We were saddened to learn of the passing of Thomas V. Chema over the weekend.

Chema, of Westlake, led the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees as its President from 2018 to 2022. Overall, he served on the board from 2004 to 2023.

“One of the many accomplishments of Tom‘s career was to have a profound effect on the Ohio History Connection,” said Charles R. Moses, the current President of the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees. “His experience and insight were invaluable to the organization. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our sincere sympathy and gratitude to Tom’s family, and the many people he touched throughout his career.”

Chema, who was a native of East Liverpool, was widely recognized as an expert on energy and telecommunications economics and regulation, infrastructure planning and developing public/private partnerships.

He brought many of those skills to bear during his leadership of our board.

“Tom led our board during an instrumental period that brought several big projects to fruition like the Collections Care Center and UNESCO World Heritage List Inscription,” said Megan Wood, Executive Director and CEO of the Ohio History Connection. “He made an incredible impact on our state and its history.”

For more about Chema’s contributions to Ohio, go to https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/thomas-chema-obituary?id=57943644.