Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels will co-chair a new statewide economic development strategy initiative focused on accelerating growth in the life sciences and cybersecurity industries, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced today.

The initiative, Excel Maryland, will culminate in a report by the end of August that will serve as a roadmap for securing Maryland's position as an epicenter for the cybersecurity sector and boosting the state's position as a leader in biotechnology and life sciences.

"As one of the nation's leading states for university research and development, we have an enormous opportunity to help transform our state's great assets in advanced industries into a compelling, visionary strategy that will ultimately accelerate economic development," Daniels said. "Through the Excel Maryland initiative, we want to create a true public-private partnership of ideas and resources that will provide a compelling vision for the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland."

Hogan announced the plans in Baltimore today at the state's inaugural Governor's Business Summit before a crowd of more than 700 business, education, and community leaders.

The steering committee will be led by Susan Windham Bannister, founding president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center who helped Massachusetts become a leading state for life sciences employment.

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