State Rep. Tim Derickson (R-Oxford) was named as BioOhio’s Legislator of the Year last month for his efforts in workforce development.

Rep. Derickson served as chairman of the House Workforce Development Study Committee — which gave Ohioans the opportunity to speak on the state’s efforts to create a competitive workforce — and also was recently appointed to the governor’s Executive Workforce Board.

“BioOhio admires and appreciates Rep. Derickson’s leadership in workforce development,” said BioOhio President & CEO Tony Dennis. “We were honored to help with statewide hearings for the House Workforce Development Committee, which he chaired. Like us, he believes that workforce development can improve in Ohio, and that public-private sector collaboration is the critical component to achieve that goal.”

“The Bioscience industry is vital to Ohio’s economy, employing over 60,000 Ohioans. Their commitment to educating, training and hiring Ohio’s workforce has proven to be a success throughout the state,” said Derickson. “I’m humbled by this recognition and honored to receive the award of Legislator of the Year.”

BioOhio is a non-profit organization designed to build and accelerate bioscience industry, research and education in Ohio. Its mission is to encourage bioscience discovery, commercialization of global value, innovation, economic growth and improved quality of life in Ohio.