Prince William County board tabs interim executive

Prince William County’s assistant executive Susan Roltsch has been named acting executive by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. 

She will serve as the county government’s chief administrative officer until the board makes a permanent appointment. Roltsch takes over for executive Craig Gerhart, who will be retiring to take a job with Amtrak next month.

Gerhart worked 26 years for the county and served as county executive since 2000. Gerhart’s departure came amid a bid-rigging scandal this spring, which led to the indictment of several county information technology employees and former employees on charges ranging from racketeering to money laundering.

Gerhart has said the timing of his retirement wasn’t connected to the scandal.

Roltsch has 22 years of county government experience and served as an assistant county executive for the past seven years. In that position her primary focus was community development-related functions, including public works, transportation, planning, development services and housing.

Prior to becoming an assistant county executive,  Roltsch served as development manager with the economic development department and as a planner in the county’s planning department.

“Susan Roltsch has served Prince William County exceptionally well since 1986,” said chairman Corey A. Stewart, R-at large. “Her many years of public management experience are an asset to the community. The Board of County Supervisors looks forward to working with Susan in her new assignment.” 

Roltsch received her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.