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Ohio’s Outdoor Trailblazers: Mary Mertz reflects on eight years at the helm of ODNR

Ohio DNR Director Mary Mertz was appointed to her position by Gov. Mike DeWine nearly eight years ago. With term limits pushing DeWine out of the governor’s office, Mertz will also likely be on to another career path. She reflects on the accomplishments the agency has made in her tenure. (Photo by Jeffrey L. Frischkorn)

As Ohio’s director of the Ohio DNR, Mary Mertz was no stranger to working with – and answering to – Gov. Mike DeWine, the state’s 70th governor.
And Mertz certainly came to the ODNR with the bonafides necessary to deal with the governor, the legislature, and a public that can quickly offer praise one moment and then carry the torches and scythes the next. Mertz will leave her office Jan. 11, 2027 whether the new governor is Republican or Democrat.

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