CDFA President & CEO, Toby Rittner,
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
for Cleveland Heights City Council Campaign on
July 30, 2009 at Jimmy O’Neill’s Tavern
July 20, 2009 | Cleveland Heights, Ohio – Toby Rittner will host a fundraiser happy hour in support of his candidacy for Cleveland Heights City Council at Jimmy O’Neill's Tavern (2195 Lee Road) on July 30, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
The entire Cleveland Heights community is invited to join in the celebration to meet Toby and to learn about his campaign for innovative social and economic change for Cleveland Heights.
Donations for the campaign will be accepted at the event but are not required. Please RSVP to Katie Kramer at kkramer@tobyrittner.com.
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Contact: Toby Rittner, trittner@tobyrittner.com
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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TOBY RITTNER ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
FOR CLEVELAND HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
June 16, 2009 | Cleveland Heights, Ohio – Toby Rittner announced his candidacy for Cleveland Heights City Council last month and officially requested petitions from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections this past week. Since announcing, Rittner’s campaign has been flooded with supporters and endorsements. Rittner’s vision for Cleveland Heights and a list of many of his supporters is outlined on his web site at www.tobyrittner.com.
Rittner plans to bring innovative social and economic change to Cleveland Heights. He will develop a new comprehensive master plan and economic development strategy and institute a green city initiative to make Cleveland Heights the most energy efficient, sustainable, green-driven community in Ohio. In addition, Rittner will explore new strategies for efficient and effective government and develop a new educational partnership and investment initiative.
“Cleveland Heights has a rich history and the potential for a very prosperous future, “ said Rittner. “With your support and votes, I hope to bring new energy, enthusiasm and bold ideas to our community.”
An active community advocate and national leader in the economic development finance industry, Rittner serves on the board of Future Heights, is a member of Cleveland Heights Community Citizens Advisory Committee, and is a frequent contributor to Heights Observer.
“I look forward to bringing my experience as one of the nation’s leaders in the economic development finance industry to serve the people of Cleveland Heights. I have had the unique opportunity to witness economic development and city management throughout the country and I will bring these lesions home to Cleveland Heights as your next City Council person,” said Rittner.
Rittner is the President and CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies, a national nonprofit based in Cleveland, Ohio. Rittner has served as the council’s chief executive since 2004, and he relocated the organization from Washington, D.C., to downtown Cleveland in his first year. Since establishing the council in Cleveland, Rittner has created four new jobs and has advised governors, legislators, and local leaders, and in 2008, he briefed the Obama Transition Team on federal stimulus policy. Rittner has become an advocate for more efficient and effective government and has been featured in the Plain Dealer, Crain’s Cleveland, Heights Observer, Akron Beacon Journal and dozens of other national and local media publications.
Rittner is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Practitioner’s Guide to Economic Development Finance, and has taught dozens of economic development finance courses throughout the country. Rittner earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Ohio State University. Born in Cleveland, Rittner has also lived in Findlay and Columbus, OH, and Washington, DC.
Prior to leading CDFA, Rittner was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the International Economic Development Council in Washington, DC where he effectively worked with Congress and the White House to preserve federal economic development programs. Rittner has also worked as a Senior Program Coordinator for Economic Development for the Franklin County Board of Commissioners in Columbus, OH and as an Associate Planner for the City of Gahanna, OH.
When choosing to return to northeast Ohio, Rittner and his wife Laura selected Cleveland Heights for its great neighborhoods, diverse and historic housing and burgeoning commercial districts. The Rittners quickly became involved in the local community, volunteering with many local organizations including Hands On Northeast Ohio and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
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Contact: Toby Rittner, trittner@tobyrittner.com