Senator Bill Coley

Board Member

Former Senator Bill Coley fulfilled his term limits with 16 consecutive years in the Ohio General Assembly, including 10 years as a Committee Chairman. He was a founding member of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee and served on the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission as well as serving as one of Ohio’s delegates to the Assembly of State Legislatures. Senator Coley’s experience in handling gaming issues led to his election as president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). His experience, coupled with his innovative legislative efforts, has resulted in the senator speaking throughout the nation, and internationally, on legislative issues including elections operations, payment systems, pharmacy benefit management, educational distance learning, sports betting and gaming policy.

Coley’s innovative legislative efforts garnered him many awards. He was been named legislator of the year by the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, and the American Kennel Club. The Senator has also received distinguished legislator recognition by numerous organizations including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) where he served as state chairman, the American Conservative Union, the Ohio Farm Bureau and he was named a Watchdog of the Treasury by the United Conservatives of Ohio. Working together with President Crawford of Miami University, Coley helped create the Work+ program. Work+ puts high school graduates to work for one of a growing list of employers, live in a supportive housing arrangement, and receive a Miami University Degree, in whatever major they choose, and all without having to write a check for tuition or going into debt.

Currently, Senator Coley is consulting with Miami University’s Institute for Responsible Gaming Lotteries and Sport as well as Ohio Medicaid Suppliers. He also works as a commercial litigation attorney, is AV Preeminent rated, (the highest rating) and is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. He has represented individuals, governments and businesses big and small in cases ranging from the Kenwood Towne Place foreclosure (represented Bank of America in case involving 100+ parties), to a multimillion-dollar business fraud case (obtained $6.96MM fraud judgment for the victim), to probate, real estate development and business dispute cases.

An active member of his community, Coley is involved in the Butler County Republican Party, St. John’s Catholic Church, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Sons of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts of America. Coley received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Dayton and his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. An instrument rated pilot, he and his wife Carolyn live in Liberty Township and they enjoy history, travel, music and films. They love animals and have two Old English Sheep dogs (Wilby and Elwood) plus a cat (Tillie).

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