Leis new economic development director

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Lima native Cynthia Leis was introduced as Van Wert County’s new economic development director during a news conference held Tuesday in Van Wert City Council Chambers.

Denise Frey, president of the Van Wert County Economic Development Group, made the introduction, citing Leis’ extensive development experience.

“Cindy brings to Van Wert County a background in business consulting, working with county and regional economic development directors and small business development centers, along with the Ohio Department of Development,” Frey said.

Frey added that she and those interviewing candidates for the development position were impressed with Leis’ background.

“We had some strong candidates out there, and Cindy was the best fit for the position,” Frey said. “…I think she will be a valuable asset to Van Wert County.”

Leis, whose husband, Mike, operates a small business in Lima, said that, after years of multi-county economic development efforts, she was looking forward to concentrating on just one county.

“I’m really excited about having a focus on one county,” she added. “I’ve spread myself thin over the years trying to work with so many counties, and I felt I could only get an inch deep.”

The Lima native, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton University and her MBA from Tiffin University, has been a professor the past two years at the University of Northwest Ohio and spent 17 years before that working with Ohio manufacturers as a senior business consultant for the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, based in Cleveland and Toledo. Prior to that she spent 10 years as a manufacturing program manager for General Dynamics Land Systems in Lima.

Leis said her new role as both a development director and Ohio State University Extension educator fits well with her interests.

“As the economic development director in Van Wert County, I look forward to my role as an educator, collaborator and creator of new opportunities for businesses to locate within the county, as well as retain and grow the business base that is already in existence.”

Leis will be working with Darlene Myers, who has keep the development office operating following the termination of Leis’ predecessor, Sarah Smith, who was terminated in July after three months in the development position.

Smith had replaced Nancy Bowen, who was promoted to a regional development position by OSU Extension after 13 years in Van Wert.

Also during the news conference, Van Wert Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming had good news on the railroad portion of the Jobs Ready Site development project. Fleming noted that low bidders are Anderzak-Pitzen of Metamora on rail spur and Eagle Bridge of Sidney on the rail bridge portion of the project.

Fleming said bids came in between $350,000 and $400,000 under cost estimates for the work.