ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The new secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has been confirmed by the Senate Executive Nominations Committee.

The department announced Thursday that Dominick Murray will be sworn in by Gov. Martin O’Malley on Feb. 21 in Annapolis.

Murray has worked on business development and job growth with O’Malley for more than 10 years. Murray led Baltimore’s economic development efforts when O’Malley was the city’s mayor.

Murray joined DBED in 2007. He has served as the department’s deputy secretary since 2009.

The department focuses on attracting new jobs to the state and encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies.

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