Retired Montgomery County businessman Clifford M. Kendall accepted a nomination yesterday to be chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland.

Kendall, 71, said he would lead the 17-member board, though he had not sought the position.

"The stars are properly aligned," said Kendall, who joined the board three years ago. "I accept the job enthusiastically and am looking forward to serving as long as it makes sense."

Kendall, former chairman and CEO of Computer Data Systems Inc., said he would strive to be fair to all 11 system schools, despite his strong ties to the University of Maryland, College Park - his alma mater.

He also said he would support the system's transition toward unionization, despite having testified two years ago against allowing collective bargaining by nonfaculty university staff. Unions, he said, can be a "positive factor" as long as they work with the administration and avoid "unreasonable demands."

At a meeting at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, regents also praised their vice chairman, retired Adm. Charles R. Larson.

Many had expected Larson would succeed Baltimore investment manager Nathan A. Chapman Jr. as chairman. But because Larson was Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's running mate against Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., other regents decided it would be awkward to make him chairman.

"Admiral Larson entered into a partisan participation for the best of reasons," said regent Steny H. Hoyer, a Democratic congressman from Prince George's County. "He brought credit to himself in that endeavor and to the system. ... We know he'll continue to serve with distinction on this board."

Ehrlich has signaled he supports Kendall's selection as chairman, but has not ruled out the possibility of seeking to install his own pick next summer.