Maryland Businesses Celebrate New Leadership and Local Investments

BALTIMORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland's branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state's economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

These executive hires, statewide grant programs and major investments show that Maryland's business landscape is full of big moves.

"We're very pleased to see so many Maryland businesses investing in their people and their surrounding communities. It sends a strong message that Maryland is a great place to do business and a great place to live," said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. "We're grateful for the continued leadership and commitment from our state's standout companies."

BGE, Maryland's largest electric and gas utility, announced the promotion of Tamla Olivier to president and CEO, effective May 1. Previously, Olivier was senior vice president and COO of Washington, D.C-based Pepco Holdings, an Exelon company. In her new role, Olivier oversees Maryland's largest electric and natural gas utility company, and she has joined Exelon's Executive Committee. With nearly 15 years at Exelon, Olivier led Pepco Holdings' operations since 2021, served as BGE's chief customer officer, and was president and CEO of BGE Home. Olivier serves on the Board of Directors for MedStar Health and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and is active in other organizations that serve the Maryland region.

Additionally, BGE announced the return of the Energizing Small Business Grant program, supporting businesses operated by historically underrepresented minority groups, which often face challenges in accessing capital. Qualifying businesses located within BGE's service area are encouraged to apply by June 13, for the chance to win a $20,000 grant.

Cloudforce remains committed to strengthening Maryland's position as a leader in technology and innovation through trusted partnerships and real-world AI solutions. This spring, Cloudforce released an eBook in partnership with Microsoft spotlighting how institutions like the University of Maryland, London Business School, and California State University, Fullerton are deploying GenAI at scale using nebulaONE^®, Cloudforce's proprietary AI platform built on Microsoft Azure. UMD launched TerpAI, a campus-wide GenAI gateway powered by nebulaONE^®, on the same day as Bitcamp 2025, the largest collegiate hackathon on the East Coast, for which Cloudforce and Microsoft were featured co-sponsors. Cloudforce also presented at the MEEC Conference, co-hosted a PGCTC business mixer, and spoke at UMD's Project Management Symposium.

Internally, Jesse Kellner was promoted to COO while continuing to serve on the faculty at UMD's Smith School of Business. Cloudforce was also recognized on the 2025 Inc. Regionals Mid-Atlantic list. It remains the only tech company from Prince George's County to earn this distinction.

Howard Hughes ramped up new deals and events in the Merriweather District in Columbia: National advisory, tax, and accounting firm Withum signed a 12,275-square-foot lease at 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway. Fast-casual favorite Nash and Smashed is bringing lots of flavor to residential building Marlow. The district's ninth annual Books in Bloom celebrated and featured Q&As with acclaimed authors including Kwame Alexander, Laurie Frankel, and more. Ahead of Books in Bloom, The Baltimore Ravens – in partnership with Howard Hughes – unveiled a breathtaking new mural near Color Burst Park as part of "Paint the State Purple," which commissions homegrown artists to capture The Ravens' community impact.

Peterson Companies, one of the region's largest privately-owned real estate developers, announced the addition of several new tenants at its premier waterfront community, National Harbor. Recently opened Crimson Coward is offering its signature Nashville hot chicken and joining the lineup soon are Crumbl, Illy Caffé, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, a Michelin-rated authentic Chinese restaurant known for its wide variety of soup dumplings and Live-K, a karaoke bar. These new additions will join more than 60 other restaurants, specialty boutiques and shops, gourmet stores, entertainment venues and national brands.

SECU MD Foundation, the nonprofit arm of SECU, Maryland's largest credit union, has opened applications for its 2025 Grants Program. The Foundation will award ten (10) $5,000 general support grants to support a diverse fabric of local organizations with a dedicated track record of commitment to Maryland communities. Interested applicants must be a designated 501(c)(3) organization that serves Maryland residents and has an annual operating budget of $2M or less. Additional details and instructions can be found here. Applications close on July 15, 2025.

St. John Properties, a Baltimore-based full-service commercial real estate development and management company, has finalized the $3.3 million renovation of Lisbon Center, a comprehensive revitalization which incorporates contemporary retail architecture and a placemaking approach to the 52,700 square foot retail center located in the Woodbine section of Howard County, Maryland. Positioned at 702-712 Lisbon Center Drive at the intersection of MD Route 94 and Old Frederick Road in Lisbon, Maryland, the shopping center is anchored by Food Lion and features a mix of approximately 15 complimentary restaurants, services, and retailers. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.

TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, continues to uplift Maryland-based startup companies through its vast pool of resources and investment funds; recent investments include those to Irazú Oncology, Hememics Biotechnologies, Inc., Neuros Biotechnology, Inc., Din Din, Inc., and more. In addition to these investments, the innovation hub also announced the most recent round of MII Technology Assessment awards, the release of a Comprehensive Cybersecurity Talent Strategy, Jean-Luc Park, Senior Director, Social Impact Funds as a 2025 Diverse Business Leader, Alex Choi, Executive Director, Government Program Development, Affairs & Research as a 2025 Rising Star, and Tammi Thomas, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, was elected President of MEDA. Learn more about TEDCO at www.tedcomd.com.

United Therapeutics Corporation (UT), a public benefit corporation based in Silver Spring United Therapeutics' (UT) benefits that support working families are among those most appreciated by Unitherians. In recognition of International Women's Day and Women's History Month in March, UT dove into why providing childcare services was a longtime promise their founder and CEO, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, made to future employees, and how this and other UT benefits help working parents and their families today. To learn more, read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3FCsoG8

About Maryland Marketing Partnership

The Maryland Marketing Partnership develops the branding strategy for the state, markets the state's assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership