Buckeye Hills Regional Council has named Melissa Zoller as Planning Director to head the council’s newly created Planning Division.
Zoller joined the Buckeye Hills team in 2001 and has worked in the council’s Development Division for over 20 years. Zoller has worked on a wide variety of projects for Southeast Ohio Communities as a Development Specialist and, most recently, as Transportation Manager.
“Within the Buckeye Hills Regional Council succession plan, creating a Planning Division was seen as a more distant future goal,” said BHRC Executive Director Chasity Schmelzenbach. “However, new initiatives and funding opportunities coming from state and federal agencies mean we have to work now to help Southeast Ohio communities quickly identify their local project needs and priorities.”
“Melissa brings a great depth of experience to her role as Planning Director,” Schmelzenbach added. “She has helped the council successfully manage millions of dollars in local projects funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Economic Development Administration, Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Department of Transportation, and other state and federal partners.”
“I am very excited to be selected as the Planning Director,” said Zoller. “This role will allow me to continue working with communities in Southeast Ohio to plan for future growth and development. This division is being created at the perfect time. With the release of the State of Ohio’s Appalachian Community Grants, we will be able to help communities plan for projects that are truly transformative.”
Zoller noted that the new Planning Division would work across BHRC’s Development, Aging & Health, and Home Care divisions to strengthen communication and coordination between the council and the communities it serves.
Zoller is a lifelong resident of the Mid-Ohio Valley and lives in Marietta with her husband and two daughters.