We bring together a broad range of born advocates to ask questions, brainstorm solutions and use their voice to advocate for a better community for us all.

The Public Policy Committee is charged with providing guidance for United Way's Public Policy priorities and activities. The membership of the Committee represents a broad perspective on the issues affecting the health and human service system, as well as expertise in local, state and federal public policy-making.

The foundations for the Public Policy agenda are United Way's Vision, Mission, and Impact Council Objectives. The Public Policy Committee has translated these foundations into specific policy issues and incorporated them into United Way's Public Policy agenda for 2008 - 2010.

 

CHAIR

David Paragas

Partner-in-Charge
Benesch Friedlander Coplan
& Aronoff, LLP

 

VICE-CHAIR

Charles Gehring

Executive Director
LifeCare Alliance

Dr. Herb Asher

Professor Emeritus
OSU Political Science Department

 

Barbara Benham

Director of Government Relations
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

Dianne Biggs

Vice President, Community Services
United Way of Central Ohio

 

Ryan M. Brownfield

Director of Camp Akita and Youth Missions
First Community Church

Tim Burga

Legislative Director
Ohio AFL-CIO

 

William Byers

VP, External Affairs
Administration, Government Relations
Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher

President/CEO
FIRSTLINK

 

Todd Colquitt

President
Verizon

Karen Cookston

President, Log Cabin Republicans
Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial

 

Sandy Erb-Wilson

State Field Director
Voices for Ohio's Children

Reed Fraley

Senior Vice President
Ohio Hospital Association

 

Roberta “Bobbie” Garber

Executive Director
Community Research Partners

Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard

District 26
Ohio House of Representatives

 

Chester Jourdan

Executive Director
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Mary Lou Langenhop

CEO
Chilren's Hunger Alliance

 

Dawn Tyler Lee

Assistant Vice President
OSU Government Relations

Maria McCoy-Adams

Offshore Operations Manager
Nationwide Financial Services

 

Jo Anne St. Clair

Program Manager & Coordinator
South Side Pride Center

Steve Tugend

Vice President of Government Relations
Columbus Chamber of Commerce

 

Tammy Wharton

CEO
Girl Scouts - Seal of Ohio Council

Nathan P. Wymer

Government Relations Director
Office of Government Relations
Nationwide Children's Hospital

 

 


United Way of Central Ohio Staff


Valerie Ridgeway
Director of Public Policy


Troy Harris
Administrative Assistant


Ex-Officio

Rick Carrick
Chief Operating Officer