The Ohio Association of Commodores has re-elected as grand commodore David W. Johnson, chief executive officer of Summitville Tiles/Division of General Shale, and owner of the Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn, of Hanoverton, during its Annual Summer Meeting at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. This will be Johnson’s third term, having first been elected by the association in August 2022.

The Association of Ohio Commodores is a group of men and women appointed by the governor of Ohio after having been nominated and recognized for their business acumen, civic leadership and community engagement.

Gov. James A. Rhodes formed the Association of Ohio Commodores in 1966 for the purpose of assisting the state of Ohio in advancement in all areas contributing to “the growth of and development of the state and greater prosperity of its citizens.” The association was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1971 as a non-profit organization and now its members are primarily involved with supporting economic development efforts all across Ohio in conjunction with the office of the governor and lieutenant governor.

A nonpartisan organization, the association is comprised of a diverse and dedicated membership of more than 300 civic leaders located in all 88 counties of Ohio. Members include the governor’s cabinet, government officials at the local, county and state level, university presidents and administrators, banking and legal professionals, leaders of trade organizations, chambers and economic development organizations, and senior management executives of large, medium and small manufacturer’s from across Ohio, representing a wide variety of industries.

Johnson has served on the Board of the Association of Ohio Commodores, as a regional director for northeast Ohio and, prior to his current position, as the second in command of the association. He brings a wealth of experience in business and civic engagement as a 25-year board member and past chairman of the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association; current board member of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; board member of the new multi-county JobsOhio Lake-to-River Economic Development Authority; vice president of the American Studies Center, the American Veterans Center & the Radio America Networks in Washington, D.C.; and decades serving as an elected member of the Ohio Republican State Central Committee. After 35 years as CEO of Summitville Tiles, the 113-year-old tile and brick manufacturing company founded by his grandfather, Johnson now serves in a “transitional capacity” as the company recently became a division of General Shale, the U.S. Division of Wienerberger, the largest brick producer in the world.