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Christopher J. Burnham, President

The first President of the SCPA since 2000, Chris has successfully guided and financed numerous development and redevelopment projects in the region. With over 25 years experience in public and private sector development projects, Chris has been instrumental in building SCPA into one of the most active economic development financing programs in the State of Ohio.

During his tenure at SCPA, the Port Authority has issued $305.67M in taxable and tax-exempt bonds leveraging over $520M in private investment in Summit County and Northeast Ohio. These finance projects, coupled with management of the FTZ program and other real estate in Summit County account for an additional $116.505 million project investment enabling the SCPA to directly or indirectly be associated with the retention and creation of 7,947 jobs.

Chris has been an innovator in regional cooperation guiding the SCPA to provide economic development finance in twelve Northeast Ohio counties. In 2001, SCPA established the Fixed-Rate Common Bond Fund Program, one of only five bond fund programs in the State of Ohio.

As Director of Marketing for ASW Services, Inc., from 1994-2000, Chris was responsible for guiding the development of CAK International Business Park, Foreign Trade Zone #181 located at the Akron-Canton Airport. The business park has attracted eight new businesses bringing $57.85M of private investment and 470 jobs to Summit County.

Chris also served as Director of Development for Summit County, with responsibility for economic development and community development programs, the Department of Building Standards, Capital Improvements, and the Planning Commission.

Professional Activities

• Children's Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) Property Community Advisor Group
• Chairs task forces, National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ); speaker presenter and moderator for NAFTZ conference panels
• Past Chairman, Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition
• Past Chairman of CYO and Community Services
• Leadership Akron Alumnus
• Council of Development Financing Agencies (CDFA) and the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) where he has frequently served as event speaker




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