Director's Bio

Director

Michael Stevens
111 N. Front St., 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Office: 614-645-7795
Hours:& 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Michael Stevens was appointed in April 2020 by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther to serve as the Director of Development for the City of Columbus. Prior to the appointment as Director of Development, Michael served as the City's first Chief Innovation Officer responsible for the Smart Columbus Initiative.

Michael has also served as President and CEO of Lake County Partners, a 501 (c) 3 economic development corporation that works to maintain economic vitality and quality of life in Lake County, Illinois. Michael was responsible for leading efforts to attract and retain jobs, stimulate capital investment, and pursue economic diversity.

From 2007 to 2012, Michael served as the Deputy Development Director for the City of Columbus responsible for the City's Economic Development and Planning activities. Michael led the City's Business Attraction and Retention programs; strategic land utilization; international initiatives; and promotion of public sector tools and programs available to help companies expand.

Michael has also worked for Cardinal Health, Inc. in its Corporate Real Estate Group, with the City of Dublin as the Director of Economic Development, and for the City of Huron, Ohio as its Assistant Service Director.

Michael is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University where he received degrees from the Fisher College of Business and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

Deputy Director of Housing Strategies  

Erin Prosser
111 N. Front St., 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.645.6982

As the Deputy Director of Housing Strategies for the City of Columbus, Erin Prosser brings nearly two decades of public and private sector experience leading the planning, development and engagement for numerous high-profile projects. She most recently served as the director of community development in the Department of Planning, Architecture and Real Estate at The Ohio State University, where she oversaw the revitalization of Weinland Park – including the addition of nearly 500 affordable housing units – and the 7.5-acre redevelopment of the 15th Avenue and High Street intersection. Prior to her time with the university, she worked as a planner at MKSK Studios, a multi-disciplinary design and planning firm, and served as a planner for Franklin County’s Economic and Planning Department. She holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Bowling Green State University. 

Deputy Director of Jobs and Economic Development

Quinten L. Harris JD, MPA
111 N. Front St., 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.645.0772

Quinten L. Harris JD, MPA, is the Deputy Director of Jobs and Economic Development for the City of Columbus' Department of Development. Harris is charged with the creation, refinement, and implementation of policies, strategies, and programs to enhance and stimulate the City's economy by assisting existing businesses in the retention and expansion of their operations, as well as marketing the attributes and services of the City in an effort to recruit new businesses and industry to locate their headquarters and other operations in the City of Columbus. Harris joined the City after his tenure as Director of Strategic Project Management for the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati. Harris earned his Bachelor's in English from the University of Dayton (OH) and a Masters in Public Affairs from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University – Bloomington Maurer School of Law.

Deputy Director of Community Development

Hannah R. Jones
111 N. Front St., 7th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.645.7125

Hannah R. Jones is the Deputy Director of Community Development for the City of Columbus' Department of Development. She oversees and coordinates the activities of the Housing, Land Redevelopment and Human Services Divisions. These Divisions focus on collectively impacting the City's neighborhoods to build stronger, more resilient communities. Previously, Hannah served as the Special Projects Coordinator for the Department, assisting with implementing the Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiatives, Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Choice Neighborhood Grant. Previously, Hannah worked in various capacities in the Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman. She graduated the College of Wooster in 2003 with a B.A. in History and a focus on social and human rights.