(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement regarding the death of former ODOT Director Jerry Wray.
“Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of our friend Jerry Wray.
“I first met Jerry in 1989 when he was Licking County Engineer.
“Governor George Voinovich appointed Jerry to lead the Ohio Department of Transportation which he ran from 1991 to 1999, and as Lt. Governor I got to work closely with him. Jerry focused on reengineering ODOT to meet the needs of the modern era during the Voinovich administration and established the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) to ensure Ohio has an open and transparent project selection process.
“Jerry was passionate about transforming ODOT into an organization that displayed what he called ‘excellence in government.’ The changes he ushered in will benefit our state for decades to come.
“Jerry was the only two-time ODOT Director, having also been appointed by Governor Kasich to lead the department from 2011-2019. His 16-year tenure as ODOT director is unprecedented.
“In 2022, I was pleased to be able to speak at the event naming the ODOT Central Office the Jerry Wray Building. Jerry was a dedicated public servant and it is fitting that the building bears his name as he was beloved and respected by ODOT employees, contractors, and everybody who came into contact with him at work and in life.
“Fran and I send our condolences to his wife, Eva, and his many friends and colleagues.”