Our Staff

Susan Biorseth Roberts

Vice President, Operations and Chief of Staff

Susan Biorseth Roberts manages the day-to-day operations of the REDI Cincinnati office and assists the president & CEO. She joined the organization in November 2014.

Before joining REDI, Susan was the executive assistant to the CEO of a D.C.-based social media company. She was a longtime member of United States Senator Rob Portman’s political team, including the finance manager of the Portman for Congress campaign, executive assistant to Mr. Portman during his tenure with Squire Sanders & Dempsey, and statewide scheduler of the Portman for U.S. Senate campaign.

A strong believer in giving back to her community, Susan received her EMT-B and firefighter certificates. She has a lengthy history of volunteerism, including The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Kindervelt.

Most weekends Susan can be found working on her investment property (thanks to her HGTV addiction) or at the barn sharing her daughter’s passion for horses and polo.

Jerald Brantley

Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and Office Manager

Jerald Brantley joined REDI Cincinnati as the office manager & executive assistant to Kimm Lauterbach. He is responsible for managing the needs of the senior leadership team and REDI's day-to-day office operations.

Prior to joining REDI, Jerald worked at the Brighton Center, INC. as a financial service specialist certified by HUD in foreclosure prevention and pre-purchase counseling. The Brighton Center is a nonprofit, comprehensive agency in Northern Kentucky. While there Jerald served as the chair of the Cultural Inclusion Committee. Being employed there gave him an opportunity to connect with the community. Jerald served more than 25 years in various roles in collections, compliance, and financial services.

Having a strong passion for community, Jerald volunteered at Hospice of Cincinnati, American Cancer Society Relay for Life and March of Dimes. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors at Darlington Farm Condo in Burlington Kentucky where he resides.

Outside the office, Jerald enjoys both domestic and international traveling, skiing in Colorado, reading, and architectural design.

Rosa Christophel

Research Manager

Rosa Christophel is a Research Manager for REDI Cincinnati. In her role, Rosa responds promptly to inquiries regarding the Cincinnati region’s economy– she is also a research guru.

Before joining REDI Cincinnati, Rosa finished her Master’s in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University. Rosa conducted original research with first-generation female farmers in Oregon. She was able to study how farmland access affected these women’s ability to build viable farming businesses. Rosa received her Bachelor’s in Anthropology from Northern Kentucky University. She is currently an adjunct professor through NKU’s Anthropology program.

As a native to Ohio and the Cincinnati region, Rosa enjoys outdoor activities. You will often find her on a walk in one of Cincinnati’s Great Parks. Rosa loves to read old books, listen to personal development podcasts, and work with her hands. As an avid gardener and exceptional baker and chef -- Rosa is passionate about healthy food access in rural Ohio.

Cierra Clymer

Director, International Business Development

Cierra Clymer is the Director of International Business Development at REDI Cincinnati. Cierra's role focuses on increasing foreign direct investment in the Cincinnati region through new attraction, expansion, and retention efforts. In this role, Cierra is responsible for managing the international lead pipeline, building market-driven strategies, driving lead generation through contracts, companies, and consultants. Cierra started at REDI Cincinnati as an intern and hired after graduation from Miami University to support the project management and business development teams as well as lead REDI’s site selection program. Prior to serving in her current capacity, Cierra served as a project manager with a specific focus on the organization’s international pipeline where she played an integral part in securing the new investment of the Italian manufacturer, Modula.

On behalf of REDI Cincinnati, Cierra serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Cincinnati European American Chamber of Commerce and Japan America Society. She is actively engaged with both organizations to increase membership and participation from the region’s international community as well as work to attract new international investment. Cierra is a participant in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s Cincy Next Class 6 – a leadership program for the region’s top young professionals and future leaders. Moreover, Cierra received her Ohio Economic Development Certification and is recognized as a ‘best-in-class’ throughout the state.

Prior to REDI Cincinnati, Cierra studied at Miami University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Studies with a focus in development and a minor in Spanish. During her time at Miami, Cierra gained international experience working on sustainable development projects in Central America and studying in Spain. While completing her undergraduate, Cierra served as assistant director at the local chamber of commerce in her hometown of Wauseon, Ohio where she assisted in community development efforts and local business engagement.

As an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Give Back Cincy, Cierra channels her passion for community improvement professionally and socially. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Cincinnati’s urban core, traveling to new places, and cuddling with her puppy, Dallas.

