Nestor Alvarenga Palacios Confirmed as Mid-County Regional Services Director

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to confirm Nestor Alvarenga Palacios as Mid-County Regional Services Director. In this role, he will lead efforts to strengthen collaboration between County government, residents, businesses, and community organizations in the Wheaton area. The Mid-County area also includes Ashton, Aspen Hill, Brookeville, Capital View, Derwood, Forest Glen, Glenmont, Kemp Mill, Kensington, Layhill, Norbeck, Olney, Sandy Spring, and Upper Rock Creek.

"Nestor has dedicated his entire career to building stronger, more inclusive communities," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "His leadership experience, his deep roots in outreach and advocacy, and his ability to bring people together make him the right person to guide Wheaton's continued growth as a thriving, diverse community."

Alvarenga has more than 15 years of experience in public affairs and community engagement. Most recently, he worked with the County's Office of Community Partnerships (OCP), supporting the Language Access Program and providing technical assistance to departments and community stakeholders. Previously, he was the community affairs manager for Telemundo44/NBC4 Washington and served as the County's Latino Community Liaison in OCP from 2014-2017.

His career also includes national and international roles advocating for immigrant rights, worker protections, and inclusive policies. He has led coalitions of nonprofit, labor, faith, and advocacy groups, managed multimillion-dollar programs, and trained hundreds of leaders in policy advocacy and community organizing.

"I am honored and excited to work in my new role as I love and grew up in the Wheaton/Glenmont neighborhood and went to Wheaton High School," said Alvarenga. "Wheaton and Mid-County is one of Montgomery County's most vibrant and diverse communities with amazing food from around the world, and I look forward to working alongside residents, businesses, and community partners to ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping its future."

Alvarenga earned a master's degree in public management and a bachelor's degree in government and politics, both from the University of Maryland.

He succeeds Luisa F. Cardona, who was promoted to Assistant Chief Administrative Officer earlier this month.

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