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For Immediate Release
December 28, 2010

Patt-McDaniel, 21-year veteran of Development, announces resignation as Director
Director's accomplishments span job creation, training, and community development

Columbus, Ohio - Lisa Patt-McDaniel, who during the past 21 years rose through the ranks at the Ohio Department of Development to serve as Director since September 2009, today announced that she will resign her post, effective January 9, 2011.

Patt-McDaniel, 45, was appointed Interim Director in May 2009 before being named Director last fall. During her 19 months as Director, she led the Department through some of its most productive times. As Director, she:

  • Was a key driver in an administration that helped create more than 80,000 jobs, retain more than 300,000 jobs, and train more than 100,000 workers since 2007;
  • Helped Ohio remain No. 1 in the nation in new and expanded business facility investments, as ranked by Site Selection Magazine;
  • Spearheaded the creation of seven Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity, which are designated areas of a region, leveraging resources and investments to attract clusters of connected businesses, to encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers, and to create new opportunities for jobs while developing Ohio's key industries;
  • Helped make Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) the best in the nation, utilizing federal programs to weatherize more homes than any other state;
  • In cooperation with other state entities, established Ohio as a major player in the production of components for advanced energy systems, such as wind turbines, solar panels, and bio fuels; and
  • Helped promote significant growth in the Ohio Third Frontier, which supports technology-based research, start-up companies, and innovative ideas through targeted investments in key growth areas in the state. In the past year alone, the program helped create some 700 direct jobs for Ohioans.

Patt-McDaniel began her career with the Department of Development in the Office of Local Government Services (later the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships), and subsequently held a number of other positions of increasing responsibility in the Community Development Division. She also worked for several years in the Office of Business Development, where she led the state's efforts in attracting new companies to Ohio and helping existing companies expand. Before being named Department Director, she was Director of the Workforce and Talent Division within the Department from 2007-2009.

In previous roles with the Department, Patt-McDaniel:

  • Worked with two state agencies to realign the state's workforce system to be more competitive in the modern, demand-driven economy;
  • Founded the Interagency Council on Homelessness, a collaborative effort of state government to develop policies and strategies to end homelessness in Ohio. She also serves as Chair of that organization;
  • Introduced the Community Distress Grant Program to provide grants to communities with low- and moderate-income populations;
  • In her first position with the Department, administered about $8 million annually and directed more than $300 million in federal and state funds to Ohio communities; and
  • Served on the Federal Task Force on Performance Measures for Housing and Urban Development Programs. She was appointed by the Council of State and Community Development Agencies.

"One of my first jobs after college was in the Department of Development. I thought it would be a good way to launch a career in public administration," Patt-McDaniel said. "I didn't expect to stay here long, but I enjoyed the work so much that here I am – nearly 21 years later – announcing my departure."

In an announcement appointing Patt-McDaniel Director of the Department in September 2009, Governor Ted Strickland said: "I am incredibly impressed with the leadership, commitment, deep knowledge and sound judgment Lisa has demonstrated not only as interim director but in her years as a leader in economic and workforce development for Ohio. Lisa has listened to our workers and businesses and knows what they need. Lisa is helping to position Ohio for long-term prosperity."

Patt-McDaniel is chair of the Clean Ohio Council and Ohio's Minority Business Advisory Council, and serves on the boards of a number of other development and State organizations.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Public Policy from Miami University and a Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University. Patt-McDaniel and her husband, Dana McDaniel, Deputy City Manager for the City of Dublin, have two daughters: Caitlyn and Colleen.

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.

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Media Contact: Jeff Botti at (614) 728-6674
or the Communications and Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609