Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Caroll County Commissioner Ed Rothstein as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families effective August 1st, 2025. Prior to becoming Carroll County Commissioner, Colonel Rothstein served as executive director of the BWI Business Partnership, where he worked to cultivate the transportation network and development potential in the region through partnerships with business, government, and community leaders. Colonel Rothstein has also served on multiple boards of directors for state and regional non-profits, including the Carroll County Veterans Advisory Council which works to evaluate, develop and promote new and existing programs and services for veterans and their families within Carroll County.

Colonel Rothstein earned his undergraduate degree from Lock Haven University where he was commissioned through the ROTC graduate, and earned masters degrees from Webster University and the Eisenhower School for National Security.