(June 3, 1997 - Baltimore) -- The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) announced today that the Honorable Charles I. Ecker, Howard County Executive, was elected 1997-98 chair at its Annual Meeting on Monday evening, June 2. The Honorable John Gary, Anne Arundel County Executive, was elected vice-chair. County Executive Ecker succeeds Harford County Executive Eileen M. Rehrmann, who chaired BMC for the last year.

"Because I've lived and worked in several jurisdictions in Central Maryland, I am a firm believer in regional cooperation," Dr. Ecker said upon taking office. "As Howard County Executive I have to look beyond the borders of Howard County to the entire Baltimore region, and also to the Washington region. No jurisdiction exists in a vacuum. We must continue to find regional solutions on such issues as drugs and crime as well as collaborate on environmental matters such as solid waste disposal and air quality."

Dr. Ecker was first elected County Executive of Howard County in November, 1990. Prior to holding elected office, he served for more than 36 years as a professional educator in Howard, Prince George's and Carroll Counties, retiring as Deputy Superintendent of Howard County Public Schools in 1989.

A Carroll County native, Dr. Ecker began his teaching career in the Carroll County Public School System as a science and physical education teacher, and coach for many high school sports. He earned his BA at Western Maryland College, and attained both his Masters and Ph.D. degrees at the University of North Carolina. In 1988 he was selected as one of the top 100 school administrators in the nation.

Dr. Ecker is a founding board member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and Greater Baltimore Alliance, and serves on the Shock Trauma Board of Visitors. He is an advocate of balance in government and consensus-driven thinking.

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is an organization of the region's elected executives which serves as a forum for identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region.