Karen Holt, Director of Harford County’s Department of Economic Development has been recognized as a 2025 Most Admired CEO in the Government category by The Daily Record.

The award recognizes executive directors across Maryland for their leadership and vision. Honorees are selected based on professional accomplishments, community service and letters of reference submitted by co-workers, board members and community members showing their leadership and vision.

From the county press release:

“I am honored and humbled by this recognition,” says Holt, “It is a privilege to lead our team in support of local business owners and manifest investment here in Harford County- within the community in which I was raised. The pride demonstrated across our business community is motivation every day to continue to develop and deliver resources and build upon our quality of life,” Holt added.

Karen Holt is director of the Harford County Department of Economic Development (DED). Now in her 19th year with the County, she oversees business retention and attraction efforts focusing on technology, healthcare, manufacturing, defense, agriculture and tourism. She has secured more than $14M in federal and state grants, administers the County’s Enterprise Zone program, briefs to top bond rating agencies, and has overseen both the successful revamp of the County’s business loan program and launch of Hello Harford, the County’s new tourism brand for destination marketing.

In the current administration, DED has directly or indirectly supported the creation of 820 new jobs, 2.1M sq ft of space and more than $602M in capital expenditures.