Ohio Environmental Council, November 22, 2016
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Environmental Council announced today that its Deputy Director, Jack Shaner will leave the organization in January following 20 years of dedicated service. Shaner has maintained a vigilant presence in the Ohio Statehouse as one of the most respected public interest advocates in the state.
“Jack has embodied and largely defined the mission of the OEC since 1997,” said Executive Director Heather Taylor-Miesle. “His dedicated advocacy has been fundamental to the growth of the environmental-conservation movement, under both good times and bad. I know his continued leadership will help the environmental community continue to thrive and succeed.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated team and I’m more confident than ever that Ohio’s environmental leadership is in good hands,” said Shaner. “After two decades with the OEC, it’s time for me to tackle new challenges. As I embark on this next chapter, I am heartened by the work we’ve accomplished together and I look forward to the adventures and opportunities that lie ahead.”
During his two decades of service, Shaner was instrumental in helping establish some of Ohio’s most essential environmental policies and safeguards, including the Clean Ohio Fund, the Great Lakes Compact, and Ohio’s clean energy standards.
“Jack is passionate about his cause and knows how to listen to others; these qualities have served the environmental community well,” noted former Ohio Governor Bob Taft. “His energy and commitment have been an inspiration to those who care about the Great Lakes, our waterways and the air we breathe.”
“What always struck me about Jack’s approach was his genuine curiosity and humility even as those around him looked to him for guidance,” said former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. “Jack knows that leadership is about more than giving orders, it’s also about listening and opening yourself up to new ideas. This approach has ushered in many victories for Ohio’s environment.”
To read the letter Jack wrote to Ohio’s environmental-conservation community announcing his departure, click here.
In recognition of Jack’s service, the OEC will be hosting a celebration in the coming weeks.