Sarah Daligga

Project Manager

Sarah Daligga joins REDI Cincinnati as a Project Manager. She discovered her love for economic development during graduate school at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She received her Master of Public Affairs degree in May 2021.

Sarah is a 2019 alumna of the University of Dayton, where she majored in political science and minored in human rights studies. From there, she went to Bloomington, Indiana to attend Indiana University. While in town and virtually, she held a work-study position with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). Given the small staff at the BEDC, Sarah handled many different tasks, including marketing and communications work and coordinating the startup pre-accelerator program. Along with a summer internship at the City of Bloomington’s Economic and Sustainable Development department, Sarah’s experiences instilled in her the importance of community building and entrepreneurship.

Sarah hails from the Mitten State, which explains her love of the Great Lakes, Big Ten football, and winter weather. She is excited to explore Cincinnati and its neighborhoods as she begins her work. Outside of work, Sarah can typically be found reading mystery novels, watching baseball, or traveling with family and friends.

Karen Deime

Executive Administrative Assistant

Karen comes to us from Fort Washington Investment Advisors, where she managed the CEO and Executive Office Operations for Cincinnati’s largest money management firm. Prior to her role with Fort Washington, she was part of Cintrifuse’s founding team that helped grow the Cincinnati region's innovation ecosystem. She is a connector and has extensive experience working with entrepreneurs, corporations, and community leaders.

Karen has held a variety of Executive Administration, Project Management, and Event Planning roles with Crayons to Computers, IngenioRx (previously WellPoint NextRx), lpk, and Synchrony Financial (previously GE Money).

Karen was born in Columbus, grew up in Dayton, earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Ohio University, and has called Cincinnati home for fifteen years.

Karen is passionate bout giving back to Cincinnati and is an active community volunteer with ArtsWave, Propel Women, and her church community.

Art, music, and travel are personal interests, and you can regularly find Karen at a gallery opening, the Cincinnati Art Museum, a local arts festival, a concert, or traveling the world.

Kevin Donnelly

Director, Project Management

Kevin Donnelly is a Director, Project Management for REDI Cincinnati. In his role, Kevin leads REDI’s project management team and is the main contact for companies evaluating the Cincinnati region for growth opportunities.

Prior to joining REDI, Kevin worked for Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED), guiding the IEDC Gold Award-winning business retention and expansion program. He also played a strong role in business development and project management. Before working for Tri-ED, Kevin was a strategic coordinator for Northern Kentucky’s community visioning plan Vision 2015 (now Skyward) and a manager of public affairs and communications for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from Cincinnati, Kevin graduated summa cum laude from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies before receiving his MBA from the same institution.

Outside of work, Kevin can be found exploring Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati region’s urban redevelopment scene. He remains active through soccer, camping, attending concerts, and spending time with friends and family.

Andrea Enders

Director, Business Development

Andrea Enders is the Director, Business Development for REDI Cincinnati, focused on supporting existing industry as well as attracting companies to the Cincinnati region. These efforts include managing the REDI leads pipeline, coordinating the REDI Portfolio Management Strategy, and leading engagement with consultants and multipliers all with the goal of bringing new businesses to Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.

Prior to becoming Director of Business Development, Andrea was an integral part of the REDI Cincinnati project management team in addition to serving as the region’s SiteOhio lead. Since 2015, she has closed more than 35 projects, which have totaled more than 3,800 new job commitments and $425 million in capital investment commitments. Most notably, Andrea led the Ensemble Healthcare HQ attraction project and the effort that secured Italian manufacturer Modula’s expansion into the former Dayton Daily News building.

Andrea has previously served on the Board of the Ohio Economic Development Association and played an active role in the organization’s strategic planning. In 2016, Andrea helped establish a new OEDA committee, ED YP. The focus is to welcome young professionals and new economic developers to the ED career field and introduce them to industry experts, mentors, and peers. The committee coordinates with ED YP leaders across the state of Ohio to develop programming and networking opportunities with the goal of elevating the profession and increasing interest in ED as a career.

Before joining REDI, Andrea connected business to local resources as a membership development representative at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Andrea started her career at Enquirer Media assisting companies with recruitment advertising needs. These experiences and several leadership roles with Give Back Cincinnati helped Andrea form a deep appreciation for the Cincinnati region and desire to focus her efforts on impacting the community.

Andrea received a B.A. in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College of Public Affairs and is a member of the Chamber's second Cincy Next leadership class.

