Copyright Baltimore News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a change to his Chief of Staff and a new interim Deputy Mayor for Community Economic Development. Current Chief of Staff Calvin Young is shifting to the role of interim Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development, effective on Monday, December 1. Deputy Chief of Staff John David "J.D." Merrill will serve as Scott's new Chief of Staff. "As Baltimore faces unique and evolving challenges — including renewed economic uncertainty driven by the federal government — these personnel changes will utilize our talent where they’re needed most,” said Mayor Scott, via a press release. “I am so thankful to Calvin for his leadership as Chief of Staff. He has guided our team at City Hall with dedication and commitment, overseeing a transparent budget approval process that closed an $85 million deficit, playing a leading role in negotiating the largest nonprofit PILOT agreement in Baltimore’s history, and strengthening our relationships with the business community. He brings this dedication, along with an extensive background in business development and capital access strategy, to his new role. As interim Deputy Mayor, he will have a significant impact on Baltimore’s future, at a moment of historic economic opportunity for our city.” “I am also excited to elevate J.D. Merrill to Chief of Staff,” Mayor Scott continued. “Since the moment he joined my administration, J.D. has been the ultimate public servant, ready to tackle any challenge or problem with a tenacity that is only rivaled by his ability to bring people together. From helping to shepherd our historic vacants strategy, to navigating complex intergovernmental relations as our on-the-ground leader at the Incident Command Post during the Key Bridge collapse, to his leadership in establishing the Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response, J.D. has demonstrated an ability to unlock the highest potential in every part of our administration, while keeping our residents at the forefront of every decision we make.” Young had joined the Mayor's Office as a Senior Advisor in 2024. “I want to thank the Mayor for entrusting me to serve as Chief of Staff to the best team in the City,” said Calvin Young, via a press release. “This administration is well positioned to continue the historic progress we’ve made, despite federal uncertainty, and I look forward to contributing to that work in this new role. John David has been an incredible partner to me as Deputy Chief of Staff, and I can't express how excited I am for him to serve as the next Chief. He’s built for it.” Merrill returned to the Deputy Chief of Staff Role in August. “I am grateful to Mayor Scott and the entire executive team for this opportunity to serve, and appreciate the important work Calvin has done — and will continue to do — as a member of this team," said J.D. Merrill, via a press release. “I love the City of Baltimore and believe that with Mayor Scott’s leadership, the tremendous team he’s built, and the incredible residents we serve, we are poised to unlock Baltimore’s full potential. But we also know we’re facing enormous challenges and uncertainty at the federal level. That means we are going to have to be even more disciplined, more organized, and more prepared than ever to continue delivering results for our residents.”
