Former Council Member Named County Technology Chief

Howard County has a new chief information officer, but Christopher Merdon is far from new to the county government.

The 42-year-old Ellicott City resident served on the Howard County Council from 1998 to 2006, according to a news release from the county Friday. 

Merdon has also worked for nearly 20 years in the private sector on technology solutions to issues involving public safety, health and transportation, the release said.

County Executive Ken Ulman has appointed Merdon as the head of the Department of Technology and Communication Services, with 87 employees and a budget of $23.3 million.

“I served with Chris on the County Council, and I have always been impressed with his knowledge, as well as his work ethic,” Ulman said in a statement. “He has a keen mind for technology solutions, and I can think of no better person to lead this important department at a critical juncture.”

The critical juncture Ulman refers to is the near completion of the Inter-County Broadband Network, a $100 million federally backed project to lay broadband fiber throughout Maryland.

When Merdon starts his new job Monday, he will oversee the implementation of the network in Howard County, particularly in schools and libraries. Merdon will also be conducting a technology audit on how county government delivers services to residents.

Merdon replaces Ira Levy, who resigned in June.