Economic Development for Central Oregon has hired a former Microsoft senior program manager to head up economic development in La Pine and southern Deschutes County, the agency announced on Wednesday.

Gerry Albert, who started work at his new post on Monday, will manage the recruitment of new companies and help existing ones grow, according to a news release from EDCO. He will work with business owners and government officials in the south-county area.

Albert, who has also worked for Macromedia, Unisys and ComputerLand, and his wife recently bought a home in the Three Rivers area north of La Pine, according to the news release.

— Bulletin staff report