Dave Carey, The Examiner
2007-06-22 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

Christian Johansson is a connector.

As president and chief executive officer of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, it’s Johansson’s job to bring together local business leaders and government officials to help attract potential companies to the Baltimore region. Based in Baltimore City, the EAGB is focused on how to attract businesses to the area as part of the Base Realignment and Closure initiative.

In order to persuade these businesses to relocate, Johansson must bring multiple groups into the fold and provide a united front of the region’s economic scene.

“These are opportunities that can change people’s lives,” said Johansson, 35. “The best thing you can do is give someone a job.”

When trying to woo potential companies to join the area, Johansson says it is important to have clear lines of communication to a company’s top executives to get things done quickly. Some companies have tight demands to meet with sizable numbers of area human resource executives, wanting proof of the area’s capable — and available — work force. Operating on a tight timetable, Johansson needs to quickly get a hold of key decision makers.

As for government officials, Johansson says it is just as important to be able to communicate the importance of their presence and availability for meetings with companies that are looking to relocate.

Because of the intense networking demands, Johansson says he must be aware of the ins and outs of the Baltimore business scene. Johansson emphasizes life sciences, information technology, defense and health services as growing local industries.

Armed with information and a network, Johansson uses his vision and business sense to succeed.

“Christian is a unique talent. He brings huge intellectual capital in terms of education and insight,” said David Gillece, president of Colliers Pinkard. “And he brings great passion to his job. In my experience, that’s a potent combination. Intellect and passion can take you a whole lot of places, and he combines those as well as anyone.”

CHRISTIAN JOHANNSON

» First job: Sold magazines door-to-door

» Education/credentials: Degree in biology from Brown University and a master’s in business administration from Harvard

» Best job perk: Meeting and working with dynamic people every day

» Daily e-mails received: 40-50

» Daily voicemails received: 10

» Career objective: Continue to work on something that I am passionate about and makes a difference

» Favorite gadget: BlackBerry

» Hometown: Goteborg, Sweden

» Birth date: May 9, 1972

» Original aspiration: Become a doctor

» Sports/hobbies: Traveling and enjoying gourmet food and wine in Baltimore

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com