Economic development chief picked in Baltimore County

Posted: 1:23 pm Tue, May 10, 2011
By Melody Simmons
Daily Record Business Writer

A former high-level economic development official in New York and Pennsylvania has been named to lead Baltimore County’s Office of Economic Development.

Daniel C. Gundersen was named Tuesday as director of economic development in the county by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. The move completes Kamenetz’s executive leadership team.

Gundersen is senior advisor for Philadelphia-based Econsult Corp. Before that, he was commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development, where he focused on job growth and attracting corporate offices in upstate New York.

He also has served as executive deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and as a consultant to the White House Task Force on disaster recovery related to last year’s BP oil spill, assessing short- and long-term economic growth strategies for Gulf communities.

“His incredible track record of success up and down the east coast is very exciting,” Kamenetz said in a statement. “He respects and understands the very important role that the private sector plays in our economy. That was very important to me. He also understands that these are very difficult economic times, and that his challenge will be to attract and retain businesses at a time when the Baltimore County government must be innovative, responsible, and efficient. I am confident that he is up to the challenge.”

Gundersen, whose nomination for the post at an annual salary of $185,000 will be considered by the County Council next month, also served as Maryland’s assistant secretary for business development from 2000-2003. He will serve as interim economic development chief until his nomination is approved, Kamenetz said.

“The county executive’s vision for targeted economic development is very exciting, and I look forward to becoming a member of the team that will move that vision forward,” Gundersen said.

“What really grabbed my attention is that County Executive Kamenetz is consolidating workforce and economic development efforts. This is a clear message to the business community that he understands how to leverage economic growth.”

Gundersen is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master’s degree in government administration. He also attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program on global strategy. Gundersen serves on the board of the International Economic Development Council.