A former state labor secretary and U.S. Department of Labor official is set to take over Baltimore County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Thursday nominated Leonard Howie III to the post, saying in a statement that he “brings an impressive track record and the passion we need to support our families and businesses and continue building our economy.”
Howie was named secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation in 2012 and served during the final three years of former Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration. His appointment came after stints as deputy secretary of operations for the Maryland Department of Human Resources and deputy labor secretary from 2007 to 2011. Pending approval from the Baltimore County Council, Howie will fill a vacancy left by Will Anderson, who resigned at the end of July after seven years as county economic development director. Howie will be tasked with continuing the county’s economic momentum from the last decade — including workforce development and business recruitment and retention efforts — as well as helping the jurisdiction recover from the economic crisis ushered in by Covid-19.
