CEO - Melanie Miller - Ohio State Representative (67th District)

Melanie Miller, Ohio State Representative (67th District), covers all of Ashland County and a portion of Medina County. Miller was born in Brook Park, near Cleveland, attended Mid Park High School and graduated from Cleveland State University. Melanie was named Miss Ohio in 2006, calling it her favorite job! Learn the entire story of Melanie, her family, what she is currently working on and much more on the podcast.

Episode Transcript

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The CEO you Should Know, broughtto you by Robie Foster Miller Eric Insurance.
This week's CEO Melanie Miller, OhioState Representative in the sixty seventh District.
Today we are joined in studio byState Representative Melanie Miller, who represents

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Ohio sixty seventh District, Ashland Countyand a portion of Madinah County. Good
morning, Good morning, Eron.It is terrific to see you. Congratulations.
I know it's been about what sixmonths or so since you've been in
the role, but I'm sure loveand every minute I would have say I
do, I love it. It'sbeen an incredible journey so far. So
when officially did you take office?If we begin there, how long have

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you been a state roup? Yes, so officially it would have been January
one, but we were all sworninto office on January third, earlier this
year of twenty twenty three. Allright, so as we begin with you
just taking off, is could wedescribe what you do? I'm sure it's
daily basis, things change week toweek, those kind of things, But

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how about the duties of a staterepresentative? That's right, Well, I
appreciate you asking that question. Infact, a lot of people think I'm
the congresswoman in the US House arepresentative, so there is a difference.
So I'm in m in Columbus atthe Ohio State House and there obviously,
when you think about our government,there are three branches of government. A

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state representative in a state senator arepart of the legislative branch of the government.
So a legislator is as a lawmakerof Ohio. So what we do
is we write the laws, wepath to laws, we block the laws,
and all those types of things.So if a constituent has a concern
or an idea, the best thingto do is reach out to your state
representative or state senator and let themknow about an idea that you have so

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we can put something into writing andpotentially make it a law or remove something
from a current law that maybe we'renot realizing has an impact on a business
or a family or an industry ofsome kind. So we are the lawmakers.
Pretty much our schedule, we arein Columbus at least two days a
week, so each representative is assignedto a committee. There are many many

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committees at the discretion of the Speakerof the House, and so this year,
or at least for this one andthirty fifth General Assembly. I have
been assigned as the Vice chair ofFamilies in Aging, which I'm very passionate
about, especially with my work withfamilies and children and babies at the Pregnancy
Care Center. We hear a lotof issues dealing with those exact topics.

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I'm also on the Economic and WorkforceDevelopment Committee, Technology and Innovation, which
is a very fascinating committee, andthen finally Health Provider Services, and then
there's some other appointments that I havefrom the Speaker. So we go and
we sit on committee, we heartestimony, we hear bills. So what
we do is it goes through thecommittee process first a bill, and then

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once it's had so many hearings,we voted out of committee, and then
a bill will go to the floorof the House. And then what we
do is then we will vote onthe floor and then it has to go
over to the Senate and go throughthe same process. So then once that
bill goes through the House and ispast, it goes through the Senate,
is past, then it goes tothe Governor's desk and then he has the
opportunity to either sign it into lawor to veto the bill vto, meaning

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he's canceling it. I'm not movingforward with it. But if he passes
a law, usually a law willbe in effect within ninety days. So
that's sort of kind of the processthere. So we're usually there are two
days a week. We have committeeson Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with our voting
session on Wednesdays, and then ofcourse during high profile times if you will,
budget season, we might be theresome extra times just to make sure

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we're getting things done at the state. You've been working on the budget right
now? Now we stare have timehave we have? I am not in
leadership at the moment, and soit's I don't have to be there as
much as everyone else. But believeme, we are talking regularly with those
that are on our conference committee thatare going to be making those final decisions

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and negotiations. So it's never adull moment, that is for sure.
Yeah, it's kind of funny.You think about your own budget, then
you think about a state budget.That's right, a lot of numbers.
It's over nine thousand pages. Canyou believe that? And not I have
like four in front of me andI can't imagine about eight thousand, nine
hundred more. Good chat this morningwith Melody Miller, this week's CEO.
You should know Ohio against state representativein the sixty seventh district. So we

