Governor Wes Moore has appointed Carroll County Commissioner and MACo Board Member Ed Rothstein to serve as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. Rothstein, a retired Army colonel and longtime public servant, will assume the role on Thursday, August 1, 2025.
Rothstein brings decades of leadership experience in both military and civilian roles, including his time as garrison commander at Fort Meade, where he supported over 227,000 personnel across five states.
Following his military service, Rothstein held key local roles, including Anne Arundel County’s economic developer and executive director of the BWI Business Partnership, before being elected Carroll County commissioner.
As commissioner, Rothstein has championed policies supporting veterans and military families and helped guide local initiatives through his role on the Carroll County Veterans Advisory Council. He has served on MACo’s Board of Directors, playing a central role in shaping county priorities at the state level.
“Ed’s track record as a distinguished Army veteran and a devoted public servant demonstrates his commitment to live mission first, people always,” said Governor Moore. “During this next critical phase of our work, he will help lead our efforts to build a state that is safer, more affordable, more competitive – and one that leaves no one behind.”
Ross Cohen, who has served as interim acting secretary since the departure of Secretary Anthony Woods, will continue supporting the department as deputy secretary.
Rothstein earned his undergraduate degree from Lock Haven University, where he was commissioned through the ROTC program, and earned master’s degrees from Webster University and the Eisenhower School for National Security.
MACo congratulates Commissioner Rothstein on his new role and looks forward to continued collaboration on issues affecting Maryland’s counties and veteran communities.
