After the Harmar Railroad Bridge closed to pedestrian traffic due to structural safety concerns in 2007, Marietta officials knew where to turn for help - Terry Tamburini.

"With his help we were able to pull together a team that included ODOT, Rep. Jennifer Garrison, Buckeye Hills (Regional Development District), and others as we looked for major grant dollars to renovate the bridge," said Marietta Mayor Michael Mullen. "That's Terry's talent, his ability to identify and bring resources together to meet the community's needs."

After 13 years as an Extension educator for The Ohio State University, assigned to assist the Washington County Commissioners, city officials and township trustees with a host of projects, Tamburini recently took the position of director of grant development and special projects with Washington State Community College.

"His basic job was to work with township trustees on any grants they wanted written," county Commissioner Sam Cook said. "If we had a special project, he would get on it right away. He probably brought $50 million to $60 million into this county over the years. And he seemed to know the right buzz words to get federal funding out of Washington, D.C."

Tamburini, who also teaches economics at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, said he took the job at Washington State in August "because I wanted to work closer with education, to see how the system operates, how policies are developed and how those policies affect the instructors.

"I'm really enjoying this job," he said Wednesday. "It's challenging as there are many things that need to be addressed here, like issues with overcrowding. Another big priority now is working on the new health sciences building and equipment project."

Tamburini said he also likes working with students, and is excited about a grant-funded program at the college that helps students who are struggling or have dropped out of school to finish their education and move on into a career.

Tamburini has almost the same salary at the college, $53,104, as he did at the extension office, $53,064.

Washington State President Charlotte Hatfield said Tamburini is a great match for the institution.

"He'll be coordinating and writing grants, something he's done for a long time, but he also has teaching experience and understands the students as well as our needs, and his reputation is flawless," she said.

Mike Ritter, who recently completed his master's degree in public administration at Ohio University, is taking over many of Tamburini's community development duties at the Extension Service.

Due to cuts in state and federal funding, a new job description was created for Ritter, who will earn a salary of $38,004, said Eric Barrett, county extension director.

"He will rely on OSU Extension educators within the Buckeye Hills Extension Education and Research Area and an advisory team of elected officials and community leaders to deliver educational programming within Washington County," Barrett said.

Ritter, an Athens area resident, has been meeting with local officials to get to know their needs.

"I've already been able to help with some litter cleanup issues for townships, and I'm working to pull people together to expand broadband Internet throughout the county. I think that's a real catalyst to bringing companies and jobs into the county," he said.