Who is Tom Johnson? More in this press release

TAFT ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF OBM DIRECTOR

Assistant Director Tim Keen to head agency

New Release from Gov. Taft's office, 2/8/06

COLUMBUS (February 8, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today announced that Tom Johnson will step down as Director of Ohio's Office of Budget and Management (OBM), effective February 28, 2006. Tim Keen, currently OBM Assistant Director, will replace Johnson as Director.

"As OBM Director, Tom worked to ensure that Ohio remained fiscally and structurally stable during extremely challenging economic times," Taft said. "As a state legislator and as Ohio's budget director, Tom has dedicated his career to public service and promoting accountability within the state's budget operations. On behalf of the people of Ohio, I thank him for his exceptional service."

Johnson has accepted a position at The Ohio State University as an Executive in Residence within the John Glenn Institute of Public Service where he will teach and help develop courses in budgeting and fiscal management for local governments and non-profit organizations.

Taft appointed Johnson OBM director on January 5, 1999. Since then, Ohio has maintained an AA+ bond rating despite experiencing some very slow economic periods. His most recent accomplishments include helping to craft the lowest general revenue fund growth budget in 40 years and restoring Ohio's Budget Stabilization Fund.

While OBM Director, Johnson served as Chairman of the Ohio School Facilities Commission, Chairman of the Tobacco Settlement Task Force, Chairman of the SchoolNet Commission and Executive Sponsor of the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS). Johnson also served on the Governor's OhioReads Council, the Governor's Commission on Student Success, the Governor's Commission on Higher Education and the Economy and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Financing Student Success. Prior to his appointment at OBM, Johnson served as State Representative for the 96th District. Johnson, 56, lives in Columbus with his wife, Joyce. They have two grown daughters.

"Balancing the budget while the state is experiencing slow economic growth was a very challenging experience," said Johnson. "I am proud of all that we accomplished over the past seven years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served Governor Taft and the people of Ohio."

Assistant director of OBM Tim Keen will replace Tom Johnson, effective February 28. Keen served as Director of Finance for the Ohio House of Representatives, was Director of Research and Legislative Policy for the House Republican Caucus, and brings more than 20 years of experience working in various budget and policy-related positions in state government.

Keen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Keen, 43, lives in Upper Arlington with his wife Ana and their two sons.

"Tim Keen has been an able administrator during his time with OBM, and I look forward to working with him to maintain the same level of excellence and fiscal security that our citizens have come to expect from the State of Ohio," said Taft.