Montgomery County chief names economic development director

BYLINE: Joe Coombs

A Maryland economics expert has been tapped to head up the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development.

Pradeep Ganguly, who most recently was deputy director of the Prince George's County departments of environmental resources and public works and transportation, was named to the Montgomery post by newly-elected County Executive Ike Leggett.

Ganguly, 59, replaces David Edgerley, who wasn't retained by Leggett. Edgerley had worked for 12 years as director of the county's economic development department. He's considered a potential pick by Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley to head the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

Before his Prince George's position, Ganguly spent nine years as chief economist and director of the Maryland Office of Business and Economic Research. While there, he was chief analyst of the state's major incentive and investment projects and also served as the department's lead spokesman.

Ganguly has written numerous reports centered on business taxes in Maryland, the defense contractor industry and other topics. He has a master's in economics from the Delhi School of Economics and a doctorate in applied economics from Clemson University.

Since 1992, Ganguly has been a member of the adjunct faculty in the School of Business at the University of Maryland-University College, Bowie State University and Prince George's Community College.

Montgomery County's economic development department is the largest such agency in Greater Washington, with a budget of about $10 million.