THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 3, 1995 TAG: 9503010201
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
A 1968 graduate of Crestwood High School, who was president of the student government in his senior year, has been named chief of staff to the new governor of Maryland, Parris N. Glendening.
Major F. Riddick Jr. is the only African American in the nation to serve as a governor's chief of staff. He is the former director of the Prince George's County (Md.) Housing Department and former county budget director.
Riddick, 44, grew up in Chesapeake's Crestwood Manor, where his mother, Viola Riddick, still lives.
Riddick's father, Major Riddick Sr., lives in Norfolk, and his 35-year-old sister lives in Baltimore.
``What you are is where you are from,'' Riddick said. ``I was brought up with a strong, ethical foundation, and there are things from my upbringing I draw on, things that have followed me along the way.''
Riddick was president of the student government in his senior year at Crestwood High. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Virginia Tech in 1972 and a master's degree in urban affairs and public administration from the same university a year later. Riddick attended the senior executive program for state and local government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
He taught sociology at Norfolk State University for three years, then began his career in government.
``Some days I ask myself why I did it, but most days I have a good feeling about making a difference in my community and in the jurisdiction I serve,'' Riddick said.
As chief of staff to Glendening, he supervises the day-to-day operation of the governor's office. He works directly with some 50 government agencies and confers with the governor daily.
Riddick feels he brings his skills as a communicator and financial analyst to his new position. He said he ``understands the governor's mission'' and he ``can carry it out through team building. We did a lot of that in county government.''
He believes the new governor of Maryland will ``bring change and innovation to the state through technology, training and improved processes.'' The public, nationally, wants to see a different type of government, he said - one that is smaller and more responsive.
That can make his job unpleasant, Riddick said, ``because I have to tell some people I cannot continue them. As you reduce government programs, you end up passing out bad news.''
Riddick handles all this pressure by arising at 5 a.m. for a vigorous workout in his home gym, then starting a schedule that includes staff meetings and out-of-town conferences. He and his wife, Manervia, a Norcom High School graduate, live with their 14-year-old daughter, Myrica, in Fort Washington, Md.
The governor will serve a four-year term of office, and Riddick expects to be by his side ``giving good direction,'' he said.
``I had good role models. Both my mother and my father told me to work hard, go as far as I could and move fast. And that's what I've always done,'' said Riddick. ILLUSTRATION: Major Riddick Jr. is chief of staff to the governor of
Maryland.
by CNB