Paul Clark, regional president for PNC Bank in Cleveland, is taking over for Timken Co. chairman Ward J. “Tim” Timken Jr. as chair of area economic development group Team NEO.
Timken has headed the board of Team NEO, which focuses on regional business attraction, since 2011. He has been chairman of steel and bearing maker Timken Co. of Canton since 2005. Previously, he was vice chairman.
Tom Waltermire, CEO of Team NEO, said in a news release that Team NEO is “tremendously grateful for Tim Timken’s leadership and guidance during a period of significant change and growth for Team NEO.”
During Timken’s term, Team NEO became the regional arm of the state’s semi-private nonprofit JobsOhio economic initiative.
JobsOhio is Gov. John Kasich’s program that in 2011 took over many of the job-creation and retention duties of the Ohio Department of Development. The change met with mixed reactions in some economic development circles as local officials formerly worked directly with the state.
JobsOhio has been controversial with some arguing that its spending and donations should be more transparent.
Kasich and other proponents have said JobsOhio is a private entity, funded by liquor profits used to issue bonds.
Team NEO, headquartered in Cleveland, was formed by various chambers of commerce in Northeast Ohio, including the Greater Akron Chamber.
Clark’s move to chairman of the Team NEO governing board was expected. He was named vice chairman of Team NEO’s board when Timken was elected chairman.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
