News, Public Notice

New Commissioners sworn in

he 2022-2066 Board of County Commissioners were sworn in Tuesday, December 6. Pictured, left to right: Vice-President Jeffrey A. Cline, Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer, President John F. Barr, Commissioner Derek J. Harvey and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner.

The newly-elected Board of County Commissioners officially began their four year term on Tuesday, December 6, with a swearing-in ceremony at Washington County Circuit Court.

The Honorable Judge Brett R. Wilson officiated the ceremony. Kevin Tucker, clerk of the Circuit Court, led the swearing-in of the commissioners.

The 2022-2026 Board of County Commissioners are:

Vice-President Jeffrey A. Cline, a fourth-term County Commissioner, is a resident of Williamsport. He is a graduate of Williamsport High School and Hagerstown Community College. Cline has experience as a realtor since 2003. He graduated from the Maryland Association of Realtors’ 2008 Leadership Academy and received the Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI) designation. Cline served on the Williamsport Town Council from 2005 to 2009. He is also a graduate of Leadership Washington County Class 26.

Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer, a third-term County Commissioner, is a life-long resident of Washington County. A graduate of Hancock Middle-Senior High School, Keefer continued his education locally at Hagerstown Community College, then earned his B.S. and M.B.A. from Frostburg State University. He also graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Government Certificate Program. Keefer has over a decade of experience as a community banker with roles in consumer lending and corporate accounting; he is currently the Assistant Vice President/Controller for a local bank. He has also taught courses in business, economics, banking and finance as an adjunct professor with his alma mater, FSU and with the West Virginia School of Banking; he also holds a Maryland Real Estate License. An active member of the community, he has served in leadership roles with many non-profit organizations. Keefer lives in his hometown of Hancock with his wife, Janine and daughter, Lillie.

President John F. Barr, a third-term County Commissioner, was first elected in 2006. He was raised in Boonsboro and is a Master Electrician in five states. In high school, Barr worked for his father as a field technician at M/L Electric, Inc. In 1984, Barr bought the company from his father and changed the name to Ellsworth Electric, Inc. He remained president and owner until his son purchased the business in 2020. Barr is active in various service organizations and community projects. He also served a one-year term as President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) in 2016. He still assists at MACo events as past president.

Commissioner Derek J. Harvey, a first-term County Commissioner, is a retired USA Colonel who worked on Capitol Hill as the Lead Investigator and Senior Advisor to the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee and in the White House National Security Council under President Donald J. Trump. Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer and decorated ARMY Colonel, including a Bronze Star and multiple Meritorious Service Medals, he transitioned into government service as a Senior Intelligence Executive. He has been an adjunct professor for the University of Maryland, Central Texas College and a Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Member of the Morris Frock American Legion, and resides in Smithsburg with his wife, Beth.

Commissioner Randall E. Wagner, a second-term County Commissioner, was born and raised in W ashington County. Wagner graduated from North Hagerstown High School and is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, where he served for 4 years. Wagner worked at Mack Truck for 17 years before becoming a small business owner in Washington County, owning and operating 40 West Marine in Clear Spring for eight years. He has served the local community as a realtor for the past 21 years and is a licensed private pilot. Wagner is a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church and is married to Patricia Wagner, they have three daughters and seven grandchildren.

For additional information, contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380.