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Rich Bendis to Represent BioHealth Innovation and the BioHealth Capital Region at the 2026 BIO International Convention in San Diego

By News

Rich Bendis, Founder, President, and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), and host of the Global BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, will represent BHI and the BioHealth Capital Region at the 2026 BIO International Convention, June 22–24 at the San Diego Convention Center. Throughout the convention, he will meet with companies, investors, and ecosystem leaders to showcase the region’s momentum as one of the country’s fastest-growing life sciences hubs.

Bendis will be available throughout the convention to discuss the BioHealth Capital Region, its proximity to NIH, FDA, and the nation’s top federal research agencies, its deep academic and clinical talent base, and the growing pipeline of commercial-stage and emerging life sciences companies calling the region home.

BHI has spent almost 15 years helping entrepreneurs, research institutions, federal programs, and early-stage funders move promising science closer to market, through technology commercialization, non-dilutive funding strategy, investor readiness, and hands-on entrepreneurial support.

BHI has created a world-class Entrepreneur-in-Residence program used by several federal agencies, university tech transfer offices, and entrepreneurs to deliver personalized commercialization support.

To connect with Rich Bendis at BIO International Convention, reach him at rbendis@biohealthinnovation.org to schedule a meeting at the Maryland Pavilion, Booth No. 4835.

About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) is an innovation intermediary that translates market-relevant research into commercial success by connecting management, funding, and markets. BHI supports BioHealth entrepreneurs, companies, research institutions, and federal partners through commercialization guidance, entrepreneur-in-residence support, non-dilutive funding assistance, investor connections, and regional ecosystem development. https://biohealthinnovation.org/

BioFactura’s CDMO Evolution: Jeffrey Hausfeld and Darryl Sampey on Capitol Biologics

By BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, News

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Jeffrey N. Hausfeld, M.D., Chairman of the Board and Chief Medical Officer of BioFactura Inc., and Darryl Sampey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Capitol Biologics, join the conversation to discuss the launch of Capitol Biologics as BioFactura’s CDMO division.

Jeff and Darryl explain how BioFactura’s experience building biologics development and clinical manufacturing capabilities created the foundation for a more personalized CDMO model. The discussion explores the gap Capitol Biologics is designed to fill for emerging biotech companies that need integrated development support, scientific depth, analytical expertise, phase-appropriate quality, and early GMP manufacturing without being pushed into a large commercial-scale CDMO model too soon.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://apple.co/49JR1g9
Spotify: https://bit.ly/43lHhoS
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/4aCvEh5
Amazon: https://amzn.to/49KKcLg
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4odMJDH

The conversation also highlights what biotech CEOs and CMC leaders should consider before choosing a CDMO partner, including developability assessment, cell line and process development, analytical characterization, quality systems, cost of goods, regulatory readiness, and timing. Jeff and Darryl also discuss the growing importance of U.S.-based biologics development and manufacturing capacity, especially for emerging biotech and government-aligned programs.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Jeffrey N. Hausfeld, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., is a physician entrepreneur, biotechnology executive, investor, and healthcare innovator whose career spans clinical medicine, life sciences, healthcare real estate development, and entrepreneurial leadership. A graduate of Yale University School of Medicine and recipient of an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Hausfeld is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at George Washington University and has been actively involved in national medical societies and healthcare leadership organizations for more than four decades. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Medical Officer of BioFactura Inc., Chairman of Capitol Biologics, and Chairman and Co-Founder of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs. His work focuses on advancing healthcare innovation, biotechnology commercialization, physician entrepreneurship, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies that improve patient care.

Darryl Sampey, Ph.D., is a biopharmaceutical executive and company builder with more than 30 years of experience advancing biologics from discovery through clinical development and commercial manufacturing. He co-founded BioFactura in 2004 and has guided the company from start-up through incubator stages into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical product development and clinical manufacturing company. At BioFactura, he has raised more than $90 million in non-dilutive and strategic funding, built cGMP manufacturing capabilities, and led development of novel therapeutics, biodefense medical countermeasures, biosimilars, and cell therapies. Dr. Sampey is an inventor of the VeriCyte™ Discovery and StableFast™ Biomanufacturing Platforms and previously held process development and manufacturing leadership roles at Human Genome Sciences and North American Vaccine.

