Ohio’s largest city has a new leader for its Development Department. Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced Chief Innovation Officer Michael Stevens will serve as Interim Director of the Columbus Department of Development pending the departure of current Director Steve Schoeny. Schoeny was named City Manager for the City of Upper Arlington. Michael Stevens, Chief Innovation Officer for the City since 2017, is spearheading the Smart Columbus initiative aimed at improving the quality of life and providing ladders of opportunity for Columbus residents through enhanced mobility options, improved infrastructure and the application of advanced technologies. Stevens will continue to lead Smart Columbus while serving as interim director. Prior to serving as Chief Innovation Officer, Stevens worked as the Deputy Director of the Columbus Department of Development until being named the CEO of Lake County Partners, a nonprofit economic-development organization outside Chicago, in 2012. Mike also is an economic development veteran of the City of Dublin, Ohio. Stevens serves on the Board of the Central Ohio Transit Association and has been a leader in Central Ohio on smart transportation issues. Mike Stevens becomes Columbus’ Development Director at a time of unprecedented growth but will face challenges implementing a new housing incentive program and working to attract large scale industrial users that have located more often outside of the city’s core.
