The Ohio University Board of Trustees will have a new voice at its Oct. 7 and 8 meetings.

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft appointed Greg Browning, an OU alumnus, to fill the position vacated by the resignation of Jacqueline Romer-Sensky. She held the position for about a year.

Romer-Sensky resigned because of a conflict of interest between her new position as director of the Ohio Department of Human Services and her position as a trustee, said Jon Allen, a spokesperson in the

department. "The law states a person cannot hold a high cabinet position and act as a trustee at the same time,"

he said.

The governor is the sole decision-maker in the appointment of trustees, said Scott Milburn, press secretary for Taft.

When deciding on a new trustee, Milburn said the governor looks at a candidate's experience with management positions and how he or she fits in with the university

community.

"The governor looked at several candidates over a period of months and selected Dr. Browning because he was such a good fit for the position," he said.

Browning is president of Capital Partners, a public policy consulting firm in Worthington. He also served last year as a senior policy advisor at OU's George V. Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs.

Browning, who will serve until May 13, 2007, said he is looking forward to learning the ropes at the first meeting and working to improve the university.

"I just have a great love for OU, and every alumnus I have worked with has just improved that impression," he said. "Being asked by the governor to fill this position was just wonderful for me."

While Browning said he has no specific plans or goals at this point, he does intend to absorb as much as he can from his fellow trustees.

"At the first meeting, I intend to listen and learn," he said.