Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards and Board Particpation
Timeline
Generic

Jacob Duritsky

Cleveland,Ohio

Summary

Seasoned leader with 20 years of experience driving regional economic growth and actionable, award-winning research. Executive expertise in implementing strategic initiatives, enhancing operational performance, and fostering collaborative team leadership to meet evolving business needs.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President, Strategy, Research, and Talent

Team NEO
06.2015 - Current
  • Designed and implemented regional strategies to effectively compete for economic investment opportunities, collaborating with internal teams and external partners.
  • Led cross-functional teams to successfully complete major projects and manage a team of six direct reports, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and performance outcomes.
  • Oversaw the production of key research products, including Aligning Opportunities (8 editions), Where Are the Workers?, the Vibrant Economy Indicators, and The Cleveland Foundation Climate Sector Analysis.
  • Directed Team NEO’s talent strategy as the internal lead, managing initiatives like the Talent Development Council, which brings together higher education and business leaders to enhance regional talent pools.
  • Built customized higher education market-driven training programs, including Connections 2 Careers (CSU), Career by Design (LCCC), and Dean’s Institute (Tri-C).
  • Represent Team NEO as a regional and national spokesperson for key research findings and economic initiatives.
  • Cultivated and managed strong relationships with a variety stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and community leaders, to foster collaboration and drive long-term success.

Managing Director, Research

Team NEO
12.2012 - 05.2015
  • Coordinated research initiatives to support Northeast Ohio's business attraction efforts, addressing the information needs of Team NEO's partners and communities committed to fostering targeted and sustainable regional economic growth.
  • Managed and led a 3-person research team, delivering high-quality, value-added insights to a diverse group of stakeholders.
  • Streamlined research processes and improved efficiency, optimizing the use of research databases valued at over $80,000.
  • Positively positioned Northeast Ohio's economy to external stakeholders by analyzing and presenting macroeconomic and microeconomic trends within the region.
  • Co-produced and published Team NEO’s Quarterly Economic Review (QER), providing in-depth analyses of Northeast Ohio's unique economic attributes on a quarterly basis.
  • Served as the lead metrics strategist for the Regional Economic Competitiveness Strategy (RECS), driving greater collaboration and alignment in regional economic development initiatives.

Director, Business Attraction and Advanced Energy

Team NEO
01.2010 - 11.2012
  • Oversaw all national lead generation and sales activities related to energy business clusters, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and project management goals.
  • Designed and implemented a proactive oil and gas outreach strategy to capitalize on opportunities arising from Ohio’s Utica Shale development.
  • Led a targeted Salesforce CRM campaign, engaging with over 500 oil and gas-related companies across North America to expand outreach and drive business development.
  • Managed and nurtured relationships with 200 top-tier site selectors across North America, fostering collaboration and increasing visibility for organizational initiatives.
  • Conducted regular market visits to the top 10 site selection consultant markets in North America, strengthening connections and promoting regional opportunities.

Manager, Research

Team NEO
02.2008 - 12.2009
  • Supported Team NEO’s business attraction initiatives by providing detailed data and insights to respond effectively to customer Requests for Information (RFIs).
  • Produced customized research reports to support internal operations and external marketing campaigns, enhancing data-driven decision-making.
  • Utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS, Arcview) to analyze and interpret spatial trends in the regional economy, delivering actionable insights.
  • Assisted in conducting economic impact analyses using REMI economic impact modeling software, quantifying the effects of key projects and initiatives.
  • Delivered annual demographic updates on the state of the regional workforce, offering valuable insights for strategic workforce development planning.

Research Assistant

Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center, Cleveland State University
06.2005 - 01.2008
  • Coordinated the center’s environmentally focused initiatives across diverse areas, including economic and fiscal analysis, tax efficiency policies, municipal finance metrics, economic development strategies, and environmental assessments.
  • Facilitated statewide Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) Stakeholder Forums, contributing to the evaluation and improvement of ODOD policy tools.
  • Developed social and economic indicators to support U.S. EPA litigation concerning Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) within the NEORSD jurisdiction.
  • Provided comprehensive grant support for federal funding initiatives, ensuring alignment with the center's objectives and compliance requirements.

Education

Master of Science - Urban Studies; Concentration: Policy and Economic Development

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
05.2007

Bachelor of Arts - Urban Studies

Cleveland State University
05.2005

Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Critical thinking
  • Data analysis
  • Relationship building
  • Presentations
  • Decision-making

Awards and Board Particpation

Civic Participation

Chair, The Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, 

Member, Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group

Member, Baldwin Wallace Carmel Boyer School of Business Advisory Council

Former Adjunct Lecturer, Cleveland State University

Former Associate Editor, Economic Development Quarterly


Awards and Engagement

Crain’s Cleveland 40-Under-40 Rising Business Stars, 2013

Howard I. Bruce Graduate Student Award Winner, Cleveland State University

2012 Cleveland Bridge Builders Graduate

2020 C2ER Excellence in Economic Development Research Award

2024 Leadership Cleveland Graduate

Timeline

Vice President, Strategy, Research, and Talent

Team NEO
06.2015 - Current

Managing Director, Research

Team NEO
12.2012 - 05.2015

Director, Business Attraction and Advanced Energy

Team NEO
01.2010 - 11.2012

Manager, Research

Team NEO
02.2008 - 12.2009

Research Assistant

Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center, Cleveland State University
06.2005 - 01.2008

Bachelor of Arts - Urban Studies

Cleveland State University

Master of Science - Urban Studies; Concentration: Policy and Economic Development

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

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