Chief Administrative Officer

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater appointed John Peterson as Chief Administrative Officer for Frederick County Government, effective April 10, 2023. He was confirmed by the County Council on April 11, 2023.

Mr. Peterson brings extensive experience in county government administration. He managed Howard County’s internal COVID 19 response, which included drafting remote work and telework policies, ensuring the work infrastructure and facilities were prepared and safe for employees to return onsite, establishing COVID protocols, preparing communications for employees, and monitoring COVID cases in the workplace. He has managed labor relations, negotiated collective bargaining agreements with eight unions, and advised departments on County policies and employee relations issues. He previously served as Deputy Administrator for the Office of Human Resources. Mr. Peterson also served as the Director of Human Capital Benefits, Leave and Retirement for Howard County Public School System; and as the Acting Personnel Officer, Deputy Personnel Officer and Assistant Personnel Officer for Anne Arundel County Government.

Chief Financial Officer

Dan Lewis was appointed CFO in May 2023. He began his career with Frederick County Government as a high school intern and over the past two decades has worked in progressively higher positions, including manager of the Treasury Department. A Certified Public Finance Officer, he is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association. Mr. Lewis co-chairs the Tax Affinity & Munis User Group of the Maryland Government Finance Officers Association. 

Within Frederick County Government, he participates in the Government Alliance on Race & Equity; the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee; and the FCG Employee Retirement and Deferred Compensation committees. He also chaired the American Rescue Plan Act Project Review Committee, which evaluated requests for grants from Frederick County’s $50.4 million federal allocation. 

A Middletown resident, Mr. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an Associate of Science in Business Management from Frederick Community College.  

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Leslie Barnes-Keating was named Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in 2023. She joined Frederick County Government in 1995 working in the Division of Citizens Services. Through her decades of service, she has held progressively higher positions, including Director of the Office for Children and Families and Deputy Director of Family Services within the Citizens Services Division. 

Mrs. Barnes-Keating has been involved with the Local Management Board, Community Partnership Grants, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Family Partnership of Frederick County, as well as other human services initiatives. 

As Deputy Director of Family Services, Mrs. Barnes-Keating provided leadership, oversight, and guidance to the County’s core family services departments, Family Partnership, Office for Children and Families, and the Child Advocacy Center. She also oversaw and directed the implementation critical emergency preparedness programs and services.  

Born and raised in Frederick, Mrs. Barnes-Keating earned her Master's of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College.