Kimberly Zurz - Director

Department of Commerce
Governor Ted Strickland appointed Kimberly A. Zurz Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce on January 22, 2007. Zurz is a veteran businesswoman, who was a State Senator representing citizens in northeast Ohio at the time of her appointment to the Strickland Cabinet. The President of her family’s 78-year-old business, The Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home, in Akron, Zurz has an informed perspective about the needs and concerns of small businesses and the importance of excellent customer service. While serving more than three years in the Ohio Senate, Zurz earned a reputation as a staunch advocate for education and job creation. She represented Ohio’s 28th District, which includes Portage County and a portion of Summit County.  Before her appointment to the Ohio Senate in 2003 and election in 2004, Zurz served almost 11 years on the Summit County Council, including three terms as President.