For more information, contact:
Executive Director David E. Freel
(614) 466-7093

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OHIO ETHICS COMMISSION WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

At its recent meeting, the Ohio Ethics Commission welcomed two new members appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to serve on the Commission. The new members are Betty Davis, from Mason, and Dean Shirley Mays, from Columbus.

Ms. Davis is the President of two companies that provide services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities: Community Concepts Inc., which operates group homes, and Community Options, which provides day habilitation, supported living, and waiver services. She is also an attorney in private practice. Ms. Davis received her Bachelor's Degree from Urbana College and her J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She is a current member of the City of Mason Planning Commission, Warren County Solid Waste District Board, and Mary Haven Youth Center Advisory Board. Ms. Davis formerly served the City of Mason in a variety of positions, including over twenty years as Council Member, Vice-Mayor, or Mayor. She has also served on a number of other county and state boards.

Dean Mays is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and an Associate Professor of Law at the Capital University Law School. She teaches classes in local government law, sex-based discrimination, and business associations. Dean Mays received her Bachelor's Degree from Central State University and her J.D. from Harvard University. She was formerly a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas J. Moyer, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and practiced law in the public/municipal finance department of the law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.

The Ethics Commission is an independent state oversight agency charged with interpreting and administering the Ohio Ethics Law for the majority of state and local public officials and employees. The six member, bi-partisan Commission is required by law to have an equal number of Democratic and Republican members. Ms. Davis was appointed to a Republican seat and Dean Mays was appointed to a Democratic seat on the Commission. The Ohio Ethics Commission was created thirty-five years ago, in 1973, when the Ethics Law was enacted.

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