Jo Ann Davidson

Jo Ann Davidson is the president of JAD and Associates LLC in Columbus, Ohio, a consulting firm founded in 2001 that provides strategic planning, public policy and public affairs advice to a broad client base. Davidson held a career in public service for over 30 years before serving as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995-2000.

During her time in the legislature, she served as Minority Leader, a member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators and Chairman of the Midwestern Council of State Governments. Davidson has since served as Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention and Chairman of the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Davidson was named Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine, Legislator of the Year by the National Republican Legislator’s Association, received Good Housekeeping’s Award for Women in Government, and was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, as well as being recognized by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement.

She holds honorary degrees from Ohio University, The Ohio State University, Franklin University, Capital University and the University of Findlay.