After serving four months as the Ohio Development Leader, Jim Leftwich is leaving the position.
Gov. John Kasich's office stated that as Leftwich plans to return to the private sector, Christiane "Chris" Schmenk, general counsel for the Ohio Department of Development, will take over. Schmenk will lead the department's reorganization as the state's economic development efforts are moved to the new nonprofit private corporation JobsOhio. Schmenk will assume the director's role on Aug. 1.
In a statement, Kasich said he was grateful for Leftwich's help and confident in Schmenk's ability.
The legislation forming JobsOhio calls for the Kasich administration to issue a proposal by mid-August that outlines the future organization of the department. Schmenk will now oversee the drafting of the proposal and take a leadership role in its start up.