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During the 2006 race for Montgomery County executive, Steven A. Silverman ran political ads in which he characterized Isiah Leggett as a "good guy with bad ideas."

Leggett, who won that Democratic primary election, responded with ads that noted that much of Silverman's campaign money came from developers.

But on Tuesday, Leggett and Silverman said they had put that campaign and whatever differences they had behind them, as Leggett (D) nominated his former foe as the new director of the Department of Economic Development.

Silverman has the "energy, intellect and experience to take our Department of Economic Development to the next level," Leggett said. Silverman is to be interviewed by the County Council on Tuesday. Leggett said he expected the confirmation process to go "relatively quickly." Confirmation is expected April 21.

"He is fully versed on the whole range of issues, problems and opportunities before us," Leggett said. "He knows where we've been, where we are, and — most importantly — where we need to go." Leggett said he could not let the 2006 primary race affect this "important" a decision.

"The stakes are too high," he said. "I have to focus on what is needed right now for this county."

Silverman served on the County Council from 1998 until 2006, including as its president twice. The Silver Spring resident, who has worked in Baltimore in the Attorney General's Office for the past two years, said Wednesday that it was "great to be home."

Silverman, 54, pledged to work closely with county officials and businesses to "protect what we have, take our strengths to the next level and help build the tax base that makes possible our critical county programs in so many areas."

Silverman noted the "good work" in programs such as the Smart Growth Initiative and Green Economy Task Force. But with the county's unemployment rate rising to 5.1 percent in February from 2.7 percent a year earlier, "many more challenges lie ahead," he said.

Montgomery's unemployment rate was the lowest in the state in February, below the state average of 6.7 percent and national average of 8.1 percent.

A ‘positive' move

Chamber of commerce officials praised Silverman's selection.

"We urge the County Council to confirm his appointment without delay," said Jerry Morenoff, chairman of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. "Now more than ever, strong leadership is needed in the Department of Economic Development to bring vision and understanding to the complex issues facing the county. We are convinced that Steve Silverman is the right person for this job."

While the current economic climate provides "great challenges," there are also "great opportunities" to pursue with federal stimulus funds, Georgette "Gigi" Godwin, president and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. She, too, applauded the choice.

"Mr. Silverman … has been a strong supporter of a strategic vision for economic development," Godwin said. "This appointment of a new leader comes as Montgomery County tries to position itself for the future."

Leggett's swift action is positive, said County Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown.

The choice came about three weeks after county officials said Pradeep Ganguly, who had headed the department for a little more than two years, would not return to the job. Ganguly was placed on administrative leave in early March pending an investigation into a grant the department made to a company where his son works.

"In Steve Silverman, I think you clearly have someone who understands how county government operates and who has chaired the [council's] Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee for four years," said Knapp, who also chaired that committee.

Leggett showed great leadership in picking a former opponent, said Keith Haller, president and CEO of Bethesda communications and consulting company Potomac Inc.

"It's a spectacular choice," Haller said. "He could not find someone stronger to lead the county's economic development efforts, especially in terms of the down economy now. Steve understands the economic incentives the county can bring to the table for enticing companies to stay for the long term, that make Montgomery a great choice for a company. No one can be more articulate, strategic and aggressive from everything we've seen of him as a business leader."

Pressure will be on

The announcement came on the heels of a recent letter to Leggett from four County Council members, including Knapp, asking him to replace Ganguly "at the earliest possible date."

They said the new director should be "a leader who has a comprehensive vision for the county's economic future and realistic strategies that will enable the county to navigate these troubled economic waters."

While Knapp complimented Silverman, he said the next economic development head has to have "the county executive's mandate to actually do economic development stuff."

"Because if they are not getting any clear direction from the county executive's administration, they still can't get anything done," Knapp said.

Solomon Graham, president and CEO of Quality Biological of Gaithersburg, called Silverman's knowledge of the county a key factor.

"With what is going on right now, Ike needs someone to hit the ground running," Graham said. "He can't bring in someone you need to educate, with the many things that are going on now with the economy."

Another prominent business owner, Charles Atwell, president of Innovative Business Interiors in Silver Spring and former chairman of the Montgomery chamber, said Silverman would be "under a lot of pressure" taking over the position at this time.

But, Atwell said, "In terms of people who have a knowledge of business in Montgomery County, and the guy ran a law firm, he had to make payroll … I think Ike made a super decision. I'm excited for what he brings to the table … he gets it from a retention point of view."

Silverman, asked Wednesday about his priorities regarding recruiting high-profile companies to the county and retaining existing companies, said, "I believe we can do both." He said it was important to focus on keeping the companies already in the county and helping them expand.

Silverman, now director of aging, health care and special projects in the Attorney General's Office, also headed its Consumer Protection Division there. Previously, he was co-chairman of the Silver Spring Redevelopment Steering Committee and chairman of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. He earned a law degree from the George Washington University Law School and a bachelor's degree from American University.

Staff Writer Janel Davis contributed to this report.