Team NEO Announces CEO Koehler Plans to Retire

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Team NEO Board of Directors announced Wednesday that CEO Bill Koehler is planning to retire after a decade of leadership with the JobsOhio network partner.

“Bill’s exceptional leadership has propelled Team NEO to the forefront of regional economic development,” said Kim Riley, chair of the Team NEO board. “His legacy of fostering collaboration, driving research-based strategies and cultivating vital partnerships leaves an indelible mark on our organization and the entire Northeast Ohio region.”

Koehler has served in the role since 2015. During his tenure, “Team NEO has undergone remarkable growth and evolution. Today, Team NEO is recognized as a catalytic and unifying force, bringing together diverse organizations, associations and institutions to advance industry, foster innovation, develop sites, cultivate talent, champion equitable prosperity, and promote the region,” a news release states.

“Bill has been an exceptional leader and partner for JobsOhio in Northeast Ohio. He leaves an impressive legacy, beginning with the outstanding team he has built, who drove the organization’s success and who will undoubtedly continue the momentum during this transition,” said JP Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “Bill’s leadership impacted every corner of Team NEO’s region, including the Mahoning Valley, where the momentum driven by Bill and the team made it possible to create an independent Lake to River region, JobsOhio’s seventh and final network partner.”

Key achievements under Koehler’s leadership include:

• Expansion of staff from 27 to 37 professionals; increase in annual budget from $4.5 million to $7.4 million; and tripling of investor base.

• Establishment of four strategy councils that harness Team NEO’s data-driven insights to build talent pipelines, identify prime development sites, foster industry innovation and promote northeastern Ohio’s strengths.

• Development of innovative tools like the Aligning Opportunities portfolio and the Developing Opportunities platform.

• Creation of the Vibrant Economy Indicators to benchmark northeastern Ohio against 12 U.S. markets and help create a more competitive and prosperous regional economy.

• Launch of a regional brand platform to bolster business attraction and retention.

“It has been an honor to lead Team NEO and work alongside our talented staff, dedicated board and committed partners across the region,” Koehler said. “I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together. As I prepare for this transition, I’m confident that Team NEO is poised for even greater achievements under new leadership. Until then, I promise to ‘run through the tape’ to help Team NEO achieve its ambitious goals and set up the next leader for success.”

The Team NEO board has established a search committee to find Koehler’s replacement. As the search progresses, Koehler will continue to lead the organization, “ensuring a seamless transition,” the release states.

Pictured at top: Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler. (Team NEO)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.