Murray, of Columbus, has served as the Ohio LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust) director since 1996. Ohio LECET is a trust between the Ohio Contractors Association and the Laborers’ District Council of Ohio, a 15,000 member union of construction tradesmen. LECET’s primary mission is helping Laborers’ Local Unions and the contractors with whom they work acquire projects and jobs.

“Because the quality of our classrooms will determine the quality of jobs and capital investments in Ohio, the state is committed to providing the best possible facilities for our students. I am confident that Rich will lead the way in providing strong and effective management of the Ohio School Facilities Commission,” Strickland said. “Rich recognizes that quality construction is critical for effective, safe learning environments for our students. His ability to handle complex labor and management issues and his background in the public and private sectors will be valuable experience as he takes on this new role.”

Murray also serves as the mayor of the Franklin County Village of Marble Cliff. Prior to becoming director of Ohio LECET, Murray served as an independent consultant to environmental firms and tank owners on underground storage tank clean-up and claims as well as the executive director of the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board. Murray also served as an assistant to Ohio Governor Dick Celeste and the legislative director for the Ohio Contractors Association.

Because of the state’s successful securitization of the state’s tobacco proceeds, Ohio is accelerating school construction by spending $4.1 billion to build a projected 250 LEED-certified schools in the next two years. 

“Our public schools are perhaps the most important buildings in our state and must be constructed by the highest standards,” Murray said. “I look forward to utilizing my years of experience in construction and bringing labor and management together to construct modern, energy-efficient schools that are conducive to the needs of the state’s evidence-based education reforms.”

Strickland has also charged OSFC with adhering to rigorous construction standards that ensure the highest quality of school facilities.

Additionally, Strickland will encourage OSFC to review the Ohio School Design Manual, which outlines financing, design and construction policies for school facilities. The Manual should align school construction projects with the needs of a 21^st Century education system as outlined in Ohio’s new reform plan.