Continued Focus on Regional Leadership and Serving Members
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Board has elected new board officers.
Named at the Board’s May 14 meeting:
- Board Chair: Ben Kessler, Mayor, City of Bexley
- Vice-Chair: Laurie Jadwin, Mayor, City of Gahanna
- Secretary: Matt Starr, Mayor, City of Mt. Vernon
City of Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler was elected as MORPC Board Chair, previously serving as the Vice-Chair. Mayor Kessler has served as Mayor of Bexley since 2012. He has also served in various leadership roles at MORPC and is a past member of the Bexley City Council.
“It is an honor to serve as Chair of the MORPC Board and to represent the City of Bexley alongside such dedicated leaders from across Central Ohio. As our region continues its rapid growth, the need for thoughtful, regional collaboration on housing, transportation and infrastructure, economic development and sustainability has never been more critical. Together, we are advancing the projects and policies that will ensure a competitive, accessible, and sustainable future for our entire 15-county region.”
Mayor Kessler succeeds Dublin Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes, MORPC’s longest-serving Chair. MORPC extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to former Board Chair, Mayor Amorose Groomes, for her outstanding dedication and leadership.
City of Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin succeeds Kessler as Board Vice-Chair. She most recently served as Secretary of the MORPC Board, and she is currently Chair of the Regional Sustainability Roundtable. Mayor Jadwin is deeply committed to civic engagement and guided by a strong spirit of service. She began serving as Mayor in 2020 and continues to champion initiatives that strengthen the community and foster regional collaboration.
“I’m very proud to serve in this leadership post. At its core, my service has always been about neighbors serving neighbors, and that spirit of collaboration is essential as we address our region's rapid growth. By working together on strategic goals such as transportation and sustainable development, we are ensuring that every community in our 15-county region remains a place where residents and businesses alike can truly thrive.”
Mt. Vernon Mayor Matt Starr has been selected as MORPC’s Board Secretary. Formerly a City Councilmember, Starr has served as Mayor of Mt. Vernon since 2020.
"I look forward to advocating for regional cooperation, as well as collaborating on infrastructure, transit, and economic development allowing us to build stronger, more resilient communities both in Mount Vernon and across Central Ohio."
The MORPC board convenes several times per year to address important regional issues, guide the direction of MORPC’s work, collaborate with local leaders to identify and solve common problems, create solutions to shared regional challenges, and provide input on funding decisions
