+1 (812) 378-7300 facebook twitter linkedin China Japan Go to... Staff Jason Hester, CEcD President Email: jhester@columbusin.org Jason Hester brings more than twenty years of local and state-level economic development experience to his role as President of the Greater Columbus (Indiana) Economic Development Corporation. Building on the area’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, design, and foreign direct investment, Hester leads the area’s business retention and expansion efforts as well as business recruitment activities focused on targeted domestic and international opportunities. Since joining Greater Columbus EDC in August of 2010, collaborative efforts have supported over 115 local expansion and attraction projects calling for more than $1.0 Billion in new capital investment and 3,270 new direct jobs. Jason also places value on supporting international relations and is active at both home and abroad with local Sister City initiatives in Japan, China, Germany, and India. Before joining Greater Columbus EDC, Jason served as the Central Region Director for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, where he led business attraction and expansion efforts in the state’s largest region. Over three years, he and his team successfully closed more than 220 competitive projects, calling for $5.1 billion in new capital investment and the creation of 38,000 new jobs. Prior to IEDC, Jason served locally in two other Hoosier communities – Elwood and Kokomo. A native Hoosier, Jason obtained his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and a B.A. degree with honors from Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, OK), majoring in International Community Development. Jason is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma, and in 2004 he earned the coveted Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation given by the International Economic Development Council. Beth Bailey Executive Assistant & Office Manager Email: beth@columbusin.org Beth Bailey joins EDC after seven years’ service as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Credit officer at First Financial Bank located in Columbus, IN. In that role, she regularly prepared reports for the Board of Directors, securely processed confidential information, and kept an organized work environment for the CCO. Prior to her work at First Financial, Bailey served as the Administrative Assistant for First Christian Church in Columbus. Bailey holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Indiana Business College, and she brings over 14 years of administration experience to the Columbus EDC as she fills the position of Executive Assistant & Office Manager. Will it be you? Project/Business Development Manager Email: info@columbusin.org Greater Columbus EDC is currently accepting résumés for part-time and/or full-time Project Managers, Business Development Managers, and/or Marketing Managers. If interested, please email your résumé and cover letter to info@columbusin.org, or call Jason at 812-378-7300 for more information. Local residency is strongly preferred. About Us Mission & Objectives Staff Members About Our Logo Join Contact Us Partner & Resource Links CONTACT US Jason Hester, CEcD, President Greater Columbus EDC 440 Fifth Street Columbus, Indiana 47201 Phone +1 (812) 378-7300 Fax +1 (812) 372-6756 Email: info@columbusin.org Search for: BOTTOM LINE Columbus, Indiana is consistently ranked among the Top Ten locations in the United States. With one of the highest concentrations of engineering talent in the nation, 39% manufacturing employment, I-65 access, and nationally recognized community living, now is the right time to consider the unexpected opportunities this unforgettable community has to offer. TAKE ACTION Contact Us Join the Columbus EDC Property Search Copyright © Columbus Indiana Economic Development | All Rights Reserved facebook twitter linkedin China Japan