Lisa Hutson
Lisa Hutson is president and CEO of ONE Lorain County, a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development throughout Lorain County. Hutson was named to the leadership position in 2023, shortly after the organization’s establishment. Prior to this position, she was director of the Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community College for eight years, and also spent the bulk of her career in the banking industry.
Hutson’s overall goals are “to create more jobs and stronger businesses… so everyone has access to a career path that will create a family-sustaining wage.”
With Hutson’s longevity in Lorain County, her networking skills, former business and organizational partnerships and the fact that she “knows everyone,” she has been able to make ONE Lorain County a respected, effective asset in a relatively short time.
How has ONE Lorain County and your role evolved?
“Year One was kind of a blur. A lot of things needed to be established and contacts made. Luckily, I had made some good relationships and was able to leverage those. Year Two was a continuation, but more established. Now I am starting Year Three and I am really excited. People are familiar with ONE Lorain County now and things are starting to happen. Lorain County people like Lorain County people and that’s our organization.”
Any misconceptions about what the organization offers?
Sometimes people think we are a duplication of government agencies on the county or city level. There is some duplication, but it is very complementary. And there are advantages to a nonprofit development organization. We keep confidentiality. Maybe a business wants to relocate here from another state but doesn’t want that knowledge to go public just yet. And we offer continuity. Elected officials change. We balance the short-term nature of government with long-term strategic planning.”
What’s your leadership style?
“Leadership is definitely by example. It’s also a two-way street. Sometimes I am the leader and sometimes I am the follower. Everyone has gifts to share, and I am very team-oriented.”
Outside of work, what’s your passion?
“I love animals. I have four dogs and a cat. The cat rules the roost. I also foster animals and I value anyone who rescues them. I always cry when the day comes my foster animals go with their adopted family. But I know if I kept everyone, I couldn’t continue to foster others. And I love to get updates from the people who take them.”
Favorite childhood memory?
“We were fortunate to take great family vacations. The first time I was on a plane, and going to Disney, the pilot took me into the cockpit and gave me a little set of wings. I also learned to dive off a diving board in Florida that trip and that was a big thing.”
FAVORITES
Book: Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin. “I love reading and last year I read about 80 books, audio books included.”
Play: Cats and A Chorus Line. Musicals! My daughter lives in New York City and that’s often where we will go.”
Food: Fried mozzarella. “My daughter and I rate restaurants on how good their mozzarella is.”
Plant: “I am death to plants. Giving me a plant is like sending it on death march.”
Clothing: “Shoes are an easy buy when I need a little pick-me up.”
