Contact David
civittolo.1@osu.edu
330-263-3627
OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES
David spearheads Extension’s mission of bringing research-backed information from the university to communities across the Buckeye State in the broad areas of agriculture and natural resources, community development, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. It takes a tremendous amount of resources – monetary, personnel, and vital connections with stakeholders – to reach all 88 counties with the work of about 600 Extension professionals and thousands of volunteers.
As associate dean and director, David focuses on organizational leadership, communication, and operational alignment; workforce readiness; and long-term strategic planning across Extension. He also serves on the vice president's cabinet for CFAES.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Prior to being appointed to his interim role, David served as the assistant director for Community Development. He is an associate professor and former field specialist for Extension focusing on community economics. His primary research interests include strategic planning for economic development organizations and conducting business retention and expansion surveys for Ohio communities. David’s research also addresses economic development tools that cities, villages, and townships can use to strengthen the financial impact of economic development projects.
David has been with OSU Extension since 2000, and he served as a county educator and county director prior to his state leadership positions. In December 2013, David was named the recipient of the Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award.
Before his work with Extension, David was employed as a village manager for numerous communities in Ohio. David's areas of expertise include: community planning, leadership development, local government leadership, and strategic planning. The most significant programs with which David works include: Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E), Energize Ohio, Conducting Effective Meetings, Downtown Business District Market Analysis, Communicating with Citizens, Local Government Leadership, Economic Impact Analysis, Vision to Action, Visioning.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, criminal justice, Bowling Green State University
Master's of Public Administration, political science, Bowling Green State University