Nov. 24, 2014

Oscar Bedolla Named City Of Cincinnati's Director Of Trade & Development

City Manager Harry Black has appointed Mr. Oscar Bedolla as Director of the Trade and Development Department.

Mr. Bedolla comes to Cincinnati from New York City, where as a Vice President in KPMG's Advisory Practice, he specialized in project finance and public-private partnerships. Mr. Bedolla has extensive expertise in real estate, infrastructure development, and municipal and project finance.

He looks forward to working aggressively on recruiting new and expanding existing businesses in the city.

"I am confident Oscar's experience and expertise will bolster the impressive momentum we have going in Cincinnati. His professional experience working for both the executive branch of the federal government, and the private sector, will help Cincinnati advance our economic and community development agenda," said Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black.

"Mr. Bedolla brings the right skill set to help take the City of Cincinnati to the next level. I look forward to working with him on attracting more economic development deals and great projects to our city," Mayor John Cranley said.

Mr. Bedolla has been involved in a number of large-scale, complex development transactions including: the Chicago Riverwalk Project, Interstate 395 Air Rights disposition to allow for retail and residential development, Municipal parking deals in Baltimore and Washington DC, redevelopment of Denver Union Station, CO and the LA-1 Toll Road Restructuring, which allowed the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to lower borrowing costs and savings to foster capital improvements.

Moreover, he has provided strategic advice to top officials in Puerto Rico on how best to leverage investments in infrastructure to attract private capital and create jobs in the Commonwealth.

Through these pivotal projects and others like them, Mr. Bedolla has demonstrated an ability to develop innovative solutions that have allowed projects to meet strict construction deadlines, minimize legal disputes and promote confidence in public and private development projects.

Mr. Bedolla holds a Masters of International Public Policy and Economics from the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Hampton University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.

As a recipient of the Federal Highway Administration Administrator's Award and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Stewardship Award for Excellence in Public Real Estate, Mr. Bedolla is recognized for his comprehensive understanding of livability and sustainable approaches to development.

"I am grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working closely with Cincinnati's many partners to continue to focus on implementing the City Manager's vision for economic development. I plan to engage city leaders and stakeholders in developing a strategic plan that provides the necessary tools to allow our businesses and communities to thrive," said Bedolla upon accepting his appointment from City Manager Black.

Mr. Bedolla officially assumes his duties today.