UMD Tabs Lenzer to Create Innovation-Based Economic Development Efforts
The University of Maryland (UMD) has appointed Julie Lenzer, former executive director of the Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship, as associate vice president for economic development. She also will serve as director of UM Ventures–College Park, in the university’s Division of Research.
Lenzer joins UMD after a two-year appointment at the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, where she was director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. She launched the Regional Innovation Strategies program, recently recognized as one of President Barack Obama’s Top 10 Actions to Accelerate American Entrepreneurship.
MedStar Harbor Elects Board Chair, Members
The MedStar Harbor Hospital Board of Directors has elected Thomas Geddes, CEO of Plank Industries, the investment firm that oversees the Plank family’s investments and philanthropic contributions, to board chairman.
Two others also joined the board: Sen. Bill Ferguson, who is in his second term as state senator for Maryland’s 46th legislative district; and business executive Alex Dixon, vice president and assistant general manager of Horseshoe Casino, in Baltimore.
Forbes Passes on Responsibility to Cullen at Fort Meade
The duty of serving as the senior noncommissioned officer of Fort Meade has passed from Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell Forbes to Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Cullen, in the recent change of responsibility ceremony at the McGill Training Center. Cullen comes to the installation from his previous assignment at Schofiled Barracks, Hawaii. He has deployed in support of Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Irani Graduates From Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland has announced that Daraius Irani, vice president of the division of innovation and applied research at Towson University, recently completed the professional development program Leadership Maryland. Irani, a resident of Ellicott City, was one of 49 applicants chosen for the program.
Leahy Returns as City Attorney
Mayor Michael Pantelides has announced that Michael Leahy will be returning to the City of Annapolis as city attorney. Leahy had been serving as senior adviser to Gov. Larry Hogan and was the director of real property strategies since June.
BHC Hires Social Media Account Executive
Bonnie Heneson Communications (BHC) has hired Alex Duncan as a social media account executive. Duncan specializes in social media community management and works with BHC clients to develop and execute social media and online marketing strategies.
Designer Audiology Doctor to Head ADA
Designer Audiology, of Highland, has announced that Dr. Alicia D.D. Spoor is the incoming president-elect of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). Spoor will assume the role of president in 2018, when she will lead the 1,400-member organization.
Champion’s Connelly Cited for Kids’ Site
Jennifer Connelly, a Realtor with Champion Realty, has been voted Best Realtor in the Macaroni Kid Annapolis Gold Daisy contest of “local businesses that make parents’ lives easier.” Macaroni Kid Annapolis is a website and email newsletter that provides tips, news and event listings for parents and children.
CAC Names Owad Makerspace Coordinator
The Chesapeake Arts Center (CAC) has announced the hiring of Liana Owad as its makerspace coordinator. Owad is a sculptor from York, Pa., and earned her MFA in 2014 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). In 2015, she established and developed the makerspace at UNL, Nebraska Innovation Studio.
USRA Names King VP, Human Resources
The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has appointed Paula King as vice president, human resources. She had served as senior vice president at NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that supports community development in the United States.
Thomas Joins TEDCO
Tammi Thomas has joined the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) as vice president for marketing. Previously, Thomas served as chief of staff to the president, and director of university relations and marketing, at Bowie State University.
Koffel Awarded by Alma Mater
William Koffel, president of Koffel Associates, Columbia, was awarded the Glenn L. Martin Medal from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, in recognition of his significant professional achievements and exceptional service to the Clark School. He is a 1979 graduate of the university.
Perry Joins MacKenzie
MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services has announced that Allison Perry has joined its brokerage division as a real estate adviser. She will be focusing primarily on building tenant and landlord relations throughout the I-95 Corridor. Prior to joining MacKenzie, she worked for the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) as government affairs manager.
Austing Leads EA Commercial Real Estate Group
Senior Adviser Tom Austing has been hired to lead EA Commercial Real Estate’s Government and Contractors Leasing Group. He joined the group to continue his 20-year focus of supporting the dynamic growth of young and middle market government contractors within the Baltimore-Washington region.
Beeman Joins Maryland Chamber
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has hired Monica Beeman as director of growth and development. Beeman joins the chamber from Crofton Country Club, where she was director of membership.