Director of Commerce Donna Owens has appointed Jeff DeLeone of Upper Arlington to be legislative liaison for the Ohio Department of Commerce.

"Jeff has an exemplary record of service with the Governor over the last three years, and we look forward to the knowledge, expertise, and ability that he brings to our Commerce team," Director Owens said. "With Jeff's professionalism and knowledge of the legislative process, our Department and its concerns will be well represented in the State House."

DeLeone is a 1987 graduate of Upper Arlington High School and a 1991 graduate of the University of Colorado. He has been involved in Ohio's state government since 1991 serving in the Ohio Department of Development for two and a half years before joining the staff of Governor George V. Voinovich. While with the Governor's office, DeLeone served as lead advance coordinator and later as the Governor's personal aide.

As legislative liaison, DeLeone will develop proposed legislation for the Director, represent the Department of Commerce before the state legislature, and serve as a policy resource for other governmental agencies.

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The Department of Commerce is responsible for numerous regulatory functions carried out by its divisions of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance, Real Estate, Securities, Unclaimed Funds, Industrial Compliance, and State Fire Marshal. It enforces regulations regarding fire codes, industrial compliance, financial institutions, real estate, auctioneers, unclaimed funds, and private investigators among others.