Former Ohio State Senator Lou Gentile Joins Vorys Advisors
Former Ohio State Senator Lou Gentile has joined Vorys Advisors, a wholly owned affiliate of the law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, as a principal. Gentile was elected to the Ohio House in 2010 before being appointed to Ohio’s 30th Senate District in 2011, where he was reelected and served until the end of 2016.
“Lou is widely respected by everyone at the statehouse, including both Democrats and Republicans,” said Tom Niehaus, former Ohio Senate president and a principal with Vorys Advisors. “His experience in the legislature and working to grow jobs through the Governor’s office of Appalachia make him uniquely suited to counsel our clients, businesses and organizations throughout Ohio. We’re thrilled to have him on our team.”
Gentile represented Ohio’s 30th Senate District for seven years. After being appointed to fill a vacancy, he was elected by the district’s voters to a full term in 2012. In 2014, his colleagues elected Gentile to serve as assistant minority whip of the senate. He was also the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee as well as the Public Utilities Committee. Gentile also served as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, where he secured $200,000 for scholarships, known as the Lou Gentile Scholarship, for students pursuing shale gas related jobs in the Ohio Valley.
“Vorys Advisors and the attorneys at Vorys have a history of success working on economic development issues and other important projects in eastern Ohio,” said Gentile. “Joining the team provides a great opportunity for me to continue the work I have done throughout my career in that part of the state. I’m looking forward further expanding Vorys Advisors’ work in the region.”
Gentile also served as deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, under Governor Strickland. In this role, he managed a $10 million grant program focused on investing in infrastructure, workforce development and job creation programs. Gentile worked with both the private sector and local governments to grow and attract jobs in the 32 counties in the region.
“Lou’s work has helped countless residents and because of this work he’s formed important relationships across eastern Ohio,” said Zack Space, a principal with Vorys Advisors and former Member of Congress. “He has helped create jobs, improve education and make the region more attractive for new businesses.”
Gentile has been recognized by the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools for his advocacy of public education. In addition, earlier this year, he was recognized by the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival as “Man of the Year.” Gentile serves on the Jefferson County Board of Elections.
Gentile was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio. After high school, he attended West Virginia University in Morgantown where he graduated with a degree in political science.
About Vorys Advisors: Vorys Advisors LLC is a wholly owned affiliate of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. Vorys Advisors provides business and strategic counsel to a diverse base of clients. Vorys Advisors is not involved in the provision of legal services. To learn more about Vorys Advisors, visit vorysadvisors.com.
About Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP: Vorys was established in 1909 and currently has nearly 375 attorneys in seven offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Houston, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Vorys currently ranks as one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States according to American Lawyer magazine. To learn more about Vorys, visit vorys.com.
