Curtiss began his tenure at COCIC in 2012 as Assistant Director and became President & CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, COCIC has launched innovative initiatives, including the creation of the Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) in 2018. His vision for COCIC reflects his commitment to addressing housing challenges and advancing community development across the Central Ohio region.
Curtiss is a highly respected economic development/development practitioner with over thirty years of experience. His professional work history in the private, public, and quasi-public sectors has given him insights into the many issues facing communities and development organizations as they consider their planning, development, and economic development agendas.

He served several years with American Electric Power (AEP) as an economic development professional.

As Development Director for the City of Gahanna, Ohio Curtiss led the community through a period of intense development and economic development activity. He is a founding member and a past president of the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE), a regional group of economic development professionals focused on working in unison to improve the regional economy and quality of life for all the region’s residents. Curtiss also served as Senior Vice President of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce where his duties included the management of the non-profit development group, the Development Committee of Central Ohio.

He worked in the Franklin County Department of Economic Development and Planning where he assisted the county in forming a new direction in economic and community development.

He has served on the Board of Directors of national, statewide, regional, and local organizations, including the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Franklin County Transportation Improvement District (FCTID). On multiple occasions, Curtiss has been recognized as one of the region’s top 100 most influential people for COCIC’s work in community development and affordable housing.

He has a BA from Ohio State University and has completed all course work at OSU towards a Master’s in City and Regional Planning. He has received his certification as a Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council.