May 29, 2001                                                                              Contact: Karissa L. Shivley (614) 292-8295

Jo Ann Davidson named Ohio State trustee

COLUMBUS – Ohio State University’s newest trustee is no stranger to public service.  Jo Ann Davidson, former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, was appointed by Gov. Bob Taft Thursday (5/24) to a nine-year term as a university trustee. 

Davidson said she is looking forward to working with President William E. Kirwan and the other trustees on behalf of Ohio State.

“I am honored to have been chosen by Gov. Taft for this prestigious position and am extremely pleased to have this opportunity to serve as a trustee of The Ohio State University,” she said.

Davidson replaces George Skestos, whose term expired on May 13. 

            “With a public service career as diverse and extensive as Jo Ann’s, I have no doubt that the OSU Board of Trustees will benefit greatly from her participation,” Taft said. “Ohio State’s reputation is built upon and depends on the continued recruitment of highly qualified and respected individuals like Jo Ann to work on behalf of the institution.”

            Davidson served in the Ohio House of Representatives for 10 terms representing the 24th House District, and in 1995 was elected the first female speaker of the House. She served as speaker until term limits forced her departure last year. Davidson subsequently served as interim director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and has launched her own consulting firm.

She began her public service career in 1968 as a member of the Reynoldsburg City Council, where she served for 10 years.  Before 1994, Davidson worked for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce as vice president for special programs.  She was inducted in the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1991 and holds honorary degrees from Ohio State, Ohio University, Capital University and the University of Findlay.  She was voted Governing magazine’s Public Official of the Year in 1999. Davidson was also awarded the Good Housekeeping Award for Women in Government in 1999. She is a member of the Reynoldsburg-Pickerington Rotary Club and chair of the Franklin County Republican Central Committee.