Kevin Abrams reflects on 40 years of public service

After nearly 40 years of service, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Abrams will enter retirement on Sept. 1. He's proud to leave BWC in its current state.

“I don't think the bureau has ever been in a better place than it is right now,” he said. “That's in no small part thanks to the great people who work here.”

There was a time during Kevin's tenure that former Gov. George Voinovich labeled BWC the “silent killer of jobs.” That criticism left many at BWC — including Kevin — unwilling to readily admit working for the bureau. Instead, you might have left it vague, saying only, “I work for the state,” Kevin recalled.

Today, Kevin could talk for hours about BWC's accomplishments and the important place it holds for Ohio's workers and businesses.

“To watch the culture here change from near embarrassment to pride, that's been one of the greatest parts of working here,” he said. “I'm not shy about saying that BWC is the greatest state agency.”

Part of what makes BWC such an inspiring state agency is its employees' devotion to the cause, Kevin said. So many of our employees believe in public service as a calling, not just a way to earn a paycheck.

“I think there is a justified pride that people are demonstrating in the work we do at BWC that was not there in my first several years at BWC,” Kevin said. “People truly believe in the importance in what we do, and they take pride in caring for the workers and employers of Ohio.”

Kevin said he will miss his colleagues most of all. The people he worked with most closely — Winnie Warren, Ann Shannon, Susan Murnane, the late Ron Suttles, and his successor Trish Harris — hold a special place in Kevin's heart. He said they made him never dread coming into work.

Most of all, he spoke highly of Susan, his assistant.

“I am always impressed by the hard work and loyalty she shows every day,” he said. “I can't say enough how much she has contributed to my personal success at this agency. Sometimes I have received credit for the things she has worked so hard on, and I just want to thank her for all she has done. I could not have done what I've done without her.”

Kevin also spoke warmly of Trish, who will take over for him as acting COO until the Ohio Senate confirms her appointment. He described Trish as “the complete package.”

“Trish is going to be an excellent COO. I can think of no one better to replace me than Trish Harris,” he said. “Trish can see the big picture. She can create a vision and instill that vision in other people.”

Kevin said Trish also has the backbone to carry out her vision, and he's confident about leaving the role in her hands.

He said he's planning to spend more time with his family in retirement, especially with his second grandchild — Lilah Jane Ulry, little sister to Wyatt Dylan — who was born earlier this month. He also plans to revitalize a longtime hobby, car repair. He has a 1985 Corvette in his barn.

Kevin said he knows the bureau will continue to thrive because of the strength of its employees.

“Most of the favorite memories here have started off with projects, but always ended with the people,” he said. “I believe the success of this agency lies on the shoulders of our employees — especially those who are willing to learn and to grow.”