Staff Bios
Kim Satzger - President
Kim Satzger serves as President of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority. The Port Authority actively works on brownfield redevelopment and revenue bond financing in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Since the Port Authority’s formation in December 2000, through the use of more than $10 million in Clean Ohio Funds, it has worked on eight brownfield redevelopment projects transforming more than 150 acres of
abandoned, underutilized brownfields to new uses. Through the Port Authority’s revenue bond program it has issued more than $130 million in bonds in support of seven development projects.
In a 2007 study prepared by the University of Cincinnati, at full development, it is estimated that the eight brownfield redevelopment projects will have an average annual economic impact of $1.35 billion, and
$457.5 million in household earnings for 13,793 jobs. At full development, it is estimated that the six financing projects will have an average annual economic impact of $767.5 million, contributing $255.1 to household earnings for 7,901 jobs. In total, the Port Authority helped to create more than $2.12 billion in total economic impact, of which $712.7 million will directly enter local households as wages and salaries representing 21,694 jobs.
Ms. Satzger is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she received Master of Community Planning and Master of Public Administration degrees. Over the years, Ms. Satzger has served as a volunteer for a variety of professional and community organizations. She currently serves on the Ohio Executive Committee of the National Brownfield Association, is a member and former Board member of Cincinnati CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and member of the Urban Land Assembly Program Committee.
Ray Schafer - Vice President
As Vice President of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, Ray Schafer is responsible for agency operations including finance and accounting, human resources, employee benefits, affirmative action, office operations, technology and general administration. Mr. Schafer participates with the Port Authority Team to establish and pursue strategic initiatives in support of the agency’s vision and mission as well as ensure effective and efficient operations.
Mr. Schafer was named Vice President in February of 2007 after serving for nearly a year as Director of Finance and Administration.
Prior to joining the Port Authority, Mr. Schafer was Controller for Landrum & Brown, an international airport consultant. Mr. Schafer directed project and financial accounting as well as managed payroll and benefits and business operations. Mr. Schafer began his career in public accounting and has management and finance experience in a variety of industries, which includes a manufacturing company and stock exchange.
Mr. Schafer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati College of Business, is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and is currently Chair of the City of Blue Ash Planning Commission.
Christine Russell - Director of Brownfield Development
As the Director of Brownfield Development at the Port Authority, Christine Russell manages the Port Authority’s on-going brownfield projects and serves as a resource for developers and communities that are considering undertaking cleanup and redevelopment of a Hamilton County brownfield.
Ms. Russell joined the Port Authority in September 2006. Prior to that, she gained 14 years of varied experience working for the prime contractor, Fluor, at the Department of Energy Fernald site northwest of Cincinnati. During the $4.4 billion remediation of the 1,050-acre former uranium processing plant, Ms. Russell held positions in environmental compliance, project management, and contract management. In addition, she supported Fluor on $18 billion of national and international government proposals.
Since 2001, the Port Authority has secured over $10.5 million in brownfield grants and has participated in public-private partnerships that have resulted in the remediation and redevelopment of more than 150 acres in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Ms. Russell is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, and is an active member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), the National Brownfield Association (NBA), the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). She also serves on the Advisory Board for the City of Cincinnati’s U.S. EPA Brownfield Job Training Grant.
Ms. Russell holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University and a M.S. in Environmental Management from the University of Findlay.
Susan E. Thomas - Director of Public Finance
As Director of Public Finance for the Port Authority, Susan Thomas works actively with businesses, developers and municipalities to promote economic development in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. She leads the Port Authority’s bond issuance activities, specializing in structured lease, tax increment financing (TIF) and conduit bonds. The Port Authority has issued over $350 million in bonds during her tenure.
Ms. Thomas’s transaction experience includes the Regency Centers retail and office development on Red Bank Road, the Kenwood Towne Place mixed-use development in Sycamore Township and the Queen City Square Tower project in downtown Cincinnati.
Prior to joining the Port Authority, Ms. Thomas was a Vice President in the Global Capital Markets Group at Morgan Stanley in New York. While at Morgan Stanley, she helped raise over $11 billion in debt and equity capital for industrial, basic material and transportation related corporations. She also served as Project Manager for the divestitures of Morgan Stanley’s Discover Card and aircraft leasing business units.
