FOSTORIA | Fostoria Forward Names Eric Smith Executive Director

FOSTORIA — Fostoria Forward, a newly established organization that brings together the city’s chamber of commerce, economic development office, learning center and visitors bureau, has named Eric Smith as its executive director, the organization announced Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.

The announcement was posted Monday afternoon by the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Fostoria Forward’s website describes the group as a private-public partnership meant to align those organizations around economic growth, community development and regional collaboration. Its tagline is “Four Pillars. One Purpose.”

Smith will guide the organization’s strategic direction, work with local and regional partners, support each of the four divisions, and advance work on business growth, workforce readiness, tourism and long-term economic vitality, according to the announcement.

The announcement said Smith has more than 20 years of experience in economic and community development, nonprofit leadership and partnership-building. He most recently served as executive director of CommunityWorks, a Michigan-based nonprofit that works with cities on neighborhood and economic development, and as a community and economic development professional with Central State University Extension. Central State’s extension staff page lists him as director of the university’s Workforce Training and Business Development Center. The announcement said that $4.5 million Dayton-region initiative connects residents and businesses with workforce training, entrepreneurship education and economic opportunity.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to join Fostoria Forward at such a pivotal moment in the community’s story,” Smith said in the announcement. “Fostoria has tremendous assets, including strong businesses and industries, a rich history, dedicated community leaders, and people who care deeply about this place. Bringing our economic development, Chamber, workforce, and visitors bureau efforts together creates an extraordinary opportunity to build on those strengths and chart a shared path forward. I look forward to listening, building relationships, and working alongside the people of Fostoria to strengthen our economy, expand opportunity, and build a flourishing community where everyone can thrive.”

Smith holds a master’s degree in community development, with a concentration in economic development, from North Dakota State University. He lives in Hancock County with his family.

More information is available at fostoriaforward.com.

Sources:
Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Facebook announcement, Nov. 9, 2026 — facebook.com/fostoriaareachamber
Fostoria Forward — fostoriaforward.com
CommunityWorks staff biography — comm-works.org/team/eric-smith
Central State University Extension, Community and Economic Development — centralstate.edu