Peerless Rockville Executive Director Resigns

After five years leading the charge of safeguarding Rockville’s past, Peerless Rockville's Mary van Balgooy has announced her resignation.

At the end of the year, van Balgooy’s will step down as executive director of Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation to take an executive director position with the Society of Women Geographers, a nonprofit with an office in Washington, DC. 

She made the announcement during the Rockville City Council’s regular meeting Monday night. 

“I will continue to be apart of this community and will continue to fight for what is best for our city,” van Balgooy said.

Peerless Rockville is a nonprofit concerned with safeguarding the city’s heritage. Van Balgooy was named executive director of the organization in 2008, according to published news accounts.

Eileen McGuckian will serve as interim executive director, van Balgooy said.

Councilwoman Virgina Onley said van Balgooy would be missed.

“It’s definitely Rockville’s loss,” said Onley, who has served on the Peerless board of directors.

Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton wished van Balgooy luck.