Bob Peterson (Ohio politician)

src: www.ohiosenate.gov

Bob Peterson (born March 15, 1962) is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate from the 17th District. From 2011 to 2012, he served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 85th district. Before being elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, he was Fayette County Commissioner for 14 years. He was first elected as a state representative in November 2010.

Peterson won a full-term to the Ohio Senate on November 6, 2012 and was sworn-in January, 2013.

Bob Peterson is a farmer. He and his brother are the 8th generation of Peterson's to farm in America. Peterson raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock on the family farm. He graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, with a focus in Animal Science and Agriculture Economics. He is also a graduate of Ohio State's LEAD Program, an intense two-year agriculture leadership program that features extensive experience and training in economics, environmental issues, media relations, state and national political processes, and family values. He utilized this training and his personal experience and leadership abilities to serve with the Ohio Farm Bureau from 2006 to 2009 as a county volunteer board member and statewide leader. He served as a Fayette County Farm Bureau President from 1990-1992 and was elected to the Ohio Farm Bureau in 1995. Over the next 15 years, Bob held most leadership positions culminating with 5 years as President of the Ohio Farm Bureau advocating for the 200,000 member farm families.

Bob served as a Board of Directors Member with the American Farm Bureau Federation. He was also appointed by President George W. Bush to the USDA Trade Advisory Committee for Animals and Animal products, where he served for four years. Peterson has traveled to numerous countries including: Turkey, Israel, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Cuba, and Switzerland, promoting Ohio agricultural products globally.

Senator Peterson and his wife Lisa have been married since 1992 and are the proud parents of Sarah, Hannah and Todd. Last year, they celebrated the marriage of Sarah to John Bolte of Tiffin. Hannah is currently working on her masters in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Akron. Todd is in his second year at Ohio State is on track to graduate early with a degree in Agriculture. Bob and Lisa live on their farm in Fayette County. They have been active in their church, have led a 4-H club, taught Sunday school, and volunteer with the FFA and other community activities.

State Senator Bob Peterson served as a Fayette County Commissioner for fourteen years before being elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2011. His focus as county commissioner was to foster economic development and job growth while improving county government's efficiency and service to Fayette County residents. He represented the 85^th Ohio House District which included all of Ross and Fayette Counties and part of Pickaway County. He was appointed to the Ohio Senate in 2012. In the fall of 2014, he was elected to continue his service as a State Senator, and he was selected by his fellow Senators as President Pro Tempore, the 2^nd highest office within the Ohio Senate. He has been committed to job growth throughout Ohio and specifically in his Senate district.

While a member of the Ohio Senate, Peterson has served as the Chairman of many Committees including: the General Government Subcommittee of Finance, Ways and Means Committee, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the Joint Commission on Agency Rule Review and has served as a member of the Ohio Controlling Board.

Peterson currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Rules and Reference Committee and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Agriculture Committee, Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, and Finance General Government Subcommittee.

Senator Peterson has received numerous awards for his efforts in the Ohio Statehouse to grow jobs and economic prosperity for all Ohioans, including the Watchdog of the Treasury Award from the United Conservatives, the Council of Smaller Enterprises' Small Business Advocate Award, the Ohio Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture, the NFIB's Guardian of Small Business Award, Legislator of the Year from the County Engineers Association of Ohio, and the Nature Conservancy's commitment to improving Ohio's water quality award.