Harford County Democrats and Republicans alike were baffled by the appointment of a 25-year-old former legislative aide to head Harford County?s Department of Human Resources despite his lack of experience in the field.
“I would fall off my chair if someone could show me a department head anywhere else in Maryland who?s just 25 years old,” said Harford Democratic Central Committee Chairman Michael Comeau.
Formerly the deputy director of the Maryland Racing Commission and a legislative aide to Republican state Sen. Robert Hooper, Scott Gibson was chosen by County Executive David Craig and approved by a 6-1 vote of the County Council this week.
Democratic Council Member Mary Ann Lisanti, the lone dissenter, said Gibson didn?t have the appropriate experience.
According to Gibson?s resume, he managed Hooper?s 2002 campaign and worked as his aide until July, when he went to the Racing Commission. He supervised 47 employees there, his resume says. The appointment even raised concerns in county Republican circles, including worries that more experienced candidates within the agency were passed over.
“The morale of the county employees has just been decimated,” said a Republican party activist who wanted his name withheld to avoid backlash from other Republican officials.
However, others defended the appointment by citing Gibson?s experience in other offices dealing with complex issues and hisability to learn.
“Age should not be a factor in the decision. It should be character,” said Aaron Tomarchio, Craig?s chief of staff.
Gibson said he was looking into joining a human resources continuing education and certification program offered by George Washington University or another program through the Society for Human Resource Management.
