BALTIMORE, MD.  —  Mayor Catherine E. Pugh announces Chris Ryer as Director for the Department of Planning, effective February 11, 2019.

Mr. Ryer holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California and a Master's in Community Planning from the University of Maryland. Upon earning his Master’s degree, Mr. Ryer joined the Department of Planning as a community planner. Over the next 30 years, he held a number of leadership positions in planning across Baltimore City, including Deputy Director for the Department of Planning, which he held from 2002 to 2006. He then went on to work in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's neighborhood revitalization division, where he provided technical assistance in organizational development, fundraising, strategic planning and land use planning to Maryland DHCD grant recipients. Most recently, Ryer served as Executive Director for the Southeast Community Development Corporation and has held that position for the past 12 years. He has also earned numerous planning and leadership awards and serves on several civic boards across Baltimore.

"Moving Baltimore forward necessitates a robust and comprehensive approach to the 21st century planning needs of our City - our neighborhoods, our public spaces and major corridors," said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. "Chris Ryer brings extensive and tested experience to his new role as Planning Director. He knows our City intimately and has established a long career working with community and neighborhood organizations and renewal efforts, in addition to working at the State level.  I have every confidence that Chris will play an integral role in all that we're doing to bring about meaningful revitalization and growth in our neighborhoods and across our City."