Haseley’s extensive government experience, passion for region bolster Voinovich School Advisory Board

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in political science, John Haseley’s career journey took him to offices in the highest level of federal and state government.

To hear him talk about Athens, though, it seems he was always destined to return to the area he grew up in and to rejoin the fabric of the southeast Ohio community. That love of the region made him a natural fit to serve on the Advisory Board of the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.

A graduate of Alexander High School, the partner with O’Connor, Haseley and Wilhelm Law focuses his practice on government and administrative law. His career has been built on his years of service working for top elected officials in Washington, D.C. and Columbus.

Haseley earned his law degree from George Washington University’s National Law Center during his time working in D.C., where his jobs included Judiciary Committee work and judicial appointments for U.S. Senator John Glenn. His career would eventually lead to service under two governors, a federal court judge and a member of Congress.

His highest post in the state was as chief of staff under Gov. Ted Strickland. Upon returning to his home base, he served as an assistant prosecutor and village solicitor.

Like many OHIO graduates who went into public service, Haseley credited the guidance of Voinovich School Founding Dean Mark Weinberg, who oversaw his final paper before graduation, which he submitted while working at Gov. Richard Celeste’s D.C. office.

Over the years, Haseley has stayed connected to the Voinovich School and OHIO, including teaching a graduate seminar on crisis management and serving as an adjunct professor.

“It is really a wonderful place to pursue a degree in political science because there was a real focus on practical experience, and that’s what led me in the direction I ultimately went – even more so than the classroom work,” he said.

During his time as an undergraduate student studying political science in the College of Arts and Sciences, Haseley was involved in the Student Senate, worked under the Local Government Commission and started a student-led alternative book exchange to compete with the book stores. It was at this time that his nascent political career took root with support for local and state candidates – an aspect of his career that culminated with his time as former chair of the Athens County Democratic Party.

As a Voinovich School Advisory Board member for about a year, he said, “I hope that I bring a real passion for the region and can really help the school and its commitment and efforts to really improve the quality of life to the Appalachian Region, especially Southeastern Ohio.”

“I feel like I’ve worked a good part of my life to try to make a difference in our region, and I really appreciate the opportunity to be on the Voinovich School board and continue that work,” Haseley added.

Among his ongoing connections with the school is partnering with its PORTSfuture Program, led by Director Stephanie Howe, by helping to coordinate area labor groups’ input on redevelopment efforts at the Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

As principal with the Columbus-based Remington Road Group, a public and government affairs firm, “I’ve done a lot of work in support of Stephanie’s efforts to coordinate with a group of labor leaders who are working directly with the university and with the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative on reindustrialization,” he said. That work has included help with community engagement and industrial industry outreach.

Along with his extensive professional involvements, Haseley has served on numerous government and community boards.

He said his spare time is often spent soaking up the atmosphere of the area he grew up in.

“I just dearly love Athens County,” he said. “For me, there’s nothing better than being out in the woods on a cold day, cutting wood and in the evening sitting out in front of a fire out back. I just feel so much of a connection to the place and the people who live here and who I’ve grown up with.”