Director Cathy Willis Gives Final County Commissioner Update and is Celebrated for her Longtime Service to the County
At their recent meeting, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners received updates from the newly established Department of Aging & Transportation and Department of Housing & Family Services, marking an important transition in county government operations. The briefing also represented the final appearance of Director of Community Services Cathy Willis, who will retire this month after a distinguished career serving the residents of Queen Anne’s County.
Cathy Willis has served Queen Anne’s County and been a cornerstone of county human-service operations for 32 years. She began her career with Queen Anne’s County in 1994, as a Community Care Coordinator with the Department of Aging. She rose through the ranks, starting as a Social Worker I, Deputy Director, then Director of the Department of Aging in 2006. After successfully assuming leadership of Housing, the Local Management Board, and Recreation Services in 2011, she became the Director of Community Services.
Throughout her tenure, Cathy led so many important initiatives it is difficult to list them all. Some notable recent initiatives include establishing the Active Aging Center at the YMCA, renovating the Kramer Center, reintegrating the Public Housing Authority into county government, supporting the Department of Health, and introducing the popular Ride for Free transit program. She also served 14 years in leadership with the Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging and was an active voice in Annapolis on legislation benefiting seniors.
Throughout her tenure, Cathy earned a reputation for her compassion, honesty and steadfast support for the county’s most vulnerable. Department leaders and Commissioners expressed deep gratitude for her leadership, noting her role in building a seamless transition by preparing her successors well in advance.
Both newly appointed department heads thanked the Commissioners for their support and outlined priorities and successes within their respective departments.
Executive Director of Housing and Family Services, Mike Clark reported strong community engagement during the 12th Annual Make a Difference Day, which saw its largest turnout in the program’s history with 132 families and 245 individuals served. Participants received clothing, food, utility assistance, health and personal care services, and access to numerous nonprofit partners.
Clark also shared updates from the Queen Anne’s County Housing Authority, including the appointment of new board member Roger Harrell and preparations for a strategic planning retreat focusing on expanding affordable and workforce housing options. He introduced Rachael Carmody, the new Local Management Board (LMB) Administrator, who has already begun coordinating priorities with state partners and planning for an upcoming LMB retreat.
Director of Aging and Transportation, Annie Sparks briefed the Commissioners on upcoming senior programming, notably the Holiday Gala on December 4 at the Sudlersville Senior Center. She also announced that the county’s popular Ride for Free transit program will continue into 2026. Since the initiative launched, transportation ridership has nearly tripled, with 30–35% of rides supporting local workforce travel.
Sparks also thanked the Commissioners for recognizing National Caregivers Month, celebrated each November. During the meeting, the Commissioners read and adopted Proclamation 25-50, honoring the more than 53 million family caregivers nationwide and encouraging residents to connect with supportive county resources.
Join us in thanking Cathy for her years of service and congratulating her on the next chapter as she heads to retirement.
To learn more about the Department of Aging and Transportation and the Department of Housing and Family Services, visit our website at qac.org