NIHFCU President and CEO, and BHI Board Member, Rick Wieczorek Named 2026 CEO of the Year by MD|DC Credit Union Association

By News

Rick Wieczorek, President and CEO of the NIH Federal Credit Union and a member of the BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Board of Directors, has been named 2026 CEO of the Year by the MD|DC Credit Union Association.

The award recognizes Wieczorek’s leadership of NIHFCU through a period of growth, operational change, industry disruption, and continued service to members across the region’s healthcare and biomedical communities. Since becoming CEO in 2013, he has helped guide NIHFCU through major technology and service initiatives, including a core conversion, expanded digital banking capabilities, online account opening, and enhancements to lending systems.

NIHFCU, based in Rockville, Maryland, serves more than 40,000 members and has assets of more than $820 million. The credit union primarily supports the Washington, D.C. region’s healthcare and biomedical industries, making its mission closely aligned with the broader BioHealth Capital Region ecosystem.

“Rick’s leadership has been felt not only at NIHFCU, but across the broader regional community,” said Rich Bendis, Founder, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. “As a member of the BHI Board of Directors, Rick brings a thoughtful, mission-driven perspective that reflects his commitment to helping people, organizations, and communities succeed. We are pleased to congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

Under Wieczorek’s leadership, NIHFCU has also received several “best place to work” awards and was recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Credit Unions in America for 2026. The MD|DC Credit Union Association also highlighted his service as a former Association Board Chair and his steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BHI congratulates Rick Wieczorek and the NIH Federal Credit Union team on this recognition and thanks Rick for his continued leadership and service to the BioHealth Capital Region.

Read the original announcement here: https://www.mddccua.org/2026/06/association-names-nih-fcu-ceo-rick-wieczorek-2026-ceo-of-the-year/

Registration Now Open for the 2026 BioHealth Capital Region Forum and Investment Conference

By News

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Forum and BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference, taking place September 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2026, at US Pharmacopeia (USP) in Rockville, Maryland.

This year’s BioHealth Capital Region Week theme, “Growing the BioHealth Capital Region of Tomorrow,” reflects the region’s continued focus on collaboration, commercialization, investment, and leadership during a time of change and opportunity across the biohealth ecosystem.

The BioHealth Capital Region Forum will be held September 15th and 16th and will bring together leaders from industry, academia, government, investment, and entrepreneurship for two days of high-level discussion, regional updates, thought leadership, and networking. The Forum continues to serve as a central gathering point for the people, companies, institutions, and public-sector partners helping shape the future of biohealth across Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and beyond.

Attendees can expect conversations focused on the region’s growth, the future of biohealth innovation, investment trends, commercialization pathways, infrastructure, talent, artificial intelligence, public-private collaboration, and the forces shaping the next chapter of the BioHealth Capital Region.

Register for the Forum here:
https://bit.ly/BHCRWEEK2026

Important Registration Note: Attendees who want to participate in both the BioHealth Capital Region Forum and the BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference must register for each event separately.

The Investment Conference uses a separate registration process because it is designed around company-investor engagement. Companies seeking investment and investors looking to meet with emerging biohealth companies are asked to provide additional information that helps support company visibility, investor review, partnering, and more targeted connections throughout the day.

The BioHealth Capital Region Investment Conference will take place on Thursday, September 17th. This focused program brings together investors, entrepreneurs, emerging biohealth companies, strategic partners, and ecosystem leaders for a day centered on capital formation, company presentations, networking, and meaningful business development opportunities.

Companies developing new technologies across therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, AI-enabled biohealth, research tools, and other areas of life sciences innovation are encouraged to register. Investors looking to connect with promising companies from across the region and beyond should also sign up through the Investment Conference registration page.

