J. Kenneth Blackwell brings a distinguished record of achievement to his position as the 43rd treasurer of the state of Ohio. As the state’s chief investigator and cash manager, he manages more than $100 billion in state and custodial assets. First appointed to the position in March 1994, he was elected to a full four-year term in November of that year.
A former ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and Deputy Under Secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Treasurer Blackwell first served in public office as city councilman and mayor of Cincinnati.
He also is a former member of the Board of Directors of Fifth/Third Bank, Cincinnati, and is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Urban Bankers Association.
Treasurer Blackwell is a former independent pubic policy consultant and writer. He is a member of the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations and holds the nation’s highest security clearance.
During his tenure as Deputy Under Secretary for HUD, Treasurer Blackwell served as the primary liaison on intergovernmental affairs to the White House. His responsibilities included, coordinating policies and programs for investment bankers, governors, mayors, and other local government officials.
Treasurer Blackwell has strong ties to the academic environment. He served as a vice president and faculty member of Xavier University in Cincinnati. He was first appointed by the university to serve as associate director of the Center for Urban Studies and later was appointed director. During his 18 years at Xavier, he worked to develop many innovative educational and community service programs.
In 1992, he received the Xavier University Distinguished Alumnus Award, having received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 and a master of education degree in 1971.
Treasurer Blackwell has lectured at Harvard University, The University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom, the Moscow State Institute for International Relations in Russia and the International Academy of Public Administration in Paris. He is the author of many articles and guest columns on domestic and foreign affairs issues.
He and his wife, Rosa, have three children, Kimberly, Rahshann, and Kristin. In 1994, the Blackwells were honored as one of the National Council of Negro Women’s Families of the Year. A prominent educator in the Cincinnati City Schools, Rosa Blackwell also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Xavier University.
