Board of Directors

 

The OEDA Board of Directors is composed of up to 27 members, representing diverse perspectives and expertise to guide the organization’s mission of advancing economic development in Ohio. Board classifications include Area Directors, At-Large Directors, Economic Development Directors, Positional Directors, and Chair-Appointed Directors, ensuring statewide representation and strategic leadership.

The Nominating Process opens annually to engage OEDA members in shaping the future of the organization. Starting August 1 and closing September 1, members can nominate themselves or others for consideration. The Nominating Committee, including representation from across Ohio, reviews submissions and presents a slate of candidates at the annual membership meeting during the Summit. This process ensures a dynamic and representative Board dedicated to driving Ohio’s economic growth.

CURRENT BOARDNOMINATION PROCESS

2025 Board of Directors

 

The OEDA Board of Directors is composed of up to 27 members, representing a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to guide the organization’s mission. Board classifications include Area Directors, At-Large Directors, Economic Development Directors, Positional Directors (such as the Immediate Past Chair and President & CEO), and Chair-Appointed Directors. This structure ensures statewide representation, strategic leadership, and collaboration across Ohio’s economic development landscape.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee is composed of the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary, and the President & CEO (ex-officio, non-voting). This committee provides leadership and oversight for the organization, meeting regularly to address key issues and ensure smooth governance. All members, except for the ex-officio President & CEO, serve one-year terms, with responsibilities that include reviewing the organization’s policies, guiding strategic initiatives, and supporting the Board of Directors in achieving OEDA’s mission.
Thomas Winston

Thomas Winston

Chair of the Board

President
Toledo/Lucas County Port Authority
Toledo, OH

Maribeth Burns

Maribeth Burns

Treasurer

President
Wayne Economic Development Council
Wooster, OH

Kimberly Marshall

Kimberly Marshall

Secretary

Economic Development Director
City of Medina
Medina, OH

Glenda Bumgarner, Ph.D

Glenda Bumgarner, Ph.D

Immediate Past Chair

President & CEO
Appalachian Partnership, Inc. & Affiliates
Logan, OH

David Zak

David Zak

Ex-Officio

Economic Development Director
City of Medina
Medina, OH

AREA DIRECTORS
Area Directors represent each of the seven designated regions of Ohio on the OEDA Board. They are responsible for providing regional perspectives, advocating for the needs of their areas, and fostering connections between regional stakeholders and the organization. These directors are elected at-large by the full membership and serve staggered terms to ensure continuity.
Sam Brady

Sam Brady

Area Director - Southeast

President & CEO
Jackson County Economic Development Partnership
Jackson, Ohio
(2025-2026)

Chris Fine

Chris Fine

Area Director - West

Development Director
City of Miamisburg
(2025-2026)

David Fehr

David Fehr

Area Director - Southwest

Director of Development
Butler County Development Department
Hamilton, OH
(2024-2025)

Stephanie Gilchrist

Stephanie Gilchrist

Area Director - East

Director of Economic Development
City of Youngstown
Youngstown, Ohio
(2025)

Kimberly Marshall

Kimberly Marshall

Area Director - Northeast

Economic Development Director
City of Medina
Medina, OH
Area Director – Northeast
(2025-2026)

Brittany Misner

Brittany Misner

Area Director - Central

Economic & Community Development Director
Village of Hebron
(2025)

Thomas Winston

Thomas Winston

Area Director - Northwest

President
Toledo/Lucas County Port Authority
Toledo, Ohio
(2024-2025)

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
At-Large Directors are elected by the full membership to provide broad-based leadership and support for OEDA’s strategic goals. They are not tied to specific geographic regions, allowing them to bring diverse insights and experiences to the board. Their roles include contributing to key initiatives and ensuring the organization’s success statewide.
Stephanie Bosco

Stephanie Bosco

At-Large Director

Executive Director
Lancaster Port Authority
Lancaster, OH
(2025-2026)
Maribeth Burns

Maribeth Burns

At-Large Director

President
Wayne Economic Development Council
Wooster, OH 
(2025-2026)

Anthony Cadle

Anthony Cadle

At-Large Director

Economic Development Division Manager
City of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
(2024-2025)

Nathan Cahall

Nathan Cahall

At-Large Director

Assistant City Manager, City of Middletown, OH
Executive Director, City of Middletown Port Authority
(2024-2025)

Evan Scurti

Evan Scurti

At-Large Director

Senior Development Specialist
Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association
Cambridge, OH
(2025-2026)

Barrett Thomas

Barrett Thomas

At-Large Director

Director of Economic Development
Richalnd Area Chamber & Economic Development
Mansfield, OH
(2025-2026)

Max Upton

Max Upton

At-Large Director

President & C.E.0.
Jackson County Economic Development Partnership
Jackson, OH
(2025)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS
Economic Development Directors are appointed to represent Ohio’s state and regional economic development structures on the Board. Their expertise helps guide OEDA’s mission by aligning statewide strategies with regional economic development efforts, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the organization’s impact. Per the bylaws, all EDDs are appointed for a term of one year.
Destiny Bryson

