Jake Dowling joins OACB as Legislative Affairs Manager

The Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (OACB) announced Wednesday that Jake Dowling has been selected as the organization’s new Legislative Affairs Manager effective January 1, 2024. Dowling joins the association representing Ohio’s 88 county boards of DD after nearly six years of service in the Ohio Senate, most recently serving as Senior Legislative Aide for State Senator Jerry Cirino.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jake to our team in the new year," said Adam Herman, the association’s chief executive officer. "His track record of strategic collaboration and his ability to successfully bring about positive change in the legislative process align perfectly with our mission of supporting people with developmental disabilities. Jake's expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our advocacy efforts and enhance the services we provide to communities across Ohio in the years to come."

Dowling's professional experience includes roles of increasing responsibility within Senate legislative offices, where he capably represented lawmakers with many diverse stakeholders and partnered with government, business, and non-profit organizations to achieve legislative policy objectives. As Senator Cirino’s senior aide, Dowling spearheaded initiatives in higher education and workforce development, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of policy formulation, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach throughout the process.

“Jake has been a highly effective member of my legislative team and he will be missed,” said Senator Cirino following the announcement. “His grasp of important policy issues and his dedication to the people of Ohio is truly exemplary. This is truly a loss to the Ohio Senate, but a great gain for Ohio’s county boards of DD and the families they serve.”

Prior to joining Senator Cirino’s staff, Dowling served in a similar capacity for Senator Dave Burke for nearly three years before the lawmaker departed the legislature as a result of term limits. It was here that Dowling gained significant experience working on issues affecting people with developmental disabilities as clerk for the Senate Health, Human Services, and Medicaid Committee, which Burke chaired.

"I am honored to join the Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities and contribute to their impactful work," said Jake Dowling. "By leveraging my legislative experience to further the strategic policy objectives of Ohio’s county boards of DD, I look forward to creating meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and the system that supports them."

With a reputation for being hardworking, personable, and results-driven, Dowling's appointment to the OACB team represents a strategic step forward in bolstering the organization's efforts to advocate for and empower individuals with developmental disabilities across Ohio.