County Executive Ken Ulman announced yesterday that Rebecca Bowman has been hired as the administrator for the Office of Consumer Affairs.

A Howard County resident, Bowman will begin March 10. She replaces Steve Hannan, who retired in November.

Bowman, 52, has worked in the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General since 1986 as an assistant attorney general and mediation unit director.

"Becky is bringing a wealth of experience and expertise of consumer issues to Howard County. Under her direction, I am confident the Office of Consumer Affairs will continue to provide great customer service to our residents and increased consumer education to the community," Ulman said in a statement.

Said Bowman, in a statement: "I have always loved the work I do, and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to do this work in the community I live in. Educating residents about their consumer rights, helping them protect those rights and then serving as their advocate when those rights are violated is an incredibly rewarding experience."

Susan Rosenbaum, director of the Department of Citizen Services, which is over the Office of Consumer Affairs, is happy to have Bowman on board.

"Becky's extensive legal background, her experience as the director of a statewide consumer protection unit, and her vast knowledge of consumer issues will make her a real asset to Howard County," Rosenbaum said in a statement.