Kim Zurz
Encyclopedia
Kimberly A. Zurz of Akron, Ohio
, is an American politician of the Democratic party who formerly served as the Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. A graduate of Firestone High School
in Akron and attendee of the University of Akron
, Zurz served as an assistant to the Summit County, Ohio
, treasurer. She was a member of the Summit County Council
from 1991 to 2003, serving three terms as president of the council.
In 2003, Senator Leigh Herington
announced his decision to resign early from the Ohio Senate
, and the Democratic caucus named Zurz as his replacement. She easily won reelection in 2004 to retain the seat.
With former Congressman Ted Strickland
the new Ohio Governor in 2007, Zurz was named a member of his cabinet, chosen to serve as Director of the Department of Commerce. She would serve in the post for the entirety of Strickland's tenure. With Strickland losing reelection in 2010, Zurz was out of the Commerce Department, however, he posted one last effort to appoint her to another board. It was announced by the Ohio Senate
soon after that Republican leadership would not accept the nomination.
She has since returned to the Akron
area.
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, is an American politician of the Democratic party who formerly served as the Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. A graduate of Firestone High School
Firestone High School
Harvey S. Firestone High School is a public high school located on the northwest side of Akron, Ohio. It is one of seven high schools in the Akron Public Schools district. The high school currently offers programs such as the Visual and Performing Arts, International Baccalaureate Program, and...
in Akron and attendee of the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
, Zurz served as an assistant to the Summit County, Ohio
Summit County, Ohio
Summit County is an urban county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 542,899. In the 2010 Census the population was 541,781. Its county seat is Akron...
, treasurer. She was a member of the Summit County Council
Summit County, Ohio
Summit County is an urban county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 542,899. In the 2010 Census the population was 541,781. Its county seat is Akron...
from 1991 to 2003, serving three terms as president of the council.
In 2003, Senator Leigh Herington
Leigh Herington
Leigh Herington is an Ohio Democratic politician and a former member of the Ohio Senate. Herington was a long-serving local attorney and Chairman of the Portage County Democratic Party when appointed to replace Senator Bob Nettle in 1995, who had resigned...
announced his decision to resign early from the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, and the Democratic caucus named Zurz as his replacement. She easily won reelection in 2004 to retain the seat.
With former Congressman Ted Strickland
Ted Strickland
Theodore "Ted" Strickland was the 68th Governor of Ohio, serving from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing ....
the new Ohio Governor in 2007, Zurz was named a member of his cabinet, chosen to serve as Director of the Department of Commerce. She would serve in the post for the entirety of Strickland's tenure. With Strickland losing reelection in 2010, Zurz was out of the Commerce Department, however, he posted one last effort to appoint her to another board. It was announced by the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
soon after that Republican leadership would not accept the nomination.
She has since returned to the Akron
Akron
-Settlements:Canada* Akron, OntarioSouth Africa* Akron, South AfricaUnited States* Akron, Alabama* Akron, Colorado* Akron, Indiana* Akron, Iowa* Akron, Michigan* Akron, New York* Akron, Pennsylvania* Akron, West Virginia* Akron Township, Illinois...
area.