Berkeley County Commission elects Eddie Gochenour president, Steve Catlett vice president

The Berkeley County Commission elected Eddie Gochenour president and Steve Catlett vice president at its Jan. 2, 2025, organizational meeting and administered the oaths of office for both positions.

The commission opened nominations for president and moved to nominate Eddie Gochenour. After nominations were closed, commissioners voted by voice and the motion carried. County staff administered the oath of office to Gochenour. Later in the meeting, the commission nominated and confirmed Steve Catlett as vice president and Catlett was sworn in.

The reorganization included public thank-yous to outgoing leadership. Commissioner Whitaker thanked outgoing President Woodard for his two years of service. Commissioners also announced changes in committee assignments: Commissioner Hardy will assume most of Commissioner Barnhart’s board and commission appointments except the planning commission; Commissioner Whitaker will assume the solid waste authority appointment currently held by Barnhart. The commission said it will follow up on a possible reassignment for the library board due to scheduling conflicts.

The votes to elect Gochenour and Catlett were taken by voice; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the minutes.

The new officers will lead the commission’s business through the coming year and the body said staff will check with state authorities about a Chesapeake Bay watershed appointment previously held by Jim Barnhart before making a formal reassignment.

The meeting also included routine business and other items detailed separately.