JOE SAVARISE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OHIO HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION, TO SPEAK THIS FRIDAY

 Joe Savarise comes to OH&LA from his role as a Senior Vice President with BIPAC, the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, based in in Washington, DC.  Joe joined BIPAC in January 2007. He oversaw a national field team and the deployment of an employer-to-employee communication and education program known as the “Prosperity Project” in states across the nation.  Part of his responsibility was providing a direct channel of service and support and communication to member businesses and trade associations throughout the country.  He helped grow BIPAC’s state network from just over 20 partners to more than 70 participating state, regional and local business organizations in 45 states, many of them state Chambers or joint Chamber/Manufacturer affiliates.  He worked with statewide business organizations each day to help facilitate more effective communications regarding public policy and elections to employees and associates, and to help the business community promote efforts aimed at producing economic growth, competitiveness and jobs.

He also served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Ohio Prosperity Project and ProsperityNevada 501(c)(4) entities.  With those organizations, he worked with a number of leading business groups and corporations in each state to help educate employers and employees about the political process and elections.

Prior to working with the Prosperity Project, he served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, serving thousands of insurance professionals and their business clients across the state.  He previously had experience as a staff member in the Ohio House of Representatives, including Minority Caucus Press Secretary, Policy/Research Staff, and Legislative Aide, as well as field staff and campaign manager for several state legislative campaigns.

Joe is a native Ohioan, born and raised in Ashtabula, and a graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens.   He and his wife Stacey reside near Pickerington.