President Holbrook Appoints Senior Vice President

COLUMBUS -- President Karen Holbrook announced today her plan to appoint Curt Steiner, a former chief of staff in the governor’s office and the Ohio House of Representatives and a well-known communications strategist, to the newly created position of Senior Vice President for External Relations, subject to Board of Trustees action on July 9.

“I’m delighted to welcome Curt aboard. I look forward to working with him to help define and affirm Ohio State’s place in the worlds it touches locally, nationally and globally,” Holbrook said. “By all measures, Ohio State has never been more successful in fulfilling its academic mission, and I’m extremely proud of its continual movement upward. Now we must turn our attention to fixing firmly its identity as a vital contributor to the community at large.”

Holbrook says Steiner’s appointment is part of a reorganization intended to “create optimal coordination” among the several programs that link the university to its external constituencies. To do this, Holbrook says, “We need someone who thinks broadly about the Buckeye community. Curt is absolutely the right person to make this happen.”

Steiner will lead an office that will help the President formulate and manage the university’s external relations policies and messages. He will oversee the University Relations and Government Relations functions and provide communications coordination with University Outreach and Engagement and University Development. He also will coordinate communications strategy and act as liaison with the Alumni Association, a private organization independent of Ohio State.

“Curt’s wide knowledge of the university’s public environment, the respect he’s earned as a communicator and his skill at shaping opinion will serve the university well,” Holbrook said.

Tami Longaberger, Chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the announcement of Steiner’s appointment, saying, “On behalf of the Board, I want to say how pleased I am that Curt will be joining the President’s Cabinet. This leadership post is made to order for Curt. He has a big picture perspective and proven track record of accomplishments in the public arena that uniquely qualify him for this role.”

Steiner said he welcomes the challenges of his new position. “As someone who has used communications and advocacy to galvanize support for public policy initiatives and community improvement, I am excited about the opportunity Ohio State gives me to help shape this great institution’s future. It is a beloved giant whose interests are inseparable from those of the community and state,” Steiner said.

Under the new organization, Ellyn Perrone remains Vice President for Government Relations and a member of the Cabinet. “Ellyn has built a proactive and effective program here. I look forward to working with her and the very able team she’s put in place,” Steiner said.

Holbrook also pointed out that the current reconfiguration of offices, which brings under one person several activities that relate to the university’s broader constituency, follows an organizational model that already works well at other major research institutions. An important aspect of the reorganization will involve cultivating national media relations. To this end, Dr. William Murphy, Vice President for University Relations, will use his extensive background and connections with national media and higher education associations to connect Ohio State to media in major U.S. markets, serving as Special Assistant to the President for National Media Relations.

“In this competitive academic environment, where there is intense competition for top faculty and students, it is very important that we tell our story to the world. Bill will bring his recognized talent in this area to telling Ohio State’s story nationally and globally,” Holbrook said.

Steiner comes to Ohio State from his statewide public affairs communications firm, Steiner/Lesic Communications, where he has served for two-and-a-half years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, making it a powerhouse firm in the public affairs arena.

Prior to forming Steiner/Lesic in partnership with Nancy Lesic of Cleveland, Steiner served as CEO of HMS Success Public Relations in Columbus, where he more than doubled the client base during his tenure. His career over two decades also has included tours of service as Chief of Staff and Communications Director to Ohio Governor George Voinovich, Chief of Staff to Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, Deputy Chief of Staff to Ohio Senate President Paul Gillmor and principal political and media strategist for U.S. Senator Mike DeWine, U.S. Senator George Voinovich and numerous members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio Legislature and Ohio Supreme Court.

Steiner graduated with high honors from Ohio University in communications, political science and English. He began his professional career as a news manager, producer and reporter for the university-licensed public broadcasting station, WOUB Radio and TV in Athens, Ohio. He arrived in Columbus in 1981 as an aide to the Ohio Senate leadership.

Steiner is expected to start work at the University by September 1. Until that time he will work as a consultant to the President’s office.