Carroll County's Board of County Commissioners has appointed Edwina "Eddie" Benites-LM, currently the county administrator of Jefferson County, West Virginia, as Carroll County's next county administrator, according to a county news release issued Thursday, Nov. 5.
The county administrator is the appointed official who oversees the daily operations of county government for the five elected commissioners. Benites-LM will be formally introduced to staff and the public at the commissioners' regular open session on Thursday, Nov. 19, and will officially begin the job on Monday, Dec. 7, the release says.
She succeeds Roberta Windham, who retired this year after more than 11 years as administrator, the Baltimore Sun reported. Deputy County Administrator Deborah Effingham began serving as interim administrator Aug. 27, the county said in August.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Carroll County Human Resources Director Kristy Bixler said the administrator's annual salary will be $190,000. The Sun also reported that Windham's 2025 salary was $193,469, citing pay data the Carroll County Times obtained through a public records request.
Edwina "Eddie" Benites-LM (credit: Jefferson County Development Authority)
The county's release says Benites-LM has more than 20 years of experience in government relations and economic development, including work as a U.S. Senate staffer and as a federal lobbyist representing local governments, and that she has owned a small business.
She joined Jefferson County in April 2023 as executive director of its Development Authority, according to Observer WV. She began filling in as county administrator in January 2024, and the Jefferson County Commission voted April 22, 2024, to make her the permanent administrator.
Observer WV also reported Nov. 5 that she has resigned from the Jefferson County job, effective Dec. 3. A resignation letter dated Oct. 21, posted by the outlet, gives Thursday, Dec. 3, as her last day.
The county release says she is enrolled in a doctoral program in business administration at Marshall University. It lists a master's degree in rural development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a bachelor's degree from George Washington University, and a graduate certificate in local governance from the University of Maryland and the Maryland Association of Counties.
The release says the board made the appointment "after a comprehensive search and recruitment process." The Baltimore Sun reported in July that a consultant would lead a national search for Windham's replacement. The county's announcement does not say how many candidates applied or were interviewed.
Commissioner Joe Vigliotti, the board's president, said in the release that Benites-LM's experience in a similar county government, her public-sector background, her education and her "forthright approach" to working with the commissioners distinguished her as the ideal choice. He said the board is confident she can carry out its policies, lead staff and oversee daily operations.
Benites-LM said in the release that she is honored and looks forward to meeting county staff, community leaders and elected officials throughout Maryland.