Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Transition Chair Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman announced today the appointments of Ohio State Senator Kimberly Zurz as director of the Ohio Department of Commerce and Thomas Charles as Ohio Inspector General.
“Kim’s energy, good judgment and common-sense leadership make her the right person to lead the commerce department,” Strickland said. “I look forward to working with her to make sure that the Department of Commerce is doing everything it possibly can to help turn around Ohio.”
The appointment of Zurz marks Strickland’s 15th cabinet appointment.
Charles will continue in his current role as inspector general.
“Thomas understands that integrity and accountability play critical roles in our state government,” Strickland said. “He has played an absolutely essential role in beginning the process of restoring Ohioans’ trust and faith in their government. I’m proud to ask him to continue his work.”
Kimberly Zurz, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce
Zurz is currently the Ohio State Senator for the 28th District, which encompasses Portage County and a portion of Summit County. A state senator since September 2003, she has been a strong advocate for the people of her district, particularly in the creation and promotion of new jobs and industry, and school funding, concentrating on higher education funding and working to find ways to lower the cost of tuition to Ohio students.
Before her appointment to the Ohio Senate in 2003, Senator Zurz served 11 years on the Summit County Council, including three terms as president. During her service, she was a member of all of the legislative committees, and presided over the county budget of more than $560 million. As a member of County Council, she chaired the Investment Advisory Committee and the Summit County Audit Committee. She was instrumental in creating a Foreign Trade Zone in Akron and actively worked toward the creation and promotion of the Summit County Port Authority.
Zurz has been a member of many boards and commissions, including Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Member, National Conference of State Legislatures, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Program Nominating Committee, National Association of County Officials, Information Technology Board, Summit County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and the City of Green Charter Commission as Vice Chairman. Zurz is also a member of the Akron Bar Association Auxiliary, the Community Health Center Foundation, Green Historical Society, Green All Sports Boosters, and the Green Kiwanis.
Zurz is president of her family business, the Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home in Akron, which has given her a unique perspective on the needs and concerns of small business owners. She is married to Richard Zurz, Jr., and has three children. She graduated from Firestone High School, and attended the University of Akron.
Senator Zurz is the recipient of the Corrine Rho Award from the Community Health Center Foundation in 2000; the Jane Quine Democrat of the Year Award in 2002; the Friends of Education Award from the Summit County Educational Service Center in 2003, the Ohio State Chiropractic Association President’s Award in 2006, the Omeris Senator of the Year Award in 2006, and the Greater Akron Chamber Economic Development and Community Improvement Award in 2006.
In the Ohio Senate, she is one of five women senators and has served as the Assistant Minority Leader. Senator Zurz currently serves as Ranking Minority Member on the Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee. She also serves on the Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice and the Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice Committee.
“As a businesswoman, public servant and a parent, I understand how important the work of this department is to the world we live in,” Zurz said. “I look forward to working with businesses and consumers to find ways to strengthen our economy as well as our quality of life.”
As one of the state’s chief regulatory agencies, the commerce department’s mission is to safeguard the public, while striving to regulate commerce in a reasonable, fair and efficient manner.
Thomas Charles, Ohio Inspector General
In September 1998, Governor George Voinovich appointed Charles as Ohio Inspector General following his service as executive director of the Office of Legislative Inspector General. Prior to that, Charles served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 31 years.
Charles is a board member and past president of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Federal Credit Union and a board member of the Columbus Inner City Games. He is a member of the Ohio Investigators Association, the Ohio Troopers Coalition, and the Executive Board of the Association of Inspectors General. He also previously served on the Board of Editors of Public Integrity.
Charles is originally from Hubbard, Ohio. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State's Police Executive Management School, the Secret Service's Dignitary Protection School, the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, and completed a program of study with the Association of Inspectors General Institute. Charles also attended Youngstown State University, Pennsylvania State University, Central Ohio Technical College, and Lakeland Community College.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue my service to the people of Ohio,” Charles said.
The Office of Inspector General investigates allegations of wrongdoing by state agencies and officials in the executive branch of state government. It is currently heading up the task force investigating various investment practices at the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
The Office of Inspector General may make administrative recommendations to an agency aimed at improving state government and, when appropriate, a report of investigation may also be forwarded to a prosecutor for review to determine whether the underlying facts give rise to a criminal prosecution.