Biography
State Representative Randy Gardner was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2008 and is currently serving his tenth term as the representative for the 6th House District, which includes Wood County. He previously served in the House from 1985 to 2000 and in the state Senate from 2001 to 2008.
Representative Gardner received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining the House, he worked as a realtor and a high school history and government teacher.
Representative Gardner has been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Disabilities Council and the Ohio Travel Association. He received the Watchdog of the Treasury Award as well as the Pioneer in Education Award from the Ohio Department of Education.
Representative Gardner and his wife Sandy reside in Bowling Green with their children Brooks, Christina and Austin.
Education
M.A., Political Science, B.S., Education, Bowling Green State University
Honors/Awards
Martha Holden Jennings Teaching Scholar; American Legion Buckeye Boys State Hall of Fame, 1987; Buckeye Association of School Administrators Distinguished Service Award, 1999; Ohio FFA Honorary State Degree, 1998; Education Legislator of the Year, 1991; Friend of the College Award, Bowling Green State University, 1992; Accomplished Graduate Award, Bowling Green State University College of Education and Allied Professions, 1993; Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honoree; National Legislator of the Year, National Republican Legislators Association, 1999; Legislative Leadership Award 2000, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities; Andrew Carnegie Award Recipient 2001, Ohio Library Association; Association of Ohio Philanthropic Homes, Housing and Services for the Aging (AOPHA) Public Service Award, 2006; United Conservatives of Ohio "Watchdog of the Treasury Award" 2003-2004, 2005-2006; Ohio Pioneer in Education Award, Ohio Department of Education, 2007; Ohio Travel Association Legislator of the Year Award, 2007; Ohio Convention and Visitors Bureau Legislator of the Year, 2007.
Memberships/Affiliations
Sons of the American Legion, Freedom Post 183, Pemberville; Ohio Farm Bureau; American Legislative Exchange Council; Bowling Green State University Falcon Club; Wood County Historical Society; Friends of the Parks; Ohio Association of Realtors; St. Mark's Lutheran Church
Responsibilities
A State Representative is an elected official whose job is to serve as a direct link between those Ohioans he or she was elected to represent and state government. In order to best fulfill this role, a representative responds to constituent concerns and works to provide solutions through legislative action. In order to best serve their constituents, a state representative attends meetings of their local civic, social and business groups in addition to responding to mail, email and telephone correspondence from constituents in their district.
