Buehrer to speak at Chamber dinner

VW Chamber of Commerce information

Ohio Governor John Kasich named then-State Senator Steve Buehrer as administrator/CEO of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in 2010 and Buehrer has been reforming and delivering critical leadership to the BWC ever since.

Buehrer will share his thoughts and leadership tactics at the Chamber’s 92nd Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Willow Bend Country Club. The Chamber is pleased to announce premier sponsors for event are Central Insurance Companies and Alexander & Bebout Inc. The evening will begin with a social hour sponsored by Citizens National Bank, followed by dinner, the keynote address and awards.

The Chamber invites members of the business community and Van Wert residents to attend an evening of festivities and networking as we recognize area businesses and individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the Van Wert area.

Buehrer, the dinner’s keynote speaker, leads an agency of 2,000 employees that serves more than 225,000 employers and 1.3 million injured workers. Known for his focus on fiscal responsibility, creating jobs, and emphasizing technology, Buehrer has helped engineer significant improvements within various levels of government over the past 20 years. He also has extensive experience with workers’ compensation, previously serving as BWC’s chief of human resources. As a senator from 2007 until 2011, Buehrer served as chairman of the Insurance, Commerce and Labor committee, which oversaw all workers’ compensation legislation.

“Reducing the cost of workers comp is critical to reviving Ohio’s economy and creating jobs,” Governor Kasich said at a press conference announcing his choice of Buehrer to head the BWC.” “…Steve has the experience and the will to help in that effort.”

In addition to serving as the chairman of the Insurance, Commerce and Labor committee, Buehrer also was vice chairman of the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee. In addition, Buehrer’s Republican colleagues elected him majority whip, the fourth highest ranking leadership position in the Senate. He also received the “Technology Advocate Legislator of the Year” award for 2010 from Technology for Ohio’s Tomorrow. He won five “Watchdog of the Treasury” awards and was named “National Legislator of the Year” by the American Legislative Exchange Council in 2002. A nationally recognized leader, he serves as chairman of the Midwest Council of State Government (CSG) and has served as national CSG vice chair.

A new twist to the evening’s festivities will include a “wine pull” raffle. Twenty-five names will be drawn during the dinner and the winners will choose a bottle of wine with a minimum value of $25. Tickets are available at the Chamber office or from a Chamber board member for $15 for one ticket or two for $25. Only 250 tickets will be sold, with any remaining tickets available for purchase during the social hour before the annual dinner.

The culmination of the evening’s events will include the presentation of the following prestigious awards: Ray Miller, Crystal Image, Golden Shovel and Milestone Recognition. Awards sponsors include Chamber members Van Wert Manor, Vantage Career Center, Van Wert County Hospital, US Bank, Culligan and Koorsen Fire and Security.

To register for the Chamber’s 92nd Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony or for more information, contact the Chamber office by calling 419.238.4390 or by email at chamber@vanwertchamber.com. Reservations are due by January 24, 2014. Those wanting to attend may also register online at www.vanwertchamber.com.