Aaron started his career in government as a senior at the University of Dayton where he spent a semester in Washington, D.C. interning in the leadership office of Congressman John Boehner. Later that year, he was accepted to the prestigious Legislative Service Commission Fellowship where he began his work at the Ohio Statehouse staffing the offices of State Senators Louis W. Blessing, Jr., Scott Nein and Bob Latta. He served as a legislative aide for Senator Louis W. Blessing, Jr. before joining the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as legislative liaison.

In 2000, Aaron entered the private sector as an independent lobbyist. Since then he has represented non-profit organizations, statewide associations, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, state colleges, and local governments before the state legislature, administrative agencies and various local government entities. He has run and volunteered on numerous local, state legislative and statewide campaigns. He is now President of Ockerman Consulting, a full-service government affairs firm.

Aaron is married to Denise Ockerman, and they have two children, Adam and Megan.

President Welch is Director of the Holmes County Board of Elections where she has served in that capacity since 2004. She previously held positions of Deputy Director, Full Time Clerk, and Presiding Judge. She has served the OAEO as a Trustee and member of the Legislative Committee. She has previously served as Secretary of North Central Ohio Phi Mu Alumni, Secretary of the Holmes County Republican Women, President of the Hilltop Garden Club, Trustee of VFW Auxiliary #7079, Secretary of the Holmes County Central and Executive Committees, and was a Council Member in the Village of Nashville. She is an Ashbrook Scholar Alumna and serves on the Staff Parish Relations Board of Lakeville United Methodist Church. In their spare time, she and her husband operate Blackie’s Blend and Welch’s High Production Lures and Baits.

Brian Sleeth has been the Director of the Warren County Board of Elections since 2009. He is currently the Vice President of the Ohio Association of Election Officials and Co-Chair of the Education Committee. He has also served as a Trustee and member of the Legislative Committee. Brian is 2016 graduate of the Election Center. Sleeth is a member of the Warren County Democratic Party Central and Executive Committees and currently serving as the secretary. Prior to working in Elections, Brian worked for General Motors for 12 years until their closure. He has been married to Jennifer for 25 years and have 2 children and 1 grandson.

Sherry Poland was appointed Director of Elections in Hamilton County in June of 2014.  Ms. Poland began her career with the Board of Elections in March of 2004.  Prior to becoming Director, she served as the Board’s Operations Administrator.  Ms Poland has served the OAEO as a Trustee and Legislative Committee Member and currently serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force on Elections.  Sherry is a member of the Hamilton County Republican Party Central Committee, Executive Committee, and Judicial Selection Committee.  She and her husband Dale live in Cincinnati and have two daughters.

Treasurer Mead has been Director/Deputy Director of the Licking County Board of Elections since 2017.  He has served on the OAEO Legislative Committee since 2017 and became a Trustee of the Association in 2019.  Prior to working in elections, Brian was Policy Analyst with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, as well as serving over 15 years in State & Local Government.   Mead is a member of the Licking County Republican Executive Committee.  He and his wife Jessica live in Johnstown and have two children.

Professional experiences:  
Director Mahoning County Board  of Elections, past  8 years
Deputy Director for 6 years, Elections Clerk for 19 years.
Democratic State Central Committeewoman for the 33^rd District – 3 Terms
Chair  of the Mahoning County Democratic Party.
Secretary of the Ohio Association of Election Officials (Past President / Trustee)
Legislative Committee member of the OAEO ( Past President)

Honors:
John F. Kennedy Democratic Woman of the Year
Ladies AOH Woman of the Year
Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal
Sec of State Election Official of the Year 2012
Sec of State Bright Idea Award 2015
League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown Hall of Fame Award 2016

Organizations:  
Past-President, Ohio Federated Democratic Women
1^st Vice-President, John F. Kennedy Federated Democratic Women’s Club
President, Mahoning Valley  St. Patrick’s Day Parade
1^st Vice-President, Ladies AOH (Past-President)
Member Austintown Democratic Club
Member Lowellville Democratic Club
Member D.A.R
Member American Legion Auxiliary
Member League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown