Commerce Director  
 

Governor Ted Strickland appointed Kimberly A. Zurz Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce on January 23, 2007. Zurz is a veteran businesswoman, who was a State Senator representing citizens in northeast Ohio at the time of her appointment to the Strickland Cabinet. She is committed to providing strong leadership to carry out the Department’s mission of consumer protection and fair, efficient regulation of business to fulfill the Strickland Administration Turnaround Ohio plan.

The President of her family’s 78-year-old business, The Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home, in Akron, Zurz has an informed perspective about the needs and concerns of small businesses and the importance of excellent customer service. She knows first hand how safeguarding the public and fair, efficient regulation of business work together to strengthen the state’s economy.

While serving more than three years in the Ohio Senate, Zurz earned a reputation as a staunch advocate for education and job creation. She represented Ohio’s 28th District, which includes Portage County and a portion of Summit County. One of only a handful of women Senators in the Ohio General Assembly from 2003 to 2007, Zurz served as the Ohio Senate’s Assistant Minority Leader and as the Ranking Member on the Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee. She also served on the Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, the Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice and the Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

Before her appointment to the Ohio Senate in 2003 and election in 2004, Zurz served more than 11 years on the Summit County Council, including three terms as President. During her service on the Council, she presided over a county budget of over $560 million.

Zurz’s career in public service has included membership in the National Conference of State Legislators. She also has served on many boards and commissions, including the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau Board; the National Association of County Officials; the Summit County Information Technology Board; the Summit County Audit Committee; and the Summit County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. She also served as Vice Chairman of the City of Green Charter Commission.

Zurz has received many honors and awards including the 2000 Corrine Rho Award from the Community Health Center Foundation; the 2002 Jane Quine Democrat of the Year Award; the 2003 Friends of Education Award from the Summit County Educational Service Center; the 2006 Ohio State Chiropractic Association President’s Award; the 2006 Omeris Senator of the Year Award, and the Greater Akron Chamber Economic Development and Community Improvement Award in 2006.

Zurz is married to Richard Zurz, Jr., and has three children. She and her family reside in Green in Summit County. Zurz graduated from Firestone High School in Akron and attended the University of Akron.

A high-resolution photo of Kimberly A. Zurz is available by clicking here.