For more information, contact:
Katrina Edley, Ohio Ethics Commission Human Resources and Fiscal Manager
(614) 466-7090
or
L. Diane Gill, COGEL Executive Director
(706) 548-7758

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ETHICS COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Ohio Ethics Commission Executive Director, David E. Freel, was recently honored by an international organization for his contributions to the field of Ethics.

The Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) awarded Director Freel with its highest honor, the 2007 COGEL award, at its annual conference in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on September 18, 2007. The unanimous vote of the COGEL award committee recognized Director Freel's command of subjects related to governmental ethics, his commitment to excellence, and extensive support to ethics colleagues and the public throughout the United States and Canada.

In honor of the COGEL Award, Governor Ted Strickland issued a proclamation commending Director Freel for his expertise in the ethics field and his contributions to upholding ethical standards in Ohio and across the United States and Canada. The Governor's proclamation was read at the award ceremony honoring Director Freel.

COGEL is the professional organization of boards and commissions, academics, organizations, and individuals with responsibilities or interests in governmental ethics, elections, campaign finance, lobby laws, and freedom of information.

"To even be considered among past recipients of this prestigious recognition is very humbling," Director Freel said. "The members of COGEL have done so much to promote governmental integrity throughout the world. I am deeply honored to accept this award from an internationally respected ethics organization."

Director Freel has been the Executive Director of the Ohio Ethics Commission since 1994 where he supervises a staff of twenty-three and oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of the Commission. He has written articles on Ohio's Ethics Law and given ethics presentations at seminars and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. He is a past President of COGEL and was honored with the COGEL Outstanding Service Award in 2002.

The COGEL Award has been presented to former President Jimmy Carter, for the Carter Center's efforts at supporting democracy in developing nations, Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold, for campaign finance reform, and Fred Wertheimer, past President of Common Cause, among others in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

"This award speaks volumes about David's passion to upholding the highest ethical standards," stated Ethics Commission Chairman Sarah Brown. "Through his attention to the Ethics Law, David represents the best aspects of public service for all citizens in Ohio. It is a tribute to his efforts at the Commission, as well as his own personal integrity. I cannot think of anyone who deserves this award more."

Before joining the Ethics Commission staff, Director Freel was a faculty member of The Ohio State University College of Law clinical programs and a trial attorney with the Franklin County Public Defender's Office. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from The Ohio State University in 1974, and his Juris Doctor degree from Capital University School of Law in 1977. Freel resides in Worthington with his wife, Karen.

More information about COGEL can be found at www.COGEL.org or by contacting the Ohio Ethics Commission.

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