DePo Advisory Board
Advisory Board Overview
The Democracy and Public Policy Network (DePo) Advisory Board at Bowling Green State University comprises distinguished business leaders, elected officials, policymakers, and prominent alumni. Formed in late 2024, the board serves to guide and inform DePo’s mission to foster nonpartisan civic engagement, enhance public policy research, and provide experiential learning opportunities for students. Chaired by Randy Gardner, former Ohio state senator and chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Advisory Board brings depth of experience and community insight that help connect DePo’s work to both academic and public spheres
Role & Responsibilities
The Advisory Board meets throughout the year to:
Provide strategic insight on research priorities and public policy topics relevant to both Ohio and the broader national landscape.
Assist in the development of community-focused events aimed at civic literacy, public deliberation, and nonpartisan dialogue.
Facilitate experiential learning by connecting students with mentorship, internships, and project-based collaborations with board members and their networks.
Current members of the Democracy and Public Policy Network advisory board include:
Jan Allen is former deputy chief of staff for former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste and cabinet secretary for former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Currently, she is an executive life coach at Business of People Consulting and Jan Allen Executive Coaching and Life Strategy. Allen received her bachelor’s, master’s and juris doctor degrees from Ohio State University.
Leo Almeida currently serves as government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Almeida previously served as senior policy associate for The Nature Conservancy of Ohio and senior legislative aide to the Ohio Senate Minority Leader. He received his bachelor’s degree from BGSU in 2010.
Connor is a third year History and Political Science double-major with a minor in French at BGSU. Connor's hometown is Oak Harbor, Ohio and his interests of camping, kayaking, and travel strongly reflect the "it's better outside" attitude of the small town. Academically, Connor focuses on the strong relationship between history and politics in the 19th century, and how lessons from the Gilded Age still have strong applications today.
Randy Gardner serves as the network's advisory board chair and is former chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Previously, Gardner was a member of the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives, rising to the position of Senate President Pro Tem, House Speaker Pro Tem and House Majority Leader. Gardner was a high school history and government teacher prior to his career in government and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BGSU in 1981 and 1987, respectively.
Betty Montgomery is a former Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Auditor and Ohio senator. Currently, Montgomery serves as counsel at MacMurray & Shuster LLP in New Albany, Ohio, near Columbus. Before her state service, Montgomery was elected twice as Wood County Prosecuting Attorney. Montgomery received her bachelor’s degree from BGSU in 1970 and her juris doctor from the University of Toledo. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree in public service from BGSU in 2023.
Tim Ryan is a former U.S. representative and Ohio senator. As an elected official, Ryan served 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing northeast Ohio after two years in the Ohio Senate. He was the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and was a candidate for president briefly in 2019 before deciding to run again for re-election to Congress. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1995 from BGSU and his juris doctor from the University of New Hampshire College of Law.
Thomas Snitch is director of federal relations for BGSU and CEO and co-founder of GeoQuera. Snitch received a bachelor’s degree from BGSU in 1975 and was awarded an honorary degree from the University in 2015. He also holds master’s degrees from American University and Reitaku University and a doctoral degree from American University.
Pat Tiberi currently serves as president and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable and chairman of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's Executive Workforce Board. Previously, Tiberi served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing central Ohio, and the Ohio House of Representatives, attaining the position of House Majority Leader. He received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University.
Ronald C. Todd serves as chief of social impact and opportunity at the Ohio Department of Development. Previously, Todd served as Minority Affairs Liaison for Gov. DeWine. He attended BGSU and earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University.
Ben Marrison is the former editor of The Columbus Dispatch. After a 30-year career in journalism spanning The (Toledo) Blade, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer and The Dispatch, his public service continued in state government, serving as Chief of Staff and Senior Strategic Adviser to the Ohio Attorney General, as well as communications director to the state Auditor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1985.
Impact & Vision
The Advisory Board’s involvement ensures that DePo remains engaged with community needs and anchored to real-world application. The Board’s guidance is critical in fostering research that matters, in enhancing civic literacy, and in positioning DePo not just as a center of academic research, but as an active participant in public discourse. Students benefit not just from theoretical learning, but from projects, workshops, and direct mentorship that build skills and connections.
Updated: 11/07/2025 11:04AM