Cheri L. Hottinger
Dates of Service: July 2023 – June 2029
Public Member
Cheri Hottinger has dedicated most of her career to helping a wide variety of constituencies, with a particular focus on public service.
Throughout her career, Cheri has accumulated vast business knowledge, beginning in 1995 when she led the operations of the Jay Company, Inc., an industrial electrical contractor, in partnership with the IBEW, Local 1105. In addition to her administrative duties, she worked closely with labor representatives, while serving on the Health & Welfare Board of Local 1105. Cheri was also involved with matters that included evaluating
internal workers’ compensation claims, oversight of premiums, safety compliance and risk assessment.
Cheri later entered public service when she was elected Councilwoman-At-Large for the City of Newark, Ohio, a position she held from
2000-2003 and, again, from 2021-2023.
In the summer of 2004, Cheri expanded her civic engagement, when she was named President & CEO of the Newark Area Chamber of Commerce – a position she held for the next 12 years. Cheri’s role included facilitating safety councils, training seminars and program development. To help improve the workers’ compensation system for both employers and employees, Cheri was instrumental in bringing the BWC Group Rating Program to the Chamber and its 900+ members. While Cheri was President, the Chamber grew into the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, and was listed as the largest Chamber in Central Ohio. During Cheri’s tenure, the Chamber was honored with numerous BWC Safety Council of the Year awards, including first, second, and third place designations. Additionally, Cheri was named
Chamber Executive of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio.
Cheri was also a co-founder of Grow Licking County Community Improvement Corporation and Newark Development Partners Community Improvement Corporation. Cheri served as a board member and treasurer for Grow Licking County CIC, and focused on the economic development and growth of the county. A significant portion of her efforts involved attracting new businesses to Licking County, while working to retain and expand operations of existing employers. Cheri pursued similar economic development efforts with Newark Development Partners CIC, with a particular focus on the City of Newark. One of the most important projects during Cheri’s tenure was the renovation of downtown Newark,
a public-private partnership that has revitalized the local economy.
In 2016, Cheri made a career change by joining Park National Bank as a Vice President and Business Development Officer for the Commercial Loan Department. She continued to serve the
Licking County community in this new role.
Currently, in addition to her duties at the Industrial Commission, Cheri serves as the Chairperson of the Self-Insuring Employers Evaluation Board.
Cheri and her husband, Jay, live in Newark and have three daughters and a granddaughter. Cheri is an avid Buckeyes fan and can frequently be found at the stadium on game days.