Jim Mermis


Jim is managing partner of The Junto Company, Ltd, a government relations/business development consulting firm. With more than thirty years’ of experience in Washington DC and Ohio, in both the public and private sectors, Jim has an extensive public policy and business background as well as significant leadership experience.

From November 2001 to November 2002 Jim served as Director of the Human Capital Services Practice for CGI Management Consultants, a global information systems/management consulting firm. In this capacity Jim worked with public and private sector organizations, at the national, state and local level to design and implement effective strategies and solutions to address their workforce development needs.

From March 2000 through November 2001 Jim served as Assistant Administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). As the number two executive at BWC, Jim was responsible for oversight of the following divisions: Field Operations (21 local offices throughout Ohio), Finance, Policy & Support and Human Resources.

Prior to working at BWC, Jim was appointed by Governor Bob Taft to his Cabinet as Administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services (OBES), making him the youngest person in OBES’ more than 100 year history to serve as Administrator. Jim was responsible for leading the 2,500 employees of OBES through a merger with the Ohio Department of Human Services, resulting in the creation of the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

From 1992 to 1998 Jim served in Governor George Voinovich’s Administration. In 1992 he was Special Assistant to the Administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. From 1993 to 1995 Jim was Director of the Office of Workforce Development. In 1995, Jim joined Governor Voinovich’s staff as Executive Assistant to the Governor for Workforce Development Policy. In addition to his responsibilities to the governor, Jim served as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Nancy P. Hollister.

Before moving to Ohio, Jim worked for several years in Washington, DC. In 1988 he was a Comptroller for the George Bush Presidential Campaign; 1989 Comptroller for the Bush/Quayle Presidential Inaugural Committee; 1990 Field Coordinator for the National Republican Senatorial Committee; and from 1991-1992 budget director for the National School Public Relations Association.

Jim has served on the Ohio Board of Dietetics as well as the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

Jim received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Saint Louis University’s College of Business Administration in 1988. Jim has been married to his wife Kim for thirty-three years. They reside in the Columbus suburb of Upper Arlington with their family.