Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced changes to key leadership positions within the Mayor’s Office, including a new Chief of Staff and a new interim
Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development.
Effective Monday, December 1, 2025, Current Chief of Staff Calvin Young will shift to the role of interim Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development. Deputy Chief of Staff John David “J.D.” Merrill will serve as Chief of Staff.
“As Baltimore faces unique and evolving challenges – including renewed economic uncertainty driven by the federal government – these personnel changes will utilize our talent where they’re needed most,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I am so thankful to Calvin for his leadership as Chief of Staff. He has guided our team at City Hall with dedication and commitment, overseeing a transparent budget approval process that closed an $85 million deficit, playing a leading role in negotiating the largest nonprofit PILOT agreement in Baltimore’s history, and strengthening our relationships with the business community. He brings this dedication, along with an extensive background in business development and capital access strategy, to his new role. As interim Deputy Mayor, he will have a significant impact on Baltimore’s future, at a moment of historic economic opportunity for our city.”
“I am also excited to elevate J.D. Merrill to Chief of Staff,” Mayor Scott continued. “Since the moment he joined my administration, J.D. has been the ultimate public servant, ready to tackle any challenge or problem with a tenacity that is only rivaled by his ability to bring people together. From helping to shepherd our historic vacants strategy, to navigating complex intergovernmental relations as our on-the-ground leader at the Incident Command Post during the Key Bridge collapse, to his leadership in establishing the Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response, J.D. has demonstrated an ability to unlock the highest potential in every part of our administration, while keeping our residents at the forefront of every decision we make.”
To learn more about these appointments see the full press release.
