Executive Director

Abbey Bemis

Abbey works with the Board of Directors to set the strategic vision for the organization, designing and aligning programs and activities with the economic needs of Erie County. This includes extensive business and community outreach and collaboration with public and private organizations who contribute to the region’s economic and community development ecology. Abbey has a Master’s in Business Administration from Duke University. Abbey has family roots in north central Ohio and has been a resident of downtown Sandusky for 8 years.

CONTACT:

abbey@eriecountyedc.org

Program Manager

Sarah Ross

Sarah establishes relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs and community partners in an effort to facilitate existing business growth and new business development. She is responsible for the management of RISE, the Erie County Business Advisory Council, and organizational marketing efforts. Sarah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communications from Calvin College and a Masters Degree in Sport Management from Barry University. Sarah sits on the Boards of Directors of the Huron Chamber of Commerce and Ritter Public Library. Born and raised in Huron, Ohio, Sarah resides in Vermilion with her husband John and twins Raymond and Lillian.

CONTACT:

sarah@eriecountyedc.org

Office Manager

Lindsey Hoke

Lindsey joined ECEDC in March 2019.  In this role, Lindsey’s primary duties include Marketing and Accounting support as well as special projects. Lindsey has an Associates of Applied Business Degree specializing in Marketing and Sales.  Her past work experience includes working for small businesses in Erie County. Lindsey and her husband Dan reside in Perkins Township with their two daughters.

CONTACT:

office@eriecountyedc.org

Firelands Forward Director

Alex Jones

Acting as the public ambassador for Firelands Forward and  responsible for facilitating the collective success of the regional effort, Alex oversees the staff and systems of the Firelands Forward workforce Collaborative. Alex is a 2009 graduate of Sandusky High School, and a 2013 graduate of Ashland University, where he majored in Political Science and History. He was a scholar member of the nationally recognized Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs. In his professional career, Alex brings experience working as a Public Relations Liaison for the Ohio Auditor of State's office, where he worked in 15 counties across Northwest Ohio, including Erie and Huron. Most recently he was the Parent and Community Liaison for Sandusky City Schools. Alex lives in Sandusky with his wife Alexa, an educator at Perkins High School, and their dog Zeus.

CONTACT:

alex@firelandsforward.com

Firelands Forward Project Coordinator

Kelleigh Beatty

Kelleigh joined the team in 2020 as the project coordinator of Firelands Forward, a new regional workforce development initiative housed by ECEDC. In this role, she is responsible for managing the Advisory Board and Work Groups, and building collective impact capacity across both Erie and Huron counties. She holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Political Science from Miami University, with a concentration in Public Administration. A Sandusky native, Kelleigh is an avid sailor, and races with the Sandusky Sailing Club.

CONTACT:

kelleigh@firelandsforward.com