All 14 members of Harford County Executive David Craig?s Cabinet were approved for reappointment Tuesday, but his choice to head the county?s Department of Human Resources raised some questions over the candidate?s youth and lack of experience.
Scott Gibson, a 25-year-old former aide to Republican state Sen. Robert Hooper, received the sole dissenting vote from District F Councilmember Mary Ann Lisanti.
But the County Council ultimately approved Gibson?s appointment 6-1.
He will be paid $101,500 a year, county spokeswoman Roxanne Lynch said.
“This is not a job you cut your teeth on,” Lisanti said. “You?re managing over 1,500 county employees, not including the Sheriff?s Office and other semi-state agencies.”
Lisanti said she interviewed Gibson for more than two hours prior to her decision, but remained unconvinced that the former legislative aide had the human resources experience she would have preferred.
Gibson did impress her with his drive and brought her the schedule for the human resources certification he would be seeking, Lisanti said.
He currently holds a master?s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and previously served as deputy director of the Maryland Racing Commission.
However, the job would demand that Gibson deal with employee benefits, contracts, compensation and pensions, among other complicated issues in a department prone to litigation, Lisanti said.
Craig went to both Lisanti and Guthrie, the only two Democrats on the council, and told them that Gibson was capable of learning on the job and could depend on more experienced staff within the office as he did so, Lisanti and Guthrie said.
Now that Gibson has been confirmed, Lisanti said she?d work with him.
Gibson could not be reached for comment.
