CRAWFORD COUNTY — David Zak, the current head of economic development in Seneca County, will take over leadership of the Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development in May.

After an extensive state and national search, Zak was selected to fill the vacancy left by the departure of former Executive and Economic Development Director Gary Frankhouse, who resigned in January to return to his family-owned business, according to a news release from the Partnership.

Erin Stine, the partnership’s community development director, has led the organization during the interim.

Zak, who said he’s excited to start his new position, will assume his new duties on May 16.

“I’m excited to come,” he said. Zak said when he saw the position advertised, he “thought it was a great opportunity and a great community.”

More than 30 candidates applied for position.

“There was strong interest in the position, and we received applications from more than 30 candidates from around the country,” Todd Boyer, president of the partnership’s board of trustees, said in the release. “From the beginning of the process, David clearly stood out as the ideal candidate to help implement the Crawford: 2030 Vision plan and lead economic, community, and workforce development in Crawford County.”

Zak is a 25-year veteran of economic development and has 18 years’ experience leading state and local economic development organizations, most recently at the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP), according to the release. Previously, he led organizations in Fairfield and Clark counties and also served as chief of the business services division at the Ohio Department of Development.

Over the course of his career, Zak has managed or overseen projects resulting in more than 17,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in investment in Ohio, and has led organizations that have won numerous awards for economic development innovation and downtown revitalization, according to the release.