Elvin Hardwick is a seasoned public administration professional with a strong foundation in local government management. He brings a practitioner’s mindset to municipal operation that is grounded, service-oriented and deeply connected to community life. As the town manager of Somerset, Maryland, he leads municipal operations with a focus on community engagement, adaptive governance and responsible innovation. He is devoted to service excellence and strengthening civic life through collaboration with residents.
It is this grounded, service-first philosophy that has positioned Hardwick as a notable municipal leader and earned him recognition as the recipient of the Town Manager of the Year 2026 Awardfrom Gov Business Review. In this feature, he outlines his journey in public administration and shares his views on the mechanics of municipal leadership and local involvement, the combination of which makes governance a success.
A Foundation Built in Civil Service
My journey into municipal leadership began from home. Raised by civil servant parents in a family with a long tradition of public service, I was naturally drawn toward work that centered on helping people and improving everyday lives.
My first meaningful glimpse into governance came during high school in my hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where I served on a Youth Council program that worked directly with the city council. That early involvement introduced me to the mechanics of local government and set the trajectory for my professional path.
I believe a community cannot be built through mandates or rigid programming. Instead, it emerges when residents are empowered to meaningfully participate in their town’s life.
After graduating from high school, I attended community college and earned associate degrees in history and political science, before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in History at Missouri State University. I later completed a Master of Public Administration with a certificate in Local Government Management. These academic pursuits reinforced my interest in the operational and structural aspects of governance.
During my graduate studies, an internship with the Village of Indian Point,
Missouri—where I directly reported to the village manager— provided clear exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of municipal leadership. Shortly after graduation, I accepted an offer to become the first-ever deputy town manager of Somerset, Maryland and moved to the DC area. When my predecessor left, I stepped into the Town Manager role, a position I have held since April 2024.
The Scope of Municipal Leadership
As Town Manager, I serve as both the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Somerset. Budget drafting, annual audits and coordination with financial professionals underscore the financial stewardship embedded in the role.
I oversee a wide range of responsibilities, from essential daily services to long-term capital projects. Routine municipal functions such as trash collection, recycling, composting, snow and leaf removal and maintenance of parks, pools and recreational facilities fall under my purview. Alongside, my duties cover larger initiatives like bridge renovations, infrastructure upgrades, community development projects and town events.
This year, Somerset marks its 120th anniversary, along with celebrating its first-ever Charter Day celebration honoring the town’s founding charter. Both events fall under my oversight.
My role also requires close coordination with elected officials, where I act as the liaison between the mayor and the town council. I’m also responsible for multiple direct reports, comprising full-time employees, hourly consultants and contractors.
Yet the most defining part of the job is human, not administrative. I regularly stay connected with residents through daily in-person conversations, emails and phone calls. I also remain available to handle emergency situations after hours, whether addressing fallen trees, gas leaks or water main breaks. This breadth of responsibility reflects the multifaceted nature of local governance.
Building Communities through Empowerment
I believe a community cannot be built through mandates or rigid programming. Instead, it emerges when residents are empowered to meaningfully participate in their town’s life.
In practice, broader governance structures can often hinder community-building efforts. Somerset’s proximity to Washington, D.C., puts it in a uniquely sensitive position, where federal decisions often create direct ripple effects. Policies and economic shifts often filter through Montgomery County before reaching the town, requiring local leaders to remain vigilant, adaptive and creative in their responses.
Simultaneously, the accelerated rhythm of contemporary life can make cultivating a shared sense of community increasingly challenging.
To address these realities, Somerset has intentionally encouraged deeper resident involvement. Numerous town committees and working groups exemplify this philosophy in action. Residents collaborate to organize newcomer welcome events, pool gatherings and milestone celebrations. Signature traditions, including Halloween parades and ice-cream socials, continue to grow in popularity because individuals step forward with their time, energy and creativity.
Resident-led committees support everything from the municipal swim team—the Somerset Dolphins, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026—to youth entrepreneurial markets and commemorative events for Independence Day, Earth Day and Arbor Day. Seasonal celebrations, decorating contests and neighborhood gatherings further strengthen social bonds and civic pride.
This consistent investment in resident-centered initiatives earned Somerset the Maryland Municipal League’s Municipal Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Engagement in October 2025. The defining factor behind this success is our ability to identify residents who are already passionate about their town and provide them with the structure and support needed to thrive. Their enthusiasm becomes contagious, generating a sense of collective ownership that brings community initiatives to life.
Technology as an Enabler of Governance Innovation
While community engagement forms one pillar of Somerset’s town leadership model, technological modernization forms another. Our philosophy toward innovation centers on increasing satisfaction and service accessibility without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Among the more recent challenges I have identified is the rapid emergence of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Rather than resisting these developments, Somerset has adopted a balanced stance of innovating where technology can enhance services, while avoiding overreliance.
An example is the AI-driven database and search bar function on the town’s official website. The tool enables residents to quickly and independently access information, reducing administrative friction while improving transparency. An online permitting system to transition traditionally paper-based processes into digital formats is also underway, improving efficiency for both staff and residents.
Additional initiatives include the launch of a mobile application designed to centralize information, enable service requests and provide project-tracking transparency. Plans to implement emergency communication technologies that distribute alerts via text or phone notifications during urgent situations are also in the works.
Paying close attention to emerging tech developments while identifying what can genuinely add value and what may not is key to striking a thoughtful balance. This measured approach led Somerset to receive its first-everMunicipal Achievement Award from the Maryland Municipal League in November 2024 for Excellence in eGovernance.
Town Leadership Rooted in Engagement and Adaptability
Looking back on my journey, I have discovered that municipal leaders need to engage deeply with the community they serve. Genuine collaboration with residents often determines whether initiatives such as community events and civic programs succeed or stagnate.
Equally important is adaptability and openness to change. Whether embracing new ideas from residents and elected officials or evaluating emerging technologies, leaders must ensure that governance remains aligned with contemporary needs rather than anchored in past assumptions.
Beyond policies or infrastructure, effective local governance is a byproduct of relationships and responsiveness. Communities truly thrive when people feel empowered to shape the place they call home.
