This year, Dan Sheaffer stepped from leading Findlay Hancock County Economic Development into the role of president and CEO of The Alliance. Chris Keller was named executive director of FHCED in December.
Findlay·Hancock County Economic Development Sees Administrative Changes
Dan Sheaffer, president and CEO of The Alliance
2024 brought major changes in leadership to Findlay·Hancock County Economic Development office with Executive Director Dan Sheaffer stepping into a new role and Chris Keller being named as his successor.
In August, Sheaffer became CEO and president of The Findlay·Hancock County Alliance. The Alliance is made up of the ED office, the Findlay·Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and the Findlay·Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau. As he remains connected to the ED office in his new role, Sheaffer served both as Alliance chief and continued to work in economic development during the search process for his replacement.
Keller was selected from a pool of candidates by the Economic Development Advisory Board, and steps up as executive director from her role as FHCED’s director of strategic initiatives. She became official on Dec. 1.
Chris Keller, executive director of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development
“I am honored and excited to take on the role of executive director for Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development,” Keller said. “As director of strategic initiatives, I was able to make important connections with community leaders and actively engage in many fruitful projects. I look forward to utilizing these experiences and my previous leadership experience to drive growth and prosperity for our community.”
Before initially joining the office in February, Keller was a successful commercial real estate agent and the former president of Bluffton Hospital (part of Blanchard Valley Health System). She spent most of her 24-year career as a senior executive in health care delivery and has expertise in business development and operational efficiencies.
“As we start the new year, I look forward to engaging with the business community to better-learn needs, challenges, and ways to support growth and sustainability,” Keller said. “I am also looking forward to evaluating our current systems to develop new, updated processes.”
We think this Bobblehead is spot on. Best wishes, Dan!
Sheaffer began his work in the FHCED office in 2013, starting as small business resource coordinator. In 2016, his role changed to project specialist, and from 2022-2204, Sheaffer served as executive director. His work was a steady force on a changing team that drove the success propelling Findlay to Site Selection Magazine’s Top Micropolitan in the country for a decade (2015-2024).
“My time with the economic development office has been most gratifying,” Sheaffer said. “It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with community leaders, drive meaningful growth, and contribute to a region that is truly committed to innovation and progress.”
