The world’s most competitive economies do not happen by accident. They are built through collaboration and the shared commitment of strategic partners to create the conditions for growth and opportunity. That is what we are doing in Montgomery County, Maryland.
As President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), I have the privilege of leading a team focused on supporting Maryland’s largest county by population, and highest generator of state revenue, as a top destination for companies in high-growth industries of every size. From startups to global corporations, we are nurturing an ecosystem where innovation thrives, and top talent shapes the future.
Montgomery County has been the birthplace of countless breakthroughs: from mapping of the human genome to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, to advancements in clean nuclear energy, xenotransplantation, tree vaccines, and so many others. These achievements not only reflect the caliber of work happening here, but the ongoing innovations that will continue to spin out of companies located here for decades to come.
My experience in economic development has taught me that talent is the key to growth. Montgomery County has one of the most educated and diverse workforces in the nation. More than one million people call the county home, and over one-third of residents speak a language other than English. More than one-third of adults aged 25 and older hold advanced degrees, and Maryland has the nation’s second-highest concentration of Ph.Ds. It is no coincidence that global leaders such as Lockheed Martin, AstraZeneca, and Marriott International have chosen to be located here.
From quantum computing and artificial intelligence, to defense, aerospace, satellite communications, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences, Montgomery County has an ecosystem where ideas can move from concept to execution at scale. Our proximity to federal agencies and leading research institutions creates unparalleled opportunities for partnership and growth. At the same time, the County’s exceptional quality of life offers a welcoming community with the best of urban, suburban, and rural living. Nested a few minutes within the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., Montgomery County offers residents more than 400 local parks, top-ranked public schools, strong transit access, and award-winning restaurants, entertainment, and cultural destinations.
As the County’s official economic development organization, we rally businesses, industry leaders, academic institutions, and local and state government partners together around a shared vision for job creation and economic prosperity. I am energized by the momentum building across Montgomery County’s business ecosystem. By working as one team in service of all Montgomery County communities, we will continue to strengthen our role as an epicenter of innovation and a destination where the brightest minds come to build what’s next.
