MD Governor Wes Moore Announces Three Cabinet Leadership Changes
State of MD - Three Maryland state departments have new leaders for now. Governor Wes Moore announced changes at the top of the Office of the Secretary of State, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, and the Department of Veterans and Military Families.
In each case, the deputy secretary is stepping up to lead, effective November 6, 2026. Searches for permanent replacements will get started for two of the posts.
Secretary of State Susan C. Lee is leaving her role for personal matters after 24 years of service as a cabinet member and state legislator. Carolyn J. Scruggs is stepping away as Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services after more than three decades with the Department and the State of Maryland.
Edward C. Rothstein is also wrapping up his time as Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. He joined the Moore Administration in August 2025.
"Secretary Susan Lee, Secretary Carolyn Scruggs, and Secretary Ed Rothstein have devoted decades of faithful and exemplary service to the people of Maryland," said Gov. Moore. "Our state has greatly benefited from their leadership, expertise, and service in the Cabinet, and I thank them for raising their hands to serve and leading these critical departments during these historically challenging times."
Michael Lore, Esq. will serve as Interim Secretary of State. He has been Deputy Secretary of State since January 2023.
Lore has worked alongside Lee for years. Before joining her office, he was her chief of staff when she was a senator in the Maryland General Assembly, and he also worked in the offices of former Senators Norman R. Stone, Jr. and Jamie Raskin.
He holds a law degree from the American University Washington College School of Law and a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado. He's a member of the Maryland Bar.
David C. Greene will lead Public Safety and Correctional Services as Interim Secretary. He has been the Department's Deputy Secretary for Operations since January 2026, with oversight of areas like facility operations, security, staffing, and fleet management.
Most recently, Greene led the Department's successful rollout of body-worn cameras across 18 facilities. His career there started in January 2006, as a Case Management Specialist at the former Brockbridge Correctional Facility.
Over more than two decades, he moved up through several leadership roles, including Warden and Acting Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Pretrial Detention and Services. He's a graduate of the University of Delaware.
James "Jimmy" Anderson will step in as Acting Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. He has been the Department's Deputy Secretary since November 2025.
During the Biden-Harris Administration, Anderson was Senior Advisor for Veterans and Military Engagement in The White House. He also served as Special Advisor and Deputy White House Liaison for Secretary Denis McDonough at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
His Air Force career started when he enlisted as an Airman in aircraft maintenance, and he later became an Intelligence Officer. He's spent more than 15 years in uniform on active duty and in the reserve.
Anderson was picked as a Fulbright Scholar to Canada and is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He holds degrees from Queen's University, American University, and the University of South Carolina.
