News Summary
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has announced key leadership changes within his administration, including Calvin Young’s move to interim Deputy Mayor and J.D. Merrill’s promotion to Chief of Staff. These adjustments are aimed at addressing the city’s economic challenges and continuity in governance. Mayor Scott emphasized the importance of strategic leadership amid federal uncertainties, acknowledging both Young’s and Merrill’s significant contributions and experience in city governance.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced significant leadership changes within his administration on October 20, 2025. The changes involve Calvin Young transitioning from Chief of Staff to the interim Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development, effective December 1, 2025, while John David “J.D.” Merrill will be promoted to Chief of Staff at the same time.
The position of Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development has remained vacant since Justin Williams became the inaugural Director of Permitting and Development Services. Mayor Scott highlighted that these strategic leadership shifts are designed to meet the unique challenges currently facing Baltimore, particularly the economic uncertainty stemming from federal government actions.
J.D. Merrill, who has been serving as Deputy Chief of Staff since July 2023, has played a crucial role in Baltimore’s city government. During his previous interim role as Deputy Mayor of Equity, Health, and Human Services from May 2024 to July 2025, Merrill successfully established Baltimore’s first Office of Overdose Response, along with initiatives such as the Overdose Cabinet and OverdoseStat. He is also credited for restructuring YouthStat and coordinating the Mayor’s summer youth engagement strategy, which included enhancing late-night recreation programs and expanding middle school athletics.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Merrill supported the Mayor’s communications and constituent services teams and was deeply involved in initiatives addressing vacant housing within the city. He also served as the mayor’s designee during the Unified Command’s response to the Key Bridge collapse. Merrill boasts a decade of experience within the Baltimore City Public Schools system, where he acted in various capacities, including teacher and administrator. He holds an M.S. degree from Johns Hopkins School of Education, a B.A. from Davidson College, and a diploma from Baltimore City College.
Calvin Young has been a part of Mayor Scott’s office as a Senior Advisor since September 2024. In his capacity as Chief of Staff, Young successfully closed an $85 million budget deficit and negotiated the largest nonprofit Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement in Baltimore’s history. His background includes co-founding Green Street Impact Partners and extensive experience in private equity and business development. He sits on several boards, including Green Street Academy and the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Young’s educational credentials include an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New York University, alongside his diploma from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.
Mayor Scott acknowledged Young’s contributions to the administration, expressing gratitude for his leadership and highlighting the positive impact he will make in his new role as interim Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development. Young reinforced the administration’s commitment to addressing Baltimore’s needs despite federal challenges and voiced enthusiasm for Merrill’s ascension to Chief of Staff.
Merrill, too, expressed his dedication to the city, underscoring the administration’s preparedness to confront the hurdles that lie ahead. The reshuffling within the Mayor’s office comes at a critical time as Baltimore navigates economic pressures and social issues, emphasizing the essential role of leadership in addressing these challenges.
These leadership changes reflect a proactive approach to governance in Baltimore, aiming to enhance community and economic development efforts while ensuring continuity and effective administration as the city faces ongoing challenges.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Announces Leadership Changes
- Wikipedia: Baltimore
- Hoodline: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Announces Key Leadership Changes
- Google Search: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott leadership changes
- Fox Baltimore: Mayor Brandon Scott Changes Chief of Staff
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baltimore
- CBS News: Mayor Scott Names David Merrill New Chief of Staff
- Google News: Brandon Scott Baltimore leadership changes
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The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
