Jacqueline T. Williams was appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce in April 2015 by Governor John R. Kasich. She serves as a member of the Governor’s cabinet and is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Commerce is one of the state’s principal regulatory agencies. Williams has made promoting the growth, success, safety and soundness of Ohio businesses a top priority; the agency also has focused on providing exceptional customer service.

Prior to her appointment, Williams served in leadership positions with a number of public and private entities, including the Development Services Agency, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission and the Bureau of Workers Compensation. Williams also spent 10 years as Executive Director of the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, which administers the state’s 529 college savings programs. Under her direction, assets and investors grew significantly.

Williams was elected and served two terms as Chair of the College Savings Plans Network. Under her guidance, the network secured tax free distribution for 529 plans. Prior to her public sector service, Williams worked for AT&T in a number of national and international capacities in sales, marketing and public relations.

Williams earned both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has completed executive education at the Aspen Institute, WELD and the Center for Entrepreneurial Education at Miami University.