Carey to Join Shawnee State University as Director of Government Relations

Nov. 30, 2011

Ohio State Representative John Carey has accepted the position of assistant to the president for Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives at Shawnee State University.

"I have a deep heritage in this region and have dedicated my life to public service," Carey said. "I'm looking forward to being able to use my experience to serve in a different way – impacting education for current and future students in Appalachia. This is something that is very important to me and I'm happy for the opportunity."

Carey has represented the 87th District, which includes Gallia, Jackson and Vinton counties and portions of Lawrence and Ross counties, in the Ohio House of Representatives since January 2011.

Previously, he served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995 to 2002 and in the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2011. During his terms, he was named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Area Agency on Aging, National Association of Mental Illness, Ohio Libraries, Joint Vocational Schools, Career Colleges, Voices for Ohio Children, the Corporation of Ohio Appalachian Development, and Developmental Disabilities.

During his career, he has also received the Southern State Community College Friend Designation, Jackson County Township Trustee Man of the Year Award, Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award, Mason Friendship Award, Knights of Columbus Public Service Award, and he was named Friend of Rural Water.

"John's experience will help us carry out our mission throughout the region," Dr. Rita Rice Morris, SSU President, said. "We are fortunate to have him join our team and are looking forward to working with him as we meet the challenges faced by higher education at the local, state and federal levels."

Carey is a graduate of Wellston High School and Ohio University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. After college, he worked as an aide to U.S. Representative Clarence Miller and served as mayor of Wellston from 1988 to 1994.

He is a resident of Wellston where he lives with his wife, Lynley, and their two children.

Carey will begin his position at Shawnee State University on January 1, 2012.