Interim state development chief tapped for permanent job

Ben's note: Congratulations Lisa!!! Lisa is also one heck of a soccer coach

Business First of Columbus

L. Patt-McDaniel

View Larger

The Ohio Department of Development executive brought on to temporarily lead the office this summer has been hired as its permanent director.

Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday appointed Lisa Patt-McDaniel as director of the Development Department. Patt-McDaniel, 44, has served in a number of posts within the department since 1990 and was director of its work force and talent division until May. That’s the month then-interim development director Mark Barbash left the job for nearly six weeks to resolve personal financial matters before returning in late June to his previous post as the state’s chief economic development officer.

Barbash had been promoted in February when Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher left the post to pursue a run for the U.S. Senate.

Strickland in a statement said he is “incredibly impressed with the leadership, commitment, deep knowledge and sound judgment Lisa has demonstrated not only as interim director but in her years as a leader in economic and work-force development for Ohio.”

Patt-McDaniel will earn an annual salary of $142,500 as Development Department director.