Kim Harp

Manager, Business Retention & Expansion

Kim Harp is REDI Cincinnati’s business retention & expansion manager. In this role, Kim establishes relationships with businesses and various community partners to facilitate a healthy business climate and growth. She leads the REDI team in its initiative to build sustainable relationships with existing businesses in our region, in partnership with JobsOhio. She is also REDI’s liaison to Northern Kentucky and cultivates relationships with regional partners including Northern Kentucky Tri-ED.

Kim joined REDI in February 2015 with a background in communications, public relations, social media, business development, training, sales and client relations. Prior to joining REDI, she was the director of communications & public relations at Thomas More University.

Kim is an advisory board member of the World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. She is an active member of her church and takes improv classes with Improv Cincinnati. A Northern Kentucky native, Kim lives in Campbell County and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.

Andrew Haynes

Project Coordinator

Andrew Haynes joined REDI Cincinnati in 2020 as the Project Coordinator. Andrew Haynes’ strong background in urban planning and sports administration guides his approach to facilitating the connections that communities need to adapt and thrive.

Since earning his bachelor’s degree in urban studies at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (UC DAAP), Andrew has built an expertise across multiple industries that he uses to support the vibrancy and success of economic development programs. As an assistant supervisor for the University of Cincinnati (UC) athletics department, he coordinated high-budget licensed apparel contracts for marketing the UC Bearcat brand. He later worked as an urban planner for Elevar Design Group, contributing to the firm’s new business development, as well as conducting property inspections and reviews, serving as liaison to the City of Cincinnati’s Departments of City Planning and Buildings and Inspections, and coordinating design submissions for the FC Cincinnati West End Stadium.

With his diverse background, Andrew finds that he thrives at adaptation. He’s propelled his own career forward using observation, determination, and passion — all of which he’s now putting to use for our region at REDI Cincinnati.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys spending time with family, exploring new restaurants with friends, and volunteering for different events around town. He is also an active resident of the Village of Silverton, where he participates in their community development initiatives.

Jake Hesseling

Manager of Strategic Communications

Jake Hesseling currently serves as the strategic communications manager at REDI Cincinnati, the Cincinnati region’s economic development advocate. His deep background in political operations, public policy, and grassroots organizing supports REDI Cincinnati’s mission to make the Cincinnati region a top place for businesses to grow.

Before joining REDI Cincinnati, Jake worked as the Chief of Staff for a Cincinnati City Councilmember, where he was responsible for budget management, economic development policy, and special projects. In addition, Jake worked on engaging the community through the city’s budget process and served as a spokesman for the Councilmember’s office. He also worked for an issue advocacy organization, organizing grassroots operations and building relationships with local officials to further policy priorities.

Jake graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in International Studies and National Security Policy. During his studies, Jake worked as a Page in the Ohio Senate and an Intern at the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jake currently serves on the board of Strategies to End Homelessness, a coordinated community effort with the goal of ending homelessness in the Cincinnati region. He enjoys staying active, spending time with family, traveling, and catching Reds games in his spare time. He currently resides in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood.

Adam Jones

Director, Regional Talent

Adam B. Jones is the Director of Regional Talent for REDI Cincinnati. In this role, Adam is responsible for leading, managing and being accountable for the REDI Cincinnati talent acquisition and delivery strategy in the region, with a specific focus on attraction and expansion projects.

Prior to joining REDI Cincinnati, Adam served as executive director of the Workforce Investment Board of Butler, Clermont and Warren Counties in Southwest Ohio; a public/private partnership designated and certified by the Governor of Ohio to provide workforce development services funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As the executive director, he designed and implemented an aggressive restructuring of the workforce board that resulted in the highest performance rating of the Board since 2008, increased levels of membership engagement (90 percent up from 48 percent), and record levels of initial and repeat business customers (1,480 percent cumulative increase during three years).

During his tenure on the Workforce Board, Adam created a new youth employment program known as CareerConnection, which centralized disparate operations, and added structure and consistency to better serve the area’s emerging workforce. This resulted in the development of a new and unique career expo event known as SkillsCon. During this time, he was also nominated and elected by his peers to serve as an executive officer of the Ohio Workforce Association and worked with federal oversight agencies on public workforce policy.

Aside from his experience on the Workforce Board, Adam was elected to two consecutive terms as a City Councilmember in Fairfield, Ohio, also serving as vice mayor, and is a former big band radio broadcaster.

