MANSFIELD — The economic success of Richland County is personal to Jessica Gribben.
That’s because the new president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development has spent her life here.
“I think what’s so meaningful to me about taking on this role is that it’s professional growth for me, certainly, but it’s so personal,” Gribben said.
“I grew up here. I live here. I’m raising my family here,” the Crestview High School graduate said.
“I want to leave this specific place better than I found it. This is such a great platform to be able to work toward that goal,” Gribben said.
She replaces Ellen Heinz, who announced in late February she was leaving in March largely due to family considerations after leading the chamber for the past two years. Her last day is Friday and Gribben will assume her new role on Monday.
Heinz was hired in 2024 to replace Jodie Perry, the current Mansfield mayor who led the chamber for a decade before making the decision to run for office.
(Below is a professional resume for Jessica Gribben in her current role at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.)
Search for new leader revealed consistent theme
Jon Pierce, chamber board chair, said a common theme quickly emerged as executive board members talked to members and development partners — hire Gribben.
“We spent the last few weeks evaluating next steps and thinking about how we could best get the organization moving forward,” said Pierce, owner and president of DRM Productions Inc. in Mansfield.
“We thought about a variety of options, but one of the constant messages we got was the theme of recommendations that Jessica be next president and CEO of the organization,” Pierce said.
He cited the work Gribben has done for the last eight years at the chamber, the relationships she has built around the communities and for possessing the ability to keep the organization’s momentum moving forward.
“She’s been very involved across a lot of our chamber and our RCDG initiatives and has just really done a great job,” Pierce said.
According to the chamber website, “Jessica is driven by her desire to create positive changes in the community and create an eco-system that supports the growth of high-wage, high-skill jobs to create lasting impact. Jessica is a holistic economic development practitioner that looks at every opportunity from Main Street to large-scale industrial growth and attraction, to finding ways to create opportunities to support workforce housing development.”
“The chamber, Richland Community Development Group and the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation are in a strong place today,” said Randa Payne, chair-elect for the chamber.
“We have a talented team, engaged board leadership, and tremendous community partnerships. Jessica is a natural-born leader, and she will help us continue to build on the positive trajectory of the organization already underway,” Payne said.
The title and responsibilities are new to Gribben. But the work of the chamber and the Richland Community Development Group are not.
She went to work for the chamber in 2018 and currently serves as its economic and community development director.
After attending The Ohio State University, Gribben worked in banking for eight years at Richland Bank and as a Realtor for The Holden Agency before joining the chamber as economic development manager for the city of Shelby and northern Richland County.
That initial role was a partnership-funded arrangement with the city of Shelby, the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation and the chamber, allowing her to focus on economic development efforts specifically tailored to Shelby and the northern part of the county, while being employed by the chamber.
Her role expanded over time to her current position and Gribben has been involved in many countywide initiatives, including the recent countywide housing study and the recently launched countywide land use study.
Gribben: Chamber staff has ‘all hands on deck’ mentality
Gribben said the chamber staff has a “all hands on deck” mentality.
“We’re a small staff, so everybody jumps in and helps where necessary. As we’re looking holistically at economic development in the county, there’s certain things that I focused on for Shelby. But then there’s certain things that are certainly countywide,” she said.
She cited her work with partners around the county, including the Richland County Land Bank and Richland County Regional Planning. She has also earned her credential as an Ohio Certified Economic Developer through the Ohio Economic Development Association.
“I think having some of those relationships are important. They know who I am and I know who they are. We’ve worked together. I think this paved the way for continued momentum,” Gribben said.
Gribben was on the board of the Richland Community Development Group when the organization made the decision to merge fully with the chamber in 2017. The move expanded the traditional role of the chamber during Perry’s tenure.
“It made perfect sense for both of those things to come together. Honestly, that’s what is appealing to me about this role for me,” Gribben said.
“I love working with our businesses that exist here today, supporting them, bringing them opportunities and creating an environment where they can thrive … while also trying to attract new businesses to the area … the things that make the big headlines,” she said.
Gribben will move into a new office on Monday. But she will park in the same lot and continue to work with the same staff members.
“A big part of my interest in this role was the team that exists here. They’re a great group of professionals with whom I have had the privilege of working alongside for eight years. I know what they’re capable of.
“I think this is a natural fit to move into this leadership role. I think we’ve always worked very well as a team,” she said.
“We strategically plan together, so that really won’t change. It’s just the buck stops here now.”
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is the leading business advocacy and economic development organization in North Central Ohio. With more than 1,100 members, the chamber supports business growth and builds a business-friendly climate in the Richland County area.