Nissel

CHARLES TOWN — The Jefferson County Commission came to a unanimous decision in their Jan. 20 regular meeting to hire John Nissel as the new county administrator.

Nissel most recently comes from the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks. At that position, he oversaw five divisions, including facilities management, horticultural forestry and environmental education, northern and southern regions, enterprise revenue-producing facilities and programs for 421 parks located within Montgomery County.

According to a press release issued by the commission, Nissel joined Montgomery Parks in 2009 as the chief of the facilities management division. He was later promoted to deputy director where he made significant changes to the operation including the implementation of the Enterprise Asset Management System.

Before joining Montgomery Parks, he held several positions of increasing responsibility at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, including Vice President of Property and Facilities and Central Purchasing; Director of Business Development; and Associate Executive Director for the National Capital Branch. He also previously worked for the National Park Service and Fairfax County Park Authority. He previously served as President of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association.

Nissel comes to Jefferson County nearly two months after the departure of former administrator Stephanie Grove. Grove left the county after reaching a separation agreement in November following questions regarding county finance director Michelle Gordon.

Allegations were brought to light by Jefferson County Perspective, a local watchdog group, that Gordon had been accused of misusing city funds at her previous job with the City of Hagerstown. The watchdog group’s public outcry had many questioning Grove’s involvement in Gordon’s hiring.

A little over a month after Grove’s departure, Gordon resigned from her position. However, at the same meeting in which Nissel was approved for hire, the commission voted to bring Gordon back on a part-time basis to help with the county budget process as they search for a replacement for the finance director position.

Nissel was selected out of more than 30 applicants, according to Commissioner Tricia Jackson. The hiring process had the commission narrowing the field to 11 candidates, nine of whom were interviewed.

“I regret that the process had to happen,” said JCC President Caleb Hudson. “But, John Nissel’s character and experience present the opportunity for the Jefferson County government to continue to be the standard for West Virginia.”

As administrator, Nissel will oversee the day-to-day operations of Jefferson County’s government, which, according to the press release, includes oversight of the Finance Department, Engineering, Planning and Zoning, Maintenance, Homeland Security, Communications, IT and administrative support at the direction of the JCC.

Nissel is a graduate of Shepherd University and currently holds an Emergency Management Systems certification from FEMA, the release reported. He is a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and resides in Sharpsburg, Md. with his wife, Dr. Maureen Dougherty. The couple have two adult children and one grandson. They are currently building a new home in Shepherdstown.

NIssel will report for his first day on Feb. 16 and will earn a base salary of $110,000.