TAFT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS
COLUMBUS (December 17, 2003) - Governor Bob Taft today announced appointments to the State Fire Commission, Ohio Historical Society Board of Trustees, Ohio Humanities Council, Motor Vehicle Dealers Board, State Board of Optometry, Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, Recycling and Litter Prevention Advisory Council, Savings and Loan Associations and Savings Banks Board, Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation.
The State Fire Commission may recommend courses of action to be taken by the Fire Marshal in carrying out his duties under this section. Members are compensated $18.98 per hour, plus expenses.
Jennifer B. Rhoads, from Powell, was appointed to the State Fire Commission for a term ending October 31, 2008, replacing Elise Spriggs, of London, whose term expired. Ms. Rhoads is general counsel for the Ohio Petroleum Marketers & C-Store Association. She received her B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University.
The Ohio Historical Society Board of Trustees shall establish and maintain a state museum; shall collect, for preservation and public display, historical documents, books, machinery, and other objects deemed to be of historical significance. Members are not compensated.
William Block, Jr., from Maumee, was appointed to the Ohio Historical Society Board of Trustees for a term ending September 13, 2006. Mr. Block is Chairman of Block Communications, Inc., of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and of the Blade (Toledo). He received his B.A. degree from Trinity College and his J.D. degree from Washington and Lee University Law School.
The Ohio Humanities Council is an independent, statewide agency that receives
annual grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities; makes grants in
Ohio to non-profit organizations to hold public humanities programs; and establishes
policy for the program and acts on proposals that are submitted for funding.
Members are compensated for expenses only.
H.C. Buck Niehoff, from Cincinnati, was appointed to the Ohio Humanities Council
for a term ending October 31, 2006, replacing Vladimir J. Rus, of Pepper Pike,
whose term expired. Mr. Niehoff is an attorney with Peck, Shaffer & Williams.
He received his B.A. degree from Denison University and his J.D. degree from
the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Edith Blum Hirsch, from Chagrin Falls, was appointed to the Ohio Humanities Council for a term ending October 31, 2006, replacing Suzanne Blaser, of Shaker Heights, whose term expired. Ms. Hirsch is an independent fund raising consultant, Edith F. Blum, Fund Raising Counsel. She received her B.A. degree from Case Western Reserve University.
The Motor Vehicle Dealers Board shall implement and enforce rules and regulations necessary to conduct hearings on the issuance, suspension or revocation of motor vehicle dealer licenses. Members are compensated $30.00 for each day of actual service, and expenses.
Louis J. Carson, from Lancaster, was reappointed to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for a term ending October 4, 2006. Mr. Carson is owner of Joe Carson Honda & Harley Davidson.
George Byers, Jr., from London, was reappointed to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for a term ending October 4, 2006. Mr. Byers is owner of Geo. Byers Sons, Inc.
The State Board of Optometry holds examinations for optometrists, issues licenses, may revoke licenses and establishes rules and regulations governing the practice of optometry. Members are compensated $19.55 per hour, plus expenses.
Gary A. Hyde, from Warren, was appointed to the State Board of Optometry for a term ending September 25, 2008, replacing Ronald L. Detwiler, of East Liverpool, whose term expired. Dr. Hyde is in private optometry practice, Gary A. Hyde, Inc. He received his B.S. degree from The Ohio State University.
The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission coordinates investigations of organized criminal activity and shall perform all the necessary functions and duties relative to the investigations, and shall cooperate with the departments and officers of the U.S. Government in the suppression of such criminal activity. Members are compensated for expenses only.
Victor V. Vigluicci, from Ravenna, was reappointed to the Ohio Organized Crime
Investigations Commission for a term ending September 3, 2006. Mr. Vigluicci
is the prosecuting attorney for Portage County. He graduated from Walsh College
and received his J.D. degree from the University of Akron Law School.
