District: 41 Term: 3rd Term Limit: Eligible to run for another two-year term Address: 77 S. High St 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6111 Phone: (614) 644-5085 Fax: (614) 719-6941 Email: district41@ohr.state.oh.us
Biography
State Representative Brian G. Williams (D-41st District) is proudly serving his third elected term in his home area. Rep. Williams district includes parts of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, Norton, Bath, Bath Township, Boston Heights and Boston Township, Copley, Fairlawn, Macedonia, Center and Northfield Village, Peninsula, Reminderville, Richfield Village and Township, Sagamore Hills and Twinsburg.
Rep. Williams is an Akron native who has stayed close to his roots. He graduated from St. Vincent High School and moved onto the University of Akron, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education.
Rep. Williams has built his career helping people in the very area that nurtured him. Before becoming a state legislator, he spent more than 35 years as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He retired in 2001 after six years leading the Akron Public Schools, but not before receiving several awards for his service, including the Ohio PTA 1996 Superintendent of the Year. Rep. Williams still regularly volunteers in the area schools while he champions the causes for Ohio's public school students and parents at the Statehouse.
In the Statehouse, Rep. Williams has proposed increasing penalties for animal cruelty and finding help for disturbed children and domestic violence victims. He is also working toward school funding equality. That includes his support for a measure to allow schools and non-profits to hold fundraisers designed to ease the burden on taxpayers.
His passion for public education and equal rights has earned Rep. Williams the recognition and respect of both his colleagues and several statewide organizations. In 2007, he has received certificates of appreciation and awards from the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the Ohio Environmental Health Association. Williams also keeps close ties with volunteer groups, from the United Way and the NAACP, to the Catholic Service League and Jobs for Ohio Graduates.
Rep. Williams is honored to serve as chair of the Education committee and to sit on the State Government; Health Access and Affordability; and Environment and Brownfield Development committees.
Rep. Williams lives in Akron with his wife, Sue. They share two grown sons and four granddaughters.
Education
B.S. in Education, University of Akron; M.Ed., University of Akron
Ohio PTA Superintendent of the Year (1996); NAACP Community Service Award (1995); Martha Holden Jennings Ohio Superintendent's Performance Award (2000); University of Akron Distinguished Alumni Award (1997); Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award (1996); Lone Star Fraternity Hall of Fame (1995); United Negro College Fund Award (1996); Governor's Pioneering Partners' Award (1994 and 1995)
Memberships/Affiliations
Board member, University of Akron Alumni Association; Board of Trustees, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens; Akron Regional Development Board; Workforce Development Committee; Board of Directors, Akron Community Service Center & Urban League; Board of Trustees, Catholic Service League; Board of Trustees, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding; Phi Delta Kappa; Board of Trustees, Keep Akron Beautiful Litter Control Board; Treasurer, Firestone Falcon Football Association; Board of Trustees, Jobs for Ohio Graduates; State and National Honorary Life Member, PTA; Executive Board, Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America; Advisory Committee Member, University of Akron Center for Economic Education; Life Member, NAACP; Honorary Committee Member, Heart-to-Heart Communication; Board of Overseers, Blossom Music Center, Musical Arts Association; Member, Child & Family Leadership Exchange Advisory Committee
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.
