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NEWS RELEASE

September 17, 2007

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Ulman Announces Ray Wacks’ Return as Howard County Budget Director

ELLICOTT CITY-- County Executive Ken Ulman today announced that he has appointed Ray Wacks to take over as Howard County’s Budget Director effective October 1, 2007. Wacks will replace Ronald Weinstein who will retire on September 28, 2007. Wacks is currently Baltimore City’s Chief for the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, a position he accepted after serving as Howard County Government’s Budget Administrator from 1977 until his retirement from the county in 2005.

In his position with Baltimore City, Mr. Wacks’ responsibilities include directing the preparation of the Baltimore City budget, preparing budget projections, reviewing budgetary recommendations for conformance with fiscal policy and overseeing the work of budget management analysts. He also participates in budget hearings before the Baltimore Board of Estimates and the City Council.

“When Ron announced his decision to retire, my first thought was to try and lure Ray Wacks back to Howard County,” said Ulman. “I am pleased that Ray said ‘yes.’ He certainly knows this county inside out and has more than 28 years of experience overseeing all aspects of both operating and capital budgets.”

“I am excited to be returning to Howard County,” said Wacks. “I have enjoyed my time in the City of Baltimore. Working in Baltimore City has expanded my knowledge of how government works and given me new perspectives on the problems and opportunities that local governments face. County Executive Ulman made a convincing case in persuading me to return. Exciting things are happening in Howard County, and I look forward to being part of that.”

In making the announcement Executive Ulman also acknowledged Ron Weinstein’s long tenure and many contributions to Howard County. ”I wish Ron all the best. As County Auditor since 1985 and Budget Director since 2006, Ron has spent the past 22 years providing valuable insight into Howard County’s finances. He has been a great advisor to me, and I hope he enjoys this well-deserved retirement.”

"After almost 37 years working for local governments, I felt it was time to take a break,” said Weinstein. “I want to thank the County Executive for giving me the opportunity to be part of his new administration. I enjoyed working on the preparation and passage of the first budget of his administration. Once I told Ken I was going to retire, we both knew Ray was the person with the experience and personality to fill the position. I will surely miss all the friends and colleagues I have made over the last 22 years in Howard County, but I look forward to new opportunities in the years ahead."

Mr. Wacks graduated from Towson University. He earned his Master of Public Administration from The American University. He has represented both the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Association of Counties on the Maryland State Board of Education’s Task Force to review the maintenance of effort for local government funding of education. He serves as an Academy Advisor to the University of Maryland’s Institute for Governmental Service’s program: Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.

Wacks is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of America and the Maryland Association of Government Finance Officers.

He and his wife Diane have four adult children.