American Sign Museum

GSG 2022 Candidate Happy Hour

Last week, Government Strategies Group hosted its annual bipartisan pre-election happy hour for business, arts and community leaders to meet candidates for state and county office. Thank you to the candidates and friends who joined us for this exciting annual event.

Over 20 candidates for statehouse, county executive office, and judges from both political parties were present. It was a great opportunity to meet candidates in person and learn about their campaigns. This year, statehouse district lines in Hamilton County were redrawn. This November will be the first time voters elect Ohio House & Senate representatives to new districts. If you are an Ohio voter, you may be voting in a new House or Senate district this election. Check who is on your ballot by clicking here.

The happy hour was hosted at the American Sign Museum, a premier pop culture museum in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati and one of the top tourist destinations in the state. The Sign Museum recently received a $750,000 state capital budget allocation to double the size of the museum. Cindy Kearns, Executive Director of the museum, spoke about the significance of the state award’s impact and the project’s progress. In addition to enjoying the museum’s 20,000 square feet of colorful commercial signs, attendees were given a behind the scenes sneak peak of the annex space before Phase II of the project begins late this year.

To check your Ohio voter registration, click here. If you are a Hamilton County voter and interested in becoming a poll worker for the November election, click here to learn more and sign up.

Remember to register and make a plan to vote on or before November 8th!

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Charles “Chip” Gerhardt

President & CEO

Chip Gerhardt has made government affairs, economic development, and issue advocacy his life’s work. He’s worked for decades in the public and private sectors, and advocated at the local, state, and federal levels of government. In 2007, he used that experience to found Government Strategies Group, a full-service government relations firm. At GSG, he works directly with clients, helping them navigate the complicated intersection of politics, public policy, and business.

In his many years in public policy, Chip has been involved in significant policies including; creation of tax increment financing districts, the Clean Ohio program, Cincinnati City Center Development Corporation, and most importantly, the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. He has also been at the forefront of some of the biggest developments in Greater Cincinnati, including the Horseshoe (now Hard Rock) Casino, TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati, parking garage structures at The Banks, and the redevelopment of the @580 building. Rarely is there a public policy endeavor in Cincinnati that does not involve GSG.

Chip received his B.B.A in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame and his Juris Doctor from the St. Louis University School of Law. He lives in Anderson Township with his wife Jane. Son Charlie is a local chef and children Hank and Anne have completed their education and started lives of their own.

Focus areas:

  • State and local government relations
  • Economic development
  • Issue advocacy

Driven by:

  • A lifelong interest in the political system has driven Chip to a career in public policy and politics. As a parent of three, one with Down syndrome, has compelled him to promote public policies designed to help others. Whether it is enabling financial independence for people with disabilities, advancing funding for housing families facing homelessness, or assisting with economic development projects, Chip involves himself in things that make a positive difference. 

In the community:

  • Hamilton County Board of Elections member
  • Current Board Member for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, People Working Cooperatively, Corporation for Findlay Market, goVibrant, and the African American Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Chairman of the Board for the National Down Syndrome Society
  • Former board member of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati Magazine’s 300 of the Region’s Most Powerful Business Leaders, 2021-2022
  • Cincy Magazine Power 100, 2011-2022