Ms. Thomas previously served as an assistant to Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls where she focused on transportation, regional cooperation, business retention and homeownership financing. She also held a number of key roles on Ms. Qualls campaign staff.
Ms. Thomas holds a BA with honors in Public Policy from Stanford University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Deborah Robb – Director of Economic Inclusion
Deborah Robb is the Director of Economic Inclusion for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, bringing over 15 years of experience in the area of supplier diversity and economic inclusion. Her experience includes working with and establishing valued relationships with Minority and Women Business Enterprises, as well as corporate stakeholders and various community leaders and constituent groups. Accomplishments include meeting and exceeding the Port Authority’s Economic Inclusion aspirational goals of 25% MBE, 7% WBE and 30% SBE participation on Port Authority assisted projects; developing a comprehensive database of diverse suppliers; and developing a comprehensive documented strategy for implementing the Port Authority’s Economic Inclusion Policy.
Her direction in economic inclusion assisted the Port Authority in receiving the 2005 supplier diversity award for Going Above and Beyond in the area of Supplier Diversity from the Cincinnati USA Chamber of Commerce, as well as receipt of the 2007 Industry Innovator Award from the Cincinnati Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women. In 2008, Ms. Robb was selected by the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee of the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council as the MBE Advocate of the Year. She is also a past recipient of the YMCA Black Achievers Award.
Ms. Robb holds a B.A. in Communications Arts from the University of Cincinnati where she was a Minority Scholarship recipient. She is also a graduate of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati African American Leadership Development Program (Class III), Leadership Cincinnati (Class XXX), and Project Blueprint.
Ms. Robb is also currently a board member of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce where she leads the Economic Development Committee, the Cincinnati Business Incubator, and Pro-Seniors. She is on the advisory committees of the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati Economic Empowerment Center; and is currently the Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee for the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council. Ms. Robb has also been involved in community initiatives such as serving as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sickle Cell Awareness Group.
Kim Satzger serves as President of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority. The Port Authority actively works on brownfield redevelopment and revenue bond financing in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Since the Port Authority’s formation in December 2000, through the use of more than $10 million in Clean Ohio Funds, it has worked on eight brownfield redevelopment projects transforming more than 150 acres of
abandoned, underutilized brownfields to new uses. Through the Port Authority’s revenue bond program it has issued more than $130 million in bonds in support of seven development projects.
In a 2007 study prepared by the University of Cincinnati, at full development, it is estimated that the eight brownfield redevelopment projects will have an average annual economic impact of $1.35 billion, and
$457.5 million in household earnings for 13,793 jobs. At full development, it is estimated that the six financing projects will have an average annual economic impact of $767.5 million, contributing $255.1 to household earnings for 7,901 jobs. In total, the Port Authority helped to create more than $2.12 billion in total economic impact, of which $712.7 million will directly enter local households as wages and salaries representing 21,694 jobs.
Ms. Satzger is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she received Master of Community Planning and Master of Public Administration degrees. Over the years, Ms. Satzger has served as a volunteer for a variety of professional and community organizations. She currently serves on the Ohio Executive Committee of the National Brownfield Association, is a member and former Board member of Cincinnati CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and member of the Urban Land Assembly Program Committee.
Ray Schafer - Vice President
As Vice President of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, Ray Schafer is responsible for agency operations including finance and accounting, human resources, employee benefits, affirmative action, office operations, technology and general administration. Mr. Schafer participates with the Port Authority Team to establish and pursue strategic initiatives in support of the agency’s vision and mission as well as ensure effective and efficient operations.
Mr. Schafer was named Vice President in February of 2007 after serving for nearly a year as Director of Finance and Administration.
Prior to joining the Port Authority, Mr. Schafer was Controller for Landrum & Brown, an international airport consultant. Mr. Schafer directed project and financial accounting as well as managed payroll and benefits and business operations. Mr. Schafer began his career in public accounting and has management and finance experience in a variety of industries, which includes a manufacturing company and stock exchange.
