Bio
Jimmy Stewart was raised in West Virginia and is a graduate of Marshall University (1992) and Xavier University, where he earned an MBA in 1994. In 1995, he relocated to Athens, Ohio, to work for the Caterpillar dealer in Southeast Ohio, serving a diverse range of customers across nine counties, including manufacturers, lumber and coal operations, and Tennessee Gas Pipeline.
His public service career began in 1997 with his election to Athens City Council. He was later appointed Athens City Auditor and subsequently elected to a full term. In 2002, Stewart was elected to represent the newly drawn 92nd House District in the Ohio House of Representatives, serving three terms. In 2008, he was elected to the Ohio Senate representing the 20th District and, in 2009, was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Senate Majority Leader.
During his eight years in the Ohio General Assembly, Stewart sponsored and passed multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation. His approach emphasized consensus-building and a willingness to understand differing perspectives and motivations.
Throughout his legislative tenure, energy policy remained a central focus. Stewart has maintained a strong interest in the role of low-cost, reliable energy in driving economic growth in Ohio and across the United States. He believes the natural gas industry plays a critical role in this effort and represents a strategic advantage for the state.
Today, as President of the Ohio Gas Association, Stewart supports the organization’s mission to serve its members by fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and engaging with regulatory and legislative stakeholders to help guide the industry’s continued development.