Ms. Simon is the Director of the Ohio University Innovation Center, the University’s Business Incubator. She previously worked as the president of the Athens County Economic Development Council and the CEO of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. During her time at the Chamber, Jennifer retained Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. saving 180 jobs and helping to create at least an additional 50 jobs. She also located two new companies in the Bill Theisen Industrial Park – Gem Coatings, Inc. and Purely American, Inc. with a combined workforce of 50 employees. Prior to working at the Chamber, Ms. Simon had been the assistant director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia since 1999 where she managed over $60 million in grants. Her impact has been evident through several projects that she helped initiate and manage. These include the Rural Ohio Technology Infrastructure Group; the Access Appalachia Telecommunications Network Plan; and planning three high profile economic development conferences. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Public Administration from Ohio University in Political Science and Public Administration respectively. Jennifer resides in Athens, Ohio with her husband, David.