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NILES - The Western Reserve Port Authority's new executive director, Rose Ann DeLeon, wants to know what she can do to help facilitate economic development in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

And when she begins work here Dec. 7, job one, she says, is exactly that - find out ''what's going on, where the issues are, what are the opportunities to help,'' from the community and its elected and business leaders as the port authority begins to frame an economic development plan for the Mahoning Valley.

''The port authority is just an organization,'' DeLeon said. ''It's going to take a lot of help, the experience, expertise as we move forward.''

DeLeon, whose last day as vice president of strategic planning for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is Dec. 4, was introduced to the public on Monday. Her hire marks what U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan is calling a historic step in laying the infrastructure for Trumbull and Mahoning counties to excel economically.

''We want to put a big sign outside the Mahoning Valley: 'Open for business,' '' Ryan, D-Niles, said.

DeLeon joined the Cleveland port in 1993 and was instrumental in the development of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, other development activities like helping maintain Bearings Inc., a ball bearing producer that was considering moving and passage of an operating levy.

She will earn $155,000. She earned $136,500 as the Cleveland ports liaison with Columbus and Washington D.C.

DeLeon said she wasn't looking to move, and an ongoing controversy surrounding the Cleveland port, including discussions about a proposed $500 million relocation across town and budget shortfall this year, did not influence her decision. There, she was the third top official to resign in less than two months, including the executive director.

''It just got better and better,'' DeLeon said of the opportunity to become Western Reserve's executive director. ''There are so many great opportunities here.''

DeLeon said what excites her about the position here is the willingness for regional collaboration between the communities and two counties. ''Businesses want to know that government is behind them and that they will be welcomed into the community,'' DeLeon said.

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. She will be provided office space in both counties.

In Mahoning County, she will work at the Youngstown Business Incubator and until the business incubator is operating in Warren, she will be provided space by the Trumbull County commissioners.

DeLeon's hire ends nearly two years of planning and seven months of searching that whittled the pool down to four candidates presented by the Chicago-based headhunting firm of Heidrick and Struggles. DeLeon was recommended to the port authority board.

''This is an example of different governments working together to achieve something,'' said Trumbull County commissioner Paul Heltzel. ''There were times when it looked like this may not pull together.''

rselak@tribtoday.com