Johannson named new DBED secretary
Christian Johansson, the former president and chief executive officer of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, was nominated Friday by Gov. Martin O’Malley as the new secretary of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development.
Johansson joins DBED from Continental Equity, a private equity firm in Baltimore, where as managing director he focused on investing in diversely owned companies and teams.
Johansson, who must be confirmed by the Senate, would succeed former DBED Secretary David Edgerley, who announced in December he would leave the post at the end of January to pursue other opportunities in the private sector.
Johannson has written columns for The Examiner touting the Baltimore area’s economic viability.
“I look forward to working with Governor O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Brown as we work to keep Maryland competitive in the global economy at this critical point in the State’s history,” Johansson said in a statement.
Wilson to succeed Lawless as McCormick chairman
Robert Lawless, McCormick & Co.’s chairman of the board, will retire effective March 25. Alan Wilson, McCormick’s president and chief executive officer, will succeed Lawless.
Lawless retired as McCormick’s CEO in January 2008.
Lawless was employed by McCormick for more than 30 years before his retirement as CEO. He remained chairman following his retirement and has provided advice and support to Wilson.
During his 15-year career with McCormick, Wilson has served as president of several major business units and was chief operating officer prior to being appointed CEO last January.
“We have a new team of executive leaders who have been developed and promoted from within,” Lawless said in a statement. “I consider our succession planning process at the executive level a key part of my legacy and an essential part of success for any organization in these challenging times.” – Compiled by Andrew Cannarsa
