Former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden has died. Hayden was county executive from 1990 to1994 and was the last Republican to hold that position. 

Hayden also served twice on the county board of education, from 1974 to1987 and again from 2017 until his death. 

Hayden was 74.

School Superintendent Darryl Williams said in a statement that they benefited from Hayden’s depth of knowledge of Baltimore County government and schools. 

“The nearly 15 years that he spent on the school board are only part of his substantial legacy in the community,” Williams said. “We join his family in celebrating his life and achievements.”

Board member Cheryl Pasteur said, “Roger was truly a champion of children and worked tirelessly for the needs of all students in Baltimore County Public Schools.”

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, a Republican, said Hayden’s election as county executive in 1990 ushered in a two-party system in the county.

“He kept his promises to cut county spending, which proved unpopular but established the tone of fiscal discipline that endured in Baltimore County for decades,” Marks said.

Hayden handily defeated Democratic incumbent County Executive Dennis Rasmussen but then four years later lost his re-election bid to Democrat C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.

According to the Baltimore County Public Schools website, Hayden’s career was in finance, operations, facilities management and transportation. When he died, he was president of The Hayden Consulting Group, which specializes in business and organizational issues.