Register for the Investment Conference here:
https://bit.ly/BHCRIC2026

Applications are also now being accepted for the BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition, which returns as part of BioHealth Capital Region Week. The Crab Trap Competition highlights promising early-stage biohealth companies and gives selected entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch live in front of experienced investors, industry leaders, subject matter experts, and regional ecosystem partners. The BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition will take place on Wednesday, September 16th.

Five finalists will be selected to present during BioHealth Capital Region Week. Each finalist will deliver a seven-minute company presentation, followed by a three-minute question-and-answer session with the judges. Prize details, including cash and services, will be announced soon.

Apply for the Crab Trap Competition here:
https://bit.ly/CrabTrap2026

BioHealth Capital Region Week continues to be one of the region’s most important gatherings for advancing collaboration, showcasing innovation, and connecting the people and organizations building the future of biohealth. Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, researcher, executive, public-sector leader, service provider, or ecosystem partner, this is a key opportunity to be part of the conversation and the connections that will shape what comes next.

Register now and join us September 15th, 16th, and 17th at USP in Rockville, Maryland.

BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition Now Accepting Applications

By News

Applications are now being accepted for the BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition, returning as part of the 12th Annual BioHealth Capital Region Week, taking place September 15, 16, and 17, 2026, at US Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland. Apply today at https://bit.ly/CrabTrap2026.

The Crab Trap Competition highlights promising early-stage biohealth companies developing new technologies, products, and solutions across therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, research tools, and other areas of life sciences innovation. Each year, the competition gives selected entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their companies in front of experienced investors, industry leaders, subject matter experts, and regional ecosystem partners.

Five finalists will be selected to pitch live during BioHealth Capital Region Week. Each finalist will deliver a seven-minute company presentation, followed by a three-minute question-and-answer session with the judges. The format gives entrepreneurs a focused opportunity to explain the problem they are solving, the strength of their technology, market opportunity, commercialization strategy, management team, funding progress, and key milestones.

The competition is open to companies preparing for growth, investment, strategic partnerships, or broader market engagement. Applicants should be ready to provide materials that may include a technology overview, market description, intellectual property landscape, competitive advantage, management structure and experience, funding to date, company milestones, financial plan, executive summary, and company presentation deck.

Prizes for this year’s competition are currently being finalized and will be announced soon. As in past years, the prize package is expected to include a combination of cash awards and professional services designed to support the winning company’s continued progress.

The Crab Trap has become a signature platform for showcasing emerging biohealth companies from across the region and beyond. Previous participants and winners include companies such as Perfusion Medical, Linshom Medical, Luminoah, Neuroene Therapeutics, Nanochon, BrainScope, Floreo, LifeSprout, and Sonavex. These companies reflect the range of innovation represented through the competition, from medical devices and digital health to tissue engineering, neurological technologies, respiratory monitoring, surgical tools, and therapeutic platforms.

For entrepreneurs, the Crab Trap offers more than a pitch opportunity. It provides visibility within one of the nation’s leading biohealth hubs, direct exposure to investors and strategic partners, and a chance to connect with leaders who can help advance promising companies toward their next stage of growth.

Companies interested in competing are encouraged to apply now at https://bit.ly/CrabTrap2026. Finalists will be selected in advance of BioHealth Capital Region Week and invited to present live during the Crab Trap Competition on September 16, 2026.

GEN Names BioHealth Capital Region a Top 3 U.S. Biopharma Cluster for Fourth Year in a Row

By News

The BioHealth Capital Region, spanning Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., has once again been named one of the nation’s Top 3 biopharma clusters by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), marking the region’s fourth consecutive year in the Top 3.

GEN’s 2026 “Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters” ranking was authored by Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at GEN, who has long tracked the growth, competition, and evolution of life sciences ecosystems across the country. Philippidis will return to the BioHealth Capital Region Forum this year to discuss GEN’s updated Top 10 list, the movement within the national rankings, and what the latest findings suggest about the future of U.S. biopharma innovation.

