GOVERNOR APPOINTS JENNIFER SIMON INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today appointed Jennifer C. Simon interim director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA), within the Ohio Department of Development. Simon has been serving as assistant director of the GOA since 1999. She replaces Joy Padgett, who had served as director of the GOA since 1999.

“Jennifer has played an influential role in developing and executing programs that serve the Ohio Appalachian region,” said Taft. “I am confident that as interim director, she will continue to be directly involved in a number of local, state and federal initiatives in order to facilitate economic and community development throughout the region.”

During Simon’s tenure as assistant director, she helped initiate and manage major projects, including the Rural Ohio Technology Infrastructure Group; the Access Appalachia Telecommunications Network Plan; and the high profile All Transportation Counts economic development conference. In addition, Simon has managed $24 million in grant initiatives and was instrumental in securing more than $570,000 for a two-year flood risk reduction initiative.

A native of Washington County, Simon holds both a Master's of Public Administration Degree and a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Ohio University as well as a liberal arts associate’s degree from Washington State Community College.

Simon is also actively involved in the community. She is a board member with the Ohio Community Computing Network; an advisory member to the Ohio Rural Development Partnership and the Ohio Water Resources Council; and a board member with Hospice and Health Services of Fairfield, Hocking and Perry counties. She resides in Logan with her husband David Simon.

The GOA serves as an advocate in addressing the region’s needs to state government by serving as the communication and coordination link among state agencies, local governments and the General Assembly. Twenty-nine of Ohio’s 88 counties are designated as Appalachian. Governor Taft’s Chief of Staff Jon Allison is leading the search for a permanent director.