George Distel


George Distel is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 99th District from 1999–2008. He was the Administrator of the Ohio Turnpike Commission. Executive Director George Distel, 58, of Conneaut, submitted his resignation to the commission board, effective April 1, 2011. Distel, a former Democratic member of the Ohio House, took the job in April 2008 under former Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat. Distel said he was not asked to leave. Nor did he ask the Kasich camp if he could stay on. He said he would stay for several months if needed "for a smooth transition." "In the end, I'm ready to retire," the former Ashtabula County commissioner said Friday from his home in Conneaut. "I've been away from home for a long time. I spent nine years in the legislature, three at the turnpike. I'm tired of packing a suitcase." Distel said he would often bunk at his son's home in Strongsville, rather than make the trek from turnpike headquarters in Berea to Conneaut. Distel earned $132,500 last year, along with a $6,000 car allowance.