Barbara R. Sears

Barbara Sears is currently serving her first full term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 46th Ohio House District, which includes the western portion of Lucas County. She serves as the ranking member of the House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee, as well as a member of the Environment and Brownfield Development Committee; Financial Institutions, Real Estate, and Securities Committee; and Finance and Appropriations Human Services Subcommittee.  She has also been appointed by the Speaker of the House Armond Budish to serve on the Auto Task Force committee and the Medicaid Technology and Reform committee.  Governor Strickland recently appointed her to the Ohio Council for Women and Girls.

In addition to her work as a legislator, Sears is a co-owner of Noble and Sears, Inc., a firm specializing in employee benefits and financial planning. Prior to joining the Ohio House, Sears served from 1998 to 2008 on the Sylvania City Council, serving the last four as chair of the Finance Committee and President of Council. In addition, she served many different board, committee and with voluntary groups including on the Sylvania Township Fire Department Facilities Advisory Committee, the Sylvania Area Fire/EMS Advisory Board and the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District (SAJRD).  Sears was also active with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, a regional council of governments from Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, most recently serving as council chair.

In 2010 Sears received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses Ohio. She remains active in her community through her involvement with the Communities Action Team, the Northwest Ohio Association of Health Underwriters, the Sylvania Rotary and the local Chambers of Commerce. She earned her associate’s degree from the University of Toledo in 1983.

With her background in small business, creating a better business environment to attract jobs to Ohio is among Sears’ top priorities as a legislator. She hopes to have the opportunity to return to the Ohio House for a second term so she can continue her focus on economic development and health care.

Sears resides in Monclova and has two sons Benjamin and Hunter.