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Gov. DeWine Appoints Ronald Johnson, Jr. and Taras Szmagala, Jr. to Cleveland State University Board of Trustees

CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 10, 2025) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed two new members to Cleveland State University’s Board of Trustees: Ronald V. Johnson, Jr. and Taras (Terry) G. Szmagala, Jr. Both trustees’ terms began May 2025, with Johnson’s term ending in May 2031 and Szmagala’s term ending in May 2034.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Cleveland State, I extend my gratitude to Governor DeWine for appointing Trustees Johnson and Szmagala to the Board,” said Timothy Cosgrove, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees. “I look forward to working with them and utilizing their professional experiences and insight into the region that CSU serves.”

Ronald Johnson, a CSU alumnus, currently serves the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland as senior vice president, chief risk officer and general counsel. In this role, he manages Risk Management, Legal and the Office of the Corporate Secretary. Johnson’s previous experience includes more than 20 years with KeyBank, where he served in several senior leadership roles including chief ethics officer.

Johnson earned his BBA degree with a concentration in finance from CSU. He also holds an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace University and a JD from the University of Akron.

“As a proud alum, I am honored to join CSU’s Board of Trustees,” said Johnson. “I am eager to serve my alma mater and support the University’s vision of being an institution where everyone thrives.”

Terry Szmagala recently retired from his position as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Eaton, in which he advised its Board of Directors and oversaw the organization’s global legal functions. Szmagala joined Eaton in 2007 following his roles with Avery Dennison Corporation and Squire Patton Boggs at their Cleveland, OH, Washington, D.C., and Kyiv, Ukraine offices.

Szmagala has held leadership positions in community organizations such as the United Way of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Public Market Corporation and the St. Ignatius High School Board of Regents. He earned his BA from the University of Virginia and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.

“CSU has an impeccable reputation in Cleveland for providing its students with opportunities for growth and economic mobility. I am pleased that I can serve the University as it continues this mission,” Szmagala said.

“Trustees Szmagala and Johnson are each bringing unique and impressive backgrounds to our Board of Trustees,” said Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D., president of CSU. “Our University will benefit from their years of experience and commitment to the Greater Cleveland area.”

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About Cleveland State University
Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution located in the heart of Northeast Ohio with 14,000-plus students, 10 colleges and schools, and more than 175 academic programs. Find more information at csuohio.edu.