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Montgomery County Council confirms Gabe Albornoz as Recreation Director after public interview
Summary
After a public interview and extended questioning about equity, partnerships and facilities, the council unanimously approved Gabriel (Gabe) Albornoz as director of the Department of Recreation.
After a public interview in which he outlined goals for programming, equity and partnerships, Gabriel “Gabe” Albornoz was unanimously confirmed by the Montgomery County Council as director of the Department of Recreation.
County executive staff introduced Albornoz and praised his long record: he previously served 12 years as director of the Department of Recreation and seven years on the County Council. In his opening remarks, Albornoz said, "For the record, I'm Gabe Albornoz," and told a story about a senior prom to illustrate the department’s role in creating community connections.
Councilmembers questioned Albornoz about using data to guide programming, expanding nonprofit and private partnerships to reach at‑risk youth and seniors, and embedding racial equity in capital and operational decisions. Albornoz said the department should use both quantitative and qualitative tools—surveys, outcome tracking and deeper community engagement—and emphasized continuing and scaling programs such as Excel Beyond the Bell and TeamWorks.
Several members stressed cross‑agency coordination. Councilmember Kate Stewart asked how the recreation department would work with libraries and other agencies to avoid service gaps (for example, Sunday hours in Long Branch). Albornoz said he would pursue collaborative budgeting and service‑category planning and assess facilities in the coming months to prioritize lifecycle needs.
The council moved and seconded the confirmation of Albornoz. President Gonzalez called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.
Why it mattered: Albornoz’s confirmation put an experienced former director back in charge of a department council members called essential to youth services, senior programs and neighborhood public safety. Members framed the confirmation as timely given looming budget pressures and an aging facility inventory.
What’s next: Albornoz will assume the director’s duties; the council and executive will continue collaboration on FY27 budget planning and facility CIP decisions.
