Olszewski Fills Key Leadership Roles
Press secretary and several agency heads named
County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced several more key members of his leadership team. T.J. Smith will serve as press secretary; Rhoda Benjamin has been named Director of Human Resources; Jeff Mayhew has been named Acting Director of Planning; and Mike Mohler has been named Acting Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections.
“We are working to make Baltimore County more innovative, transparent, and responsive to the needs of residents and communities, and that requires assembling a top notch leadership team. These individuals will play a critical role in our efforts to build a better Baltimore County together,” Olszewski said.
Smith is the former chief spokesperson and communications advisor for the Baltimore Police Department, and has nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience. T.J. began his career as a sworn officer with the Anne Arundel County Police Department. He worked primarily in police and community units and later transitioned to communications. T.J. also served as Chief of Staff/Executive Officer for the Chief of Police. T.J. holds a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree in strategic communication from Washington State University.
Benjamin joins Baltimore County after serving as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Department of Housing and Community Development in Baltimore City. She has more than 14 years of experience in human resources, holding senior level roles at LM Health Services LLC, the Village at Rockville, and Manor Care Health Services. Benjamin holds master’s degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration from University of Maryland University College.
Mayhew has served in the Baltimore County Department of Planning since 1990, starting as a transportation planner and working his way up to Deputy Director. He has served as a community planner, and also held roles at the Maryland Department of Transportation. He holds a master of Public Administration degree from the University of Baltimore.
Mohler has served in Baltimore County government since 2005, most recently as chief administrator in the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections overseeing the Baltimore County Liquor Board as well as rental registration. He has served as the deputy director in charge of Code Enforcement. Prior to joining Baltimore County government, Mohler spent nearly two decades in the private sector with Diageo-Guinness USA, overseeing sales for the Mid-Atlantic region. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.