Mr. Schafer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati College of Business, is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and is currently Chair of the City of Blue Ash Planning Commission.
Christine Russell - Director of Brownfield Development
As the Director of Brownfield Development at the Port Authority, Christine Russell manages the Port Authority’s on-going brownfield projects and serves as a resource for developers and communities that are considering undertaking cleanup and redevelopment of a Hamilton County brownfield.
Ms. Russell joined the Port Authority in September 2006. Prior to that, she gained 14 years of varied experience working for the prime contractor, Fluor, at the Department of Energy Fernald site northwest of Cincinnati. During the $4.4 billion remediation of the 1,050-acre former uranium processing plant, Ms. Russell held positions in environmental compliance, project management, and contract management. In addition, she supported Fluor on $18 billion of national and international government proposals.
Since 2001, the Port Authority has secured over $10.5 million in brownfield grants and has participated in public-private partnerships that have resulted in the remediation and redevelopment of more than 150 acres in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Ms. Russell is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, and is an active member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), the National Brownfield Association (NBA), the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). She also serves on the Advisory Board for the City of Cincinnati’s U.S. EPA Brownfield Job Training Grant.
Ms. Russell holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Brown University and a M.S. in Environmental Management from the University of Findlay.
Susan E. Thomas - Director of Public Finance
As Director of Public Finance for the Port Authority, Susan Thomas works actively with businesses, developers and municipalities to promote economic development in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. She leads the Port Authority’s bond issuance activities, specializing in structured lease, tax increment financing (TIF) and conduit bonds. The Port Authority has issued over $350 million in bonds during her tenure.
Ms. Thomas’s transaction experience includes the Regency Centers retail and office development on Red Bank Road, the Kenwood Towne Place mixed-use development in Sycamore Township and the Queen City Square Tower project in downtown Cincinnati.
Prior to joining the Port Authority, Ms. Thomas was a Vice President in the Global Capital Markets Group at Morgan Stanley in New York. While at Morgan Stanley, she helped raise over $11 billion in debt and equity capital for industrial, basic material and transportation related corporations. She also served as Project Manager for the divestitures of Morgan Stanley’s Discover Card and aircraft leasing business units.
Ms. Thomas previously served as an assistant to Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls where she focused on transportation, regional cooperation, business retention and homeownership financing. She also held a number of key roles on Ms. Qualls campaign staff.
Ms. Thomas holds a BA with honors in Public Policy from Stanford University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Deborah Robb – Director of Economic Inclusion
Deborah Robb is the Director of Economic Inclusion for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, bringing over 15 years of experience in the area of supplier diversity and economic inclusion. Her experience includes working with and establishing valued relationships with Minority and Women Business Enterprises, as well as corporate stakeholders and various community leaders and constituent groups. Accomplishments include meeting and exceeding the Port Authority’s Economic Inclusion aspirational goals of 25% MBE, 7% WBE and 30% SBE participation on Port Authority assisted projects; developing a comprehensive database of diverse suppliers; and developing a comprehensive documented strategy for implementing the Port Authority’s Economic Inclusion Policy.
Her direction in economic inclusion assisted the Port Authority in receiving the 2005 supplier diversity award for Going Above and Beyond in the area of Supplier Diversity from the Cincinnati USA Chamber of Commerce, as well as receipt of the 2007 Industry Innovator Award from the Cincinnati Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women. In 2008, Ms. Robb was selected by the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee of the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council as the MBE Advocate of the Year. She is also a past recipient of the YMCA Black Achievers Award.
Ms. Robb holds a B.A. in Communications Arts from the University of Cincinnati where she was a Minority Scholarship recipient. She is also a graduate of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati African American Leadership Development Program (Class III), Leadership Cincinnati (Class XXX), and Project Blueprint.
Ms. Robb is also currently a board member of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce where she leads the Economic Development Committee, the Cincinnati Business Incubator, and Pro-Seniors. She is on the advisory committees of the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati Economic Empowerment Center; and is currently the Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee for the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council. Ms. Robb has also been involved in community initiatives such as serving as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sickle Cell Awareness Group.