News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Chief Economic Development Officer Mark Barbash today announced the appointment of Ronda J. Kinnamon as the Regional Economic Development Director for the Chillicothe region. Kinnamon will be responsible for directing economic development efforts and establishing an agenda for continued growth for the 10-county region in southern Ohio. She will serve as a liaison between the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) and state government with local business leaders, elected officials and economic development groups to meet the economic, business and community opportunities throughout the region.

"Ronda has extensive experience in economic, workforce and business development, as well as a strong commitment to Southern Ohio," said Barbash. "Her diverse experience, as well as an awareness and understanding of the value of regional collaboration and teamwork, will be beneficial in supporting the State's economic development priorities as we work to build business opportunities in the region to create jobs for Ohioans."

Prior to joining ODOD, Kinnamon was Chief of Outcome Management and Program Evaluation at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). In this role, she managed statewide performance and continuous improvement efforts for federally funded cash assistance and support programs. Kinnamon was previously the Southern Ohio Regional Account Manager, where she managed county partnership agreements for ODJFS programs including the Workforce Investment Act and Ohio Works First.

Kinnamon was a Regional Coordinator for the Department of Development's Ohio Industrial Training Program, which supports community economic development efforts by providing financial assistance and technical resources for new and expanding Ohio businesses that are training new or existing employees. Kinnamon was also the Executive Director of the South Central Ohio Business and Industry Training Consortium where she lead a 12-county consortia of business, industry, education, training and economic development organizations for the purpose of providing resources to expanding, retaining and newly locating industries. She was the Founder and Administrator of the American Quality and Productivity Institute of Southern Ohio, which promoted the application of quality improvement in both the community and private sectors for the purpose of job creation and economic development.

A photo of Ronda Kinnamon is available by clicking here. Kinnamon will begin her duties on May 14^th.

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Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kimber Perfect at (614) 466-2609