After already serving four years on Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, David Brightbill was officially appointed into his position Tuesday afternoon.
Although former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Brightbill in July 2008, his administration never sent the paperwork to the Ohio Senate, which has the power to veto the appointment.
The oversight will not nullify the votes Brightbill has cast while serving as a trustee, said Rob Nichols, spokesman for Gov. John Kasich.
Nichols added that Brightbill is among 15 Ohio officials “whose positions were not approved by the Senate while Strickland was in office.”
“The previous administration failed to submit this paperwork,” he said. “These people are getting caught up and are being given the ability to reapply for their own, existing seats. “Kasich’s office realized the mistake about four weeks ago and contacted Brightbill, who re-sent his information,” Nichols said.
Before joining Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, Brightbill served on the OU Alumni Board and as president for the Corporation for Appalachian Ohio Development.
Brightbill graduated from OU in 1970 and has also served as the executive director of the Community Action Program Corporation of Washington-Morgan County.
sj950610@ohiou.edu