Adam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, majoring in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Market Research and Analysis from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

In his spare time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters while building and driving his own race car.

Kimm Lauterbach

President & CEO

Creativity, curiosity, and a bit of Cincinnati grit has steered Kimm Lauterbach to success in her two-decade rise as one of the world’s leading economic development professionals.

As a founding member of REDI Cincinnati’s leadership team, Kimm engineers strategies and tactics that strengthen the three-state, 16-county Cincinnati region to compete globally. Kimm took the helm of REDI Cincinnati in September 2018, following five successful years as vice president of business development and project management for the organization. In that role, she changed the face of economic development in the Cincinnati region, leading all aspects of the deal for companies locating to or expanding in the region.

She has played a pivotal role in Ohio’s economic development across multiple cities and counties in both the public and private sectors, aligning diverse stakeholder interests with the needs of business communities across long-term regional economic goals. The synergies she uncovered as Warren County Port Authority Executive Director served to elevate economic vitality in Ohio’s second-fastest-growing county. Earlier in her career, Kimm was the first full-time economic development professional with the City of Fairfield, and also served in that role at the City of Mason.

Kimm serves on the board of directors for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and Source Cincinnati, as well as the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Foreign Trade Zones and Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Northern Kentucky Tri-ED). She was named among the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2017 Women Who Mean Business; and in 2016, Consultant Connect named her one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers. She is recognized as a Woman of Influence by Venue and Lead Magazine. Kimm also serves on the Cincinnati region’s RESTART Task Force aimed at guiding the business community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kimm is a magna cum laude graduate of Indiana University’s Master of Public Administration program, with concentrations in nonprofit management and public policy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Dayton.

Kimm lives in Mason, Ohio, with her husband, Leo, and her two daughters. She’s an avid SCUBA diver who enjoys live music; Bengals, Reds, and FC Cincy games; and cheering on her daughters at their collegiate and athletic events.

Danielle Losos

Senior Marketing Manager

Danielle Losos joins REDI as a storyteller and in-house Senior Marketing Manager. Danielle is responsible for aligning REDI’s brand, mission, and growth goals through traditional and digital marketing efforts.

Danielle graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She spent six years with American City Business Journals on the audience team which allowed her to develop a marketing and membership strategy for both Columbus Business First and The Houston Business Journal. While with ACBJ, Danielle became the youngest Audience Development Director in the history of the 43 markets due to her ability to pair business development strategies with tactical marketing methods.

Before joining REDI, Danielle worked with Briggs & Veselka Co., Houston’s largest independent accounting firm. She built strategic marketing plans for 16 industry and service line niches. She also supported B&V through three major acquisitions in the first three months of 2018.

In September 2020, Danielle was selected for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's Women Excel Leadership Program (WE Lead Class 15). WE Lead is a 10-month program for high-potential, goal-oriented women in the Cincinnati region and in 2021 she joined the Cincinnati Art Museum's Catalyst Board.

Danielle’s passion is for people. She loves to grow business through the stories and experiences of local businessmen and women in the community.

Danielle is an adventurer outside of the office. She travels around the world with her husband, Mike, whenever she can, absorbing art, culture, and sampling cuisines wherever their adventures take them. You may run into the two love birds out and about around Cincinnati on their “Wednesday Night Date Nights”. They reside in Wyoming, OH with their two rescue cats, Strom and Tigra.

Chase Mosijowsky

Engagement Coordinator

Chase Mosijowsky joined REDI Cincinnati in 2021 as an Engagement Coordinator. His background in investor relations, fundraising, and community organizing led to his current role which combines community engagement and investor relations.

Prior to joining REDI Cincinnati, Chase worked as a campaign ambassador, managing a portfolio of non-profit and private sector workplace-giving fundraisers for the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. He then served as deputy campaign manager to Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, in addition, to finance roles for campaigns across the State of Ohio.

Chase graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2019 with a BA in Political Science. While originally from the shores of Lake Erie, he fell in love with the Cincinnati region as a student and set up roots to continue working and living here after graduation.

Outside of work, Chase enjoys traversing the tri-state area on foot and exploring the region’s brewery scene. You can often find him playing basketball or shopping at Findlay Market. He currently resides in downtown Cincinnati.

Carrie Pastor

Director of Community & Investor Relations

Carrie Pastor serves as Director of Community & Investor Relations at REDI. In this role, Carrie works with investors, builds regional relationships, and drives engagement with REDI.