Patricia A. Lane, from Cleveland Heights, was reappointed to the Ohio Organized
Crime Investigations Commission for a term ending September 3, 2006. Chief Lane
is Chief of Police for the East Cleveland Division of Police. She graduated
from Jane Addams Vocational High School.
The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission advises the Ohio Attorney General on the standards and curriculum of police schools for all levels of government. Members are compensated for expenses only.
Arthur M. Scott, from Mason, was reappointed to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for a term ending September 19, 2006. Chief Scott is Chief of Police for the Beavercreek Police Department. He received his A.A. degree from Hocking Technical College, and both his B.S. degree and M.S. degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Col. Paul McClellan, from Columbus, was reappointed to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for a term ending September 19, 2006. Col. McClellan is superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He received his A.A. degree from Columbus Technical Institute, his B.B.A. degree from Franklin University, and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Thomas G. Maurer, from Wooster, was reappointed to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for a term ending September 19, 2006. Sheriff Maurer is the Wayne County Sheriff. He attended Bluffton College, and has numerous trainings from law enforcement related schools.
The Recycling and Litter Prevention Advisory Council shall, with approval of the director of natural resources, establish criteria by which to certify agencies of the state, municipal corporations, counties, and townships as eligible to receive grants. Members are compensated for expenses only.
Kimberly McConville, from Columbus, was reappointed to the Recycling and Litter Prevention Advisory Council for a term ending November 18, 2006. Ms. McConville is executive director of the Soft Drink Association.
Larry M. Mitchell, from Reynoldsburg, was reappointed to the Recycling and Litter Prevention Advisory Council for a term ending November 18, 2006. Mr. Mitchell is Comptroller and Lobbyist for the Ohio AFL-CIO.
Michael D. Long, from Columbus, was reappointed to the Recycling and Litter
Prevention Advisory Council for a term ending November 18, 2006. Mr. Long is
executive director of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.
Alan E. Robbins, from Chippewa Lake, was reappointed to the Recycling and Litter
Prevention Advisory Council for a term ending November 18, 2006. Mr. Robbins
is founder and president of The Plastic Lumber Company.
The Savings and Loan Associations and Savings Banks Board make recommendations to the superintendent of financial institutions and the deputy superintendent of savings and loan associations and savings banks on matters relating to the business of savings and loan associations and savings bank. Members are compensated for expenses only.
Neal E. Hubbard, from Elyria, was appointed to the Savings and Loan Associations and Savings Banks Board for a term ending January 31, 2005, replacing Kenneth T. Koehler, of Mayfield Heights, who resigned. Mr. Hubbard is President/CEO of Northern Savings and Loan Company. He received his B.A. degree from Baldwin Wallace College and his J.D. degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School.
The Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation shall prepare a plan to reduce tobacco use by Ohioans, with emphasis on reducing the use of tobacco by youth, minority and regional populations, pregnant women, and others who may be disproportionately affected by the use of tobacco. Members are not compensated.
Stephen S. Francis, from Dublin, was reappointed to the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation for a term ending June 3, 2008. Mr. Francis is senior assistant counsel for Honda of America Mfg., Inc. He received his B.A. degree from Morehouse College and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University College of Law.
Lynne W. Ayres, from Hilliard, was appointed to the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation for a term ending June 3, 2006, replacing Bill Ryan, of Columbus, who resigned. Ms. Ayres is director of the Foundation for Healthy Communities at the Ohio Hospital Association. She received her B.A. degree from Muskingum College and her M.B.A. degree from Franklin University.
Joseph A. Sopko, from Shaker Heights, was appointed to the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation for a term ending June 3, 2008, replacing Cynthia Moore-Hardy, of Highland Heights, who resigned. Dr. Sopko is medical director of pulmonary services, director of cardiac medical unit, and director of pulmonary medicine division for St. Vincent Charity Hospital. He received his B.S. degree from John Carroll University and his M.D. degree from Tufts University.
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Contact: Governor's Communications Office at (614) 644-0957