Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Transition Chair Mayor Michael Coleman announced today the following appointments: Christopher Korleski, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Barbara Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging; and Cristal Thomas, as the state Medicaid director.
"Chris’ experience in both the public and private sector make him exceptionally fit to lead the Ohio EPA,” Strickland said. “He will work to protect our families and children through proper environmental protections while encouraging creating good-paying jobs through encouraging environmentally-friendly businesses and technologies.”
The appointments of Korleski and Riley mark 11 total cabinet positions Strickland has filled. Korleski and Riley will take office on February 1.
“Barbara is completely dedicated to the well-being of all Ohioans – from children and families to our senior citizens,” Strickland said. “Under her leadership the Ohio Department on Aging will continue to enhance the healthcare services and other programs that allow Ohio’s seniors an outstanding quality of life.
“I am proud to welcome Cristal back to Ohio to work with me to strengthen our state Medicaid program and work with me to provide the best services possible to Ohioans,” Strickland said. “Her experience in the executive branch in Illinois and in the federal government will be a tremendous asset as we work to provide access to affordable healthcare for all Ohioans.”
Thomas' position, while not a cabinet-level appointment, will play a critical role in implementing Governor Strickland’s healthcare vision. She will begin on February 12.
“The Strickland administration is building a tremendously talented team to give excellent advice to our governor, put the needs of Ohio’s families and communities first and bring all stakeholders together to move Ohio forward,” Coleman said.
Christopher Korleski, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Korleski served as counsel to Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in Marysville, Ohio since 1996. During his time at Honda he provided comprehensive advice and representation to the company in the areas of environmental, safety and HAZMAT law.
Before working at Honda, Korleski was an assistant attorney general in the Ohio Attorney General's Office in the Environmental Enforcement Section. From 1993-1995 he supervised the Ohio Attorney General's Clean Air Enforcement Program. From 1988-1993 he represented and counseled the Ohio EPA in various matters involving air pollution, water pollution and solid and hazardous waste.
“I will work hard to make sure Ohio’s environmental laws and regulations are strongly and fairly enforced,” Korleski said. “I also look forward to working with the governor to make Ohio a leader in next-generation energy production and environmentally-friendly economic development, bringing the high-paying jobs of the future to Ohio. I will work to establish a common-sense approach to the regulatory process, ensuring that businesses receive permits in a timely manner and work to eliminate unnecessary, redundant and contradictory regulations.”
Korleski earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy from The Ohio State University College of Agriculture, and a master's degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska. He received his law degree from The Ohio State University.
The mission of the Ohio EPA is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring environmental laws are followed and providing leadership in the management of Ohio's environmental future.
Barbara Riley, Ohio Department of Aging
Riley brings over 25 years of government, public policy, management and social work experience. Since 1999, Riley served Ohioans at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and for the last two years she served as director of the department. Prior to becoming director, Riley worked in many other capacities of ODJFS; including serving as the assistant director in the Services to Families Division, deputy director in the Office for Children and Families and division chief of the Ohio Legislative Budget Office.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Moyer to the Ohio Task Force on Child and Family Law appointed her, and she served on the United Way of Ohio Basic Needs Vision Council Management Assistance Committee. Riley is a board member of various community non-profit organizations.
“I am honored to continue my service to Ohio by joining the Strickland administration,” Riley said. “I have advocated for Ohio families and children at ODJFS for many years, and I look forward to using the skills and knowledge I have gained to advocate for older Ohioans at the Ohio Department of Aging.”
Riley received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and social work from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in public policy and political science from Washington University.
The Ohio Department of Aging helps older Ohioans live active, healthy and independent lives. The department also provides assistance to home and community-based services that help Ohio's seniors live in their own homes and support consumers of long-term care.
Cristal Thomas, State Director of Medicaid
Thomas, an Ohio native, has served at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) since 2003. Most recently she served as the assistant director of the state agency with over 2,300 employees and a $15 billion annual budget. The department was responsible for healthcare procurement and administration of the Illinois Medicaid, child support enforcement and energy assistance programs.
Thomas implemented the All Kids program in Illinois, which guaranteed healthcare coverage to all children in the state. Prior to her service in Illinois, Thomas was a policy analyst at the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President of the United States. She won the Office of Management and Budget Special Achievement Award in both 2002 and 2003.
“I am thrilled to return to my home state to help turn around Ohio," Thomas said. "I will work with Governor Strickland to fix Ohio's problems with the Medicaid system and make access to high-quality, affordable healthcare options a reality for all Ohioans."
Thomas graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in molecular genetics and earned her master's degree in public policy from the University of Chicago Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies.
The state director of Medicaid works with the director of ODJFS to ensure Ohio's Medicaid program is efficient and effective for Ohio's families.