Representing Democracy in Ohio Since 1949
Election officials in Ohio and across the United States are essential frontline workers who uphold our democracy. The Ohio Association of Election Officials advocates for these individuals, providing vital support in community networking, education, and working with Ohio legislators to develop sensible laws that enhance and protect the integrity of our elections.
OUR PURPOSE AND MISSION
The Ohio Association of Election Officials has a clear mission purpose for our members:
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To foster a stronger relationship and enhance understanding among Board Members, Directors, and Deputy Directors of the County Boards of Elections in Ohio, along with Ohio's Chief Elections Officer, the Secretary of State.
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To ensure consistency and clarity in the practices of the various Boards of Elections and in interpreting Ohio's election laws.To raise the standards of our profession through education and provide resources to better serve the public.
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To advocate for legislation that improves election administration.
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To promote professional and constructive discussions among all stakeholders in election administration.
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To build unity and engagement among members by:
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Establishing and maintaining a clearinghouse of valuable information regarding legal interpretations and opinions from the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Elections Commission.
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Advancing the interests of Ohio voters through research, discussion, information sharing, and appeals to public sentiment.
WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?
The Ohio Association of Election Officials is the largest organization representing local Election Administrators in the state. Our membership includes individuals from both major political parties, comprised of board members, directors, deputy directors, and all full-Time staff from the 88 County Boards of Elections across Ohio.
OUR OFFICERS
The Ohio Association of Election Officials is led by a diverse slate of officers that have a combined decades of experience in Election Administration within the State of Ohio.
Terry Burton, President
Terry Burton is the Director of the Wood County Board of Elections. He began his career in Elections in 1990 during college, helping on election nights organizing ballots for counting. Terry joined the office full time in 1994, coordinating office technology and recruiting precinct workers, and was named Director in 1996. During his career Terry has administered 84 election cycles including 8 Presidential Elections. He is a current member of the OAEO Trustees and a former co-chair of the Legislative Committee. Terry also serves as the Secretary of Wood County Republican Party Executive Committee. He is a proud graduate of Bowling Green State University. Terry and his wife Julie, live in Bowling Green and have one son.
LaVera Scott, First Vice President
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Faith Lyon, Second Vice President
Faith is the Director of the Portage County Board of Elections with over 20 years of election experience. She began her career at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, where she helped develop Ohio’s State Plan for implementing the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) and coordinated project timelines. She also participated in the technical and administrative security assessment of Ohio’s voting equipment and monitored county compliance. At the Portage County Board of Elections, Faith started as a voter registration and ballot programming clerk before being promoted to Director. In this role, she collaborates with the Deputy Director to oversee all board operations. She is an Ohio Registered Election Official (REO) and a nationally Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) through the Election Center and Auburn University. Faith serves as Education Co-chair for the Ohio Association of Election Officials and previously served as a Trustee. She holds a Political Science degree from the University of Akron.
Brian Mead, Treasurer
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Joyce Kale-Pesta, Secretary
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Paul Adams, Immediate Past President
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OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF
Aaron Ockerman, Executive Director
Aaron began his career in government as a senior at the University of Dayton, interning in the Leadership Office of Congressman John Boehner. He was later accepted into the prestigious Legislative Service Commission Fellowship, where he staffed the offices of State Senators Louis W. Blessing, Jr., Scott Nein, and Bob Latta. He then served as a Legislative Aide for Senator Blessing before joining the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as Legislative Liaison. In 2000, Aaron transitioned to the private sector as an independent lobbyist. Since then, he has represented a diverse range of clients, including non-profits, statewide associations, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, state colleges, and local governments. He has also been actively involved in numerous political campaigns. Now President of Ockerman Consulting, a full-service Government Affairs firm, Aaron lives with his wife, Denise, and their two children, Adam and Megan.
Nathanael Jonhenry, Legal
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Tim Cosgrove, Legal
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OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Bronwen Evener, Conference Committee Chair
Bronwen began her career as a clerk at the Delaware County Board of Elections in October 1997. Over the past twenty-eight years, what started as a job quickly evolved into a passion. In 2005, she was invited to join the conference committee of the association. Recognizing her dedication and organizational skills, President Marilyn Jacobcik appointed her as the committee’s chairman in 2009. In this role, she became the permanent liaison between the hotel, the President, and Executive Director Ockerman. Serving in this capacity has been one of Bronwen’s most fulfilling experiences. Witnessing counties come together to learn, share ideas, and build lasting friendships has been both rewarding and invaluable.
