Tom serves as the Associate Vice President of State Relations at The Ohio State University Office of Government Affairs. In leading the State Relations team, Tom represents the University on a broad array of topics before the Executive Branch, the Ohio General Assembly, and state agencies. Tom also develops and promotes the university's strategic agenda with state government partners, monitors state legislative activity, develops advocacy strategies, and serves the University community in facilitating University interaction with state officials, their staff, and various constituent groups.
Tom previously served as Vice President of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), where he led the state advocacy and government relations efforts on behalf of Ohio’s 23 public two-year institutions. Tom worked closely with the trustees, presidents, chief academic officers and other campus leaders to coordinate the statewide policy priorities for Ohio’s community colleges.
With more than 20 years of experience working around Capitol Square, Walsh has built a strong bi-partisan reputation for his expertise in state budget, tax and higher education matters. During his time working for the legislature, Tom worked as a legislative and policy aide in both the Ohio House and Senate Republican caucuses, including Deputy Finance Director for the Ohio Senate. After leaving the legislature, Walsh served as Legislative Director of the Ohio Department of Taxation and later as Special Assistant to the Governor on Regulatory Reform for Gov. Ted Strickland. He was also director of government relations for Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ohio prior to focusing on higher education policy and advocacy.
Tom has received a number of professional recognitions for his work in public policy, including the “Distinguished Public Service Award” from The Ohio State University Alumni Association. He was selected as a member of the Leadership Columbus Signature Program Class of 2014 and was appointed to serve on the Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees in 2020. Tom is also a member of the Capitol Square Foundation Board and has volunteered for several nonprofit organizations including the MS Society of Ohio, the YMCA Youth & Government Program and as a coach in several sports for the Worthington Youth Boosters.
A native of Painesville Twp., Ohio in the Cleveland area, he graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University in 1999. Tom, his wife Rachel and their two children currently reside in Worthington, Ohio.