Prior to joining REDI Carrie served as Senior Manager of Government Affairs at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber where she led the Chamber’s local and federal government affairs work. Carrie worked closely with elected officials and partners, including REDI, to advocate for funding and tools to drive economic development and the region’s growth.

Before her time at the Chamber, Carrie worked in public affairs at the Union League Club of Chicago and in the office of the president at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

Carrie holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from James Madison College at Michigan State University.

In 2014 Carrie was named a YWCA Rising Star. She is a graduate of C-Change Class 12 and completed Beyond Civility in 2017.

A native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Carrie lives in Hyde Park with her husband and children.

Andrea Pinho

Manager, Site Selection and Real Estate

Andrea Pinho joined the REDI Cincinnati team in 2019 as the site selection and real estate manager. In this role, Andrea assists growing companies in finding their perfect location to thrive in the Cincinnati region. Her greatest ability is to pinpoint ideal real estate options that fit the exact needs of her clients.

Before joining REDI Cincinnati, Andrea worked at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where she facilitated $4+ million in revenue to businesses in the state. As a senior program manager, Andrea worked to engage key stakeholders in targeted industries. She was able to transform stakeholder’s business gaps into potential qualified partnerships. Andrea takes pride in the cities she calls “home”. She is thrilled to work with REDI Cincinnati to support the region’s thriving community and economy.

As an Alma College alumna, Andrea graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and minors in Communication and Spanish. While in school, she was fortunate enough to play volleyball, develop an appreciation for an active community, and travel to both Nicaragua and Peru.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys staying competitive at volleyball, finding new restaurants to rave about, and staying social with family and friends. She recently bought her first home in the city of Loveland.

Gina Rittinger

Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Communications

In her role as REDI Cincinnati Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Communications, Gina Rittinger is responsible for leading the organization’s marketing initiatives relating to business recruitment, development, and retention in the three-state, 16-county Cincinnati region.

Gina is a career marketer with more than 23 years of experience in the development, creation, and launch of on-target solutions aligned with organizational, marketing and sales objectives. Her strengths include coaching, mentoring, and change management; leading and managing cross-functional teams and driving initiatives and projects, large or small, from concept to completion with collaborative success.

Gina most recently served as Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where she managed the cross-functional teams charged with developing campus-wide marketing, branding, and public relations. Prior to joining NKU, Gina was director of marketing communications at General Cable, a global Fortune 500 wire and cable manufacturer; and an account executive at RGI Design. Gina, who earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from NKU, also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK).

A lifelong Northern Kentuckian, Gina brings a unified and passionate regional perspective to her role in shaping strategic communications and helping deliver and amplify REDI Cincinnati’s message throughout the region. Gina, who resides in Grant’s Lick, Kentucky, with her husband, and two sons, spends as much time as possible camping, boating and horseback riding with family and friends.

Brandon Simmons

Vice President, Project Management

Brandon Simmons leads the REDI Cincinnati Project Management team, driving job creation and capital investment in the Cincinnati region.

He also is responsible for monitoring the regional pipeline and serving in an advisory capacity to companies looking to expand in the Cincinnati region. Brandon and his team convene the best and brightest resources from across our region to connect growing companies with a viable workforce, sites, utilities, and much more.

A true team player, Brandon brings a high-energy, competitive spirit to his projects, notably demonstrated by his work in 2016 to bring a Barclaycard call center to Hamilton, Ohio.

Prior to joining REDI Cincinnati, Brandon served as JobsOhio Director of Project Management and Director for the Cleveland Area. In his most recent role, Brandon oversaw the deployment of resources in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties, integrating local and regional partners into the JobsOhio economic development model. In these previous roles, Brandon directly managed, supported, or provided advisory in 584 projects, resulting in $14.6 billion in fixed-asset investment; 46,169 new jobs; and $2.1 billion in new payroll for Ohio workers.

Brandon previously served J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. as Assistant Vice President of Global Business Document Services, where he was responsible for project management, analyzing, testing, and coordinating successful completion of the company’s first color rebranding initiative. Brandon is also a graduate of the J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Corporate Development Program.

Simmons graduated from Bucknell University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. The Cleveland native served as a cornerback and wide receiver on the Bucknell football team and was named to the Patriot League’s All-Academic team.