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say Ashland and a portion of MadinahCounty. So we represent Ashland. What
portion of Madonnah? That's right.So I have all of ASHLEYN County and
I have the western border of MadinahCounty. So it's a stair step,
is how it's drawn on the westernborder, So I have the rural counties,
and then I have the city ofBrunswick. So your office then,
is it We say Ashley, wesay Madonnah, we say Columbus. Are

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there multiple offices? That's actually avery good question. I actually do not
have a standalone office in the district. It's actually my car. My car
is my office. But I dohave an office in Columbus in the Rife's
Center, which is actually just acrossthe street from the State House. And
so I do have a legislative aidthat manages the phone in the email constituent

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affairs. So if anyone calls theoffice or needs help within an issue that
you are a problem, that you'redealing with, she would be the one
that you would be directed to toget that process going. But I also
wanted to mention earlier. I guessI didn't answer this question, but it
just dawned on me just now,Aaron, is you know also, not
only is our role as a staterepresentative as being a lawmaker, but you

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know, it is the greatest honorand privilege to be chosen by the people
of the sixty seventh district to betheir voice. I mean, really,
that's what I get to do,is I get to voice the concerns of
the people that I'm representing. Andwhat a privilege and honor that truly is
great to hear from Melanie Miller thismorning. All right, so let's step
away from work and find out abit more about you. So let's step

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back to the beginning, and ifyou would tell us where was Melanie Miller
born? Very good? Should Istart with Once upon a time? So
I'm actually Aaron. I'm originally fromthe Cleveland area. So I was born
and raised in the city of brookPark, right by the Cleveland Airport.
And I have a younger brother who'sabout seven years younger than me. I

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grew up in a middle class family, hard working family. My actually my
grandparents a neat story my mom's sideof the family. My grandparents immigrated from
Hungary during nineteen fifty six or inthe Hungarian Revolution. Came to this country
with one suitcase, three children,did not know any English, but they
wanted to come because they believed inthe American dream and they wanted a better

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future for their family. And thework ethic that my grandparents taught me growing
up. They worked hard, theywere people of integrity, they were people
of their word, They saved everythingthat they made. Those were the good
old days. So I am verygrateful for the legacy and model that my
grandparents have laid on my life.Truly, I just lost both of my

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grandparents here recently, so I justreally thinking about them and grateful for you
know, the people that the Lordputs in your life, that polished you
and shape the person that you arenow today. So I think of them.
But I went to Midpark High School. I also was a graduate of
Career in Technical Education, so Iwent to Polaire's Career Center for Medical Assisting
and loved that. I graduated fromCleveland State University for college and got a

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degree in digital media and film productionwith a minor in journalism. So went
the broadcast journalism route and loved that. And when I was in college,
I also worked at a television station. So I worked for Time Warner Cable
and reviewed movies and did kind ofa community based show where we interviewed local

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leaders in the community, which Ienjoyed so much. And then I was
hired by the CW Network and wasan on air personality and writer and producer.
So I did that for a littlewhile. But it's hard not to
talk about my story without talking aboutthe Lord, because he's done a work
in my life, that is forsure. So when I was also in
college, a fun fact, Idon't know if everyone knows this about me,

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but my sophomore year of college,I auditioned for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
I grew up as a dancer,was dancing since I was at the age
of three, started in ballet andthen continued with all different forms of dance.
But I always wanted to be aprofessional dancer. I always wanted to
be a radio City rocket. Butmy mom knew me well enough to say,

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I don't know that you liked totravel out of a suitcase and do
that, So why don't you trysomething more local like the Cavaliers. I
thought, Okay, I'm going todo that, so auditioned. My first
year did not make it. Mysecond year I made it, and it
was an incredible experience. I wason the team. It was a really
great year. In fact, itwas the second year Lebron James was on
the team. We went to theNBA playoffs, and so it was an

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exciting time. That's for sure oneof the hardest things I've ever done,
but it was incredible. It wasincredible. But from there, I always
wanted to be Miss America. Honestly, ever since I was a little girl,
I always wanted to be Miss America. I remember, even when I
was early early years, would situp real close to the television when Miss

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America was on TV, and Iwould sit up so close to where your
grandparents would say, Oh, don'tsit that close. You're going to have
to wear glasses and hurt your eyes. Right, But I loved the gowns
and I just thought those ladies wereso poised and graceful, and oh,
I just love the talent competition.So that was always my dream, and
so when I became of age,I competed for Miss Ohio. I actually

