Central Ohio's Beta District names first-ever executive director
A council of governments that oversees a local innovation and economic development corridor has named its first-ever executive director.
The Beta District, which stretches northwest along U.S. 33 in Franklin, Union and Logan counties, will be led by Doug McCollough, effective immediately. The tech entrepreneur and former chief information officer for the city of Dublin has served on the district's executive committee as a strategic advisor since 2015.
As executive director, McCollough will be tasked with growing the organization's impact, programs and fundraising through strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders and local leaders, according to a press release.
“The Beta District is a vibrant community where boundaries are pushed every day,” McCollough said in the release. “It’s such an honor to have the opportunity to lead this great organization and its long-standing commitment to innovation and collaboration.”
McCollough's involvement in the district includes leading its inaugural Mobility in Color event, where industry experts and business leaders of color gathered to share and learn the latest trends in tech.
In addition to his work with the Beta District, McCollough is the founder and CEO of Color Coded Labs, a tech bootcamp focused on preparing underserved, underrepresented and marginalized communities for careers in tech. He has more than 20 years of experience in the tech space, with roles spanning the public and private sectors.
"Doug is a seasoned tech leader whose experience has fueled a significant, positive impact across our organization," Bill Narducci, chair of the NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments, said in the release. "His combined expertise and leadership perfectly embody The Beta District's vision of building the future together through collaboration. He's a true champion for this approach."
Overseen by the NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments, the Beta District offers infrastructure, resources and labs that leaders in a variety of industries can tap into as they develop projects. More than $100 million in public and private dollars have been invested in district's first "living lab," the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor.
The most recent addition to the corridor is the Automotive & Mobility Innovation Center, an 18,000-square-foot building that was designed to connect startups, established businesses, researchers, educators and government. The center is located at 1100 Innovation Way in Marysville's 33 Innovation Park.
Ease Logistics, one of Central Ohio's fastest-growing private companies, also is building a new facility in the district's innovation park. The Dublin-based logistics company last year signed a lease for a 308,000-square-foot building that is being constructed on 25 acres off Innovation Way.