Hogan Names Secretary For New Maryland Commerce Department

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Larry Hogan has named Mike Gill to be the first secretary of the new Maryland Department of Commerce.

The Republican governor made the announcement Thursday.

The new department is the result of a reorganization of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, which Gill has led since January. The change is the result of legislation passed earlier this year, based on a recommendation from a state commission led by former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine.

The new agency will focus on attracting, retaining and expanding businesses in the state to create jobs. The Hogan administration says the department also will put a renewed focus on better serving the diverse industries and geographic regions of the state.

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