OEDA is powered by a dedicated team of leaders and partners from across the Buckeye state who guide the organization’s strategy, training, communications, and operations statewide.
DAVID ZAK
David Zak is the President & CEO of the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA), leading statewide efforts in professional development, advocacy, and collaboration.
With nearly 30 years of experience, he began his career at the Ohio Department of Development, working in Foreign Direct Investment, and later served as Chief of the Business Services Division during the formation of JobsOhio. David has also led economic development organizations in Fairfield, Clark, Seneca, and Crawford Counties, earning 12 Site Selection magazine micro and metro rankings and contributing to 17,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in local investment, as well as 40,000 jobs and $8 billion statewide.
An educator and past Economic Development Institute instructor, he continues teaching for the Basic Economic Development Course and has earned multiple state and national awards for innovation.
419.912.1150
MARK BARBASH
Mark Barbash is the Director of the Ohio Economic Development Institute (OEDI), leading professional training for Ohio’s economic development practitioners.
With 30 years of experience in local, state, and federal government, the nonprofit sector, and private industry, he has served as Ohio’s Chief Economic Development Officer and as Director of Development for the City of Columbus. A nationally recognized expert in small business, real estate, and development finance, he holds the Fellow Member designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Mark teaches public budgeting and finance at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College. He is active in the arts community as president of the Short North Stage board and as a member of several nonprofit boards.
614.774.7599
MIKE BRICE
Mike Brice is the Marketing & Engagement Manager, leading marketing, communications, and member engagement to advance OEDA's mission across Ohio. He brings 25 years of experience spanning journalism, corporate communications, and public relations.
Most recently, he served as Managing Editor of The Blade in Toledo, directing news coverage across northwest Ohio and the state, including economic development, business, and workforce reporting. He has built AI-assisted content workflows and automation tools that expand the volume and reach of communications, an approach he is bringing to OEDA's newsletter, social, and content strategy. He has also held communications roles at the Toledo Museum of Art, Westinghouse Electric Company, and Sunoco Inc., and provided communications counsel to Honda North America leadership.
Outside of work, he is a photographer and videographer, and can usually be found on the sideline of a grandchild's sporting event.
419.708.4822
LINDSAY ROSSI WEST
Lindsay Rossi West is the Events & Operations Coordinator, supporting the planning, execution, and administration of OEDA's signature programs and statewide convenings, including the Annual Summit, the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course, and the Legislative Conference.
She brings a strong combination of operational discipline and large-scale event coordination experience from both nonprofit and private-sector settings. Most recently, she served as Education Coordinator at Kingwood Center Gardens, where she owned year-round event cycles and led the organization's largest community outreach event, drawing more than 1,200 attendees annually across community partners, sponsors, and on-site programming.
She also serves in a volunteer regional operations role for the Northeast Ohio YMCA Swim League, managing logistics, eligibility tracking, data reporting, and communications for more than 20 teams and over 1,200 athletes across a multi-county region.
OEDA is here to support your work, your community, and your career in economic development. Reach out anytime — our team is ready to help you find the resources, relationships, and opportunities you need to move Ohio forward.
The organization provides excellent educational opportunities, information, and the ability to network with other professionals, which is critical for the development of effective economic development leaders in the State of Ohio.
Susan Crotty
Economic Development Director, City of Painesville
OEDA has been an outstanding resource from the beginning of my career in Economic Development. I would not be where I am today without OEDA.
Julie Needs, OhioCED
Executive Director, SOD Center, Inc.
OEDA efficiently and effectively provides me with the news and information I need to help me be a better and more successful economic development professional.
Charles Bichara
Director of Economic Development, City of Middleburg Heights
Joining OEDA when I stepped into the private sector was one of the best decisions I made as an economic development professional. The content and professional development opportunities are unlike those of any other professional organization, and I feel I am getting a valuable return on our investment.
Catey Scanlon
Director of Economic Development, inSite Advisory Group / Welty Enterprises