VIENNA - The vice president of strategic development for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has been chosen by the Western Reserve Port Authority to be its champion of economic development in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

Wednesday's hire of Rose Ann DeLeon, who one Port Authority board member said was ''the best of the best'' of the candidates, ends nearly two years of planning and seven months of searching on an initiative that's being called the most aggressive and wide reaching economic development plan in the history of the Mahoning Valley.

''She knows every tool in the toolbox, and we're hoping she can put them together to help our valley, contribute to our economic comeback,'' Port Authority board Chairman John Masternick said.

He points toward her involvement in developing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and DeLeon's knowledge surrounding the different abilities available to port authorities, including public finance and the issuing of bonds.

''All of the candidates were outstanding, but she was the best of the best,'' Masternick said.

DeLeon will earn $155,00 a year, plus benefits, and is expected to begin before the end of the year. She will be the executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Although Masternick is giving DeLeon time to get her feet wet locally before plunging in the deep end, Paul Heltzel, Trumbull County commissioner, said her impact could be felt immediately as V&M Star Steel considers nearly a $ 1 billion expansion proposal in Girard and Youngstown.

''The timing is pretty amazing as far as one of the biggest opportunities we've had and that's V&M,'' Heltzel said. ''They want to do some things with the Port Authority. She's the A-No. 1 person to get involved with that.''

Heltzel and Masternick were part of a committee that interviewed four final candidates presented by the Chicago-based headhunting firm of Heidrick and Struggles. The committee recommended DeLeon to the Port Authority board.

Masternick said what attracted the committee was DeLeon's track record in Cleveland, including what Heltzel said was her involvement in the Cleveland port's development activities and passage of a port authority operating levy.

''We're elated we found that she's interested in coming here,'' Masternick said. ''We don't think we could have found a better pick.''

U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, who began pushing the idea in early 2008, said he's thrilled with DeLeon's hire.

''This is one of the most collaborative economic development initiatives in this Valley's history - two counties, three cities, one township, the building trades and the port are all coming together to push our community toward economic advancement,'' Ryan, D-Niles, said.

''Great communities find ways to address their problems together - this formation of a professional staff at the WRPA will allow the port to promote and utilize its powerful economic development tools and resources to attract and land new businesses that will help the region grow as a whole.''

Trumbull and Mahoning counties along with other communities and the Western Reserve Building Trades Council have committed money to fund the position. So far, about $400,000 has been pooled.

rselak@tribtoday.com