Mark Barbash Named Chief Operating Officer at Finance Fund

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Finance Fund today announced the appointment of Mark Barbash as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the statewide community development financial institution.  As Finance Fund COO, Barbash will be responsible for day to day operations to advance community development.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130108/CL38501 )

"Mark brings 30 years of economic development experience," said Finance Fund CEO James R. Klein. "He will be a critical part of our team as Finance Fund grows its community development and small business financing activities."

Prior to joining Finance Fund, Barbash served as chief economic development officer for the Ohio Department of Development, development director for Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, executive director for the Columbus Countywide Development Corporation, and vice president for the National Development Council, Washington, D.C.

"Mark has extensive experience in economic development and financial operations and has excelled in his leadership roles with local, state and federal economic development agencies and financial institutions," said Klein. "As consultant to Finance Fund, he demonstrated leadership on key strategic initiatives. We look forward to working with him as Finance Fund expands its model to include new public and private sources of capital, and new financial products and programs to stimulate economic development in Ohio's underserved communities."

Barbash currently serves on the boards of the International Economic Development Council, the Ohio Economic Development Council and CATCO, Central Ohio's professional theatre company. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Barbash holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.

His past experience also includes service at the U.S. Department of Commerce, on the staffs of a Governor, Congressman and U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, and on a wide range of Boards, including the Columbus Technology Leadership Council, Campus Partners, and the Franklin County (Ohio) Planning Commission. While at Columbus Countywide Development Corporation, he served as President of NADCO, the national trade association for SBA 504 CDCs.

Barbash has received numerous recognitions, including IEDC's Fellow Member Award in 2007 for his service to the economic development profession and for being named the U.S. Small Business Administration's Financial Advocate of the Year.

About Finance Fund (FinanceFund.org)
Finance Fund is a statewide financial nonprofit that connects community redevelopment projects in underserved markets with public and private sources of capital. Since 1987, Finance Fund and its affiliates have invested more than $195.5MM in housing, economic development, and community facility projects leveraging over $1B. These investments were accomplished through 2,688 awards to community-based organizations throughout the state. Partnerships enabled the development of 15,439 units of affordable housing, 16,728 direct jobs, and 3,036 early care and education classrooms for 69,497 children benefiting the lives of more than 125,000 Ohioans.

SOURCE Finance Fund