Maryland Code, Environment § 15-202

The Secretary shall appoint the Director of the Bureau of Mines who shall serve at the Secretary's pleasure. The Director shall have executive ability and either a degree in mining engineering from an accredited institution of higher education or comparable knowledge in the principles and practices of mining, planning, design, conservation, and research, and experience in reclamation, abandoned mine restoration, drainage abatement, and administration. The Director shall devote full time to the duties of the Director’s office, and may not directly or indirectly have a financial interest in any way in any coal mine, mining operation, or mining investment in this or any contiguous state. The Director is responsible for the exercise of every power and duty conferred on the Department by the provisions of this title and delegated to the Director by the Secretary.