Lydia Mihalik

Lydia Mihalik is the Director of the Ohio Department of Development, a state agency committed to empowering communities to succeed by investing in the people, places and businesses of Ohio.

Prior to her appointment by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, Director Mihalik served as the 55th Mayor of the City of Findlay in northwest Ohio. Her vision and leadership led to the revitalization of the city’s downtown, attracting new job creators from around the world, and Findlay being recognized by Site Selector Magazine as the top micropolitan in the nation for economic development and job creation every year since 2013.

Director Mihalik is driven by the belief that real progress is about more than just big economic investments or multi-million-dollar projects – it's about working every day to ensure Ohioans not only see the difference in their communities – they feel it. Under her leadership, Development is bringing public- and private-sector partners together to accomplish the Administration’s priorities to build a thriving economy, invest in small businesses, prepare communities for the future, improve broadband access and expand the skills of our workforce.

Under the leadership of Governor DeWine, Ohio’s economy has seen significant growth. That record of success has secured some of the biggest economic development projects in Ohio’s history. Companies like Intel, Anduril, Honda, General Motors, Ford, are making transformative investments in the state, solidifying Ohio as a hub for advanced manufacturing, technology and innovation.

Director Mihalik earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Findlay and received an honorary doctorate in public service from the University of Rio Grande. She serves as chair of both the Ohio Tax Credit Authority and Third Frontier Commission. She is also a member of the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board, Ohio Exposition Commission, Broadband Expansion Authority and Ohio Economic Development Association Board of Directors.

She and her husband, Drew, live in Findlay with their three children, JJ, Libby and Delaney.