Director of Commerce Donna Owens has appointed Richard L. Hardgrove as Deputy Superintendent for Banks for Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions. He will assume these duties on June 16.

"Richard Hardgrove is an excellent addition to our team of professional banking regulators," Owens said. "He has fostered strong relationships with the banking community for more than 30 years, and we are fortunate to have him join our Division of Financial Institutions."

Hardgrove began his banking career at the Cummings Bank Company, Carrollton, in 1960 and joined First National Bank in Massillon as Vice President of Operations in 1965. After 30 years in Massillon, Hardgrove served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of First Bancorporation of Ohio (FirstMerit) in Akron, retiring in late 1995.

In addition to his leadership and involvement with the banking industry, Hardgrove has long served many civic and professional organizations in various capacities, including: Chairman of the Ohio Bankers Association, State Chairman of the American Bankers Association, Vice President/Trustee of the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Chairman of the Girl Scout Capital Campaign.

Hardgrove’s responsibilities at the Department of Commerce will include directing examination and supervision of the 134 state-chartered banks, including their computer and trust operations.

A graduate of Kent State University, Hardgrove also attended the Ohio School of Banking at Ohio University, the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and the Harvard University Executive Program.

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The Department of Commerce is responsible for numerous regulatory functions carried out by its divisions of Financial Institutions, 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.