Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel Recognize Top Business Advisory Councils for 2026
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced Ohio's 2026 Business-Education Leader Awards for Excellent Business Advisory Councils.
All Ohio school districts and educational service centers have a Business Advisory Council: a group of local school, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that students’ educational opportunities align with local and state workforce needs, while also providing students with valuable work-based learning opportunities.
The annual Business-Education Leader Awards honor Business Advisory Councils that stand out for their efforts to create and sustain career-connected learning opportunities for students.
“We are proud to celebrate the Business Advisory Councils that are making a real impact preparing students for the opportunities waiting for them beyond graduation,” said Governor DeWine. “Aligning education with the needs of our communities is essential to Ohio’s future. That’s why we continue to support increased access to career and technical education, while also emphasizing career-connected learning opportunities in every Ohio classroom. When our students gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce, we empower them to reach their full potential.”
“Our Business Advisory Councils are another example of how our state creates opportunity through collaboration,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “Our new WorkOhio program is built on a similar foundation. It’s all about bringing together experts who know the jobs and industries that are in demand. Our most effective Business Advisory Councils are the ones that work as a team to expose students to all the opportunities available to them so they can pursue a future that excites them in one of our state’s top career paths.”
“We are celebrating these Business Advisory Councils for giving students authentic, real-world experiences that help them explore their interests and develop knowledge and skills for the future,” said Director Dackin. “Their innovative and forward-thinking strategies align education with regional economic needs and provide students with a clear, supported pathway from the classroom to high‑opportunity careers.”
Business-Education Leader Award Honorees
2026 Four-Star Business Advisory Councils:
- Barberton City Schools*
- Montgomery County Educational Service Center*
- North Point Educational Service Center*
- Southwest Regional Business Advisory Council *
- Building Bridges to Careers
- Columbiana County Educational Service Center
- Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
- Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio
- Mercer County Educational Service Center
- Miami County Educational Service Center
- Preble County Educational Service Center
* = Excellence Designation: Four Business Advisory Councils have received this additional designation for their work coordinating career development experiences, building partnerships, and developing professional skills for the future.
2026 Three-Star Business Advisory Councils:
- Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center
- Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center
- Beavercreek City Schools
- Brown County Educational Service Center
- Cincinnati Public Schools
- Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
- Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve
- Greater Cincinnati Business Advisory Council
- Lorain County Educational Service Center
- Madison-Champaign County Educational Service Center
- Marion Area Workforce Acceleration Collaborative
- Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center
- Midwest Regional Educational Service Center
- Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center
- New Lexington Schools
- Noble County Schools Business Advisory Council
- Paulding County Business Advisory Council
- Putnam County Educational Service Center
- Southern Ohio Educational Service Center
- Springfield City Schools
2026 Two-Star Business Advisory Councils:
- Darke County Educational Service Center
- Fairfield County Educational Service Center
- Greene County Educational Service Center
- Greenville City Schools
- Jefferson County Educational Service Center
- Knox County Educational Service Center
- Mentor Exempted Village
- Stark County Educational Service Center
Additional details about the Business-Education Leader Award levels:
- Four-star councils implement all quality practices throughout the year to create a culture of career-focused opportunities in alignment with in-demand occupations and provide supporting data.
- Three-star councils implement many quality practices throughout the year to create a culture of career-focused opportunities for all students.
- Two-star councils implement a number of quality practices throughout the year.
This year’s star rating applications were reviewed by the following entities:
- DriveOhio
- Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
- Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation
- Ohio Business Roundtable
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce
- Ohio Department of Development
- Ohio Department of Health
- Ohio Department of Higher Education
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
- Ohio Excels
- Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
To learn more about the work of Business Advisory Councils, visit the Department’s Business Advisory Councils webpage. 
Additional Media Contacts:
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Lacey Snoke, Chief Communications Officer
614-995-1855
Lacey.Snoke@education.ohio.gov
Chad Eberly, Deputy Chief of Communications
614-466-4839
Chad.Eberly@education.ohio.gov
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