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Board of Public Works

BPW Staff Members

BPW Staff Member

 

John T. Gontrum, Esq. Executive Secretary

John T. Gontrum, Esq., Executive Secretary

Appointed by the Board of Public Works in November 2019, John Gontrum has served as Executive Secretary since January 1, 2020. Prior to appointment as Executive Secretary, Mr. Gontrum worked in the Office of the Comptroller for nine years serving in Assistant Comptroller and Legislative Affairs Director capacities. Mr. Gontrum graduated in 2007 from Gettysburg College and received his J.D. from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in 2011. Mr. Gontrum is a member of the Maryland Bar.​

 

 

William Morgante, PWS Wetlands Administrator

William Morgante, PWS Wetlands Administrator

Bill Morgante, the Maryland Wetlands Administrator since 2014, has been a wetland scientist for 26 years. Prior to working for the State, Bill's worked in the private sector focused on wetland delineation, permitting, mitigation, and monitoring. He earned his Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts in 2000, a Professional Wetland Scientist certification in 2007, and a Bachelor's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. 

 

 

Gabriel Gnall, Procurement Advisor

Gabriel Gnall, Procurement Advisor

Prior to his career with the Board of Public Works, Gabriel Gnall served as the procurement chief with the Department of Budget & Management where he conducted large-scale service procurements and developed standardized practices for diverse agencies to use. He is familiar to State procurement practitioners as the leader of the Senior Procurement Advisors' Group. Mr. Gnall received his law degree from Widener University School of Law in Delaware and is a member of the Maryland Bar. He resides with his family in Davidsonville, Anne Arundel County. ​

 

 

David Bohannon Assistant Attorney General

David Bohannon, Assistant Attorney General

David Bohannon joined the Board of Public Works in 2017.  He was appointed Assistant Attorney General to the Board in 2023, having previously served the Board as General Counsel under the State's General Procurement Law. He brings to this position diverse experience from throughout State government, having served in procurement and contracting, legislative, operational, and litigation roles.  David is a member of the Maryland Bar and earned his J.D. from the University of Maryland - Baltimore, and his M.B.A. from the University of Maryland - College Park. 

 

 

Rachel Hershey General Counsel

Rachel Hershey, General Counsel

Rachel Hershey started as General Counsel to the Board of Public Works in 2024. Before joining the BPW staff, she worked in State procurement with the Department of General Services Office of State Procurement, Department of Health, and Department of Budget & Management. She has conducted various complex procurements, served as staff support for the 2016 Commission to Modernize State Procurement, and worked as part of the group tasked with writing the Maryland Procurement Manual. She earned her J.D. from William & Mary Law School.