News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced the appointments of six individuals to key leadership positions within the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). Peter Coccia has been named Chief Operating Officer; Amy Delong, Deputy Director for Human Resources; Edward Jerse, Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs; Candace Jones, Chief Legal Counsel; Kimber Perfect, Deputy Director for Communications and Marketing; and Lynda Sudderberg, Chief Financial Officer.

"These extraordinarily talented and committed individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the ODOD Leadership Team and their respective positions," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I look forward to working with this team of highly respected professionals and I am grateful for their commitment to serve the people of Ohio at such a critical time for our state."

Peter Coccia has a distinguished record of service with the State of Ohio, nearing 28 years. As the ODOD's Chief Operating Officer, Coccia will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Department, including personnel, budgeting and strategic initiatives. Coccia most recently served as the Finance Administrator for the Department of Administrative Services where he monitored the Agency’s $400 million operating budget. He also served as the Agency's Assistant Deputy Director for Personnel. Coccia holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from Vanderbilt University. A high resolution photo of Peter Coccia is available by clicking here.

Amy DeLong most recently served as the Human Resources Administrator for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio's second largest state agency. At ODOT, DeLong led the development and implementation efforts of the Department's first statewide Recruiting Process to incorporate diversity planning. DeLong graduated from Capital University Law School with a concentration in Labor and Employment Law. DeLong also served as the Director of Career Services for Capital University Law School. A high resolution photo of Amy DeLong is available by clicking here.

Edward S. Jerse, of Euclid served as a State Representative in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995 to 2004. Respected on both sides of the aisle, Jerse will be responsible for working with the Ohio General Assembly on development-related issues and proposed legislation. While a member of the General Assembly, Jerse served as Ranking Minority Member on the Finance & Appropriations, Ways & Means and Criminal Justice Committees. In addition to engaging in the private practice of law, he served as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General and Euclid City Prosecutor. Jerse graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. A high resolution photo of Edward Jerse is available by clicking here.

Candace Jones most recently served as a partner at the Cleveland law firm of Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. As Chief Legal Counsel, Jones will oversee all Department legal operations, including policy implementation, legal advice and general legal services. In private practice, Jones specialized in commercial transactions and technology-related law, including licensing, electronic transactions, copyright issues and trademark. Jones received her juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's degree from The American University. A high resolution photo of Candace Jones is available by clicking here.

Kimber Perfect is rejoining the Ohio Department of Development after 18 years of service in the private and nonprofit sectors. As the Director for Communications and Marketing, Perfect will spearhead all public relations and marketing initiatives for the Department. Perfect first served ODOD as a public relations and marketing officer from 1985-1989. Perfect most recently served as Vice President for Advancement for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA). Perfect has also served as the Vice President for Marketing and Development at COSI; the Director of Communications for Limited Brands, Inc., and Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. Perfect holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from The Ohio State University. A high resolution photo of Kimber Perfect is available by clicking here.

Lynda Sudderberg has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority since 1995 where she was responsible for all accounting and financial reporting, banking and investment portfolio, legal and contractual compliance, information systems management, human resources and risk management. As Chief Financial Officer, Sudderberg will oversee all financial operations of ODOD. Sudderberg has also served as the Controller/Treasurer of the YMCA of Greater Toledo and the Controller of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. Sudderberg received her bachelor's degree from California State University in Sacramento and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Ohio. A high resolution photo of Lynda Sudderberg is available by clicking here.

For more information about the Ohio Department of Development and its programs and services, visit www.odod.state.oh.us.