Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, who recently announced he will step down from the council Dec. 1, has now been nominated to become director of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation—the position he held from 2007 to 2018 before being elected to the council.
“It feels like heading home,” Albornoz told MCM.
County Executive Marc Elrich announced the nomination Monday morning.
“I had that job for 12 years and I have nothing but the fondest of memories and was so proud of what we were able to accomplish during that time,” Albornoz said. “I’m also proud that I’ll be able to continue in the public service realm, once I made the difficult decision not to run for re-election. But I knew that I wanted to continue to serve and I looked around and it was very clear that that was the best option.”
Albornoz was the youngest department head in county history at the time of his appointment. In 2018, he was elected to an at-large council seat.
“Gabe brings experience, leadership, and dedication to the Department of Recreation,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a written statement. “Our Department of Recreation is one of the highest-rated and most utilized departments in the County government by County residents. As the former Director for over a decade, Gabe helped build, expand, and diversify our Recreation programs. We look forward to working with the County Council during his nomination process and, upon their confirmation, his return as Director of the Department of Recreation.”
The council must vote to confirm Albornoz.
Robin Riley retired as recreation department director earlier this year.
Albornoz originally announced last month that he would not seek re-election. Recently, MCM sat down with Albornoz to talk with him about his decision not to run again.
