President & CEO
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
Benjamin H. Wu is an accomplished executive and internationally recognized technology policy expert with a dynamic portfolio of over three decades of professional experience working directly with industry around the world and leading operations at the highest levels of our nation and state. He has a distinguished career focused on technology-led economic development, as well as a proven record of driving transformative initiatives and creating collaborative alliances with industry, government, and academia throughout the country and in Maryland. Wu is strengthening ties with our partners in the state while working with our local and regional stakeholders to diversify Montgomery County’s economy, grow our jobs and increase the tax base.
Wu led the creation of the Maryland Department of Commerce in 2015 and helped transform the state’s competitiveness. During his tenure, Wu helped forward the Governor’s economic agenda while delivering record growth and facilitating the
lowest unemployment rate in over a decade. In the Hogan Administration, he worked with the General Assembly and key stakeholders to change the state’s economic development structure, operations, and business-friendliness. He
executed a bold Commerce strategic plan that focused on operational excellence through exceptional customer service, a more competitive business climate, advancement of innovation and entrepreneurship, and expansion of international
trade.
Wu is a former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy under President George W. Bush. He administered the nation’s technology and innovation strategy and exercised
supervisory management over the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Wu served as the Co-Chair of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Technology, which led interagency coordination on national
priorities with federal laboratories, including the National Institutes of Health.
Prior to joining the executive branch, Wu served as counsel for 13 years to Montgomery County Congresswoman Connie Morella and the Technology Subcommittee of the House Science Committee overseeing U.S. international
competitiveness.
A Montgomery County native, Wu has a deep connection to both MCEDC and the County. He has sat on the MCEDC board since its inception and has supported job growth and business development in Montgomery County over the past three decades in his federal and state positions. Wu has been active on the boards of multiple national and local Montgomery County-serving organizations. He is a past Trustee of Montgomery College and a graduate of Leadership Montgomery.