The Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG) has announced that Cindy Leis is its new President and CEO. This follows Dave Stratton's transition to President and CEO of the Greater Lima Region (GLR). Stratton has been with AEDG since 2015 and led the organization since 2019. Both boards have approved the transitions, which took effect on Monday, July 15.

This shift marks a new era for both AEDG www.aedg.org  and GLR greaterlimaregion.com/. With Leis at the helm of AEDG and Stratton steering GLR, the two organizations are set to work collaboratively toward shared goals of supporting economic, business, and community development in Allen County and the surrounding region.

Leis’s primary goals will be infrastructure and site preparedness, attraction of new business, supporting existing businesses in Allen County and job creation in Allen County. 

“Cindy brings the skills and experience needed to further the initiatives of AEDG. We are excited by this next chapter in our organization,” stated Eric Pohjala, Chairman of the AEDG Board.

Leis has been associated with AEDG for nine years as a Senior Project Manager, Director of Business Development, and the Executive Director for the Port Authority of Allen County. She has over 30 years of experience in economic and community development, where she has worked at the state, regional, and county levels, managing business retention and growth, industrial site development, and new business attraction efforts.

Stratton’s move to the GLR is a strategic step toward reinforcing the collaborative efforts between AEDG and GLR. The GLR aims to stimulate economic and community development across Allen County and support economic growth in the surrounding seven counties.

“I see the Greater Lima Region as a significant economic development organization that will support the work of the Allen Economic Development Group,” Stratton stated. “It is a privilege to lead such an impactful organization as the GLR. I am extremely excited to work in collaboration with partners in Allen County and the region.”

The GLR’s primary focus will be to support AEDG’s economic development efforts. This includes initiatives such as economic and business development, generational projects,  downtown vibrancy, market-rate housing, workforce development, business advocacy and support, and marketing Allen County and the region.

ABOUT ALLEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG) is a public/private partnership that was formed in 1993 as a facilitator for countywide economic development. We work in collaboration with state and local partners to offer comprehensive services to current and prospective businesses considering Lima/Allen County as a place to grow. 

ABOUT GREATER LIMA REGION, INC.

GLR IS A  privately funded 501C3 tax exempt non-profit corporation. Its mission is to “Stimulate economic and community development across the eight-county Greater Lima Region” which includes Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties.