SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage and Park and Planning Department Director Charlie Loehr announced the appointment of Gordon Rosenthal as acting Superintendent of Parks.
Rosenthal’s appointment is effective immediately. The Superintendent’s position opened at the end of August following the retirement of Les Straw, who served the Commission for more than 30 years. The Commission is conducting a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
“Gordon has extensive knowledge of park operations and our developing system, ” said Derick Berlage. “We’re confident in his ability to guide those daily operations which make our parks a critical element of the county’s communities.”
Rosenthal began his career at the Park and Planning Commission in 1980 as a park maintenance leader. In 1983, he was promoted to a supervisor, then to assistant division chief for the Northern Region in 1985. Since 1988, he has served as chief of that region, which encompasses more than 140 neighborhood, local, recreational and regional parks and facilities in the vast area between Rockville and the Frederick county line.
Prior to his employment with the Commission, Rosenthal worked for the City of Baltimore for six years in the Forestry Division of the Bureau of Parks and Recreation. He and his wife reside with their two sons in Damascus, MD.
During Rosenthal’s tenure as acting superintendent, Mike Horrigan, the Region’s current Assistant Chief, will handle the chief’s responsibilities.