The Geauga Growth Partnership announced that Tracy A. Jemison has been appointed president of the business-led economic growth organization, effective November 12, 2013. Until October 31, Jemison was a Geauga County Commissioner and had a long record of elected public office in Geauga County. He succeeds Frank Samuel, the Partnership’s president since the organization’s founding in 2010.
“We are delighted that a person of Tracy’s achievement and stature has agreed to lead business growth in Geauga County,” said GGP Chairman John Epprecht. “Tracy was present at the creation of the GGP, and has been with us every step of the way in working to improve and expand business in our County.”
Jemison’s record as an elected official includes five years service as a Geauga County Commissioner and thirteen years as Geauga County Auditor. He also served as a member of the Middlefield Village Council and the Berkshire Board of Education.
Jemison becomes president of an 80-member organization representing Geauga County businesses which sponsors career education and internship programs for Geauga high school students as well as activities in healthcare reform, shale oil and gas, and entrepreneurship.
“For me,” said Jemison, “the GGP is a great success story, and I am pleased and honored to be chosen as its president. Nothing is more important to the future of our community than strong businesses and other employers. I am looking forward to working with all business sectors to grow jobs and economic prosperity for Geauga workers and their families.”
For further information please contact John Epprecht or Tracy Jemison at 440-564-1060. Businesses are encouraged to contact Tracy at tjemison@geaugagrowth.com regarding any business issue that he should be aware of or for any question about GGP activities.
Tracy Jemison
Tracy A. Jemison, age 62, Geauga County Commissioner was re-elected to a four year term in November 2012. Tracy, a 1969 Graduate of Cardinal High School, attended Lakeland Computer College and Kent State Geauga Campus. He first ran for public office in 1971. At the age of 20, he was one of the youngest individuals at that time to run for Middlefield Village Council. While he was unsuccessful in his first attempt for public office, he was not deterred. In 1973 he ran again, successfully, and served eight years on the Middlefield Village Council. In 1988 Tracy ran for the Berkshire Board of Education where he served for four years.
Tracy’s career with the county of Geauga started in 1982 when the Board of Geauga County Commissioners appointed him as the Maintenance Supervisor, a position he held for two years. In 1984, he was appointed by the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board as Operations Manager for the county’s computer systems. In 1994, he was promoted to the position of MIS Director. In 1995, he was appointed to the position of Geauga County Auditor by the Geauga County Republican party to fill the unexpired term for the late Richard J. Makowski, a position he held for 13 years. In December of 1999, he was awarded the County Auditors Association of Ohio’s Richard J. Makowski award, an award that was named after his predecessor and friend. He was elected by the CAAO to serve as president in 2003.
Tracy is a past president of the Burton-Middlefield Rotary and currently serving as their treasurer. He is one of the founders of the Geauga Growth Partnership and serves on the board. He has served as the Chairman of the Geauga County United Way Board from 2009-2011 and continues to serve on the board. He was a member of Leadership Geauga class of 2005 and served on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Geauga County. He was named the Leadership Geauga County 2012 Emerald Leader.
A lifelong resident of Geauga County, he resides in Burton, Ohio with his wife Bonnie. They have been married 33 years and have two children and three grandchildren.
Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc. is a business-led organization dedicated to the retention, growth and attraction of jobs, investment and economic growth in Geauga County.
