Columbus, Ohio -- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has announced several local appointee's state boards and commissions.

The Ohio School Funding Advisory Council reviews the educational adequacy components of Ohio's school funding model.

Robyn Essman, of Dayton, has been appointed as a community school representative. She has served as the executive of budget and financial management for the Columbus City Schools since 2008. Essman previously served as the budget director for the Dayton Public Schools from 2001-2008 and as the business manager for the Dayton Metro Library from 1987-2001. She currently serves as a member of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. Essman received a bachelor's degree from Wright State University in 1975.

Dayvenia Chesney, of Dayton, has been appointed as the early child representative. She currently serves as the CEO for the Miami Valley Child Development Centers. Chesney previously served as the manager of operations for the Council on Rural Service Head Start Programs. She also serves as a member of the Ohio Early Childhood Advisory Council and serves on the board of directors for the Ohio Head Start Association. Chesney has earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree.

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission coordinates and administers science and technology programs to support the welfare of the people of the state and to maximize the economic growth of the state through expansion of the state's high technology research and development capabilities and the state's product and process innovation and commercialization.

Maureen Pero, of Dayton, has served as the vice president of strategic management and legal affairs for Caresource Management Group since 2006. She previously served as the president and CEO of the Downtown Dayton Partnership from 1996-2006. Pero also serves as a member of the executive leadership program of the American Health Insurance Plans and previously served on the Homeless Solutions Leadership Team. Pero received a bachelor's degree from Kent State University in 1980 and a law degree from the University of Dayton in 1983.

The Ohio Public Benefits Advisory Board advises the director of the Department of Development of the universal service fund and the low-income customer assistance programs and advises the director on the director's recommendation to the commission regarding the appropriate level of the universal service rider.

Carole Grimes, of Dayton, is retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dayton and is currently a volunteer community health and housing advocate in the Dayton area. She serves on the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Community Action Partnership Education/Advocacy Committee and the Ohio Community Development Finance Fund, among other organizations. Grimes received a bachelor's degree from Xavier University in 1979.

The National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture Planning Council meets with and advises the Ohio Historical Society in the course of establishment and maintenance of the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture near Wilberforce University.

John Garland, of Wilberforce, has served as the president of Central State University since 1997. He previously served as the associate provost for intellectual property for the University of Virginia from 1996-1997 and as the executive assistant to the president of the University of Virginia from 1993-1996. Garland was the founding director of Legal Services of the Coastal Plains, which provides legal representation to low-income persons in rural northeastern North Carolina. He received a bachelor's degree from Central State University in 1971 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1974.

The Minority Development Financing Advisory Board provides recommendations to the director of the Ohio Department of Development regarding applications for assistance on minority loans.

Robert Menafee, of Dayton, has served as an adjunct professor at Sinclair Community College since January 2009. He previously served as an investment associate for CincyTech in 2007 and as a strategic planning manager for Reynolds & Reynolds from 2005-2007. Menafee also served as a senior associate for Deloitte Consulting from 2004-2005. He received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1993 and a master's degree from the University of Chicago in 2002.