Assistant Executive to Run County During Search

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors appointed Assistant County Executive Susan Roltsch chief administrative officer this week until it can select a permanent replacement for departing County Executive Craig S. Gerhart.

Gerhart announced his resignation plans this month, one day after three county employees were indicted for allegedly pulling off one of the largest bid-rigging and embezzlement scandals in county history.

But Gerhart said his departure after 26 years with the county had nothing to do with the scandal. He has accepted a job with Amtrak.

Roltsch will begin July 5. She joined the Prince William staff in 1986, working in the economic development and planning offices before becoming an assistant county executive. Roltsch received a degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a master of public administration degree from George Mason University.

"Susan Roltsch has served Prince William County exceptionally well," board Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large) said. "The Board of County Supervisors looks forward to working with Susan in her new assignment."

Stewart said the board is planning to hire a firm to conduct a national search for the next county executive. The board will provide the firm with directives, Stewart said, and he expects a lot of interest in the position, given the county's size and location near Washington.

"Personally, I will be looking for someone who will try to run the county more like a business," Stewart said about the county's quest for a new leader. "If we do that, I think it's natural we may look to the private sector as well for possible candidates."

The board has not set a date for filling the position, but Stewart said it might be a while because there is "no clear heir" to Gerhart.

The county is also searching for a county attorney to replace Ross G. Horton, who recently announced his retirement. Although no firm was hired to find his replacement, advertisements for the position have been posted in legal journals. Stewart said Deputy County Attorney Angela Lemmon Horan, who is filling Horton's position temporarily, is also interested in the job.

"The board needs to do its due diligence and put out an ad, but Angela is qualified and we are very interested in her," Stewart said.

The board also received an update Tuesday on economic development changes. In the first quarter of this year, five businesses announced they would relocate to or expand in the county. The five will bring an additional 65 jobs and $12 million in investments.

Overall in the first quarter, which runs from January to March, 523 new jobs were reported in the county, down from 936 reported for the same period last year.