Governor Hogan Showed Strength of Character at Press Conference about Cancer Diagnosis

Governor Hogan at a recent press conference in the State House. (Photo courtesy of Executive Office of the Governor)

It’s not the easy things in life that define us. It’s the challenges – those experiences that at first glance appear insurmountable. They reveal the true character of an individual. When Governor Hogan told Maryland last Monday about his cancer diagnosis, both his uncompromising integrity and inspiring leadership were on full display. The transparency, directness and even humor in his remarks spoke to his strength of character.

The Governor’s determination to face the cancer head-on with confidence that he will overcome was an inspiration – but not a surprise. This is the Governor I’ve come to know and for whom I’m proud to work as Secretary of General Services. That’s because I’ve observed the same strengths time and again in the five months since he took office. At Cabinet meetings and Board of Public Works meetings, I’ve listened to him articulate the challenges confronting our state and have watched him get down to the business of overcoming them.

With the goal to “Change Maryland for the Better,” Governor Hogan selected knowledgeable, experienced professionals to help him achieve this objective. Choosing the right people to help get the job done is another sign of leadership. But leadership is also about trusting and empowering your team to carry the message forward in both word and deed, and the Governor has given his team the clear direction and necessary tools to do just this. DGS has embraced his message, and we, too, are changing for the better.