ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 17, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Leonard Howie as
Maryland’s Secretary of Labor, Licensing & Regulation. Mr. Howie previously served as Deputy Secretary
for Operations at the Department of Human Resources (DHR) since November 2011.
“There’s nothing more important for a family than a good job, and there is no better way
to expand opportunity, to grow our economy, and to strengthen and grow the ranks of an
increasingly diverse and upwardly-mobile middle class than by creating jobs,” said Governor
O’Malley. “We are confident in Leonard’s ability to connect Marylanders with the jobs and
skills they need to compete. His belief in the strength of our State’s economy, and his
expertise helping Marylanders navigate our safety net during tough times will serve the
people of our State well. Under his leadership, Maryland will continue to grow and
expand our highly-skilled, highly-educated workforce so our State can compete and win in the New Economy.”
"I’d like to thank Governor O’Malley for the opportunity to connect Marylanders with the
type of skills development programs that will prepare them to contribute to the security of
their and our economic future,” said Mr. Howie. “Working with the State's safety net programs
during my tenure at DHR has provided unique and important insight into what can happen when
there aren't enough jobs or when people do not have the skill sets that match the jobs that
are available. I look forward to continue working in this Administration and giving Marylanders
the skills they need to compete during our economic recovery.”
The Governor added, “I’d also like to thank Interim Secretary Scott Jensen for his
outstanding work during this transition. His insight into our knowledge-based economy has
been a tremendous asset to our Administration.”
Prior to joining DHR, Mr. Howie spent four and half years as the Maryland Department of
Labor, Licensing & Regulation (DLLR) Deputy Secretary where he worked with previous
Secretaries Tom Perez and Alexander Sanchez to implement critical departmental initiatives.
Mr. Howie has worked extensively within every facet of DLLR's core programs, especially
those related to Workforce Development and Adult Education.
Most recently, he served as an attorney with the Office for Civil Rights at
the U.S. Department of Education; as the Program Evaluations Director for the
Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office; and as a Senior Consultant
with the Ethics Resource Center, Inc. – a Washington, D.C.-based provider of
business ethics training and consulting for Fortune 500 corporations and governmental
agencies. Mr. Howie also held positions as adjunct faculty and program advisor at the
University of the District of Columbia.
A resident of College Park, Mr. Howie is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati
with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He completed both his Master of Business Administration
and his Juris Doctorate at Georgetown University. He began his career as an Infantry Officer
in the United States Marine Corps.
Leonard Howie will rejoin DLLR as Secretary on October 8, 2012.
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