OhioSE President Mike Jacoby to leave after a highly successful five-year tenure
Terry Slaybaugh, JobsOhio VP and API Board member, will provide continuity
Ohio Southeast Economic Development and JobsOhio announced a leadership change at OhioSE, a JobsOhio Network Regional Partner. Mike Jacoby, the President of OhioSE, has successfully led the organization for five years, achieving significant milestones and driving economic development throughout Ohio’s southeast region. After his transformational tenure, Jacoby is departing to pursue a new opportunity. Terry Slaybaugh, VP of Sites and Infrastructure for JobsOhio and API Board member, will provide leadership oversight on behalf of the board and support Katy Farber, OhioSE Vice President, who will ensure day-to-day continuity and team leadership during the transition, effective immediately.
Under Mike Jacoby’s leadership, OhioSE has experienced tremendous growth and made substantial contributions to the region’s economic prosperity. OhioSE has facilitated numerous capital investments during his tenure, attracting businesses and driving job creation. Notably, OhioSE was recognized by Site Selection Magazine in 2021, with three counties in the OhioSE region ranked among the top 10 U.S. Rural Counties for economic development. In 2022, four OhioSE communities, Chillicothe, Jackson, Zanesville, and Portsmouth, were recognized as top micropolitans for economic development.
“We extend our appreciation to Mike Jacoby for his outstanding leadership and significant contributions to OhioSE,” said Advisory Board Chairwoman for OhioSE MarJean Kennedy. “During his tenure, OhioSE has achieved remarkable success in attracting capital investments and launching OhioSE’s ED Now and Prepared Communities programs that have equipped and empowered elected officials and local stakeholders to address the unique economic development challenges in their communities. We are grateful for his vision and dedication and wish him the best in his future endeavor.”
JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef added, “Mike Jacoby’s tenure as President of OhioSE has been marked by significant achievements, including the creation of more than 5,800 new jobs and the implementation of JobsOhio Inclusion Grants and Vibrant Community investments that have supported more than 40 small business projects and helped entrepreneurs and developers to spark downtown revitalization in several southeast Ohio communities. The impact of his collaborative efforts will continue to be felt through his guidance of JobsOhio investments of over $42 million in new speculative site and building projects that will yield more successes down the road. We thank Mike for his exceptional contributions and wish him every success in his new challenge. We remain focused on working with OhioSE to address the development of the workforce, shovel-ready sites, business attraction and retention, and broadband access for this critical region of Ohio’s economy.”
To ensure continuity and maintain OhioSE’s forward momentum, Terry Slaybaugh will serve as the liaison to the API Board with the assistance of VP Katy Farber, managing the day-to-day business development operations and local project management. With their extensive experience as a team and deep understanding of OhioSE’s operations, they are well-equipped to manage the organization during this transitional phase.
“The work Mike has done over the last five years has shown that a team approach to economic development creates a winning formula for OhioSE,” said Terry Slaybaugh, JobsOhio VP of Sites and Infrastructure. “I look forward to working with the board and with Katy Farber to ensure a successful transition, day-to-day continuity, and continued economic growth for OhioSE.”
OhioSE and JobsOhio will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent OhioSE President.
Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), a subsidiary of the Appalachian Partnership, Inc. is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties; they are the newest and geographically the largest of the six regions across the state. OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.
