TBED People & Organizations

Ohio Gov. John Kasich named James Leftwich as the director of the Ohio Department of Development, effective March 25. Leftwich has worked at the Dayton Development Coalition for six years, including three years as president and CEO. Leftwich will take the post previously held by Mark Kvamme, a California venture capitalist named the state's development director in January. Kvamme was appointed director of Job Creation within the governor's office, effective immediately.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced that Jackson businessman Leland Speed will return as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority for the remainder of the governor's term that ends at the end of this year. Speed, who served as executive director from 2004 to 2006, will succeed Gray Swoope. Swoope recently announced his resignation at MDA to lead Enterprise Florida, that state's economic development organization.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy named Christopher "Kip" Bergstrom, former head of the city's Urban Redevelopment Commission, as the state's new director of culture and tourism.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling announced the formation of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance that combines six localities to promote economic development and job creation.

Brian Cummings has been named vice president for technology commercialization at The Ohio State University. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, his appointment will be effective June 1. He will lead the university's new Office of Technology Commercialization. Since 2005, Cummings has served as the executive director of the Technology Commercialization Office at the University of Utah and associate vice president of Technology Ventures.

The Center for Innovative Technology announced the appointment of Bob Stolle as the new vice president for Regional Growth Programs.

The City of Dublin, Ohio has promoted Colleen Gilger, its economic development administrator, to the new position of economic development manager.