FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Ohio Department of Development
Mike Hogan
(614) 644-1931
or
Bill Teets
(614) 466-2382
Columbus, Ohio

or
Governor's Office
Orest Holubec
(614) 644-0957

GOVERNOR NAMES SOUTHERN OHIO AREA BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE

Kennedy To Serve As Taft’s Regional Economic Development Representative

COLUMBUS (August 3, 2004) — Governor Bob Taft today announced the appointment of MarJean Kennedy as the Governor’s regional economic development representative for Southern Ohio. Kennedy will begin her new position Sept. 13.

“MarJean Kennedy possesses the skills necessary to effectively cultivate the business climate in the 10-county region in Southern Ohio,” Taft said. “I am confident MarJean’s strong economic development background, vast experience in the private and public sectors and understanding of state and local programs will assist the region in its business growth and expansion efforts.”

Kennedy will be responsible for directing economic development efforts and establishing an agenda for continued growth for Ross, Highland, Brown, Adams, Pike, Vinton, Scioto, Jackson, Lawrence and Gallia counties. She will also act as a liaison between state government, local business leaders, elected officials and economic development groups, allocating government resources to meet business challenges, in addition to monitoring the productivity and effectiveness of the Ohio Department of Development’s programs in the region.

Kennedy, who attended Georgia State University, has nearly 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors, in addition to her involvement in a number of professional affiliations. Kennedy most recently served as district representative for United States Senator George V. Voinovich in Gallipolis since December 2002. From June 2000 to December 2002, Kennedy served as regional representative for community development for Governor Taft’s Regional Economic Development Office in Chillicothe. Kennedy is currently a member of the Gallia County Convention and Visitors Center Board of Trustees and the Appalachian Rural Technology Infrastructure Group.

The Gallia County native currently resides in Gallipolis.

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