By Nathan Pilling

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XENIA — Greene County’s economic development director is leaving for a job at Wright State University.

Williams said Wednesday that he’ll begin as the director of development and external relations for the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science March 7.

He will leave behind his current roles as the director of the Greene County Department of Development, the executive director of the Greene County Port Authority and the secretary/treasurer of the Greene County Community Improvement Corporation. His last day with the county will be March 4.

Some of Williams’ contributions to economic development in the county included helping to reactivate the Greene County Port Authority in 2014 – which aided Wright State Physicians Inc. in refinancing bonds to save the organization $3 million – as well as working to secure enterprise zone tax abatements for Twist Inc. and Dayton Mailing Services for investments made at their facilities in Greene County.

Williams said he was proud of his contributions in economic development in Greene County, but said, “I can’t emphasize enough that the work that we’ve accomplished is a direct result of the people that we’ve had on staff and the programs they’ve been able to bring in,” he said. “I was lucky to be able to quarterback that. We have fantastic staff here. That’s why the results are what they’ve been.”

Williams came to Greene County as an economic development specialist in 2012, was made interim director of the department of development in April 2014 and was made permanent director in July 2014.

“He’s done a fabulous job,” Greene County Administrator Brandon Huddleson said. “He’s been instrumental in instituting some new programs for the county. It’s a huge loss for us and great for Wright State. He’ll be a great asset for them. We’re very sorry to lose him.”

With all the responsibilities Williams has had, Huddleson agreed that the new director will be an important hire for the county, “absolutely.” Huddleson said the job opening will be posted online Friday.

“It’s one of my top priorities, is getting that position filled,” he said. “… It is imperative that we get that filled within the next several weeks.”

Williams
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2016/03/web1_williams.jpgWilliams

By Nathan Pilling

[email protected]

Reach Nathan Pilling at 937-502-4498 or on Twitter @XDGNatePilling.