Superpower: Uplifting people through connection
Growth and Retention Manager, Ohio County Development Authority and Senior Account Manager, Lowe’s
When a new position for a growth and retention manager opened in Ohio County, Stephanie Hockenberry was intrigued. After reading the job description, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to use her educational background, her skills from previous positions, and her love of small businesses to help the county thrive. “I felt called to help the people in my community, and I believe we’re guided to do things that are purposeful to help others.”
The Wheeling native landed the role in December 2023. She met with community stakeholders in an effort to better connect the pieces of the Ohio County puzzle. “We have so many wonderful organizations and resources,” Hockenberry says. “We needed to create a hub for new residents, new businesses, and young people in order to deeply connect them to the community and support the growth and retention of Ohio County.”
As part of her strategic plan for the county, she focused on three areas: marketing, workforce, and housing. Her first order of business was updating the county’s online presence, utilizing resources from organizations participating in the Growth & Retention initiative. “We wanted to focus on the people,” Hockenberry says. “When you ask new people why they came here or why they stayed, it’s always the community.” She also played a role in an effort to create a job board that matches student applicants’ skills with job shadowing and internship opportunities. The housing component is still underway, with multiple developers and locations being reviewed as she and the Ohio County Housing Task Force work to incorporate each facet of housing into the mix.
With Hockenberry’s three-year contract coming to an end, she has taken a new position with the Lowe’s Pro sales department. She will remain a part-time liaison to the county through December. The wheels of her work will stay in motion, as a local institution of higher education plans to continue these initiatives with student workers. “This role has brought me a ton of joy,” Hockenberry says. “We’ve been able to do a lot of great things and create a positive impact here in Wheeling.”
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