Robert M. Hutcheson was re-elected to the Office of County Commissioner in 2006 for a four-year term. He was first elected in 2002. Hutcheson was initially appointed in 2000 by former Governor Parris Glendenning to complete the term of the late Walter Bosley, who died with two years remaining in his term.

 

Commissioner Hutcheson earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1954 and a Master of Education in 1962 from Frostburg State College (now Frostburg State University), Frostburg, Maryland.  Hutcheson took additional graduate-level courses in educational administration at both the University of Maryland and West Virginia University. Commissioner Hutcheson completed the University of Maryland’s Academy for Excellence in Local Government in 2004.

 

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Allegany County, Maryland at the age of three and was raised in Cumberland.  He graduated from Allegany High School, Cumberland, in 1950. 

 

Upon graduation from college, Hutcheson entered the United States Army and served in the United States Occupation Forces in Germany during his military career.  He received an honorable discharge in 1956.

 

Commissioner Hutcheson had a distinguished professional career in education.  He returned to Allegany High School in 1956 to teach science and mathematics.  In 1962, he was appointed to be the vice-principal at Allegany High School, and served in this capacity until Spring 1965.  Hutcheson was selected to be the first principal of the new Braddock Junior High School, (now Braddock Middle School), Cumberland.  He held this key administrative position for one academic year.  In Fall 1966, Hutcheson was named principal of Allegany High School, and held this important position for the next 19 years. Hutcheson also has the distinction of being Allegany’s longest serving principal. After serving the students of Allegany County for 29 years, Commissioner Hutcheson retired in 1985.  Hutcheson was honored by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals as the Principal of the Year in 1985.  From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Hutcheson did motivational speaking and was vice-president of a fund raising company.  In 1987, Hutcheson re-entered the field of education and was principal of Keyser High School in Mineral County, West Virginia until his retirement in 1994.  Overall, he has 38 years of experience as an educational professional.

 

Commissioner Hutcheson also has statewide service. Hutcheson is a past president of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals and, of note, was appointed by former Governor Robert Ehrlich to The Governor’s Commission on Quality Education in Maryland (i.e., The Steele Commission).  He was one of 31 individuals selected in the state to serve on this prestigious task force.

 

Commissioner Hutcheson has served and continues to serve in many organizations positively impacting Allegany County. During this term of office, Commissioner Hutcheson and his fellow County Commissioners serve on the of the Allegany County Board of Education (each County Commissioner is an ex-officio member for one 16 month term - Hutcheson serves from April 2008 through July 2009).  The County Commissioners also serve on the Allegany County Board of Health and the Cumberland Allegany County Industrial Foundation, Inc. (CACIF) Board of Directors (advisor). 

 

Commissioner Hutcheson serves on the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, Inc. (TCC) Board of Directors. Hutcheson is on The Memorial Hospital & Medical Center of Cumberland, Inc. Board of Trustees (Western Maryland Health System), the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Board of Directors (ex-officio member), and the Allegany County Department of Social Services Board of Directors (ex-officio member).  He is also associated with the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority.

 

Commissioner Hutcheson is involved with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). In addition to his service on the MACo Board of Directors, he was elected Treasurer in 2008.  He is on track to progress through the offices in successive years and become MACo President in 2012. He also serves on the MACo Legislative Committee, a key committee, and its associated Planning Subcommittee.  Through MACo, Hutcheson is a member of the Rural Maryland Council.

 

In the community Commissioner Hutcheson is an active member of the Ali Ghan Shrine Center, Cumberland, and has served as potentate for this organization.  Hutcheson  completed and was honored for his nine years of service to the Board of Governors Philadelphia Unit of Shriners’ Hospitals for Children in 2007. He is especially committed to helping desperately ill children and their families. Hutcheson is also a member of Queen City Lodge #131 A.F. & A.M., Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Cumberland Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies, Ali Ghan Shrine Center, Fort Cumberland Post #13 American Legion, and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police #40.  Hutcheson is a past president of both the Cumberland Jaycees and the Cumberland Rotary Club and past chairman of the LaVale Civic Improvement Association.

 

Of note, Hutcheson was the president of the Class of 1954 at Frostburg State College. Hutcheson was inducted into the Allegany High School Hall of Honor (2007). This recognizes graduates who through their professions bring pride to Allegany High School. In addition, Hutcheson is also a member of the Allegany High School Sports Hall of Fame (2005).

 

Commissioner Hutcheson and his wife, Judy, reside in Cumberland.  They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.