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won my second year at Miss Ohio. So I was twenty years old when
I won the title and job ofMiss Ohio. And then I actually took
a year off of school at ClevelandState to travel the great state of Ohio
in service. And one of myfavorite jobs of my life was being Miss
Ohio. And so on that journeyis where I met my dear husband,

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Matt Miller, and the rest ishistory. So I know I've been talking
a little while, but that's alittle bit about how we brought you up
to speed to Miss Ohio. Terrificto learn about Melanie Miller, this week's
CEO. You should know Agains.She is the state representative Ohio sixty seventh
District, representing Ashland and a portionof my Diana County. So great to

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learn the story growing up now MissOhio. From what I've heard, I'm
just traveling all over the state,right zig zag all over the state When
you were Miss Ohio, I'm surethat's the case. You're appearing at appearances
everywhere, right, absolutely everywhere everywhere. Did things from parades to speaking at
schools, to civic groups, banquets, a lot of really unique opera tunities,

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and again, like I said,it was one of the greatest years
of my life. I think itreally prepared me for the next step.
In fact, when I was MissOhio was a very unique time because it
was a time where the Lord Iwent to Miss America, and that journey
was very, very stressful, ifyou will. There was a lot of
pressure and I found myself surrendering mylife to the Lord just before I went

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to Miss America. And so whenI went to the national competition in Las
Vegas, I had a different perspectiveof my future. I had a piece.
I went and just did my verybest and was Melanie and I didn't
win, and that was okay.And when I got back from Miss America,
I got baptized and I knew thatthe Lord had a different plan for

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my life. And so although Iwas doing television and I loved that,
I knew I needed to work withpeople, and I knew the Lord was
calling me into full time ministry andI had no idea what that looked like.
But an opportunity presented itself in Ashlandwith the Salvation Army CROC Center,
and so I was hired before theCROC Center opened as the youth ministry's director,

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and so I worked for about fiveyears with our youth from babies all
the way to the young adults throughcollege. And I enjoyed every minute of
that, teaching our young people aboutlife skills, volunteerism, about the Lord
there with worth and their identity.So I did that, and then I
moved from there to the church whereI met my husband, Church of the

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Savior and Worcester served as the youthpastor and worship leader. And then currently
where I am now. I feltcalled out of that and serve as the
director of the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center, where we help women with critical pregnancy
decisions with life affirming options and compassionatecare and support. So we provide pregnancy
testing, ultrasounds, parenting education andskills, life skills classes. We provide

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healing support for miscare ridge and infantloss or post abortion healing. We have
a men's ministry, and we alsooffer material support for families to get a
good start in life. So it'sbeen I love it, And who would
have thought that the Lord called meto be a state representative. Well,
that's part of my next question aswe're chatting this morning with Melanie Miller for

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a few more minutes this week,CEO, you should know again representing Ohio
sixty seventh District, Ashland County anda portion of Madiga County. Growing up,
you mentioned you'd want to be,you know, Miss America, things
like that, but probably never oncethought you would be a state representative.
Right, I'm assumed that never poppedinto your mind until somewhat recently. That's
exactly right. Now, I willhave to tell you this is an interesting

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twist to the story. When Iwas sixteen years old, I want our
Miss Brook Park pageant, and itwas a community service pageant. That young
lady became an ambassador for the city. Not only that, that young lady
traveled everywhere with the mayor of thetown. So when I won Miss Burk
Park at sixteen, I went everywherewith our mayor. So I think it's

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very interesting because now I'm married tothe mayor, with the mayor now.
But I believe God started planning thoseseeds and shaping my life already that I
started to I already had an interestin politics and government and and quite frankly,
pageants and politics. There's a lotof the training is very very similar
with just mental toughness, with preparation, with public speaking, just all of

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those skills you you use in yourlife. Quite frankly, that's I really,
I really see that. So no, it really I never had any
plot or plan or desire to runfor office. But I will say when
I how that I'm in my rolenow and I look back, you know,
as a director of a pregnancy center, I've been there about eight and
a half years now. I've hadmany opportunities to come to Columbus in that

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timeframe to testify for legislation that wouldprotect the unborn. And you know,
every time I would go to Columbus, I would come home and I would
be fired up about something, andyou know, and quite and there aren't
a lot women in the legislature.There really are not. And so that
stood out to me. And I'llnever forget. I remember being in the
Ohio Senate on that side when theheartbeat Bill was voted out of the Senate,

