Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) announced today Sarah Arnold as its new Director of Marketing and Communications, effective Wednesday, September 16. Arnold’s hire follows the departure of Heather Church, who accomplished a great deal for the organization and the OhioSE region during her three-year tenure, including coordination of a region-wide Prosperity Plan initiative in 2019 followed by an organizational rebrand earlier this year.
Before joining the OhioSE team, Arnold dedicated nearly a decade to the fields of marketing. communications and community and economic development through multiple roles across the region. Most recently, Arnold served as Marketing and Community Relations Manager for the Washington County Public Library (WCPL), coordinating marketing and communications for the seven-branch system including a system-wide rebrand. Prior to WCPL, Arnold managed communications and outreach strategies for the Marietta Community Foundation and prior to that managed advertising and sales in addition to project proposals for Pickering Associates.
Arnold is also the owner and publisher of Clutch MOV, an independent community magazine serving the Mid-Ohio Valley. Launched in 2014, the publication shares local stories viewed through the lens of economic development, cultural enrichment, and creative placemaking to increase civic pride and uplift the quality of life in the region.
With a background in marketing and communications, strategic planning, and design, Sarah has worked with for-profit and non-profit organizations across the region on improving brand presence and impact. In addition to her professional track record, Arnold also brings robust volunteer experience and a heart for service to the Director of Marketing and Communications role at OhioSE. Since 2014, Arnold served on the Board of Directors for Marietta Main Street, an area nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization, and was President of the Board from 2017 to 2019.
A Marietta native, Arnold looks forward to bringing her experience in strategic marketing to advance economic development and promote regional prosperity. “OhioSE is at the forefront of building a better tomorrow for our region. As someone who has spent most of my life in southeast Ohio, I’m excited to collaborate with area partners and play an active role in increasing opportunities for my fellowcommunity members and residents of this great region,” said Arnold. “I’m looking forward to sharing the impact of OhioSE and telling the stories of a region on the rise.”
At OhioSE, Arnold will work closely with leaders and staff to design, organize, and carry out robust marketing and communication initiatives to uplift the work of OhioSE and JobsOhio and promote economic opportunity in southern and eastern Ohio.
“We are excited to have Sarah join our team,” said OhioSE President Mike Jacoby. “She has demonstrated a passion for telling people about the cool and interesting things going on in southeastern Ohio in a variety of compelling medias. We can’t wait for her to expand our messaging in new and creative ways.”
