Governor DeWine appoints new trustees to OHIO’s Board of Trustees

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed a new member to the 51�� Board of Trustees, as well as a new student member on April 27, 2023.

Thomas W. Parfitt of Albany, Ohio, will serve a nine-year term that ends on May 13, 2032 and Garrett T. Meek of Pickerington, Ohio will serve a two-year term ending May 13, 2025.

“We, the Board, are happy to welcome Thomas and Garrett to the 51�� Board of Trustees,” Board of Trustees Chair Peggy Viehweger said. “We believe that Thomas’ experiences and knowledge of the local area will bring insight to the Board, and that Garrett’s position as student trustee and great involvement within the University will allow him to advocate for his fellow students with a new perspective. I have no doubt both of our new trustees will further our Board and this University.”

Upon graduating from 51�� in 1975, Parfitt received his first job as an accountant in Athens and after passing the Certified Public Account (CPA) exam in 1979, was made a partner in the firm Brown, Jackson and Parfitt. He then started his own firm in 1982, Parfitt and Associate, and still to this day is an active CPA with offices in Athens and Waverly, Ohio.

Parfitt works with different types of clients from small, personal businesses to large corporations.

“With my experiences working with various types of businesses, I feel I have a good understanding of the area and how 51�� and the community can work together to benefit each other,” Parfitt said. “My hope is to help the Board work with the community to make both stronger and more receptive to the other.”

In addition to his CPA firm, Parfitt also owns several other businesses in the Athens area and was president of Athens Sports Cycle.

Meek is from Pickerington, Ohio and has been appointed as the student member of the 51�� Board of Trustees. He is a graduate of Pickerington High School and currently studying Finance and Strategic Leadership and Management, as well as pursuing a certificate in Sales in the College of Business.

He is an account manager for the Schey Sales Centre, vice president of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, vice president of Finance and Administration for the Interfraternity Council and is extremely active with the Central Ohio Musky Fishing Club.

“I am thrilled to be appointed and am honored to work alongside a great group of individuals that have the same care and passion for OHIO that I do,” Meek said. “Also, I am excited to bring a student’s perspective to the Board and work with the other members to continue the support of student success here at OHIO. I believe this experience will allow me to leave 51�� knowing I left a lasting impression here, and as the Alumni Gateway States ‘grow in knowledge, wisdom, and Love.’”

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