Three | E 60 News
SUBSCRIBE NOW
  • Home
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • National
  • 6 Questions
  • Poll
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • National
  • 6 Questions
  • Poll
No Result
View All Result
Three | E 60 News
No Result
View All Result

The Dr. Calvin Ball Interview

Howard County Executive

June 20, 2022
Home 6 Questions with 3E60
4.4k
VIEWS
Share on LinkedInShare on Twitter

Title:  Howard County Executive 
Industry: Politics

What is your morning routine?
A: Mornings are my favorite part of the day. My mind is sharpest then. This is when I carve out time to read the news of the day, reflect upon goals and priorities, as well as think about long-term strategy and planning. My day starts around 5am and consists of reviewing my schedule, reading the news and reviewing briefings prepared by team. I usually have my first meetings around 7:30 or 8am with events beginning around 9am so being an early riser allows me to focus and plan for a couple of hours before the day officially starts.


How would you describe what you do?
A: 
As Howard County Executive, I am responsible for managing the county’s twelve departments and nearly 3,500 employees who support and provide services and programs for our diverse population of approximately 330,000 people.  Howard County has a $2 billion combined operating and capital budget. Upon becoming County Executive, I developed a foundation of seven pillars for my administration: Ready and Successful Students, Safe and Engaged Communities, Clean and Sustainable Environment, Thriving and Healthy Residents, Strong and Prosperous Businesses, Reliable and Accessible Infrastructure and Innovative and Efficient Government. We are focused on being the best county not just overall but for all.


What is the last book or article you read and what was your biggest takeaway?
A:
 I read articles every day as part of my morning routine. I also share relevant articles with my senior staff. One article that I read recently and shared is How to Avoid Rushing to Solutions When Problem-Solving by Daniel Markovitz. This article is especially relevant during this public health crisis when many are struggling and therefore need faster policy implementation. We are making new decisions each day on issues from housing/rental assistance to employee safety. The biggest takeaway is that it is important to frame problems correctly, an ineffective solution can make things worse, and can be just as damaging in the long run as the problem.


Identify one trend in your industry you predict will change how business is done?
A: 
The pandemic has changed how government operates and taught us to have an enhanced collaborative approach to solving a community problem. Typically, government operates in silos with each department often working independently of each other. Over the last two years, we have had to pull together departments to solve problems, including the Health Department, Office of Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Department of Community Resources and Services, etc. Additionally, we have worked closely with non-profits and business. This has resulted in a strengthened, holistic approach to pandemic preparedness and response.

What’s your favorite productivity habit?
A: I triage the day, week, and month.  I like to focus on the most important tasks first. These are tasks that need to get accomplished, no matter what. My team knows that I start with the things that matter most.

In business what is something that most people learn only after it’s too late?
A: The most important asset is the people you hire. Hire smart people that have different strengths to help push your agenda forward. In the past, leaders were often expected to have all the answers and then direct their employees on a course of action. I’ve learned that working as a team, we will often find solutions through diverse thinking and drive goals forward. It can be uncomfortable to have critical conversations with numerous leaders in the room.  However, creating a safe space for leaders to grow and empowering them, helps foster an environment for epic excellence, which will benefit or community for current and future generations.

____________

About Dr. Calvin Ball:

County Executive Calvin Ball is a Maryland native and a resident of Columbia, where he and his wife Shani are proud parents of two daughters who attend and graduated from Howard County public schools.

In 2006, Ball made history when he was elected the youngest Chairperson in the history of the Howard County Council. He made history again in 2018, when he became the first African-American to be elected Howard County Executive.

As County Executive, Ball established the mission to efficiently, effectively, and respectfully serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Howard County, Maryland. His vision is to innovatively expand opportunity and foster the best quality of life for all who live, work, or visit Howard County.

In his first two years, he and his team have prioritized growing ready and successful students, fostering safe and engaged communities, creating a clean and sustainable environment, supporting thriving and healthy residents, building reliable and accessible infrastructure, promoting a strong and prosperous business climate, and leading an innovative and efficient government. In the past year, County Executive Ball has led a thorough response to COVID-19, including distributing vital funds to residents and businesses, standing up COVID-19 testing facilities, and implementing vaccine distribution plans.

County Executive Ball currently serves as First Vice President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) for the 2021-2022 term. With MACO he serves on a six-member Executive Committee that oversees its fiscal, personnel, and management issues. County Executive Ball is a lifetime member of the NAACP, and in 2012, he founded the Diversity Caucus of MACo, the first statewide caucus for county elected officials of color. He also participated in the National Association of Counties and Gates Foundation “Economic Mobility Leadership Network” to explore the role counties can play to positively affect economic mobility.

County Executive Ball holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Towson State University, Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore, where he was nominated for the Spirit of Excellence Award, and Doctor of Education from Morgan State University. County Executive Ball is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and is a dedicated supporter of all of the historically Black Greek letter organizations which serve our community.

Social Media:

Website: https://howardcountymd.gov/county-executive

Related Posts

Congress Alleges ‘Shadow’ Probe By Commanders Owner Snyder
Maryland

Breaking: Josh Harris Group, Which Includes Magic Johnson, Submits $6B Bid For Commanders

March 28, 2023
First Annual MBE Advocacy Day In Prince George’s County
Maryland

First Annual MBE Advocacy Day In Prince George’s County

March 27, 2023
Prince George’s Parks And Rec. Respond To Canter Creek Park Project Concerns (Video)
Maryland

Prince George’s Parks And Rec. Respond To Canter Creek Park Project Concerns (Video)

March 27, 2023
Bill To Reform Prince George’s County’s Recreation Department Passes Unanimously In Maryland House Delegation
Maryland

New Accelerator Emerges In Prince George’s For Latino Businesses

March 27, 2023
Maryland HBCU Presidents Update Legislative Black Caucus On Work, Needs At Their Institutions
Maryland

Maryland HBCU Presidents Update Legislative Black Caucus On Work, Needs At Their Institutions

March 27, 2023
Breaking: Moore Releases $69M In Funds For Abortion Training, Other Maryland Legislative Priorities
Maryland

While Some Of His Nominees Struggle, Moore Forwards Another 128 Names To Senate

March 27, 2023

Weekly Poll

How likely are you to use cash to pay for purchases in a typical week?

Trending

  • First Annual MBE Advocacy Day In Prince George’s County

    First Annual MBE Advocacy Day In Prince George’s County

    315 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Metro Celebrates Completion Of Its Maryland Headquarters In Prince George’s County

    683 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Breaking: Josh Harris Group, Which Includes Magic Johnson, Submits $6B Bid For Commanders

    309 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • While Some Of His Nominees Struggle, Moore Forwards Another 128 Names To Senate

    253 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • PGC: Whole Foods To Shutter Landover Seafood Warehouse

    588 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Upcoming Event

No event found!
Three | E 60 News

We bring you daily curated news content impacting the small, local and minority business community.


© 2021 Three | E Consulting Group. All rights reserved.

Recent Posts

Breaking: Josh Harris Group, Which Includes Magic Johnson, Submits $6B Bid For Commanders

First Annual MBE Advocacy Day In Prince George’s County

Prince George’s Parks And Rec. Respond To Canter Creek Park Project Concerns (Video)

New Accelerator Emerges In Prince George’s For Latino Businesses



No Result
View All Result
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • National
  • 6 Questions
  • Poll
  • Featured
  • Subscribe

© 2021 Three | Consulting Group - Site design by Three | E Consulting Group.