J. Thomas Sadowski Appointed Vice Chancellor for Economic Development

 

USM- EAGB

 

Adelphi, MD and Baltimore, MD (March 16, 2016) -- University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert L. Caret has appointed J. Thomas Sadowski Jr. as USM's vice chancellor for economic development.  Sadowski, currently president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB), will join USM on May 2, 2016.

"The University System of Maryland is a major driver of the state's economic development," said Chancellor Caret. "We created this vice chancellor position to build on USM's success in this area and to enable the system to focus its expertise, programs, and resources even more sharply and strategically on the state's economic development priorities.

"As our new vice chancellor, Tom Sadowski will bring more than 25 years of successful experience in economic development. He knows how to build partnerships and leverage resources to develop and achieve goals. Thanks to his work with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore and similar organizations in two Maryland counties, he can hit the ground running."

Sadowski has served as president and CEO of the EAGB since 2008, and has conducted strategic marketing and sales missions to major U.S. markets, focused on growing and attracting companies to the region, and used federal and state grant dollars to create programs supporting innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship in coordination with universities and federal agencies. He also served as EAGB's executive vice president from 2006 to 2008.

"Tom Sadowski has led the EAGB to unprecedented success during his tenure and we are excited that he will be applying his expertise and commitment to a state-wide economic development role," said Augie Chiasera, chairman of the EAGB, and regional president for M&T Bank. "The EAGB is a partnership of industry, government, and higher education and as such USM and other members of Baltimore's higher education community serve on the EAGB board of directors. This new position will allow Tom to deepen the University System's partnership with the EAGB in support of its efforts on behalf of Greater Baltimore."

Sadowski

As USM's vice chancellor for economic development, Sadowski will mobilize USM's support for developing key Maryland industry and workforce clusters. He will serve as USM's senior representative on university-industry-government collaborations statewide. And he will be the system's primary liaison to the state in support of recruiting companies, and retaining and growing existing companies.

In addition, he will staff the USM Board of Regents' Committee on Economic Development and Technology Commercialization, which develops policies to help USM utilize its resources to promote the state's economic development.

From 1999 to 2006, Sadowski was executive director of the Harford County Office of Economic Development. His primary initiatives there included business retention, growth, attraction, and development; retention and growth of U.S. Army mission and operations at Aberdeen Proving Ground; and marketing and development of the 152-acre technology park at the Higher Education & Technology Center (now called the University Center of Northeastern Maryland).

As the business development director for the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development from 1989 to 1999, Sadowski was responsible for business services and marketing the county as a business location.

Sadowski is very active in the community, serving on the Baltimore Metropolitan Council Board of Directors, BioHealth Innovation Board of Directors, Cyber Maryland Advisory Board, Stevenson University School of Business and Leadership Advisory Board, University of Maryland, Baltimore County's (UMBC's) Public Policy Advisory Board, and the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board. He is also past president of the Maryland Economic Development Association.

He has received several honors, including the 2014 "William Donald Schaefer Industrialist of the Year" award from the Baltimore Museum of Industry, and being recognized by The Daily Record as a "Most Admired CEO" in 2015, and an "Influential Marylander" in 2011.

Sadowski earned his bachelor's degree in political science, with a certificate in public administration and policy, from UMBC in 1989. In 2014, he was an adjunct faculty member in political science and metropolitan studies at Towson University.

"I am excited and honored to join the world-class team at the University System of Maryland," said Sadowski. "I look forward to applying my energy and expertise to help grow strategic partnerships with industry and elevate an already proud tradition of excellence in education, innovation, and workforce development."

Sadowski and his family live in Street, MD.

The University System of Maryland is the state's public system of higher education and comprises 12 institutions serving more than 163,000 students. With an operating budget totaling $5.2 billion, USM's economic impact exceeds $6.7 billion. USM plays a key role in advancing economic development statewide. For example, the system has facilitated the creation of 388 companies since fiscal year (FY) 2011. In FY 2015, the system attracted $1.28 billion in research contracts and grants. To learn more about the system's role in economic development, visit HERE.

The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore is a not-for-profit economic development organization led by a partnership of regional business executives, elected government officials, and leaders from higher education focused on fostering business retention and development, job creation, workforce development, and new investment throughout Greater Baltimore.

For the EAGB:

Kristi Halford

443.392.2505

khalford@greaterbaltimore.org

 

Contact: Anne Moultrie
Phone: 301.445.2722
Email: amoultrie@usmd.edu