(left to right) Treasurer Paul Haller (Jackson County), Vice Chair Bonnie Batcher (Clermont County), Chair Luke Feeney (Ross County), and Secretary Stephanie Gilbert (OVRDC Executive Director).
New Officers Take Leadership Roles at Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
WAVERLY, Ohio – The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is pleased to announce the election of new officers, effective April 1, 2026. The officers were elected during the Commission’s Spring Full Commission Meeting held on March 27 in Brown County.
Mayor Luke Feeney (City of Chillicothe, Ross County) will now serve as Chair of the Commission. Feeney previously served as OVRDC’s Vice Chair and brings extensive experience in local government and regional collaboration to the role.
“It is a privilege to step into this role and build on the work of outgoing Chair Barry Woodruff and the many dedicated leaders who have helped guide OVRDC over the years,” said Feeney. “The commission has a proud history of regional partnership and progress, and I am honored to help continue that tradition.”
Joining Feeney in leadership are Bonnie Batchler (Clermont County), who will serve as Vice Chair, and Paul Haller (Jackson County), who will continue serving as Treasurer. Together, the officers will help guide the Commission’s work in regional economic & community development, transportation planning, and small business lending.
The Commission also expressed its sincere appreciation to outgoing Chair Barry Woodruff (Brown County) for his years of dedicated service and leadership. Woodruff played an important role in supporting OVRDC’s mission and fostering collaboration among local governments, community leaders, and regional partners.
OVRDC is a regional planning commission serving a 12-county region in southern Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties. The Commission works with local communities, state and federal partners, and private sector leaders to support economic growth, infrastructure development, and improved quality of life throughout the region.
For more information about OVRDC and its programs, visit ovrdc.org.
