Duncan Names Howard Cook To Head Liquor Department

mh/liquor.pr 97-118 Contact: David Weaver, 301-217-6530 or
George Griffin, 301-217-2500

DUNCAN NAMES HOWARD COOK
TO HEAD LIQUOR DEPARTMENT For Immediate Release: April 17, 1997

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today named Howard Lee Cook,
Jr. as his nominee for the director of the Department of Liquor Control. Cook, 64, currently
serves as an independent consultant on government relations. He is the former Chairman of
the Montgomery County Board of License Commissioners, and has most recently served as a
consultant for the Retail Liquor Advisory Group, which studied future operations of the
County's retail liquor stores. In 1992, he also served on the County Council's task force to
monitor and evaluate a pilot test for contracting out retail liquor stores.
"I have known Howard for a long time, and I have found him to be an excellent
administrator and someone who knows this business extremely well," said Duncan. "I am
counting on his experience and knowledge to help direct the future operations of this
department. As past chairman of the Board of License Commissioners, he has left a legacy
of enforcement and compliance of liquor laws here in Montgomery County that is nationally
recognized."
Cook, a resident of Bethesda, has more than 30 years in government and local
business, including positions as a government liaison for former U.S. President's Kennedy and
-more-

DUNCAN NAMES COOK TO HEAD LIQUOR CONTROL 2-2-2-2

Johnson. He also served as staff director for the U.S. House of Representatives Post Office
and Civil Service Committee, as well as six years as the chief lobbyist for the American
Medical Association.
Cook has a bachelor's degree in Political Science and American History from the
University of Maryland, and attended law school at George Washington University.
As director of the Department of Liquor Control, Cook will be responsible for the day-
to-day distribution and sale of all alcoholic beverages in Montgomery County, including
operation of the County's 21 retail outlets, including four that are contracted out. The
department has a staff of 192 full-time and 21 part-time employees and a recommended
FY 98 operating budget of nearly $18 million.
Cook's appointment is subject to confirmation by the County Council.
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