Diane Fouché for Frederick County

About Diane Fouché…

My story…

I’m originally from Weedville, Pennsylvania — a small, rural town in elk country. It was beautiful. It was tight-knit. But we were poor. Not hopeless — but trailer-living, kerosene-heating, one-income kind of poor. What we had was faith, family, and community. That foundation shaped me. It taught me resilience, gratitude, and personal responsibility.

I couldn’t afford college, but was determined to go. Student loans at 9.9% interest?  Yes.  It took nearly 30 years to pay them off. I went home after graduating, but jobs were scarce. My father told me there were two kinds of jobs in my hometown: factory jobs and good factory jobs. Neither would cover my loans.

So, I made a decision. I moved to Maryland with no job and no money. A cousin helped me with gas. I slept at a friend’s. Within a year, I had steady work, a car, and a rented room right here in Frederick County. I built my life the way many of you have — one step at a time.

I eventually found my calling in public procurement. No child grows up dreaming of becoming a procurement officer, but I quickly learned something important: procurement is the backbone of government. Nothing happens without it. Every school built, every park improved, every public safety contract awarded — it all flows through a transparent, competitive, legal process.

Procurement is where promises become reality — or don’t, depending on the politician.

I began with Montgomery County Public Schools, helping teachers stretch tight budgets. Later, I became Assistant Director of Purchasing for Howard County. There, I learned executive leadership — how to build teams, implement financial systems, strengthen minority business programs, and create accountability in spending.

Then came the opportunity of a lifetime: Director of Procurement & Contracting for Frederick County.

For 13 years, I served as the County’s chief procurement officer. I led through charter government transition, developed greater oversight in expenditure, directed risk management, updated 40-year-old procurement legislation, and was the signatory on thousands of contracts worth millions of taxpayer dollars.

If you want someone who understands where your money goes — I do. Intimately.

I have seen which political promises are real and which are campaign slogans. I understand the mechanics of government at the executive level — funding streams, compliance requirements, negotiation frameworks, vendor accountability, and long-term risk.

But my life hasn’t just been professional growth.

During my career, I became a mother to two incredible daughters. I also faced the heartbreak of addiction in my first marriage. After years of sobriety, my then-husband relapsed and left. I faced violence, 911 calls, courtrooms, and the fear that comes when addiction invades a home. I became a single mother of two young girls with no support. Then the housing bubble burst. My mortgage nearly doubled and my home was in foreclosure.

That was not the life I had planned. But leadership is forged in adversity. I made the decision to protect my children, rebuild, and move forward. I worked. I persevered. I leaned on faith and community.

Later, I married a steady, supportive man who adopted my daughters as his own. We were blessed with a son and built our forever home in Thurmont. We planted roots. We healed. We built stability. We added a few hundred birds. (Ask me about our bird farm!) We added some bees, too. And stray cats? We’ve got ’em!

Through it all, I never stopped serving Frederick County.

I worked directly with small and local businesses, teaching them how to compete for government contracts. I negotiated disputes and built win-win solutions. I ensured funding was available before projects moved forward. I fought for transparency because taxpayers deserve to see where every dollar goes.

What 25 years in government taught me:

• Good government requires discipline.
• Leadership requires courage.
• Transparency requires intention.
• Accountability requires action.

I never thought about being a politician. I was content protecting the integrity of your tax dollars. But when I see leadership gaps, I don’t complain — I step up.  And when I saw flagrant abuse, I spoke out.

Frederick County deserves a leader who understands how government actually works. A leader who respects taxpayers. A leader who listens and then acts. A leader who values fiscal stewardship, transparency, and community input.

No silver-spoon here. I’ve worked for everything. I understand struggle. I understand responsibility. And I understand government operations at the highest level.

Frederick is an extraordinary place — its history, its people, its geography, and growing communities. My family is proud to call it home.

Voters deserve to know the character of the person asking for their trust.

I am a servant leader. I am a fiscal steward. And same as you…  I’ve experienced poor road planning, overcrowded schools, overwhelmed infrastructure, and uncontrolled growth.  I’ve felt the tax increases and noticed a reduction in services.  And I’ve heard leadership offer more empty promises of future solutions.  I’ve witnessed inaction.  Frederick needs community-led growth, preservation of our ideals, and transparency in leadership. 

I am running for County Executive because Frederick County deserves leadership that is experienced, transparent, and accountable.

I would be honored to earn your vote – and bring action to your voice.

Wish you knew more details? Diane’s proud of her story and happy to share!