Former Gaithersburg Human Resources Director Margaret Daily’s last day with the city of Gaithersburg was Feb. 2. She had worked for the city for nearly 28 years, including 17 as Director of Human Resources.
Daily was terminated by City Manager Tony Tomasello.
Tomasello was hired as Gaithersburg’s first economic development director in 1996, having previously worked for the state of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development for eight years. He was promoted to assistant city manager in 2001, and was made deputy city manager in 2010. He was named acting city manager on June 15, 2012, following the resignation of predecessor Angel Jones, and was appointed city manager on November 29, 2012.
He has worked for the city a total 17 years.
Daily, in her capacity as the city’s human resources director, coordinated the search for the new city manager. The Gaithersburg mayor and City Council hired Tomasello after the talent search narrowed to three finalists, including Tomasello and two individuals from outside the city.
In a Town Courier interview, Daily emphasized, “I love the city dearly. I will miss my wonderful staff and the employees the most.”
Daily, a Kentlands resident, said her relationship with Tomasello had suffered as a consequence of her responsibilities in the recruitment of candidates for city manager.
She said she was not involved in making the city’s final decision, but “it was my opinion that Tony was not the most qualified candidate for the position, and he was aware of that.”
On Jan. 30, Daily received a termination notice citing that it was in “the best interests of the city.”
“While I did not want my career with the city to end under these circumstances, I can understand how Tony might feel and I wish him much success in his new role as city manager,” Daily said.
A call from this reporter to Tomasello was returned by City Attorney Lynn Board. Board confirmed that Daily “separated from the city on Feb. 2.” She declined to comment further, saying it was a “personnel matter.”