ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today swore in Paul Monteiro as Department of Service and Civic Innovation Secretary and Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead as the 31st Adjutant General of Maryland. ??

“Paul ?is a public servant who has spent his life giving back to our communities,” said Gov. Moore. “Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation as not only someone who knows how to lead, but as someone who knows how to listen. The Department of Service and Civic Innovation will be the home of Maryland’s legacy-defining service-year program, and it’s going to be the place from which so many best practices in civic innovation will be launched. Paul will be a model for the young people who raise their hands and participate in Maryland’s first-in-the-nation service-year program.”

“Paul has dedicated his life to serving his communities and uplifting others,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “His compassion and drive make him the perfect individual to head up this administration’s historic agency: The Department of Service and Civic Innovation. With his leadership, we will foster a strong culture of service in the state of Maryland where young people are inspired to give back to their communities.” ?

Governor Moor??e announced Paul Monteiro as Department of Service and Civic Innovation Secretary on April 3.

Gover?nor Moore also swore in Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead as the 31st Adjutant General of Maryland. The governor announced Brigadier General Birckhead’s nomination on April 5.

“Brigadier ?General Birckhead brings her own story of distinction and leadership to state government,” said Gov. Moore. “She has taken on senior roles in our state not because she had to, but because she knows her presence makes our state better and stronger. She has dedicated her life to serving and protecting others and I look forward to watching her continue that work in this administration as Adjutant General.”

“Adjutant General Birckhead embodies the values of courage, determination, empathy, and respect,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “She has gone above and beyond the duties of every job she’s had, whether it’s saving lives by ensuring the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, or leading the Maryland National Guard’s first all-female command team. Her determination and commitment to making our state better for the people it serves has done exactly that.”?