Park Heights Native Mr. Harry Black returns to Baltimore for City Public Service.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the selection of Mr. Harry E. Black to serve as Baltimore’s new Director of Finance. Mr. Black grew up in Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood and recently served as Chief Financial Officer for the City of Richmond. He also previously served as Director of Budget and Finance for the Council of the District of Columbia.

After a comprehensive national search, Mr. Black replaces long-serving City Finance Director Edward Gallagher, who announced his planned retirement last year. Mr. Black will be formally introduced to the Baltimore City Council by Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Mr. Gallagher at today's scheduled City Council luncheon and will begin work immediately.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Harry Black to City Hall as we work on the budget for the next fiscal year,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “He has big shoes to fill, but I am confident that he can provide the fiscal guidance and support city government needs as we develop strategies to grow Baltimore in the next decade. He is an experienced and capable leader.”

Mr. Black most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Global Commerce Solutions, Inc., a government services firm in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, Virginia from 2005 to 2008. He also served as the Director of Budget and Finance and Chief Financial Officer and Director of Administration for the Council of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Child and family services Agency, respectively during the 1990’s.

During his time in Richmond, Mr. Black led the issuance of numerous municipal bond transactions and implemented a successful City performance management program to improve public accountability and transparency.

“It is a great honor to be selected for the position of Finance Director for Baltimore City,” Mr. Black said. “The City of Baltimore has a strong fiscal track record that I will do everything to uphold and build upon. I am especially excited to come back to Baltimore to serve in Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s administration and look forward to advancing her goal of growing the city.”

Mr. Black earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Virginia in 1987 and his Bachelor’s in Public Administration from Virginia State University in 1985. He is a professional member of the Government Finance Officers Association, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, National Institute of Government Purchasing, and the International City/County Management Association. He also serves as a member of the Virginia State University Board of Visitors.

Mr. Black’s family moved to the Park Heights section of Baltimore when he was an infant. He attended public school and graduated from Baltimore’s Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in 1981. In high school, Mr. Black served as a student page in the Maryland General Assembly. He is married with two children. Mr. Black’s appointment as finance director will be submitted to the City Council for formal confirmation.