Morris For Athens

Randy Morris is a candidate for Athens City Council for the 4th Ward. Though this is his first time seeking elected office, it is a natural extension of his life-long dedication to public service. He has long desired to serve his community as an elected representative but his previous career-military service-prohibited political activity. He is a distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1975. He served for nearly thirty years in the US Air Force, retiring in 2005 in the rank of Colonel. He was a command pilot with over four-thousand hours in the C-5 and T-38.
While Randy's views on governance and public service have been influenced by his military travels, he is proud to be an Ohio native. He grew up seventy-five miles north of Athens in the small town of Reynoldsburg where he met his wife of thirty-five years, Shawn. While serving as Professor of Aerospace Studies at Ohio University (1994-97), Randy and Shawn purchased their home on South May Avenue. The couple's three daughters, now all adults living elsewhere, have strong ties to the area as well. Two attended Athens public schools (one graduated from Athens High School in 1997) and the other earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OU.
Randy is currently the Director of Membership for the National Business Incubation Association (www.nbia.org), working with the associations’ member professionals who use entrepreneurship and innovation to create jobs and wealth in communities around the world. NBIA’s offices are located in Building 20, The Ridges. He is responsible for all member recruiting and retention efforts and has held this position since March of 2006. Randy is a devoted fan of OU athletics, and an avid cyclist who enjoys riding on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. Randy's background of leadership, problem solving and management in large organizations will provide a new, much needed perspective to Athens governance. If elected, he will work to counter the excesses of one-party rule by introducing diversity of viewpoint. He will endeavor to provide needed scrutiny to the city’s government, and foster increased transparency and accountability. CURRENT AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS: Member, City of Athens Commission on Disabilities (appointed by Mayor Wiehl in Jan 09) President, Athens Civitan Club (volunteer activities supporting Special Olympics, Passion Works, United Campus Ministries Thursday dinners, etc.) Member, American Legion, Post 21 Treasurer, Athens County Republican Party Life member, Air Force Association Life member, Order of Daedalians