THOMAS CARTON NAMED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson announced today that Thomas W. Carton has been named assistant director of the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). Carton has been serving as deputy director of operations for ODOD since November 2003.

“Tom’s broad range of leadership, knowledge and proven skills make him a great fit for assistant director,” said Johnson. “With more than 30 years of experience in the private and public sectors, Tom is well qualified to handle operational functions, fiscal matters, agency programs and policy issues involving the Department.”

In his new role, Carton is responsible for the operations of the various divisions within the Department; providing input to the Director on major policy issues, initiatives and programs; representation of the Department and the Director on committees, boards, meetings and hearings; and the preparation, review and submission of all budgets and financial reports internally and externally.

Prior to joining the ODOD, Carton served as assistant director for the Ohio Department of Insurance from 2001-2003. Carton has also served as regional vice president of Adecco Employment Services in Columbus, Ohio; president of Buckeye Entertainment Corp. in Columbus, Ohio; vice president, general counsel and secretary of Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; assistant general counsel and secretary of Wendy’s International, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio; and the private practice of law, including Jones Day in Columbus, Ohio.

Carton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and a law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law in Columbus, Ohio. The Coshocton, Ohio native resides in Dublin, Ohio with his wife Kris. Carton has four children, Tom, Matt, Steve and Jeff.