City of Columbus

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
Engagement
Jennifer Fening
111 N. Front St., 8th Floor 
Columbus, OH 43215
614.645.8589

Jennifer Fening is a seasoned communicator and strategist with public sector, corporate and agency experience. As a Deputy Director in the Department of Development, she designs and implements communications and community engagement strategies that are helping Columbus double the number of homes built in the Columbus Region over the next 15 years, update the city’s 70-year-old zoning code to promote equitable growth, create jobs for Columbus residents and reimagine the city’s public art. In 2021, she led the strategic planning process behind Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s Opportunity Rising equity agenda, which envisions a path to dismantle racism so residents may equitably prosper and grow.

Jennifer holds a bachelors of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, with a second major in political science. She serves on MORPC’s Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and was a 2023 fellow in Greater Columbus Sister Cities International’s CIRCLE leadership program.  

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.