Prince George’s County Welcomes New Finance Director as Long‑time Veteran Betsy Drewry Retires

On a crisp Tuesday morning, Prince George’s County officials gathered at the county courthouse to mark a bittersweet transition in the Department of Finance. The Board of Supervisors, in a unanimous vote, introduced Namrata Mehta as the new Finance Director, a role that will see her steering the county’s budgetary ship through both calm and stormy seas.

Mehta, 42, arrives with a résumé that reads like a checklist of fiscal expertise—five years as deputy director in neighboring Montgomery County, a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University, and a reputation for turning spreadsheets into strategic roadmaps. When asked what drew her to Prince George’s County, she smiled, "I grew up here, I love the community, and I’ve always believed good numbers can power good decisions."

She will inherit a department that manages roughly $2 billion in annual expenditures, spanning everything from road maintenance to public safety funding. "It’s a big job, no doubt," Mehta admitted, "but I’ve got a great team and a clear mandate—to keep the county’s finances transparent, responsible, and forward‑looking."

Standing on the opposite side of the podium, longtime employee Betsy Drewry—now 67—took a moment to reflect on her own 35‑year journey. Starting as a junior accountant in 1991, she climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing the county’s payroll for two decades. "I’ve seen the county grow, I’ve seen the challenges, and I’ve loved every minute of serving the people," Drewry said, her voice tinged with both pride and a hint of nostalgia.

After a brief pause, Drewry shared a piece of advice for the incoming director: "Never forget that behind every line item is a family, a student, a small business trying to make it work. Keep that human side front and center." The room erupted in applause, and several supervisors whispered, "We’ll miss her so much."

The transition will be smooth, officials assured. Mehta will shadow Drewry for the next six weeks, absorbing institutional knowledge, from the quirks of the county’s budgeting calendar to the informal coffee‑break traditions that keep morale high. Drewry, meanwhile, plans to spend her retirement traveling the East Coast, volunteering at a local food bank, and finally writing that novel she’s been talking about for years.

County Chairperson Larry Bennett summed up the moment succinctly: "Today we say thank you to Betsy for her dedication, and we say welcome to Namrata, whose fresh perspective will guide us into the next chapter of fiscal responsibility and community growth."