EAGB names interim president, explores new leadership model

The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore named Bill Jones as its interim leader on Monday, and said it is exploring a new leadership structure.
Jones, who previously served as a senior advisor to Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and currently leads consulting firm Farview Advisors, will lead the economic development organization through the summer.
Current President Shannon Landwehr, who in late 2017 announced her intention to step down, will officially end her tenure nine months after the initial announcement on June 30 and continue to consult with the org, according to EAGB.

“Shannon’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning the Alliance to take advantage of the global transformation of economic development, and advancing the region’s competitiveness,” Rick Kohr, CEO of Evergreen Advisors and chairman of EAGB’s board, said in a statement. “As such, the search to find a permanent replacement for her will take some time.”

While Jones serves as the head of the organization, the search for Landwehr’s permanent successor will be coupled with the creation of a new model for how the organization is led.
“Shannon’s decision to leave the EAGB has created an opportunity for us to not simply look for someone to fill her shoes, but also to take a hard look at how we can put a more collaborative leadership model in place that will result in a simple yet effective regional strategy for economic development that promotes this region’s world-class assets in a way which takes full advantage of the individual strengths of its various leadership organizations,” Kohr said.
The region’s technology strength are a frequent focus of EAGB, whether through data it releases on startup creation or giving entrepreneurs the spotlight at its annual meeting.