News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the appointment of Fred J. Deel as Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia (GOA), within the Ohio Department of Development, and Lou Gentile as Assistant Director of the agency that serves Ohio's 29-county Appalachian Region.

"Both Fred and Lou have a familiarity with the unique issues and opportunities that exist in Ohio's Appalachian region," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as state development director. "I am confident that they will work closely with local, state and federal stakeholders to facilitate economic and community development throughout the region."

Deel, 56, was elected to the Gallia County Board of Commissioners in 2004 and currently serves as Board President. He is retired from The Ohio State University, where he enjoyed a 31-year career as an Associate Professor and County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth and Community Development. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from University of Rio Grande and a Master's Degree in Education from The Ohio State University.

Deel and his wife, Mary, a language arts teacher in the Gallia County Local Schools, are the parents of two adult children.

Gentile, 28, served most recently as special assistant to then-Congressman Ted Strickland during his successful campaign for Governor in 2006. His prior experience includes service as a field representative in Belmont, Jefferson, Monroe and Noble counties in the sixth Congressional District.

Gentile, a native of Steubenville, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from West Virginia University.

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. For more information, or to contact the GOA, visit www.odod.state.oh.us/goa.