Annapolis, MD (October 14, 2021) Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the appointment of Gustav “Gus” Kurtz, Jr. as the new Chair of the Planning Advisory Board (PAB). Mr. Kurtz replaces Jerry Pesterfield as Chair.
The Planning Advisory Board is tasked with making advisory recommendations to the County Executive, Planning and Zoning Officer, and the County Council relating to master plans, zoning maps, and rules and regulations related to zoning. The Board consists of seven qualified voters who serve four-year terms and play a critical role in ensuring that the county’s land use decisions benefit our communities.
“No board or commission in county government is more impactful than the Planning Advisory Board, and nobody has been more thorough and responsible as its leader than Jerry Pesterfield,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “Thank you for your service, Jerry.”
Jerry Pesterfield has been an active member of his community since retiring from an executive management career in the retail food industry. He has served as a member of the PAB since 2013 and has served as Chair since 2019.
“Volunteering in one’s community can be equal to or even more rewarding than a wonderful career,” said Mr. Pesterfield, the former Chair of the Planning Advisory Board. “It has been an honor to serve our residents as Chair of the Planning Advisory Board.”
Mr. Kurtz was born and raised in Pasadena, Maryland, and has been a resident of the community his entire life. He has been a local, self-employed business owner of Sports and Imports and Kurtz Development for over 35 years, and has provided critical insight to the Planning Advisory Board during his six years of service as a member.
“I appoint Gus Kurtz as the new Planning Advisory Board Chair with great confidence. He brings experience on the board, experience in business, and intimate knowledge of our county to the job,” County Executive Pittman said. “He and I share a love of this county and a commitment to fiscal discipline.”
“I am very excited to serve as Chairman of the Planning Advisory Board,” said Mr. Kurtz. “Our Board works very hard at advisory recommendations for the county, and it is a pleasure to serve in this capacity.”
Additional information about the Planning Advisory Board, including the meeting schedule, can be accessed here.