Board of Garrett County Commissioners
203 South Fourth Street - Courthouse - Room 207
Oakland, Maryland 21550
301.334.8970
The County is governed by an elected Board of County Commissioners (the "Board"), whose three members serve four-year terms and must live in the District which they represent. The Board may exercise only such powers as are conferred by the General Assembly of Maryland.
The County is administered under a line organizational method, with the County Administrator responsible for the general administration of County Government. The administration of the County is centralized with the County Administrator responsible for overseeing the financial planning, annual budget process, personnel management, and direction and management of operations within the organization.
The executive offices of the County are located at the Frederick A. Thayer III Courthouse, 203 South Fourth Street, Room 207, Oakland, Maryland 21550. The County's central telephone number is (301) 334-8970.
Executive County Commissioners
Gregan T. Crawford,
Commissioner
gcrawford@garrettcounty.org
Garrett County has been a part of my life since the age of 11 when my family purchased a 150 acre farm in the Pleasant Valley area south of Oakland in 1974. Prior to graduating from The Maryland Institute, College of Art 1986 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, I attended Hampden-Sydney College which is a small liberal arts college that was founded in 1776 and is located in central Virginia.
Shortly after graduation I got married to my wife of 24 years, Donna, and I began working in the advertising industry and later as an apprentice for a cabinetmaker in the Baltimore area. My wife and I relocated to Garrett County in 1989 where early on I worked as a carpenter and a real estate agent. For the past twenty years I have been a self-employed as a custom cabinetmaker building made-to-order furniture, case goods, and built-ins to the local residential and commercial markets.
Chairman Crawford currently sits on the following Boards:
- Adventure Sports
- Afterschool Advisory Committee
- Commission on Aging
- Garrett County Development Corporation
- Board of Education
- Forestry Board
- Garrett County Memorial Hospital Board of Govenors
- Health Department Board of Health
- Health Planning Council
- Healthy Families
Advisory Board
- Home Health Advisory
Board
- Local Government Insurance Trust Board of Trustees
- MACo Board of
Directors
- MACo Legislative
Committee
- MACo Land Use Subcommittee
- MACo Rural Maryland Council Executive Board
- Mental Health Advisory Committee (MHAC)
- Partnership for
Children & Families - LMB - Personnel
- Partnership for Children & Families - LMB - Afterschool Advisory Committee
- Steps Advisory Committee
- Tri County Council for Western Maryland
- Western Maryland
Education Center - 4-H Center
Robert G. Gatto, Commissioner
rgatto@garrettcounty.org
I am a resident of the Crellin area of Garrett County, Maryland and have primarily worked as an electrician in commercial, industrial, and residential construction/maintenance for the past 29 years. I presently hold a Maryland Master Electrical License and a West Virginia Journeyman’s License.
I was raised in nearby Aurora (Preston County, WV) and have been a Garrett County resident for 16 years. I am married to Darlene (Elliott) and together we have 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and multiple pets (including Molly). When I am not working I enjoy doing anything that allows me to be outdoors (sports, gardening, farming, hiking, and taking my rifle for a walk). I also enjoy photography, antiques, and meeting new people. I am also a member of the Crellin Assembly of God where I serve on the Trustee Board.
I am looking forward to the next 4 years and the challenges that lie ahead for us all. Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss and share your thoughts and concerns about our great nation, state, and county.
Commissioner Gatto currently sits on the following Boards:
- Adventure Sports
- Cancer Coalition
- Chamber of Commerce
- Cindy's Fund
- Deep Creek Lake Policy & Review Board
- Garrett County Development Corporation
- Garrett County Memorial Hospital Board of Governors
- Health Department Board of Health
- Juvenile Review Advisory Board
- Performing Arts Committee
- Planning Commission
- Social Services
- Traffic Advisory Committee
- Youghiogheny River
Citizens Advisory Board
James M. Raley, Chairman
jraley@garrettcounty.org
Jim Raley is a resident of the Finzel area of Garrett County and has spent 31 years involved in public education. He taught for 14 years at Southern Middle School and spent 14 years as an elected member of the Board of Education.
A longtime force in Garrett County, Raley serves as President of the Eastern Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and has served in a variety of offices including chief and treasurer of the department with over 33 years of total service. He is the immediate past president of the Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, a position which he held four years in separate elections. Raley also serves on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Garrett County Recreation and Parks Association.
Raley has been involved in all aspects of budgeting and employee oversight and has served on many state groups during his career in education. He is a member of the Maryland State Education Association and is a past elected representative of the Board of Directors. He was involved in the organization locating its headquarters in Annapolis. He has provided testimony on many education related matters and champions as an employee advocate. Jim Raley is currently serving on the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Committee.
Jim Raley has lived in Garrett County for 47 years and is married to Susan (Rush) Raley and has two children, Sharee and Ainsley.
Commissioner Raley currently sits on the following Boards:
- Adventure Sports
- Garrett County Development Corporation
- Disaster Planning Committee
- Dove Center
- Health Department Board of Health
- Juvenile Services Youth Centers
- Local Emergency Planning Committee
- Garrett County Development Corporation
- MACo Legislative Committee Alternate
- Mountain MD PACE
- Garrett County
Municipalities, Inc.
- Tri- County Council
Ex. Committee
- Tri-county Council
Revolving Loan Fund
- Western Maryland
Consortium
County Administrator: R. Lamont Pagenhardt, mpagenhardt@garrettcounty.org (301) 334-8970
County Attorney: Gorman E. Getty, III, ggetty@garrettcounty.org (301) 777-8032 or (301) 334-8970
The administrative offices of the County are located at the County Courthouse, 203 South Fourth Street, Room 207, Oakland, Maryland, 21550.