Rep. Gardner to lead BGSU series on leadership

BOWLING GREEN, O.—State Rep. Randy Gardner (R-6th District), a Bowling Green State University alumnus, will host a fall Leadership and Civic Engagement Series at BGSU. The three sessions will be led by Gardner and will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. in the McFall Center Gallery. They are free and open to the public.

The series begins Sept. 29 with a discussion of “What Is ‘The Public Good’?” Panelists Chief Deputy Eric Reynolds, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul A. Dobson and Supervisory Special Agent David Dustin from the FBI will discuss their careers and their commitment to safeguarding the interests of those whom they serve.

Reynolds is a 23-year veteran of the Wood County Sheriff’s office, where he has served seven years as Chief Deputy. Dobson received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Toledo, and was Bowling Green City Prosecutor until 1996 when he joined the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office. Dustin, a 16-year veteran of the FBI, is the supervisor of the Lima, Sandusky and Toledo agencies of the bureau.

"I am pleased that three leaders in law enforcement will join us at BGSU to participate in our first leadership series session," Gardner said. "This will be the first of several unique opportunities for students and the community to consider and discuss important issues of the day."

The second presentation, on Oct. 27, is “Attention, Leaders! The R.A.C.E. Card Has Four Edges.” Gardner and Patricia Ackerman of the Ohio Board of Regents will discuss the qualities essential to being a successful leader. The executive director of the Chalkdust Education Foundation, Ackerman is a retired public school educator and emerita member of the Ohio University Board of Trustees.

The series will end Nov. 17 with state Rep. Matthew Szollosi (D-49th District) and Gardner discussing “Donkeys vs. Elephants.” The two will share their insights and experiences in using collaborative techniques to overcome controversy and do what is right when working with the competition.

Now in his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, Szollosi graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law and founded the law firm Cosme, D’Angelo and Szollosi Co., L.P.A.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to increase their leadership skills, network with professional mentors and build their professional portfolio. BGSU is fortunate to have this opportunity, and we are grateful to Representative Gardner for his continued support of students,” said Julie Snyder, associate dean of students, Center for Leadership at BGSU.

Gardner was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives in January 2008. He previously served in the House from 1985-2000 and in the state Senate from 2001 until his next appointment to the House. Earlier in his career, he was a real estate agent and high school history and government teacher.

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(Posted September 21, 2011 )