COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Board of Trustees of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&) today named Mr. Kevin Watts to fill the vacant position representing retired firefighters on the OP&FBoard. Mr. Watts will begin his duties immediately.

Mr. Watts began his career with the Lancaster Fire Department in 1980 and retired in August 2000. During his 20-year career, Mr. Watts served as a paramedic, fire inspector and training academy coordinator. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1991 and to the rank of Captain in 1999.

Mr. Watts was elected president of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Firefighters in 1998, where he presides over the day-to-day operations of the organization that represents the 12,000 professional firefighters and EMS workers in Ohio.

OP&F's Board of Trustees filled the vacant position in accordance with Ohio law, which provides for the elected members of the Board to appoint a successor. The Board established a nominating committee to review candidates and recommended Mr. Watts to serve the remainder of the term previously held by Mr. Patrick Patton, which expires in June 2003. All eligible retired firefighters will have the opportunity to participate in a statewide election in the spring of 2003 to fill a four-year term for the position that will begin in June 2003.

OP&F's Board of Trustees consists of six elected members representing police officers and firefighters (two active police officers, two active firefighters, one retired police officer and one retired firefighter), as well as the Ohio Attorney General, the Ohio Auditor of State, and a fiscal officer of an Ohio municipal corporation appointed by the Governor.

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Contact: Dave Graham (614) 628-8396, dgraham@op-f.org