Greene County Workforce Development Summit

Colonel (retired) Joseph E. Zeis

Governor’s Senior Advisor for Aerospace and Defense

Joe Zeis is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with more than 26 years of service. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981 and holds master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is a master navigator, a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, and a certified Acquisition Program Manager who has presided over advanced technology contracts of major aircraft systems.

Joe serves as the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Aerospace and Defense. In this position he identifies and seeks growth opportunities for the state’s military and aerospace installations, concentrates on economic development opportunities of defense industries, and works to advance the quality of life for service members and their families.

Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D.

President, Clark State College

Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D., is the president of Clark State College. She has led the development and implementation of three strategic plans, three baccalaureate degree programs, and numerous workforce programs, as well as a campus reorganization. In addition, she is chair of the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees, the National Council for Workforce Education, and the Community College Alliance for Agricultural Advancement. Jo also serves on the boards of the Greater Springfield Partnership, Dayton Development Coalition, and Rocking Horse Community Health Center.

Patty Buddelmeyer

Senior Vice President of Development, Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education

Patty Buddelmeyer serves as the senior vice president of development at the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education. Since 2015, she has played a pivotal role in steering the organization toward new and diverse opportunities, thereby enhancing its portfolio and local impact. Her innovative initiatives include the establishment of workforce pipelines, the development of programming tailored to critical skills required by high-tech employers, and the creation of experiential learning opportunities for high school and college students. Patty has a wealth of leadership experience, particularly in guiding STEM development teams, and a strong program management background.

Kristi Clouse

Executive Director of Operations, JobsOhio

Kristi Clouse serves as the executive director of operations for JobsOhio. She oversees JobsOhio’s identification of job creation opportunities, project management, and incentive programs to ensure a streamlined experience for companies. Before joining JobsOhio, Kristi held various positions in economic development including working with the Ohio Department of Development’s Strategic Business Investment Division and the Allen Economic Development Group. Kristi’s accolades include being named the Lima Young Professional’s 2007 Emerging Young Professional of the Year and to the 2008 West Central Ohio Business Journal’s 20 Under 40. She has also served on numerous community and leadership boards.

John F. Faulkner

Deputy Director, 88th Air Base Wing, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 

John F. Faulkner is the Deputy Director, 88th Air Base Wing, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He serves as the senior civilian leader and assists in managing the Wing comprised of more than 5,000 Air Force active-duty, civilian, and contractor employees. The base is home to more than 30,000 employees and is the largest single site employer in the state of Ohio with a $4 billion annual economic impact. Prior to this assignment, John served as the Deputy Director, 86th Mission Support Group, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Eric Henry

Director of Development, Greene County 

Eric Henry is Green County’s director of development. He is an active-duty Air Force veteran and a current Air Force Reservist with the 445th Airlift Wing as a First Sergeant for the Aerospace Medical Squadron. During his time with Greene County, Eric and his team achieved several notable accomplishments including the revitalization and creation of several key programs such as the Economic Development Incentive Program, the Community Investment Grant program, and Greene County’s Non-Profit Grant program. In addition to his position with the Department of Development, Eric also operates as the executive director of the Greene County Port Authority.

Nick Marquart

Co-Founder and Chief Analytics Officer Infinity Labs LLC

Nick Marquart is an experienced leader across technology development efforts in support of national security missions. Nick served as a government civilian engineer at the Department of Defense and has spent the past 10 years supporting MS&A development, analysis, training, and sustainment activities in both technical and programmatic leadership capacities. In 2020, Nick co-founded Infinity Labs in Dayton alongside other esteemed figures in innovative technology development. Today, Nick helps oversee and execute Infinity Labs’ wide portfolio in MS&A technologies, operational technology cybersecurity, and biologically-inspired system design.