FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Chief Economic Development Officer Mark Barbash today announced the appointment of Megan Gordon-Lakey as the Regional Economic Development Director for the Department's Central Ohio region. Gordon-Lakey will be responsible for directing economic development efforts and establishing an agenda for continued growth for Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway, and Union Counties in central Ohio. She will serve as a liaison between the Ohio Department of Development and state government with local business leaders, elected officials, and economic development groups to meet the economic, business, and community opportunities throughout the region.

"Megan is a proactive and strategic thinker who already has an accomplished record of coordinating local and state efforts to boost economic development and growth in Northeast Ohio," said Barbash. "She will be an outstanding addition to our team of Regional Economic Development Directors to create strategies for economic growth in central Ohio and bring regional issues and needs to the forefront."

Prior to her appointment, Gordon-Lakey was a Business Development Representative at the Ohio Department of Development, where she acted as a liaison for businesses in Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown. In this role, Gordon-Lakey regularly met with existing Ohio companies to assist with expansion strategies and crafted economic development incentive packages to attract investment to Ohio. She negotiated state and local economic incentives with company executives while working in tandem with community leaders, elected community officials, and other state agencies. Gordon-Lakey also was involved with statewide site selection searches by working with corporate clients and site selection consultants considering Ohio.

Gordon-Lakey was the State's business liaison for several national automotive companies, including General Motors and Delphi Corporation. She was active both statewide and regionally with various automotive strategy groups and regularly met with automotive original equipment manufacturers and supplier stakeholders to discuss industry issues.

Gordon-Lakey holds a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University with a specialty in real estate and urban analysis. She began her duties on March 31, 2008.

A photo of Megan Gordon-Lakey is available by clicking here.

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Media contacts: Melissa Ament at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133