovative governance and I look forward to her efforts to support Baltimore County’s older adults — and all our communities.”