James Conrad is one of Ohio's most respected public leaders, management consultants and nationally-awarded public servants, appointed to more cabinet posts by more governors than any individual in Ohio history.  Known for efficient, effective, top to bottom transformative organizational changes, often in budget-critical situations, Conrad has more than 36 years of successful leadership and management experience creating, redeveloping and instituting organizational efficiencies.

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Conrad's leadership has been recognized by the National Governors' Association, the Ohio Trial Academy, and the National Job Service.  Conrad has also been awarded during a distinguished military career two bronze stars and three U.S. Army commendation medals for valor for his service in combat in Vietnam.

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In 1995, Governor George Voinovich declared the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation the "silent killer of jobs" and tapped Conrad to lead comprehensive, sweeping change as its new CEO/Administrator.  During his leadership, Conrad transformed the largest single-line insurer in the nation that had $22 billion in assets and provided coverage to more than 5 million workers and 278,000 Ohio businesses.  While there, Conrad successfully reduced the number of employees from 4100 to 2650 and instituted management efficiencies that resulted in a $10 million reduction in the Bureau's annual operating budget.

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During Conrad's tenure, Ohio BWC was recognized as one of the most cutting-edge insurance entities in North America.  Under Conrad's direction, the Health Partnership Program (HPP) was implemented, becoming a nationally-recognized managed care model that achieved medical cost decrease while medical inflation rose nationally.  Through many organizational changes, Conrad stabilized premiums, eliminated a nearly $2 billion deficit and returned more than $10 billion in dividends and rebates to Ohio employers.  In addition, Conrad led the development of an e-business initiative that set the standard in the industry and moved more than 96% of all claim filings to an online process.  Conrad's commitment to safety initiatives saw a 30% reduction in workplace injuries and his efforts to cut fraud paid back 8-fold the investment in staff, training and technology.

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Conrad is hailed for the turn around success of Ohio BWC but is also widely recognized for his leadership as Chief Administrative Officer/Executive Secretary of the City of Cleveland during its revival from its famous default under the previous administration.  The city in its successful turnaround became referred to by the national media as the "Comeback City."

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In addition to these two posts that spanned more than two decades, Conrad served the Govenror's cabinet as director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, Ohio Department of Human Services and as the administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services.  On the Federal level, Conrad served as the Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Conrad is a graduate of Miami University and is a decorated officer who rose to the rank of Captain during his seven years of service in the U.S. Army.  Jim and his wife, Karen, live in German Village.  They have a daughter and two grandchildren.