Strickland taps eight area leaders for transition

Gov.-elect Ted Strickland named eight Cincinnati-area politicians, public officials and business leaders to key transition posts today.

Strickland, a Democrat, organized his transition teams into 14 major government areas. Coordinators appointed to each area will lead teams to evaluate budget, regulations and performance of various government agencies and departments.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory will help coordinate transition work involving the Department of Youth Services.

Hamilton County Coroner O'dell Owens will coordinate the Commission on African American Males.

Chad Wick, president of KnowledgeWorks Foundation, will coordinate the Tuition Trust Authority, Ohio Board of Regents and Higher Education Facilities Commission.

Nathaniel Jones, retired federal appeals court judge, will chair the ethics category.

Charlie Luken, former Cincinnati mayor, will help coordinate work involving the Ohio Inspector General's office.

State Rep. Catherine Barrett, D-College Hill, will coordinate work involving the Department of Aging. Her legislative term ends Dec. 31.

Attorney John P. Gilligan of Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn will coordinate transition work involving the Ohio Building Authority.

And Dwight Tillery, former Cincinnati mayor, will coordinate work involving the Ohio State Racing Commission.