Baltimore County Appoints First Hispanic-American And Asian-American Department Leaders

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Baltimore County selected new heads of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability and the Department of Economic and Workforce Development on Tuesday

Horacio Tablada and Marcus L. Wang will be assuming the roles of the Directors for the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) and the Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD), respectively, effective July 31st.

The appointments represent significant milestones for diversity and representation in the Baltimore County government.

Mr. Tablada, a former Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary, will be the first Hispanic-American leader of a Baltimore County department. A proven leader in environmental stewardship, Tablada has over three decades of experience, including crucial redevelopment initiatives at the former Sparrows Point steel mill site.

"I look forward to serving the people of Baltimore County and working with this talented team to promote science-based policies and implementing sustainable solutions," Tablada said in a statement.

In his announcement of the new appointments, County Executive Johnny Olszewski said that Tablada's commitment to public health and environmental sustainability resonates with his vision for the county's future.

"Mr. Tablada's experience in environmental leadership, along with his demonstrated commitment to public health and ecological stewardship, make him the right person to lead the department at this critical time," Olszewski noted.

Tablada, a Nicaraguan native, has held numerous roles in Maryland's environmental regulatory management, contributing significantly to recycling, waste diversion, lead paint poisoning prevention, and brownfield redevelopment. He holds several degrees, including a bachelor's degree in biological agricultural engineering, a master's degree in public policy, and a Master of Divinity.

David Lykens, the outgoing Director of EPS, leaves behind an impressive legacy. Serving Baltimore County for over 35 years, Lykens started as a pollution control analyst in 1987 and climbed the ranks to Director in 2018. His tenure witnessed significant environmental progress, including Operation ReTree and initiatives to mitigate nuisance midge populations along Back River.

The county also announced the appointment of its first-ever Asian-American leader of a Baltimore County department on Tuesday. 

Marcus Wang is an accomplished entrepreneur and lawyer who co-founded the ZytoGen Global Genetics Institute in Baltimore County. Wang's extensive international business and legal experience span from biotech and genomics to retail and e-commerce, with achievements both domestically and in China. Wang has been the Chair of the Baltimore County Economic Development Advisory Board since 2020, advising on business attraction and retention, public-private partnerships, and long-term economic development strategies.

"I am honored to be called to public service and to join this great team," Wang said. "I want to thank the County Executive for his leadership and trust, and I pledge to always be a strong advocate for the residents, workers, and businesses of our great County."

Before the appointments become official, they must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Baltimore County Council.

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