Ian Smith

Senior Project Manager

Ian Smith is a seasoned economic development professional and serves as Senior Project Manager for REDI Cincinnati. A passionate advocate for the Cincinnati region, Ian takes time to learn about and advocate for companies exploring new investment opportunities in the region.

Ian was a member of the REDI Cincinnati team when it was created in 2014 and had the privilege of supporting its growth into a nationally recognized economic development organization. Ian went on to gain economic development experience in the private sector, joining a Fortune 100 company in The Kroger Co. He gained vital experience in supporting several dozen new project initiatives across multiple Kroger industries including Information Technology, Distribution & Logistics, Manufacturing, and Retail Operations. Additionally, Ian played a strong role in streamlining economic incentive compliance reporting, helping the team standardize reporting for more than 100 active company projects. Before working for REDI Cincinnati and Kroger, Ian gained data analytic experience with Nielsen, supporting global clients through diagnosing consumer purchase behavior and competitive analysis.

Ian has had the privilege of experiencing the three major “C”s of Ohio, being born in Cleveland, growing up in Cincinnati, graduating magna cum laude from the Ohio State University in Columbus with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and a minor in marketing, and growing his career back in Cincinnati.

Outside of work, Ian, his wife Ali, two daughters and two dogs live in Terrace Park, OH and can be found taking advantage of the many family-friendly activities that the Cincinnati region has to offer, including the Cincinnati Children’s Museum, the Newport Aquarium, Little Miami Bike Trail and the Cincinnati Zoo. Ian has also become a passionate soccer fan; he and Ali attend as many FC Cincinnati home matches as possible.

Jennifer Thomas

Research Manager

Jennifer is a Research Manager at REDI Cincinnati. She works toward discovering solutions and providing a visual for those inquiring about the region’s economic growth. She really enjoys this work; existing in between creative problem solving, and data-driven results. It’s a unique space that calls for new strategies every day.

Jennifer has a degree in Biopsychology and Neuroscience from Miami University, where she spent a large amount of her time conducting research in the university’s research facilities. She has participated in panels and annual speaking engagements at the University, assisting undecided students with selecting majors and career paths. She also earned a M.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis as well as a certification in Advanced Data Analytics from the University of Cincinnati. Her skills, among many others, include detail-oriented research, data maintenance, and data visualizations.

She is a born and raised Cincinnatian. She attended Walnut Hills High School and has developed a passion for youth education, specifically in STEM. Her passion for youth education has created opportunities for community engagement, as she sits as VP of The National Society of Black Engineers’ Cincinnati Professionals Chapter. There she assists with marketing monthly events and helping to engage with members. The chapter focuses on creating an environment for the city’s professionals to network, as well as assisting with programing aimed to help minority youth foster an interest in STEM.

In her free time, she loves gardening, ice skating, and playing sand volleyball. She lives in Cincinnati with her sister Chelsea and pup Pilot. On the weekends, you’ll likely catch her at the latest rooftop restaurant, checking out a local jazz artist, relaxing at Ziegler Park, or having a morning coffee at BlaCk Coffee Lounge.

Wade Williams

Vice President, Global Business Development

Wade Williams is a longtime economic development professional and regional native whose career features strong networking skills, active volunteerism, community advocacy, and successful implementation of BR&E strategies that have created and saved thousands of jobs across the Cincinnati region.

In his role as REDI Cincinnati Vice President of Global Business Development, Wade guides targeted attraction efforts both domestically and internationally including maintaining and growing strategic relationships with the site selection community. Wade also leads the business intelligence strategy including the use of research and data-collection efforts to ensure REDI Cincinnati offers the best return on investment to its investors and clients.

In his previous position with the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED), Wade helped communities achieve their development goals by equipping growing companies with the resources necessary to thrive. He managed a robust business retention and expansion program covering Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, while overseeing efforts to market and attract new industries. Wade’s tenure saw corporate expansions at the Northern Kentucky facilities of Amazon, DHL, and Kroger, among others.Prior to his work with Tri-ED, Wade honed a mega-region approach to economic development in more than a decade spent managing business operations and complex real-estate acquisition projects within Duke Energy’s Ohio and Kentucky Office of the President.

A strong advocate of community service, Wade has volunteered for countless leadership and community boards across the Cincinnati region. He is an active member of Kentucky United, Northern Kentucky University Alumni Association, and the Boone County Success by 6 initiative.

Wade is a graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from Northern Kentucky University. Wade and his wife Kara reside in Northern Kentucky with their two daughters, Nora and Bryn.