Council confirms Gabe Albornoz as director of Department of Recreation after interview

The Montgomery County Council confirmed Gabriel (Gabe) Albornoz as director of the Department of Recreation following a formal interview and extensive questioning by councilmembers.

Albornoz, a former longtime recreation director and recent council member, told the council he will "continue the long lasting legacy of this great agency" and emphasized a mission of community gathering, program outcomes tracking and partnership with nonprofits and schools. He recounted a 2009 senior prom coordinated by the department to illustrate the intangible benefits recreation services provide to seniors and youth.

Councilmembers asked how he would use data and partnerships to expand services to at-risk youth, seniors and residents with disabilities. Albornoz said the department must use both quantitative surveys and qualitative measures to track outcomes and that programs like Excel Beyond the Bell and Soccer for Change are models for leveraging nonprofit partnerships to broaden service reach. He also said the county must phase-in expanded programming responsibly and prioritize services to the most vulnerable.

Several members highlighted operational concerns — hours of operation at community centers, capital needs for aging facilities and cross-agency coordination to avoid service gaps — and Albornoz pledged to engage staff, unions and other agencies to address those challenges. He answered a direct question about conflicts of interest with a flat "No." After discussion, the council voted to confirm his appointment by a unanimous voice/raise-of-hand vote.

Albornoz will assume the director role and join county staff leadership as the council and executive prepare for a challenging budget cycle in 2026.