Ex-credit union CEO to fill interim supervisor seat

WINCHESTER — The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted 6-0 Wednesday to approve an interim supervisor for the Gainesboro Magisterial District.

Robert Hess, 70, who retired as the president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Congressional Federal Credit Union five years ago, has lived in Frederick County for almost 25 years.

“We raised our [three] children here in Frederick County, they went to Frederick County schools,” Hess said in a phone interview Wednesday night. “Frederick County’s been good to me and my family and I are honored to have the opportunity to give back to the county.”

Hess is the former chairman of the Frederick County Republican Committee and has been a member of the county’s Historical Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) since May 2009.

Rhoda Kriz, former HRAB chairwoman, said during a phone interview Wednesday night that Hess has brought a lot to that board’s meetings.

“He always brought good, common sense to the Historical Resources Advisory Board,” Kriz said. “He’s a nice, friendly and out-going person.”

Gainesboro has been without a supervisor since Ross Spicer’s resignation Dec. 31. He resigned after becoming the county’s interim commonwealth’s attorney following Glenn Williamson’s retirement.

The county will hold a special election, likely in conjunction with the Nov. 5 general election, to fill the remainder of Spicer’s term, which runs through 2015.

Supervisors receive annual compensation of $9,900, according to County Administrator John R. Riley Jr.

Attending the meeting in the Frederick County Administration Building were Chairman Richard Shickle, Vice-Chairman Bill Ewing and supervisors Charles DeHaven Jr., Gene Fisher, Gary Lofton and Christopher Collins.

— Contact Matt Armstrongat marmstrong@winchesterstar.com