A Northeast Ohio economic development group has selected former state Sen. Matt Dolan to lead its organization.

Team NEO’s board of directors named Dolan as its CEO on Tuesday. He replaces Bill Koehler, who served in the post for nearly a decade.

The group supports economic growth across 14 counties. Before becoming part of the Lake to River development group last year, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties also were part of Team NEO.

“Matt has spent the last decade advocating for Northeast Ohio’s economic interests in both the state House and Senate, while fostering relationships that span both the public and private sectors throughout the region and the state,” Kim Riley, Team NEO board of directors chairwoman, said.

Dolan served in the state House from 2005 through 2010 and in the state Senate from 2017 through 2024. He sought to replace Vice President J.D. Vance as the state’s U.S. senator.

“Building on the strong foundation established by Bill Koehler, I look forward to working with our outstanding team, as well as area business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders as we create a strong, unified voice for the region to advocate for investment and growth driving business expansion, job creation, and innovation for all Northeast Ohio and our residents,” said Dolan, whose family owns Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians.