The Franklin County Board of Commissioners met today for the purpose of filling the vacancy left by the
retirement last week of Commissioner Marilyn Brown. Ohio law provides for the remaining two commissioners to appoint a replacement to serve until the outgoing commissioner’s political party names a permanent replacement to fill out the rest of the term. At this afternoon’s meeting, the commissioners considered a resolution which Commissioner O’Grady amended in order to nominate Dawn Tyler Lee to serve in this interim capacity. After some deliberation, the two commissioners voted to appoint her to the seat. Following the vote, Ms. Tyler Lee was sworn in at the county courthouse by Judge Kimberly Cocroft. She is the first African-American woman county commissioner in Franklin County.
“Dawn Tyler Lee is the epitome of public service,” said Board President Kevin Boyce. “She has set a standard of service for all of us, and done it with grace and aplomb. Not only will she work well with us to accomplish the good work that we’ve started, but she will also enhance it. I’m looking forward to serving with her.”
Commissioners Boyce and O’Grady thanked the members of county administration and the county prosecutor’s office for all of their work in assisting with this process.
“I am honored to nominate Dawn Tyler Lee, our first African-American female commissioner, Dawn’s extensive experience in the community and familiarity with county government is unbelievably important,” said Commissioner John O’Grady, “Dawn will bring a measured, deliberate approach to all the issues we face.”
Commissioner Tyler Lee is the Founder and CEO of Forrest Street Consulting, a firm specializing in leadership development, and is a certified John Maxwell coach, trainer, and speaker who thrives when she can support people in reaching their full potential. Prior to founding Forrest Street, Commissioner Tyler Lee served as deputy chief of staff for Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. As the highest ranking African-American appointed official in the administration and senior advisor to the mayor, she was responsible for community engagement, diversity and inclusion, education, health, and helping to shape and advance the mayor’s equity agenda. While serving as deputy chief of staff, she assumed additional responsibilities when Mayor Ginther tapped her as the interim director of CelebrateOne, the city’s initiative to reduce infant mortality.
Tyler Lee has also served as senior vice president for community Impact at United Way of Central Ohio, the founding executive director of Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT), a community development collaborative with The Ohio State University, at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, as assistant vice president for government relations and assistant vice president for outreach and engagement at The Ohio State University, as board liaison for Columbus City Schools, as a Columbus City Council legislative aide, and as housing policy director for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.
Tyler Lee has chaired the boards of the Central Ohio Transit Authority and New Directions Career Center, and was a Founding Board Member of Ruling Our Experiences (ROX). Her past board service includes the Buckeye Ranch, Columbus Metropolitan Club, Columbus School for Girls, Community Shelter Board, Homeport, and Philanthropy Ohio. She currently serves on the African American Leadership Academy and CBUS HBCU Advisory Boards. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Commissioner Tyler Lee is a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools and Hampton University, and holds a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware.
Commissioner Tyler Lee stated, “As someone who has lived and worked in this community for most of my life, I welcome the opportunity to serve the residents of Franklin County in this unique capacity. I am grateful to stand on the shoulders of so many who have helped pave the way to this moment. Thank you to Commissioner Boyce and Commissioner O’Grady for this appointment.”
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners serves as the administrative arm of the county, overseeing 14 county agencies and a nearly $2 billion budget. Commissioner Tyler Lee will serve until the Franklin County Democratic Party appoints a replacement to serve out the remainder of Commissioner Brown’s term, which must happen within 45 days of her retirement on May 14
th. For more information about the board or the commissioners, visit
commissioners.franklincountyohio.gov.
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For more information on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, log on to: https://commissioners.franklincountyohio.gov/