Faith Lyon, Education Committee Co-Chair
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Jeff Rezabeck, Legislative Committee Co-Chair
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Brett Riffle, Legislative Committee Co-Chair
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Brian Sleeth, Education Committee Co-Chair
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OUR TRUSTEES
The Association is governed by the Board of Trustees, consisting of twenty individuals composed of ten Directors or Deputy Directors of County Boards of Elections equally divided between members of the Democratic and Republican Partieds as well as ten Members of the County Boards of Elections equally divided between members of the Demcoratic and Republican Parties.
Name | County | Party Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
Paul Adams | Lorain | Democrat |
Terry Burton | Wood | Republican |
Aundrea Carpenter-Colvin | Athens | Republican |
Judith Craig | Fayette | Democrat |
Henry Curtis | Cuyahoga | Republican |
Frank DiCarlantonio | Jefferson | Democrat |
Amy Erisman | Darke | Democrat |
Dale Fellows | Lake | Republican |
Karla Herron | Delaware | Republican |
Marilyn Jacobik | Lorain | Republican |
Joyce Kale-Pesta | Mahoning | Democrat |
Julie Leathers Stahl | Wayne | Republican |
Faith Lyon | Portage | Republican |
Joseph Mallory | Hamilton | Democrat |
Brian Mead | Licking | Republican |
Nicole Mickley | Medina | Republican |
Tony Perlatti | Cuyahoga | Democrat |
Jeff Rezabeck | Montgomery | Republican |
Bill Rich | Summit | Democrat |
LaVera Scott | Lucas | Democrat |
Brian Sleeth | Warren | Democrat |
Deb Sneddon | Mercer | Democrat |
Angela White | Fairfield | Republican |
Antoine White | Franklin | Democrat |
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
The Legislative Committee consists of individuals evenly split between the two political parties. Its purpose is to examine proposed legislation related to election administration, recommend any necessary changes, and advise the Board of Trustees on whether to support or oppose such legislation.
Name | County | Party Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
Isaac Arthur | Ashtabula | Republican |
Damien Bawn | Hocking | Democrat |
Bryon Bell | Wayne | Democrat |
Cecilia Blevins | Huron | Republican |
Lisa Boggs | Preble | Democrat |
Laura Bruns | Miami | Republican |
Kamron Chervenak | Belmont | Republican |
Chelsea Cline | Noble | Republican |
Randi Clites | Portage | Democrat |
Eric Corbin | Butler | Democrat |
Diana Dulebohn | Auglaize | Democrat |
Steven Fansler | Logan | Republican |
Gail Garbrant | Tuscarawas | Democrat |
Marlee Gibson | Muskingum | Democrat |
Bethe Goldenfield | Warren | Democrat |
Jane Hanley | Fairfield | Republican |
Charlie Hardman | Wayne | Republican |
Karla Herron | Delaware | Republican |
Regine Johnson | Stark | Democrat |
Joyce Kale-Pesta | Mahoning | Democrat |
Dee Keister-Smith | Perry | Democrat |
Ben Kline | Huron | Democrat |
Mollie Landefeld | Monroe | Democrat |
Dante Lewis | Lake | |
Alex Linser | Hamilton | Democrat |
Jessica Morgan | Feyette | Republican |
Carla Patton | Franklin | Republican |
Stephanie Penrose | Trumbull | Republican |
Carol Perry | Athens | Democrat |
Jeff Rezabek | Montgomery | Republican |
Brett Riffle | Fairfield | Democrat |
Kirsten Ross | Coshocton | Republican |
LaVera Scott | Lucas | Democrat |
Luke Scott | Auglaize | Republican |
Grant Sims | Williams | Democrat |
Jamie Snider | Perry | Republican |
Nicole Unzicker | Butler | Republican |
Cheri Whipkey | Carroll | Democrat |
Tonya Wichman | Defiance | Republican |
Jane Zimmerman | Richland | Republican |
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