Governor Moore Announces Leadership Changes at Maryland Department of Human Services

Governor Wes Moore has announced a significant leadership transition within the Maryland Department of Human Services. Secretary Rafael López will be departing his position on February 23rd. Following his departure, Deputy Secretary Gloria Brown Burnett will assume the role of interim secretary until April 1st. Subsequently, Stacy L. Rodgers, former Baltimore County Administrative Officer, will step in as acting secretary. Rodgers will hold this position until a permanent successor is identified and appointed to lead the cabinet-level department.

The Governor expressed his gratitude for Secretary López’s service, particularly acknowledging his contributions during a period of considerable challenge for the state. He indicated that López had established a stronger framework for service delivery, and that this progress would be built upon. During Secretary López’s tenure, the Maryland Department of Human Services achieved notable advancements in supporting vulnerable residents. Through enhanced data sharing and increased family involvement, the department facilitated improved outcomes for young people in foster care, notably by increasing kinship care placements by 30%. Furthermore, Secretary López oversaw efforts to ensure more responsible use of taxpayer funds, successfully reducing Maryland’s error rate for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments. This rate dropped from nearly 36% in 2023, which had been the second-highest in the nation, to 13.64%.

The department also recorded substantial service provision and investment aimed at combating child poverty and hunger. Initiatives like Maryland SUN Bucks distributed over $75.5 million in federal summer nutrition benefits to more than 630,000 students in the summer of 2025, following a distribution of over $71 million in summer 2024. Secretary López played a key role in the implementation of the Maryland One Benefits Application, a system designed to provide more streamlined and secure access to essential benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid. Secretary López cited health-related reasons for his resignation but affirmed his continued commitment to ensuring Marylanders have access to necessary services and support. He expressed pride in the progress made under the Moore-Miller Administration during his time serving as secretary.

Stacy L. Rodgers brings over three decades of experience in government and non-profit sectors to her interim role. In her previous position as Baltimore County Administrative Officer, Rodgers was responsible for the daily operations of the county government and was instrumental in the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her tenure was marked by efforts to modernize county operations, refine the annual budget development process, and implement strategies to promote equitable and data-driven decision-making. Rodgers also made history as the first African American to serve as administrative officer for Baltimore County.

Prior to her role in Baltimore County, Rodgers served as the director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, the largest local department within the Maryland Department of Human Services, assisting over 245,000 individuals and families annually. During her time in the Obama Administration, Rodgers held leadership positions at the Social Security Administration. She served as a senior advisor to the deputy commissioner and as the agency’s chief of staff, overseeing the daily operations of more than 64,000 employees across approximately 1,400 field and hearing offices nationwide, as well as managing the agency’s $12 billion operating budget. Her government experience also includes serving as deputy director for program operations at the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency and in various capacities at the Maryland Department of Human Resources. Rodgers holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore, and an executive leadership fellow certificate from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Rodgers expressed her honor and commitment to applying her expertise and passion for public service to benefit the people of Maryland during her time as acting secretary, emphasizing the critical importance of the Department of Human Services’ mission.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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