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and I remember a state representative bythe name of Christina Rogner, who
was a dear friend and really oneof my inspirations and role models. I'll
never forget her standing up on thatfloor and being so courageous yet kind and
loving and compassionate, and Verry hadstood to her convictions and there was a
lot of aggression toward her as shewas speaking about protecting the unborn. That

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really had an impact on me watchingthat happen. And I remember coming home
that night saying to my husband,you know, I admire her so much.
We need more women like that inthe legislature. So I feel like
maybe that seed was planted a fewyears back. Who would have thought when
redistricting took place and there was anopen seat for Ashland County in the portion

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of Medinah that the Lord would say, Melanie Miller, I want you to
step out of the boat, andI want you to do this, And
so I just want to be obedient, and here I am today. We
are learning the whole story this morningabout State Representative Melanie Miller again, who
represents Ohio sixty seventh district, Ashlandand a portion of Medinah County. Know,

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before I let you go, we'vetalked about husband, Matt Miller,
who is the mayor of Ashland.If people do not know who that guy
is, what do you guys dowhen you're not working in terms of hobbies
and spare time, I'm sure there'snot a lot with state representative and you
know other work. He's the mayor. I see him all over the place.
But when you guys are not busy, I know that's all the time.
But what do you like time?Do you have any hobbies? You

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know? We love to go todinner, we love to go to the
lake. We've got a little dognamed Beckham, who's a little six pound
Yorkie. I love spending time withhim. He's like our little family.
But if you were to see Matt, he loves He was going to be
a commercial artist, and so heis always he's doing something creative. And
we both are very creative in nature, and so we're always creating something,

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whether it's sculpting the lawn and makingsure the flowers are beautiful, fixing something
in the house, painting. Welike to do creative things as well.
And movies. We love movies.All right, new movie theater open back
up on Ashley right. Incredible.Oh, we're so blessed. Is it's
really it's been amazing to see thatcome to fruition. Finally, after about

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seven to nine years of being withno movement. It is now sparkling and
it is ready and it's it's reallya blessing to have the Ashland in Ashland.
And I'm sure you get this alot. But since Matt's been mayor,
I always tell him, people willapproach me and say he just gets
things done. Things are just youknow, all he always has his line
of make Ashland sparkle, but uhboy, Ashland really really has a lot

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going on right now. It suredoes, and I you know, I
will have to just toot his horna moment. He is an incredible leader,
Matt and I have learned so muchfrom him to be a better legislator
or to be a better director inmy role, because he really is an
incredible leader. He loves people andhonestly, I think he's the best mayor

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we've ever had. That's all thereis too. We hear that a lot
in the community, and so we'revery grateful for the spirit. There's been
a new spirit and a new energyand a new there's just a new atmosphere
in Ashland. Well, before Ilet you go, people, I've heard
your voice this morning. State RepresentativeMelanie Miller representing Ashland portion of Madinah Counties,
the sixty seventh district. You loveto hear from people. So if

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somebody you know in your district wouldlike to reach out and say, Hey,
Melanie, I got a question.I know you love to hear from
people, So how do they contactyou? Yes, absolutely well, if
you want to send an email,you can just type in its rep.
R EP sixty seven at Ohio Housedot gov. Or you can search me
online Ohio House dot gov and youcan look at my profile. You can

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sign up for our newsletter. Youcan ask questions right on the website there.
I do not have the phone numbermemorize for our office, so I
don't want to give you a wrongnumber. You can get it at the
website. You can get it onthe website. That is right. And
I would love to hear from you. If you want to send a positive
note, if you have a question, a concern, you have an idea,
I would love to hear from you. She's been working on the state

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budget, among many other things.And you can read about that. You
mentioned all the news the newsletter,all of that. Sign up. Just
go to Ohio House dot gov andsearch Melanie Miller and they can get all
the details. Well, it hasbeen great to learn your story from the
Cleveland Brook Park area all the greatwork you're doing now. First of all,
thanks again for coming in. Congratulationson being a state representative, and

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we wish you continued success. Thankyou so much, Aaron State Representative Melanie
Miller, the CEO you should know. Read a bio, see a photo,
and here the extended interview at WMAANFMdot com. This is John Roby
of RF and ME Insurance. Itis said that a good leader sets the
bar high because he or she wantsto reach goals and make the best of

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their teams. We're proud to introduceyou to some of the communities leaders on
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