OhioSE Welcomes Eric Braun to Board of Directors

Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Eric Braun to its Board of Directors. Braun joined the board in September 2025, bringing extensive leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and regional economic strategy.

Braun currently serves as the eighth President of Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, where his entrepreneurial and innovation-focused leadership is guiding the institution through a period of transformation within higher education. Over a 15-year career at Shawnee State, Braun has demonstrated success across enrollment management, finance, fundraising, development, government relations, and grant funding—experience that closely aligns with OhioSE’s mission to advance regional growth and opportunity.

“OhioSE has made significant progress over the past year positioning Appalachian Ohio for growth,” said Braun. “Matt Abbott and his team are committed to doing what it takes to move us forward and we continue to see business attraction and retention announcements throughout southern Ohio that will propel our communities for the next generation. It’s a privilege to be part of this board and support the effort.”

Prior to becoming president, Braun served as Vice President for Advancement and Enrollment Management from 2015 to 2023, where he strengthened recruitment and admissions, alumni relations, marketing and communications, athletics, workforce development, and community partnerships. He was instrumental in shaping the vision for Shawnee State’s Kricker Innovation Hub, a regional asset designed to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative enterprise, and in securing the support necessary to bring the project to fruition.

Braun joined Shawnee State’s senior leadership team in 2009 as Executive Director for Development and President of the Shawnee State University Development Foundation. His background also includes significant legal expertise in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial real estate development—bringing valuable perspective to OhioSE’s work supporting investment, site development, and business growth.

“Eric’s deep roots in Southeast Ohio, combined with his experience in higher education, workforce development, and economic innovation, make him an outstanding addition to our board,” said Matt Abbott, OhioSE President and CEO. “His leadership and strategic insight will help strengthen the region’s talent pipeline and support long-term economic vitality.”

A native of Portsmouth and a seventh-generation Scioto Countian, Braun holds undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Vanderbilt University. He remains admitted to practice in state and federal court and is a member of the New York State Bar and the United States Supreme Court Bar.

Braun currently serves on several statewide and regional boards, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the OhioMeansJobs Workforce Development Board (WIOA Area 1), the State Science & Technology Institute Economic Development Subcommunity, and the OhioX public policy committee.

OhioSE looks forward to Braun’s contributions as the organization continues to advance collaborative, innovative economic development efforts across Southeast Ohio.

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Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.