Penny J. Traina is the CEO/Executive Director of the Columbiana County Port Authority, a quasi-economic development governmental organization. Traina holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Human Resources and sits on many civic and economic governmental boards throughout Columbiana County. Her greatest achievement is being the proud Mother of two wonderful sons whom she credits to be her wind beneath her wings.

Traina a former County Commissioner and CFO of Wellsville Local School District has a wealth of experience in business, finance and federal, state and local regulations and has dedicated her time to enhancing  economic growth in her county and region.

Traina also has a significant and long term history in social and public interest early in her career as an individual who pioneered a fundraising effort on behalf of a local teacher. One of her early and most prestigious achievements was raising over $45,000 in three months for the late Betty Prince who lost her fight to cancer in 2007. Traina attributes her perseverance to her faith and commitment to her community and helping others.

In her down time Traina enjoys visiting her sons and granddaughter on both coasts and spending time at the ocean because the best cure for the body is a quiet mind!

Recent achievements include:

• Inducted into the Executive Order of the Association of Ohio Commodores Nov. 2019 by Gov. Mike DeWine in recognition of contributions to economic development in community and state
• Currently serve as member of Columbiana County Business Advisory Council
• Currently serve as Vice Chair on the newly created Ohio River Coalition of Ohio (ORCO) which advocates for commerce, job creation and economic development through use of the Ohio River System
• Currently serve on Ohio-Pennsylvania Export Initiative (OPEI) Committee
• Currently serve on Columbiana County’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee
• Currently serve as Board Member for the Better Business Bureau for Columbiana, Mahoning & Trumbull Counties
• Currently serve as Council Member of the Columbiana County Educational Service Center
• Currently serve on the Columbiana County OSU Extension Advisory Committee
• Currently serve on the Heritage Thermal Services Community Advisory Panel
• Served as an Ohio Delegate with Youngstown State University and OH-PA Export Initiative on a Trade Mission to Thailand and Vietnam in March 2019