CIRCLEVILLE, OH — The Pickaway Progress Partnership (P3) and Pickaway County Port Authority (PCPA) have announced the appointment of Brian D. Hill as their new executive director, marking a new chapter in Pickaway County’s economic development leadership.
Hill brings decades of experience in business, agriculture, and public service. Most recently, he served as manager of engagement and partnerships at Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), where he worked with leaders across a 25-county Appalachian region. His background also includes serving as CEO and general manager of Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, as a Muskingum County commissioner, and as a member of both the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.
A graduate of The Ohio State University, Hill continues to operate a family farm where he raises beef cattle and grows crops. He and his wife are parents of three children.
Local leaders praised Hill’s appointment as a forward-looking choice.
“What excites me most about Brian’s leadership is his ability to connect the dots—between agriculture and advanced manufacturing, between long-term planning and immediate community needs,” said Diane Hill, president of P3’s Board of Directors. “That balance is exactly what Pickaway County requires right now.”
Hill succeeds Tim Colburn, who has led P3 since 2023. “We’ve built strong momentum—supporting existing employers, recruiting new investment and advancing infrastructure,” Colburn said. “Brian will build on that with the same commitment to openness, partnerships, and long-range planning that our communities expect.”
April Metzger, chairperson of PCPA, emphasized Hill’s versatility. “Brian brings a rare mix of agricultural, business, utility, and public-sector experience,” she said. “The boards are aligned on a clear approach—shared prosperity, collaboration and transparency, and strategic, intentional growth—and Brian is well-suited to deliver on it.”
The appointment comes as Pickaway County is experiencing rapid growth, with major projects such as Anduril’s $900 million “Arsenal-1” manufacturing program near Rickenbacker International Airport expected to create 4,000 jobs.
Hill said his first priority will be listening to community voices. “You have to have a plan, and you have to make sure that everybody has a seat at the table,” he said. “By committing to shared prosperity, open collaboration and intentional growth, we can ensure Pickaway County’s future is strong, balanced and built for everyone.”
