2024 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

Andy Wilson has dedicated his professional life to protecting the citizens of Ohio. After serving as an armor officer in the Ohio National Guard, he began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Clark County in 2002 specializing in prosecuting individuals who committed sexual and/or physical violence against children.

In January 2011, he was appointed to serve as the Clark County prosecutor and was later elected to that position for two subsequent terms. During that time, he represented the state of Ohio on 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 Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s senior advisor for criminal justice policy beginning in January 2019. He was instrumental in assisting with DeWine’s violent crime reduction initiatives, first responder wellness and resiliency initiatives, and law enforcement training and professional development initiatives. In this role, Wilson served as a co-chair of the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, helped to develop the 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.

Andy Wilson ’97

He also served as DeWine’s representative on the Ohio Sentencing Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Conviction Integrity. In 2020, DeWine assigned Wilson to assist the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office in prosecuting four individuals accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden, Manley and Gilley families four years earlier. In addition to helping to secure guilty pleas from two of the suspects, Wilson was involved in the months-long trial and conviction of George Wagner IV for his role in the murders.

In December 2022, DeWine appointed Wilson the director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. As a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, he oversees the department’s nine divisions, nearly 4,000 employees and $2.5 billion biannual budget, all dedicated to a mission of safety, service and protection.

Wilson received a bachelor’s 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.