In the 2026 ranking, GEN places the BioHealth Capital Region at No. 3 nationally, behind only Boston/Cambridge and the San Francisco Bay Area. The full article is available here: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/top-10-u-s-biopharma-clusters-2026/

The recognition reinforces the region’s standing among the country’s strongest life sciences ecosystems and reflects the depth of its research institutions, federal assets, industry base, talent, lab infrastructure, and commercialization capacity.

Recognition carries special meaning for a region that set a public goal years ago to become a Top 3 biopharma cluster. Reaching that milestone was significant. Maintaining it for four consecutive years shows that the BioHealth Capital Region has moved beyond aspiration and into sustained national leadership.

GEN’s annual ranking evaluates U.S. biopharma clusters using five core indicators: NIH funding, venture capital funding, patents, lab space, and jobs. In the 2025 ranking, the BioHealth Capital Region ranked first nationally in biotechnology-related patents and third in both NIH funding and lab space, helping secure its Top 3 position despite broader economic and industry headwinds.

For the BioHealth Capital Region, this continued recognition by GEN is a proof point for the power of regional collaboration. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. each bring distinct strengths to the ecosystem, but the region’s national competitiveness is strongest when those assets are connected. The presence of NIH, FDA, NIST, USP, major research universities, leading health systems, established biopharma companies, emerging startups, investors, and commercialization partners gives the region a differentiated role in advancing biohealth innovation.

“Being ranked Top 3 by GEN for the fourth year in a row is a moment to celebrate across the entire BioHealth Capital Region.” Said Rich Bendis, Founder, President and CEO of BioHealth Innovation, Inc. “Congratulations to the many partners across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. who have helped make this possible, including our companies, universities, federal institutions, economic development organizations, investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem leaders. This recognition reflects years of collaboration and a shared commitment to growing one of the nation’s leading biohealth clusters.”

The 2026 GEN ranking also comes at an important moment for the industry. Cluster development is being shaped by national trends, including renewed capital activity, increased merger and acquisition activity, a revived IPO market, and continued investment in U.S.-based biomanufacturing. Those trends are highly relevant to the BioHealth Capital Region, where research strength, proximity to federal labs, manufacturing growth, and translational support continue to define the ecosystem’s value.

GEN’s 2026 Top 10 also showed movement among several other regions compared with 2025. The Top 3 remained unchanged, with Boston/Cambridge, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the BioHealth Capital Region holding their positions. Greater Philadelphia moved from No. 7 in 2025 to No. 5 in 2026, while North Carolina moved from No. 8 to No. 7. Chicagoland moved from No. 10 to No. 9. San Diego shifted from No. 5 to No. 6, Los Angeles/Orange County moved from No. 6 to No. 8, and Seattle moved from No. 9 to No. 10.

The full GEN 2026 Top 10 includes:

  1. Boston/Cambridge, MA
  2. San Francisco Bay Area
  3. BioHealth Capital Region, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
  4. New York/New Jersey
  5. Greater Philadelphia
  6. San Diego
  7. North Carolina
  8. Los Angeles/Orange County, CA
  9. Chicagoland
  10. Seattle

For the BioHealth Capital Region, the fourth consecutive Top 3 ranking in GEN is both a recognition and a call to action. It confirms that the region has the assets, talent, and infrastructure to compete with the largest life sciences hubs in the country. It also underscores the need to keep building: more company formation, more access to capital, more lab and manufacturing capacity, more workforce development, and more collaboration.

From Personal Mission to FDA Clearance: Neal Piper on Luminoah’s Next Chapter in Tube Feeding Innovation

By BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, News

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Neal Piper, Founder and CEO of Luminoah, returns to share a major milestone in the company’s journey: FDA clearance for Luminoah Flow.

