Council interviews merit‑system and labor relations nominees; candidates outline experience and equity priorities

The Montgomery County Council held interviews on Jan. 13 for vacancies on the Merit System Protection Board and for the county executive's nominee for Labor Relations Administrator.

The council introduced George Margul (as recorded in the transcript) and Barbara Sapien as candidates for the Merit System Protection Board. The first candidate described the board’s role as safeguarding employee rights through a robust grievance and appeals process and emphasized that authority rests with the board as a whole rather than individual members. Sapien outlined prior federal MSPB experience, work with the National Labor Relations Board, and time as general counsel for the American Nurses Association, noting experience drafting annual reports, conducting studies and advising on collective bargaining‑related issues.

Later the council interviewed Mark Gaston Pierce for the county’s Labor Relations Administrator position. Pierce summarized approximately 50 years of labor relations work, including field attorney work at the National Labor Relations Board, private practice, federal appointments to the NLRB (including service as chair, as described), work on the Federal Service Impasses Panel and experience as an arbitrator and mediator. He told the council that most of his career was spent as a neutral arbitrator or mediator and said that neutrality and fairness are central to the LRA role. On questions about racial equity and social justice, Pierce said public‑sector employment has historically provided opportunities for women and people of color and said an LRA can help ensure transparent, unbiased decision making in hiring, classification and discipline.

No formal appointment votes occurred on Jan. 13; the council said the clerk would follow up on next steps for candidate review.