Destiny Bryson

OhioSE Economic Development Director

Manager of Engagement and Partnerships
OhioSE
Logan, OH

Sarah Custer

Sarah Custer

DDC Economic Development Director

Project Manager
Dayton Development Coalition
Dayton, OH
Economic Development Director

Logan Dawson

Logan Dawson

One Columbus Economic Development Director

Senior Project Manager
One Columbus
Columbus, OH

Renee Ligon

Renee Ligon

TeamNEO Economic Development Director

Managing Director of Partnerships & Engagement
Team NEO
Cleveland, OH

Lydia Mihalik

Lydia Mihalik

ODDO Economic Development Director

Director
Ohio Department of Development
Columbus, OH
(2024)

Andrea Pinho

Andrea Pinho

REDI Cincinnati Economic Development Director

Director, Site Selection and Real Estate
REDI Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH

Kristi Tanner

Kristi Tanner

JobsOhio Economic Development Director

Senior Managing Director
JobsOhio
Columbus, OH

Gary Thompson

Gary Thompson

RGP Economic Development Director

Executive Vice President – COO
RGP Northwest Ohio
Toledo, OH

POSITIONAL DIRECTORS
The Immediate Past Chair serves as a director for one year, providing continuity and institutional knowledge to support leadership transitions and strategic decision-making. The President & CEO, as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board and Executive Committee, oversees daily operations, implements strategic initiatives, and supports the Board in achieving OEDA’s mission.
Glenda Bumgarner, Ph.D

Glenda Bumgarner, Ph.D

Immediate Past Chair

President & CEO
Appalachian Partnership, Inc. & Affiliates
Logan, OH
(2024)

David Zak

David Zak

Positional Director (OEDA Pres/CEO)

Economic Development Director
City of Medina
Medina, OH

The Nomination Process

 

The OEDA Board of Directors is composed of up to 27 members, representing a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to guide the organization’s mission. Board classifications include Area Directors, At-Large Directors, Economic Development Directors, Positional Directors, and Chair-Appointed Directors. This structure ensures statewide representation, strategic leadership, and collaboration across Ohio’s economic development landscape. There are two paths to nomination:

  • Nominating Committee: For Area Directors and At-Large Directors, the nominating process for board positions will begin with a Call for Interest on or around August 1, which will close on or around September 1. During this time, members will have the opportunity to express their interest or nominate others for consideration. The Nominating Committee will then review all submissions and present a slate of candidates to the membership during the annual meeting at the Summit. This process ensures that the Board continues to reflect the diverse voices and expertise needed to advance economic development across the state.
  • Chair Appointments: For Economic Development Directors and (other) Chair-Appointed Directors, the Chair will solicit nominations at their discretion and then make appointments prior to December 1. The full Board of Directors will then approve those at the last meeting of the year.

For 2026, the following positions will be open:

  • Area Directors (4): Central, East, Northwest, Southwest will be open. 
  • At-Large: Three positions will be open.
  • All Economic Development Director positions: Up to 10.
  • All Chair-Appointed Positions: Any additional positions, up to a maximum board number of 27.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee consists of at least five members of OEDA, appointed by the Chair and approved by the Executive Committee. Its composition reflects the geographic diversity of Ohio. The Committee is responsible for soliciting interest in board service, reviewing applications, and presenting a slate of candidates for election at the annual membership meeting. The President & CEO serves as a non-voting member of the committee

Matt Abbott

Matt Abbott

Member (Southeast)

Executive Director
Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority
Columbus, Ohio

Maribeth Burns

Maribeth Burns

Chair

President
Wayne Economic Development Council
Wooster, OH

Anthony Cadle

Anthony Cadle

Member (SW)

Economic Development Division Manager
City of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
(2024-2025)

Harry Eadon

Harry Eadon

Member (Statewide)

Director
Ohio Council of Port Authorities
Akron, Ohio

Chelsey Kovar

Chelsey Kovar

Member (Northeast)

Director of Economic & Community Development
City of Richmond Heights
Richmond Heights, Ohio

Doug McCollough

Doug McCollough

Member (Central)

Executive Director, The Beta Labs
CEO, Color Coded Labs
Columbus, Ohio

Amy Sealts

Amy Sealts

Member (Northwest)

Director, Economic Development
Putnam County, OH
Putnam, Ohio

Thomas Winston

Thomas Winston

Ex-Officio

President
Toledo/Lucas County Port Authority
Toledo, OH

David Zak

David Zak

Ex-Officio

President & CEO
Ohio Economic Development Association
Columbus, OH

Contact Us

 

Have  a question or comment? Not sure who to talk to? Fill out the form and we’ll see that it gets to the right place.

Or if you’d prefer, reach out to our staff directly.

David Zak, President & CEO
dzak@ohioeda.com
419.912.1150 (cell)

Mark Barbash, Director
Ohio Economic Development Institute
mbarbash@ohioeda.com
419.774.7599 (cell)

Sharon Erichsen, Membership Director
serichsen@bennett-management-llc.com
866.986.4041 x103 (office)

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