Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BARBASH ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF BENEDICT AS SOUTHWEST CENTRAL OHIO REGIONAL WORKFORCE DIRECTOR COLUMBUS – Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development Mark Barbash announced the appointment of Mary Benedict as the Regional Workforce Director of the Department’s Southwest Central Ohio Office. Ms. Benedict is responsible for directing workforce development efforts for Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties. She works in partnership with Kevin Carver, Regional Economic Development Director, and serves as a liaison to state government, local business leaders, elected officials, and economic and workforce development entities to meet the training and talent development needs of businesses throughout the region. # # # Media contacts: Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674
March 4, 2009
“Mary has a diverse background of education, and social service and business training experiences,” said Barbash. “Her skills and knowledge will be beneficial in helping to drive excellence in workforce development in the Southwest Central Ohio area.”
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Benedict taught International Organization Standardization 9000 internal auditing for seven years at Ohio Hi Point Career Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio and successfully implemented Lean/Six Sigma training at Honda of America. She also served as Business Services Representative for the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services, where she conducted retention and expansion surveys and connected businesses to recruitment and placement services. In 2005, Ms. Benedict joined the Ohio Department of Development as Senior Workforce Development Specialist and provided administrative advisement for the Governor’s Workforce Policy Advisory Board.
Ms. Benedict holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University.
The Workforce and Talent Division provides financial assistance and technical resources for customized training involving employees of new and expanding Ohio businesses. The Division also supports community economic development efforts through job creation and retention. The result is increased employee productivity, improved labor/management relations, and a highly skilled labor pool.
Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit 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 absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.
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