Leonardtown, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County announced the appointment of Dina M. Davis as the new Director of Human Resources for St. Mary’s County Government on April 14, 2026.
Davis brings more than 20 years of public-sector human resources experience, with expertise in workforce strategy, organizational leadership and human resources operations. She most recently served as Deputy Director of Human Resources for Calvert County Government, where she oversaw Employee Services, Risk Management and Employee Investigations. In that role she focused on strengthening compliance, improving internal processes and supporting departments in delivering high-quality public services.
Throughout her career Davis has led strategic human resources initiatives, including implementation of workforce management systems to enhance reporting, data management and the employee experience. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Walden University and a Bachelor of Arts in French from Hollins College. She is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Public Sector Human Resources Association Senior Certified Professional (PSHRA-SCP).
“We are pleased to welcome Dina Davis to St. Mary’s County Government,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “Her extensive experience in public-sector human resources, combined with her proven leadership and strategic approach to workforce management, make her exceptionally qualified to lead our Human Resources Department.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join St. Mary’s County Government and serve this community,” Davis said. “Having spent my career in local government, I value the important role public service plays in supporting residents and employees alike. I look forward to supporting St. Mary’s County Government’s mission of delivering high-quality services to the community.”
Davis will assume the role effective May 11, 2026. The Department of Human Resources oversees recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, risk management, training, policy compliance and workforce development initiatives that help maintain a professional and effective public service organization.
The appointment was approved during the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County business meeting on April 14, 2026, as part of actions taken in County Administrator Time. It comes as St. Mary’s County addresses workforce retention challenges, including the approval of priority enrollment for first responders and essential personnel at the new YMCA-operated childcare center located at the Governmental Center. The facility aims to support sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, dispatchers, EMTs and paramedics by providing convenient childcare as a retention incentive, with users paying for services.
Southern Maryland counties face ongoing pressures in recruiting and retaining qualified public employees amid housing affordability concerns and competitive labor markets. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies 2026 report released earlier this year noted that Maryland renters now spend more than 31 percent of income on housing, up from 25 percent in 2001, with renter incomes growing only 4 percent in real terms since then. Such challenges affect local government staffing in areas including human resources, public safety and emergency services.
Davis’s transition from Calvert County, a neighboring Southern Maryland jurisdiction, brings regional knowledge that could benefit cross-county collaboration on workforce issues. Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties share similar demands for skilled personnel in growing communities along the Chesapeake Bay.
The Human Resources Department plays a central role in supporting the approximately 1,000 full-time St. Mary’s County Government employees who deliver services ranging from public safety and emergency management to recreation, planning and health programs. Recent county actions, including approvals for infrastructure bonds, animal services grants and park equipment rentals, underscore the need for strong administrative support to implement capital projects and community programs efficiently.
Residents can follow county personnel and policy updates through the St. Mary’s County Government website and BoardDocs system. The next Commissioners business meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building.
This leadership change occurs as Maryland continues implementing new state laws signed by Governor Wes Moore on April 14, 2026, including measures on vaccine policy and short-term rental safety, which may require local human resources coordination for compliance and training.
