Mike Clark Named as Executive Director of the Department of Housing and Family Services
Queen Anne’s County is pleased to announce the restructuring of the Department of Community Services, creating the new Department of Housing and Family Services, and appointing Mike Clark as its first Executive Director.
This transition comes following the FY26 budget changes and the upcoming retirement of long-serving Director Cathy Willis. The restructuring is designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the delivery of vital programs and services to residents.
“Mike joined the county workforce as the Director of Local Management Board (LMB) just a few years after I joined the Department of Aging. We have experienced the highs and lows of county government together. The year 2011 was by far the most challenging for the entire county. I am pleased to reach the goal to reinstitute the original departments, enhance services, and build upon existing synergies from our co-location and shared staff. It has been a pleasure to work with Mike and witness firsthand his dedication to our community and the betterment of critical county programs. I am confident that his goal-oriented approach to all county matters will continue to lead his department in the right direction for the success of all citizens, said Cathy Willis, Director of The Department of Community Services”
Clark has served Queen Anne’s County Government since 1997, bringing 28 years of dedicated service to local families and communities. He previously held the roles of Local Management Board Director and Chief of Housing and Family Services.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business from Salisbury University, as well as a master’s degree in counseling from Villanova University, Clark has more than three decades of experience in human services. His career includes counseling and program leadership roles with the Mid Shore Council on Family Violence, For All Seasons, and The Devereux Foundation, in addition to serving as adjunct faculty at Chesapeake College.
As Executive Director, Clark plans to focus on both immediate and long-term improvements. In the coming year, nearly $850,000 will be invested in capital improvements across housing developments while strengthening property operations, voucher programs, and financial systems. Looking ahead, his vision includes expanding housing options through new models and partnerships, building healthier communities through reinvestment, and creating more pathways to homeownership and self-sufficiency.
In addition to his housing-related priorities, Clark is committed to supporting the work of the Queen Anne’s County Community Partnerships for Children and Families, the county’s LMB. The LMB plays a vital role in ensuring that children and families have access to the supports they need to thrive. Clark’s goals include orienting a new Local Management Board Coordinator and working with the members of the LMB to strengthen its mission. Through programs such as after-school enrichment, poverty prevention, mentoring, food assistance, and coordinated services for children with intensive needs, he hopes to build on existing successes and help create opportunities that make families in Queen Anne’s County better off.
“What makes me proud to serve is the trust and support I’ve received from the residents, families, coworkers, and Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County,” said Clark. “That sense of belonging drives me to give back, work hard, and deliver results that make life better for the people in our community.”
Outside of his county role, Clark is active in violence prevention counseling and has served on several nonprofit boards and leadership teams. He also draws from experience as a business owner and consultant in the property sector. He and his wife Michelle enjoy life on the eastern shore with their two children, Alexis and Lane.