A past winner of the BioHealth Capital Region Crab Trap Competition, Neal first joined BioTalk to discuss the deeply personal story behind the company. His family’s experience during his son Noah’s cancer treatment revealed the daily challenges of tube feeding, from limited mobility and caregiver burden to the lack of real-time data once patients leave the hospital.

Listen now via your favorite podcast platforms:
Apple: https://apple.co/3QdTPLV 
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3SdMxbu
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/3RVRdCO
Amazon: https://amzn.to/433HuwP 
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4uLLNZM 
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/4vg5kRS

Now, after six years of development, persistence, regulatory work, and product refinement, Luminoah is preparing to bring its portable, connected enteral nutrition system to patients, caregivers, clinicians, and health systems. Neal discusses what FDA clearance means for the company, how Luminoah Flow is designed to support more independence in daily life, and what comes next as the team prepares for early access programs, commercial rollout, and continued growth in the BioHealth Capital Region.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Neal Piper has devoted his career to advancing healthcare and expanding access to life-saving innovation across the U.S., Africa, and Asia. He began in Pfizer’s Neuroscience Division before joining the Global Health Fellows Program, later serving as President of its Alumni Business Network, where he united 350 leaders and scientists to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide. He went on to expand healthcare programs in 18 countries with Population Services International and founded multiple ventures, including a home healthcare company. As the founding CEO of the Presidential Precinct, he empowered emerging and world leaders driving change in government, entrepreneurship, and civil society. Guided by a belief in the power of innovation to improve lives, Neal now leads Luminoah with a mission to create meaningful, lasting change in healthcare.

How ARPA-H Is Opening New Doors for Small Businesses: Sam Gussman-Toh on Funding, Commercialization, and Breakthrough Health Innovation on BioTalk

By BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, News

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Sam Gussman-Toh, Portfolio Manager for the Small Business Program at ARPA-H, joins the conversation to discuss how the agency is creating new pathways for small businesses developing ambitious health technologies.

Sam explains how the ARPA-H model differs from traditional federal funding programs, with a focus on moonshot health solutions, program manager-led portfolios, milestone-driven contracts, and a strong emphasis on moving technologies toward real-world use. He also discusses how the Small Business Program supports SBIR and STTR performers through Phase I, Phase II, Direct to Phase II, and Fast Track awards.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platforms:
Apple: https://apple.co/4wRucB6
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4dOOMte
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/4e5doPz
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4e5M3Na 
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4e6otji 
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/4wXSDgn

The conversation highlights how ARPA-H is working with ambitious small businesses, including non-traditional companies and early-stage startups that may be working with the federal government for the first time. Sam also shares how commercialization support is built into the program, including ARPA-H’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence partnership with BioHealth Innovation. Through that relationship, BHI EIRs help performers strengthen regulatory strategy, intellectual property planning, go-to-market strategy, reimbursement considerations, and other key commercialization needs.

Sam also discusses ARPA-H’s draft Small Business Program solicitation, the upcoming virtual Proposers’ Day on June 11, and what companies should know about the application process, topic areas, technical pitches, and future funding opportunities.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Sam Gussman-Toh is Portfolio Manager for the Small Business Program at ARPA-H, where he coordinates and oversees the agency’s SBIR/STTR awards and commercialization support services for participating small businesses. Sam joined ARPA-H in 2022 and wrote the agency’s first SBIR/STTR solicitation. He has held several roles in the Office of Commercialization and has worked closely with Program Managers to build the agency’s commercialization infrastructure and strategy. Previously, Sam designed and managed rapid prototyping programs across agencies in the Department of War. His technical background is in computer science, with interests in computer vision, autonomous robotic systems, and computational pathology.

BioHealth Innovation Board Member Prashant Panchal Named Head of Portfolio, Capacity and Business Operations, Biopharmaceutical Development at AstraZeneca

By News

BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) congratulates Prashant Panchal, MS, MBA, a member of the BHI Board of Directors, on his recent promotion at AstraZeneca from Director to Senior Director. His new business title is Head of Portfolio, Capacity and Business Operations.

