On April 16, 2013, Worcester County Chief Administrative Officer Gerald T. Mason announced his upcoming retirement from Worcester County Government, effective June 30, following 27 years of service to the community.

From Worcester County’s article:

Mr. Mason originally began serving as Finance Officer in 1986, providing financial guidance and leadership to the Worcester County Commissioners. He stepped into the helm of leadership as the Chief Administrative Officer in 1994.

Mr. Mason led the county during times of unprecedented economic growth, wisely investing increased revenues into one-time capital improvement projects, rather than growing the size of government. Projects completed under his watch include construction of the Worcester County Government Center, Charles and Martha Fulton Senior Center, Worcester County Recreation Center and Animal Control in Snow Hill, the Ocean Pines and Ocean City Branch Libraries and Worcester County Health Department offices in Berlin and Snow Hill. Renovations and additions to numerous County facilities were completed under his leadership as well, including renovation of the Worcester County Court House, Pocomoke Health Center and expansion of the Worcester County Jail.

Following this period of economic prosperity, Mr. Mason also successfully navigated the County through four years of unprecedented national economic decline. Worcester County is stronger today and better positioned for healthy growth in the future thanks to the leadership Mr. Mason has provided.

On Friday, April 19, the Worcester County Commissioners announced the appointment of Harold L. Higgins as incoming Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Higgins will take the position in late June, following the retirement of Mason.  Higgins is a certified public accountant. He has headed up the Worcester County Treasurer’s Office since joining the County as the Finance Officer in September 1996.

“Higgins is the right person for the job,” Commission President Church said. “He has experience and tenure with the county. We’ve worked with him for a number of years and feel that he is more than qualified to take on this role.”

Higgins commented,

“I would like to thank the Commissioners for this opportunity to serve as the next County Chief Administrative Officer,” Higgins said. “I look forward to the challenge and am thankful for the management team that we currently have in place. Based on the pool of talent that is here, I am confident we will continue to make a difference. Citizens and government working together is the torch that Jerry passes on to me that I intend to carry and light our way as we continue to go forward.”

From the article:

Under Higgins’ watch, Worcester County has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report for four consecutive years. This is the highest form of recognition awarded to local governments for accounting and financial reporting.

For more information, contact Kim Moses, Worcester County’s public information officer, at (410) 632-1194.