COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. John R. Kasich has appointed Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Jim Zehringer director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio state veterinarian, has been named the interim director of ODA.

ODA and ODNR have been working collectively on many issues such as water quality on Lake Erie and Grand Lake Saint Marys, shale oil development and the dangerous wild animal situation, Zehringer said. Because both agencies have worked cooperatively, the governor though Zehringer was a good fit for the position with ODNR.

“I was very honored that he asked me,” Zehringer said.

He was sworn in as ODA director on Jan. 10. “It was a wonderful job and I enjoyed doing it,” he said.

He is proud of the work, begun under the direction of then-Director Robert Boggs, of leading the Livestock Care Standards Board to finalize recommendations that have become the first set of comprehensive care rules in the nation. He was also proud of keeping the department going during the economic downturn.

“These are tough times, and when you think about the budget cuts that we had to make – to be able to continue to have food safety programs, consumer safety programs at the Department of Agriculture without cutting services and jeopardizing the food safety in the state of Ohio, is also a big accomplishment,” Zehringer said.

Even though the water quality issues at Grand Lake Saint Marys are not resolved, he is pleased  the problem was on the “top burner” and that there had been some successes. At ODNR, Zehringer’s goals are dealing with issues involving clean water and a clean environment, developing a safe shale drilling environment and issues at Ohio state parks.

The dangerous wild animal issue is a topic Zehringer dealt with at ODA and will continue with at ODNR. The work group is studying an executive summary right now and the next step is for that to go to the governor.

“We’ll handle them one at a time and in a very professional manner,” Zehringer said of all the situations with which he is dealing.

He will be handling those situations with Interim ODA Director Forshey, who said the big key with the changes in leadership is to have a seamless transition, to “keep the trains on the track and keep things moving here at ODA.

“Our goal has always been to keep providing quality service to our consumers in the state,” Forshey said. “I’m humbled and pleased and honored to be able to serve in this capacity as well as the state veterinarian capacity, and I’m getting pretty good at delegating.”

As director of ODNR, Zehringer replaces David Mustine, who now oversees energy development efforts at JobsOhio. Assistant Director Scott Zody had served as interim director since Mustine’s departure in September.

Zehringer is the former owner of the Meiring Poultry and Fish Farm in Fort Recovery. He also served as a state representative for the 77th House District and was a Mercer County commissioner.

Forshey practiced veterinary medicine for 27 years, with an interest in swine production. He is a past recipient of the Ohio Veterinarian of the Year Award from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Assoc. He has served as adjunct associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the past 10 years.