A Family Man of Honor, Integrity, and Action
Biography & Professional Experience
Born and raised in Ohio, with Small-town Roots
Greg Betts was born in 1967, in Youngstown, Ohio. He grew up in the small, northeastern Ohio village of McDonald, which was founded as a "factory town" by the Carnegie Steel Company—later known as U.S. Steel. He earned his commission as a United States Army officer, through The Ohio State University ROTC program in 1990. After graduating from OSU, he began his long career as an Army officer.
Greg recently retired, as an Army Colonel, after 30 years of commissioned service—the last 28 of which he served in an active-duty status, in both the Regular Army and the Ohio Army National Guard. He commanded troops at all levels of command—through the Army brigade level—and served multiple combat tours in the Middle East.
Experience with Big Missions and Solving Complex Problems
During his last combat tour, Greg served as a brigade commander, and was responsible for the health, welfare, and mission accomplishment of approximately 2,500 Soldiers. Those Soldiers were spread across 12 nations—in 32 separate locations—including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait. Greg and the Soldiers of his brigade were tasked with providing military logistical and sustainment support to all United States and Coalition Forces operating in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
In addition to his combat tours and command positions, Greg served in a myriad of important administrative and staff positions, during his long military career. His last position—just prior to his retirement in January of 2021—was the Director of Human Resources for the Ohio National Guard.
Supporting Service Members
As the Human Resources Director, Greg oversaw all aspects of Human Resources management and policy creation/implementation for the 3,500 full-time-workforce members of the Ohio National Guard—which included active-duty military members, federal civilian employees, and state government employees.
During his time in the Human Resources Directorate, Greg gained an extraordinarily strong understanding and knowledge of both federal and state employment laws, regulations, and policies (including those related to collective bargaining). He leveraged this knowledge to develop and implement sound policies that played a key role in ensuring the success of the Ohio National Guard during his tenure.
Quick Call To Action
During the first six months of the COVID-19 Pandemic alone, Greg rapidly developed nearly 30 critical policies and directives (based on a jumbled patchwork of Department of Defense guidance and State-level orders); which not only ensured the safety of the Ohio National Guard workforce but enabled the Ohio National Guard to respond effectively to every COVID-19 mission ordered by the Governor—in addition to its myriad of other federal and state missions.
Greg and his wife Kristin, have been married for over 36 years.
They met in the first grade of elementary school, and have two grown children-who are both active-service members of the Ohio Air National Guard - and have four young grandsons.
Long-time Hilliard, Ohio Resident
The City of Hilliard
Greg has resided in Hilliard, Ohio for over 25 years. He and his wife Kristin—who met in the first grade of elementary school—have been married for over 36 years. They have two grown children (both Hilliard Davidson graduates), who are each active-service members of the Ohio Air National Guard. Greg and Kristin are the proud and adoring grandparents of four little boys.
Recognition & Achievements
Military Awards & Decorations
Greg’s military awards and decorations include two Legions of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal; seven Meritorious Service Medals; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; the Parachutist Badge; and many others.
GREG BETTS FOR HILLIARD CITY COUNCIL