Howard County hires manager to build local tech sector

BYLINE: Scott Dance

The Howard County Economic Development Authority has hired Linda L. Burger to draw high technology research and businesses to the area.

Burger, named Howard's technology manager, previously did similar work for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, consulting with startups and emerging companies there. She also worked with U.S. Army researchers at Fort Detrick and the Maryland Technology Development Corp. to help encourage commercialization of technology developed at the base.

She is also a successful tech businesswoman herself, co-founding and operating consulting firm BEInet.com .

"Linda's knowledge of technology transfer and the technology organizations in the state of Maryland will be a tremendous asset to the region," Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said in a statement.

Burger will be the first to take on the newly created role designed to build the technology community in the county, Ulman said.

She will focus on technology transfer and also identify companies to draw to doing business in the county, officials said.