Peter Pantzer

Peter Pantzer, Chief of Staff
Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families

Pete Pantzer has served the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families since May 2014, most recently as Chief of Staff, a position to which he was appointed by Secretary Anthony Woods in July 2023.  From 2014 to 2023, Pete was Director of Finance and Administration, responsible for budgeting, audits, fiscal closeout, procurement, accounting, and personnel administration. 

Prior to moving from Minnesota to Maryland with his family in 2014, Pete’s career included financial, administrative, training, and systems roles in New Hampshire, suburban Chicago, northern California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, in manufacturing, distribution, information technology, and non-profit organizations.  From 2002 through 2008, Pete worked for an international non-profit doing development and construction work in countries affected by war and natural disaster; his assignments included living in Tajikistan for a year as well as short-term roles in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Southern Sudan.  He earned his MBA from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2010.

Pete thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of leading DVMF’s fiscal unit for nine years.  He saw that unit’s mission as one of service to DVMF’s staff on the front lines serving Maryland’s veterans.  As Chief of Staff, his role is to support leadership’s initiatives to reach veterans and military families even more effectively while identifying ways to promote a culture of sustainability and employee well-being within the Department of Veterans & Military Families.

Pete lives with his wife Amy and four young sons in Baltimore.  He loves to write, to hike and to spend time in nature either alone or with his family.