Andy Wilson
Director
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Andy Wilson has dedicated his professional life to protecting Ohio's citizens. After serving as an armor officer in the Ohio National Guard, Wilson began his career as a trial prosecutor in Clark County in 2002, where he specialized in prosecuting individuals who committed sexual and/or physical violence against children.
In January of 2011, Wilson was appointed Clark County prosecutor and later elected to that position for two subsequent terms. During that time, he represented the State of Ohio in many major criminal cases while also developing several innovative programs, including a victim-assistance violent crime rapid response team, a prosecutor’s diversion program, and a recording academy program for at-risk youth.
Wilson served as Governor Mike DeWine’s senior advisor for criminal justice policy beginning in January of 2019. He was instrumental in assisting with Governor DeWine’s violent crime reduction, first responder wellness and resiliency, and law enforcement training and professional development initiatives. In this role, he served as a co-chair of the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, helped develop the Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, and worked closely with the Ohio Department of Public Safety on various projects, including the launch of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center and Ohio School Safety Center. He also served as Governor DeWine’s representative to the Ohio Sentencing Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Conviction Integrity.
In 2020, Governor DeWine also assigned Wilson to assist the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office in prosecuting four individuals accused of brutally murdering eight members of the Rhoden, Manley, and Gilley families in 2016. In addition to helping to secure guilty pleas from two of the prime suspects in the case, Wilson was also involved in the months-long trial and ultimate conviction of George Wagner IV for his role in the mass murders.
In December of 2022, Governor DeWine appointed Wilson as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. As a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Wilson provides overall leadership and oversees public safety’s ten divisions, nearly 4,000 employees, and a $2.5 billion biannual budget, all dedicated to a mission of safety, service, and protection.
Wilson has an undergraduate degree in political science from Wright State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He lives in Springfield with his wife and two daughters.
In January of 2011, Wilson was appointed Clark County prosecutor and later elected to that position for two subsequent terms. During that time, he represented the State of Ohio in many major criminal cases while also developing several innovative programs, including a victim-assistance violent crime rapid response team, a prosecutor’s diversion program, and a recording academy program for at-risk youth.
Wilson served as Governor Mike DeWine’s senior advisor for criminal justice policy beginning in January of 2019. He was instrumental in assisting with Governor DeWine’s violent crime reduction, first responder wellness and resiliency, and law enforcement training and professional development initiatives. In this role, he served as a co-chair of the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, helped develop the Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, and worked closely with the Ohio Department of Public Safety on various projects, including the launch of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center and Ohio School Safety Center. He also served as Governor DeWine’s representative to the Ohio Sentencing Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Conviction Integrity.
In 2020, Governor DeWine also assigned Wilson to assist the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office in prosecuting four individuals accused of brutally murdering eight members of the Rhoden, Manley, and Gilley families in 2016. In addition to helping to secure guilty pleas from two of the prime suspects in the case, Wilson was also involved in the months-long trial and ultimate conviction of George Wagner IV for his role in the mass murders.
In December of 2022, Governor DeWine appointed Wilson as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. As a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Wilson provides overall leadership and oversees public safety’s ten divisions, nearly 4,000 employees, and a $2.5 billion biannual budget, all dedicated to a mission of safety, service, and protection.
Wilson has an undergraduate degree in political science from Wright State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He lives in Springfield with his wife and two daughters.