The Montgomery County Planning Board sets policy on parks and planning issues, prepares master plans for County Council action, and acts as the final decision-maker in subdivision reviews and for site, sketch and project plans. The Board makes recommendations to the County Council, the Board of Appeals, the school system, and other local, county, state, and federal agencies on projects affecting land use. The Planning Board reviews and makes recommendations on the County’s Capital Improvements Program, reviews and approves land acquisitions and major park development contracts, and approves plans to develop park facilities.Gerald Cichy worked at the Maryland Transit Administration/Maryland Department of Transportation on projects such as the Corridor Cities Transitway, Purple Line light rail system and regional transit-oriented developments. From 1979 to 1984, he was director of transportation for Montgomery County and collaborated with federal, state and county agencies as well as developer and citizen groups to solve mutual problems. During his tenure, Gerald Cichy worked with Planning Department staff to coordinate implementation of master plan transportation projects. Among Gerald Cichy’s achievements is a patent for a bus rapid transit vehicle with doors directly opening to transit platforms. He is a recipient of the Federal Transit Administration’s “Innovative Idea Award” for a 200-mile bus rapid transit system supplementing the Metrorail system in the Washington, DC region. In 2016, he graduated from the Senior Leadership Montgomery program. Gerald Cichy holds master degrees in both city and regional planning, and civil engineering from Catholic University. The Rockville resident has lived in Montgomery County for nearly 50 years.