In this role, Panchal’s scope is focused on the Biopharmaceutical Development department within Biopharma R&D. The team supports all biologics projects, helping advance the planning, operations, and coordination needed to move complex programs forward across AstraZeneca’s biologics portfolio.

“I’m excited to step into this new role and grateful for the opportunity to lead Portfolio, Capacity, and Business Operations for Biopharmaceutical Development at AstraZeneca. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue supporting our world-class scientists and engineers as we advance a complex biologics portfolio, deliver innovative therapies that make a meaningful difference for patients, and contribute to the local life sciences ecosystem.”

Panchal brings a strong combination of scientific training, business strategy, and operational leadership to his work. Prior to this promotion, he served as Director of Business Planning and Operations at AstraZeneca, where he oversaw capacity planning, capital expenditure, contracting, portfolio management, and governance for a department of more than 1,100 employees supporting over 100 drug programs.

His career has included roles across several leading biopharmaceutical organizations, including Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Teva Biopharmaceuticals USA, and AGC Biologics, one of the sector’s largest contract manufacturers. This experience has given him a broad view of drug development, manufacturing, business planning, and the operational needs of growing biopharma organizations.

Beyond his role at AstraZeneca, Panchal has been an active contributor to the region’s biohealth ecosystem. As a member of the BHI Board of Directors, he supports the organization’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of biohealth technologies and strengthen the BioHealth Capital Region. He also serves on the board of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College (PIC MC), advancing workforce development, industry-academic collaboration, and early-career mentorship. In addition, he serves on the board of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), where he brings a life sciences industry and business perspective to support economic growth across the county.

Panchal holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a focus in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland, along with a Master of Science in Biotechnology Management and an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

BHI congratulates Prashant on this well-earned promotion and looks forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the region’s growing biohealth community.

Building Montgomery County’s Next Chapter: MCEDC’s Jared Smith on Talent, Partnerships, and the Future of Economic Development

By BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast, News

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Jared Smith, MBA, CEcD, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, joins the conversation to discuss his new role leading economic development efforts in one of the nation’s most important biohealth markets.

Jared shares how his experience in Louisiana and Nevada shaped his approach to economic development, including the importance of diversification, business retention, workforce strategy, and bringing partners together around shared goals. He also explains MCEDC’s role as a public-private partnership and how the organization works with local government, chambers, business leaders, nonprofits, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to support companies across Montgomery County.

The discussion highlights the county’s deep talent base, global diversity, quality of life, and position as the center of a top U.S. biopharma hub. Jared also discusses MCEDC’s strategic planning process, the importance of reducing uncertainty for companies, and why economic development should be viewed as an investment in long-term community strength.

Throughout the episode, Jared emphasizes that MCEDC is focused on listening, connecting the right people, helping companies navigate available resources, and building a more competitive future for Montgomery County.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. https://thepodcastconsultant.com/

Jared Smith serves as the President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, where he leads economic development initiatives to attract, retain, and expand businesses within key industries in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Jared joined MCEDC in December 2025 after spending more than a decade in Nevada’s economic development ecosystem. As Director of Economic Development for the City of Henderson, he supported a community within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area of more than two million residents. During his tenure, he played a key role in diversifying a tourism-driven regional economy and supported the creation of more than 20,000 jobs. Previously, as Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, he helped deliver $17.2 billion in regional economic impact, the highest in the organization’s history.

His economic development and business experience spans business attraction, retention, and expansion, as well as workforce development and long-term strategic planning. He has collaborated with companies across a wide range of industries, from established businesses to high-growth sectors. Before moving to Nevada, Jared was Director of Business Development at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Manager of Business Retention and Expansion at Louisiana Economic Development, where he designed and deployed a comprehensive economic development strategy and outreach program to expand corporate businesses statewide.

Throughout his career, Jared has worked with elected officials at the local and state levels and led various international missions. A Certified Economic Developer, he is an active member of the International Economic Development Council and has been recognized twice, in 2024 and 2022, as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. Jared holds an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University, a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.

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