The evening of Jan. 24, during the 29th Annual Maryland Policy & Leadership Dinner, the Technology Council of Maryland (TCM), of Rockville, and the Annapolis-based Chesapeake Regional Tech Council (CRTC) announced a merger of the organizations. It is designed to expand and regionalize Maryland’s technology and life science hubs, while creating a consistent, unified voice for the industries statewide and a platform to attract more companies and leverage synergies.

The councils have rebranded as the Maryland Tech Council (MTC), with the new visual identity also unveiled during the dinner. The merger will provide the combined organization with a stronger influential legislative presence, as it will now represent more than 250,000 Maryland voters.

Former CRTC Executive Director Tami Howie has been named CEO of the MTC. “We are now the largest tech association in the state, with over 650 thriving life science and technology members,” said Howie. “I will work diligently to address the needs of the members, and — with their help — will position Maryland as a top U.S. technology and life science center.”

“The formation of the Maryland Tech Council, by this merger, represents the tremendous collaboration and desire to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the Maryland business community,” said CRTC Chairman Jason Silva, president and CTO of Annapolis-based ByteGrid. “I am excited to help drive the growth, and I am very pleased that Tami will continue the leadership that she has so capably delivered for the CRTC board and stakeholders.”