Ohio Commodore is Ohio's highest honor and an

honorary title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...

bestowed upon individuals by the

governor of Ohio A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the type of political region or polity, a ''governor'' ma ...

in recognition for outstanding contributions to

economic development In economics, economic development (or economic and social development) is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and object ...

. It is not a military rank and has no association with the

Ohio Naval Militia The Ohio Naval Militia (Ohio Navy) is the Naval militias in the United States, naval militia of the State of Ohio. It is the naval arm of the State of Ohio's Adjutant General's Department, and is part of Ohio's state defense force, military forces. ...

. Ohio Commodores have served as international

trade mission Trade mission is a tool for governments to promote and market exports. It is smaller in scale compared to trade fairs and can be useful when firms are trying to enter a foreign market. Considerations Several factors are needed to be considered ...

participants, received international delegations, and acted as the Governor's

honor guard A guard of honour (Commonwealth English), honor guard (American English) or ceremonial guard, is a group of people, typically drawn from the military, appointed to perform ceremonial duties – for example, to receive or guard a head of state ...

at official events.

Organizational history and Leadership

Founded by

Ohio Governor The governor of Ohio is the head of government of Ohio and the commander-in-chief of the U.S. state's Ohio National Guard, military forces. The officeholder has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto bill (proposed law ...

James A. Rhodes James Allen Rhodes (September 13, 1909 – March 4, 2001) was an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the 61st and 63rd Governor of Ohio from 1963 to 1971 and from 1975 to 1983. Rhodes was one of only seven U.S. governors ...

in 1966 during a ceremony at the Perry Monument at Put-In Bay. Named for the hero of the

Battle of Lake Erie The Battle of Lake Erie, also known as the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on 10 September 1813, on Lake Erie off the shores of Ohio during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of the British ...

in 1813, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, Governor Rhodes established the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores (which encompasses membership in the Association) to honor 60 Ohio businessmen who accompanied him on Ohio's first international trade mission. Since then, over 600 men and women have been appointed to the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodore as recognition of their contributions to economic development in their communities, and to the State of Ohio. The Association of Ohio Commodores is led by an executive committee, sub-committees, board of trustees, and four regional directors. The executive committee is composed of a Grand Commodore, Fleet Commodore, Purser, and the immediate Past Grand Commodore. The current Grand Commodore is David W. Johnson.

Awards

The Commodores Captains Award is presented to those who have contributed to the organization above and beyond the expected participation. The Elite Corps are individuals who have brought honor and dignity to themselves and their home state of Ohio. The James A. Rhodes Service award is given to individuals whose services to Ohio have "followed in the footsteps of Governor Rhodes". James Rhodes was an American Republican politician from Ohio that served four full terms in office.

Charitable and business development activities

Since 1984, the Commodores have held a yearly fundraiser, and in recent years have been a primary sponsor of the Governor's Excellence in Exporting Awards. These awards honor Ohio companies or institutions that have created jobs and improved their local economies through international trade. The Association of Ohio Commodores Foundation Fund was established at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in August, 2019 to support the charitable, educational, and public purposes of the Association of Ohio Commodores. The fund awards charitable grants, including a $26,900 grant in 2022 to

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily as a country music, country musician. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton's debut album ...

’s Imagination Library of Ohio. The Ohio Commodores Scholarship Fund is certified by the

Ohio Attorney General The Ohio attorney general is the chief legal officer of the state of Ohio in the United States. The office is filled by general election, held every four years. The Ohio attorney general is Republican Dave Yost. History The office of the att ...

as a Scholarship Granting Organization. The fund awards academic scholarships to students across Ohio attending primary and secondary schools (K-12), giving priority to students with the greatest financial need.

Commodores

Below is a partial list of notable Ohio Commodores: * Albert M. Covelli, II * Sam Covelli, previous Grand Commodore * Bret Dixon * David W. Johnson, current Grand Commodore *

Mike DeWine Richard Michael DeWine ( ; born January 5, 1947) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 70th List of governors of Ohio, governor of Ohio since 2019. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served a ...

, Ohio Governor * Christopher Che * Paul R. Bishop * O'dell Owens * John D. Clark Sr. * Penny J. Traina *

Urban Meyer Urban Frank Meyer III (born July 10, 1964) is an American Sports commentator, sportscaster and former college football coach. He spent most of his coaching career at the collegiate level, having served as the head coach of the Bowling Green F ...

Jane Timken Jane Eileen Timken (née Murphy; born November 5, 1966) is an American politician and attorney serving as a member of the Ohio Senate for the Ohio's 29th senatorial district, 29th district. She previously served as chair of the Ohio Republican Pa ...

References

{{reflist

External links

Association of Ohio Commodores website
American awards Honorary titles of the United States State awards and decorations of the United States Ohio culture