The Montgomery County Council unanimously confirmed two more of County Executive Marc Elrich’s nominees for top-level department positions Tuesday.
Angela Talley was permanently named director of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. Aseem Nigam was named director of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
The council voted in favor of Elrich’s picks in its last meeting before a monthlong August recess.
The director of corrections oversees all of the county’s jail facilities and handles administrative matters within the department. The director also oversees various aspects of the corrections system, such as pretrial, pre-release and reentry programs and alternatives to incarceration, including the diversion program. Talley’s salary will be $206,000.
Talley became interim corrections director in May to replace longtime director Robert L. Green. Green resigned after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) nominated him to be secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Prior to that role, Talley served in several positions within the corrections department’s pre-release and reentry services division, dating to 1990.
Council President Nancy Navarro congratulated Talley on becoming the first woman to lead the department.
Nigam, as housing director, will be responsible for evaluating and implementing housing policy and community development, improving tenant-landlord relations, promoting affordable housing and ensuring sanitary living conditions. He will be paid a salary of $195,000.
Nigam replaces Tim Goetzinger, who became acting director following the resignation of Clarence Snuggs on Nov. 30, 2018.
Nigam previously spent 15 years as the director of real estate, finance & grants management for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Virginia.
Also Tuesday, the council confirmed Frank Demarais as deputy director of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Demarais will assist Nigam in implementing and developing housing policy while also serving as a liaison to other state and regional agencies, such as the county planning board and the Housing Opportunities Commission. Demarais will be paid $160,000.
With Tuesday’s appointments the departments of finance, libraries, permitting services and technology services remain without permanent directors, according to a press release sent Wednesday. Elrich has also nominated Tonya Chapman to be the next permanent police chief. Chapman’s appointment is subject to council confirmation.
Elrich also must nominate a chief equity officer and chief digital officer, although they are not department directors.
The council will reconvene Sept. 10 following its recess.
Dan Schere can be reached at Daniel.schere@moco360.media
