Qualifications and Personal Background
30 years of state and local government experience
Educated at one of the top management schools in the nation
Good at communicating and working with people
Ethical and service oriented
Education:
Don graduated from one of the top management and finance schools in the nation:
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Master of Public Administration degree, May 1974
Don also graduated from an excellent educational institution in the Columbus area:
Capital University
B.A. degree in Economics-Political Science, June 1972
He took continuing education workshops in the Management Advancement Program at
The Ohio State University
Experience:
Don is currently a part-time instructor for a management training program affiliated with The Ohio State University and Ohio University (2005-2008)
Don worked in a nonpartisan position providing facts and figures to the Ohio Legislature:
Ohio Legislative Service Commission and Legislative Budget Office
Division Chief and analyst for 18 years (December 1985 - January 2004)
Coordinated the analysis of legislation for fiscal effects and local impacts.
Received a Legislative Staff Achievement Award from the National Conference
of State Legislatures in 2002.
Don also worked as a public servant for 12 years in local governments, including:
Leading the development of a new budget system for Montgomery County, the
first
Ohio county to receive the Award for Distinguished Budget
Presentation from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Working in two Ohio cities (Dayton and Sidney) and one in Michigan. (Flint)
- remaining a true Buckeye fan those 4 years in the “state up north”
Ethics:
Don was the first candidate to sign a “clean campaign” pledge for the 2008 election.
He has also contributed to ethics and the improvement of government:
Member of the Ethics Section of the American Society for Public Administration.
Author of “What Do Ethical Leaders Follow? The Way of Truth” published in the
March 2003 issue of the “PA (Public Administration) Times.”
Don's ethics focus has continued in other areas:
Was a member of the Council for Ethical Leadership;
Took two ethics courses at Ashland Theological Seminary.
Faith:
I am a Christian. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Jesus conveyed the two greatest
commandments, and I take them personally: first, to love the Lord God with all my
heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength; and
second, to love my neighbor as myself. I trust in the Lord when things are going
smoothly and also when they are challenging. I try to treat people as I would like
to be treated.
The Golden Rule is also a teaching of Jesus. It says: do unto others as you would have
them do unto you. I believe that as I love God, I also love my fellow human beings.
Faith recognizes that each person is a valued creation of God. I believe that we should
protect the disabled, the widow, the orphan, and the vulnerable. Just as I could use a helping hand if I were caught in despair, I want to help those who are disadvantaged. I believe in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and in providing help to the needy – both are commanded by our Lord.
I believe that God’s providential hand has been on America since its founding. We have been blessed in many ways. However, we cannot take God’s continued provision for granted. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Each person can choose to follow the faith they believe or not to follow any religion at all. However one decides, we must show respect for all. As a follower of Christ, I try to honor God in all things and treat each person with love and respect.
If you would like to know more about Don’s Christian faith, click the button below.
Family:
Don and Sue Ellen have been married for 35 years. Don was born in Shelby County,
Ohio, and Sue Ellen was born in Ross County, Ohio. They met at Capital University.
They attend the Grove City Church of The Nazarene, where Don has been a Bible study leader for three years. They sang in the choir for the 2008 Easter drama “The Cost: The
Eternal Price for Freedom.”
Don and Sue Ellen have two adult sons: Greg, who will be getting married in June, and
Nathan, who will be married in August.
They have been residents of Franklin County for over 21 years, moving to Columbus
from Dayton in 1986.
Independent Voice:
I respect open dialog and the earnest search for solutions. That is why I am concerned
about the current political system in which politicians are heavily influenced by big
money supporters. This is an issue for me because it is so contrary to fairness.
The current political system of money influencing is also a threat to our
democracy. I choose to be an independent voice in the political wilderness, rather
than solicit campaign money from large donors who expect favors down the road.
I will listen to all relevant ideas (not primarily those of lobbyists and
money influencers, as many politicians do). I understand that people have different
perspectives. We may not always agree with each other on every issue, but we do
always need to show respect and fairness to each other. After considering all the
facts and viewpoints, I will make the best possible decisions for our country. I am
accountable for my decisions and actions.
Volunteer Activities and Memberships:
After relocating to Columbus, Don led various youth activities, including Cub Scouts,
Sunday School, Power of the Pen, and youth baseball. He also helped with
youth basketball and soccer.
Don serves as advocate for a disabled individual. Don helps out in various other ways.
He serves as a volunteer for the Westland Area Ecumenical Food Pantry, and delivers
food to needy families and individuals weekly.
After relocating to Columbus, Don led various youth activities, including Cub Scouts, Sunday School, Power of the Pen, and youth baseball. He also helped with youth basketball and soccer.
Don is a Trustee of the Darby Creek Association.
He is a member of Gideons International and serves as Memorial Bible Chair.
Don served as a home kettle volunteer for the Salvation Army.
He served as a neighborhood volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Don is active in The Gathering, Columbus.
He is a member of the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
Don was the president of both the Miami Valley and Central Ohio chapters of the
American Society for Public Administration.