Governor Wes Moore has appointed Bob Yeager as the new director of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Yeager will succeed former Director Dan Phillips, who retired after more than 35 years of dedicated public service.
Yeager brings a strong working knowledge of local government issues and a track record of partnership with counties.
During his time at SDAT — including as the agency’s legislative officer and Maryland’s first tax sale ombudsman — Yeager worked directly with MACo to advance meaningful reforms to the tax sale process.
Most notably, he helped launch the Maryland Homeowner Protection Program and implement legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable homeowners and improving transparency and fairness in property tax administration.
“Bob Yeager has dedicated his career to serving the people of Maryland. We are grateful that he has continued to raise his hand, as he takes on this new role as Director of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation,” said Governor Moore. “I also want to thank Dan Phillips for his distinguished service to our state. Together, we will work to honor his example of leadership, partnership, and an enduring commitment to the people of Maryland.”
A licensed Maryland attorney, Yeager has served on the Maryland Attorney General’s Access to Justice Task Force committees and the Maryland Government Finance Officers Association’s tax affinity group, and is a member of the Maryland Council on Economic Education. Yeager holds a B.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
MACo looks forward to continuing to work with Director Yeager on county priorities, including advancing practical reforms to assessment administration, maintaining effective tax credit systems, and resolving ongoing concerns about cost shifts to counties.