Economic Development

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If you would like assistance from our economic development professionals, review the contact areas below:

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Patrick J. Kelly

Director, Economic Development

330-384-5822

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Education/Licensures: Master of Business Administration, Kent State University.

Team Member Since: 1995.

Responsibilities: Lead FirstEnergy’s efforts to encourage capital investment by traded sector companies in our six-state region and to help improve the economic wellbeing of the communities we are privileged to serve.

Community Involvement:  Board member for the Utility Economic Development Association, Downtown Akron Partnership, Brite Energy Innovators, Fund for Our Economic Future, Team NEO Right Sites and the Northern Ohio District Export Council

Northwest Ohio Defiance, Sandusky, Toledo

Hans D. Rosebrock

Economic Development Advisor

419-249-5230

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Education/Licensures: Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma; MA, Geography & Urban Planning, University of Toledo; BA, Geography & Urban Planning, University of Toledo.

Team Member Since: I have served in various economic development and external affairs positions since joining the company in 1995.

Responsibilities: I am responsible for helping generate economic growth in FirstEnergy’s Northwest Ohio service territory which includes Toledo Edison and parts of Ohio Edison. Activities center around assisting industrial customers with electric service information and problem solving related to capital investments being considered. These efforts many times include preparing rate studies, electric circuit capacity & reliability data, maps of electric infrastructure, and facilitating engineering solutions for projects.

Community Involvement: I serve on the boards of the Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development Association, Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation, and Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation.  I am also a voting member of the Northwest Ohio Development Assistance Corporation which administers SBA and Ohio DSA loans on behalf of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.  Lastly, I am Toledo Edison’s liaison to the United Way of Greater Toledo and serves on their Campaign Cabinet.

Northeast Ohio Ashtabula, Cleveland, Elyria

Renee M. Nied

Economic Development Consultant

330-384-4643

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Education/Licensures: Master of Business Administration, Ashland University; Bachelor of Business Administration, Kent State University.

Team Member Since: 2019. I’ve held various positions within FirstEnergy since 2007, mostly within our External Affairs organization.

Responsibilities: I work closely with state and regional economic development organizations to support commercial and industrial growth in Northeast Ohio.  I also work with the communities we serve to help bring the best opportunities their way.

Community Involvement: I’m an active volunteer at a variety of community organizations.  I currently serve on the City of Akron Vacant Commercial Industrial Building Appeals Board and the Geauga Growth Partnership Board of Directors.

Central and Northern Ohio Akron, Mansfield, Medina, Springfield, Youngstown

Melissa M. Frank

Economic Development Consultant

330-436-4122

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Education/Licensures: Bachelor of Business Administration, The Ohio State University.

Team Member Since: 1999.  I’ve worked at FirstEnergy for over 25 years; however, I’ve spent the bulk of my career in economic development.

Responsibilities: I work closely with economic development organizations to support customers and prospective customers in FirstEnergy communities. I am also responsible for our team’s relationships with site selection consultants.

Community Involvement: I have been an officer and board member for several state and national economic development organizations, including president of the Ohio Economic Development Association. I currently serve as Vice President of the Western Reserve Community Fund.  I also volunteer with community and educational organizations

Western Pennsylvania & Northwest West Virginia Erie, Parkersburg, Suburban Pittsburgh

Lisa K. Nentwick

Economic Development Advisor

724-453-3438

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Education/Licensures: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Ohio State University

Team Member Since: 2013. I’ve held various positions over my 33-year career in Customer Support, most recently as Manager, Customer Support Ohio Edison/Penn Power.

Responsibilities: I’m responsible for the commercial and industrial economic development activities in the western PA counties and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. I provide site location assistance and serve as the point of contact for the Marcellus/Utica Shale industry.

Miscellaneous: I’ve been married for over 30 years and am a “Boy Mom”; I have two sons and one grandson. I enjoy antiquing and watching college sports, especially OSU football.

Central and northern Pennsylvania Altoona, Clearfield, Somerset, Towanda, Warren

Roger J. Heasley

Senior Advisor, Economic Development

610-921-6910

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Education/Licensures: Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University.

Team Member Since: 2018.  I’ve held various positions within FirstEnergy since 1984, most recently Director, External Affairs.

Responsibilities: I work closely with state and regional economic development organizations to support commercial and industrial growth in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  I also work with the communities we serve to help bring the best opportunities their way.

Community Involvement: I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Adams (County, PA) Economic Alliance, the Lebanon Valley (PA) Economic Development Corporation, and the Pennsylvania Economy League – Central PA Division.  I am also a member of the Berks (County, PA) Economic Development Council; the Lehigh Valley (PA) Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Policy Committee; the Advisory Board of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Choose New Jersey Business Development Committee; the Morris County (NJ) Economic Development Council; the Alvernia University Engineering Advisory Board; and the Carnegie Mellon University Electric Industry Center’s Advisory Committee.

Miscellaneous: My interests include family time, working on activities for my church, golfing, traveling, and participating and following numerous sports.  I am also a season ticket holder to Penn State Football.

Southeast Pennsylvania, northern & central New Jersey Harrisburg, Morristown, Toms River, York

Joe Malda

Economic Development Consultant

717-848-7150

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Education/Licensures: BA, Religion, Houghton College, NY; MA, Language Development, Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics, TX.

Team Member Since: 2020.  I’ve held various positions within FirstEnergy since 2010, including Customer Support Specialist for major commercial and industrial customers, and External Affairs Consultant for York, Adams, and Cumberland Counties, PA.

Responsibilities: I am the lead for commercial and industrial economic development in FirstEnergy’s Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey service territory. I work closely with state, regional and local economic development organizations, major developers, site location consultants, and internal stakeholders to improve the economic wellbeing of our communities and to attract gainful and equitable employment.

Community Involvement: I sit on the board of directors of the Adams Economic Alliance and the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation and serve on the Choose New Jersey Business Development Committee. I also serve as an Elder, Deacon, and Community Group Leader at York Alliance Church.

Miscellaneous: I am conversant in Spanish and French and have been fortunate enough to have lived in France, Togo, and southern Mexico. I enjoy family time, cooking, board games, winter camping, and obstacle course racing.