Our Board
Many of the OYLIF board members have worked together for decades as counselors, consultants, and commissioners with the American Legion Buckeye Boys State, a premier leadership program for high school juniors. We share an affinity for developing youth leadership, and look forward to connecting organizations, students, and potential program sponsors. We are pleased to welcome Kate Strickland to the Board in April 2026!
John Garvey (President)
John is co-founder and managing partner of Garvey Shearer Nordstrom, PSC, a civil litigation firm with 10 attorneys, located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. He is involved in multiple non-profits across the state of Ohio.
Todd Gerber (Secretary / Treasurer)
Todd is the Senior Director of Category Management with Clorox Purell (formerly GOJO Industries), and licensed as an attorney in the State of Ohio. He presently volunteers on the boards of the Wadsworth Public Library and Alternative Paths of Medina, and formerly served as Chair of Medina County Public Defender Commission and as a Trustee of Port Authority in Medina County, Ohio.
Grant Grace
Grant has served the American Legion Buckeye Boys State for over 40 years, and has been the Chief Counselor since 1997. He retired from the UAW International Union, where he trained on worker safety issues, in 2022.
Mike Jordan
Mike is a decorated Vietnam veteran, and spent his career at The Ohio State University specializing in Agronomy. He was elected twice as a school board member, and served as president of that board. Mike serves as a Trustee and Past President of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State organization, and is in its Hall of Fame.
Jeff Jordan (Vice-President)
Jeff is presently the Controller of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, and previously held senior finance roles with the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio High School Athletic Association. He serves as a Board Member for his local library, and is currently the Band Director at the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program.
Stephan Oeschle
Stephan is presently the Director of Operations for Synergos Association Management Company, and previously held multiple leadership roles with the Phi Kappa Theta National Fraternity. He is the past commander of the Sons’ of the American Legion Detachment of Ohio, Squadrons 346 and 725.
Kate Strickland
Kate is the Executive Director of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. OCLRE is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that provides engaging civics education programming for Ohio's middle and high school students, including mock trial, moot court, and We the People. Kate previously served on the board of directors for Syntero, a mental and behavioral health organization serving CentralOhio.
Dr. Stephen Scherer
Steve is a thirty-year high school educator with a Master's Degree in History and Government and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. His doctoral focus was on providing high-quality instruction to students affected by traumatic events. He currently teaches AP Government and CCP Psychology at Marysville High School and coaches high school girls' wrestling.