FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Perry Varnadoe named Governor's Regional ED rep

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced the appointment of Perry Varnadoe as the Governor’s regional economic development representative for Southeastern Ohio. Varnadoe will begin his new position in October.

“Perry has the skills and strong economic development background necessary to effectively cultivate the business climate in Southeastern Ohio,” Taft said. “Perry understands the unique challenges faced by the Appalachian region and will be a positive force in the area’s business growth and expansion efforts.”

Varnadoe will be responsible for directing economic development efforts and establishing an agenda for continued growth for Perry, Hocking, Morgan, Athens, Meigs, Noble, Monroe and Washington counties. He 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.

Varnadoe is 1981 graduate of Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee with a degree in business administration. Varnadoe has more than 12 years of regional and county level economic development experience in Southeast Ohio. Varnadoe most recently served as director of the Meigs County Office of Economic Development since 1998. From 1994 to 1998, Varnadoe served as director of the Washington County Office of Economic Development. From 1992-1994, Varnadoe was an extension agent for Community Economic Development, Ohio State University Extension. Varnadoe is currently a board member of the Ohio Development Financing Advisory Council, the Workforce Investment Act, Region 14, the Buckeye Hills Hocking Valley Development District Loan Fund Board, the Marietta City Schools Board of Education and the Meigs County Extension Advisory Board. He also serves as the regional director of the Ohio Development Association.

The Orlando, Florida native currently resides in Marietta. Varnadoe is married to wife Nan, and has two daughters.

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