Karl R. Gebhardt was elected to the Board of Genoa Township Trustees in Novemebr 2009. Karl brings extensive experience in public affairs, public policy formation and implementation to the trustee position.

Karl is Sr. Vice President at Paul Werth Associates a Columbus Public Relations and Public Affairs firm. Prior to a merger with Werth, he was the owner of  Teater-Gebhardt & Associates, a natural resource management and pubic policy-consulting firm. Gebhardt represented a broad base of clients interested in conservation, land use, agriculture. He also provided representation for clients with interests in domestic and international economic development and trade.

Karl’s work in natural resources began at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.  He was one of the first staff hired to establish the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. He also served as the Assistant Legislative liaison in the director's office,

After leaving the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Karl served eighteen years on the staff of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation serving in management positions including Director, Local Affairs, where he lobbied and advised on policy issues relating to local government, land use and natural resources. Gebhardt was then named Executive Director for the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Office of Farmland Preservation after serving as an advisor to  Governor Voinovich’s  Farmland Preservation Taskforce. 

Throughout his career, Gebhardt has served in advisory positions and worked on the formation of legislation and policy with the Ohio legislature, Congress, local government and government agencies. He has served in the administrations of four Ohio Governors. 

Karl has been involved in a variety of professional organizations and advisory councils including The Ohio State University Rural-Urban Policy Advisory Council, the Natural Resource Conservation State Technical Committee, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Environmental Advisory Committee, and on the National Advisory Board of the University of Findlay’s National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management.

Gebhardt earned an M.A. in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University, B.S. in Business Administration from Franklin University and A.S. Natural Resources from Hocking College.

Karl and his wife Susan of 33 years are the parents of two grown daughters, are guardians of a  niece, and the proud grandparents of a grandson. They are members of Heritage Christian Church.  Karl enjoys sailing on Hoover and Lake Erie, hunting, fishing, golf and nature photography. He was a founding member of the Westerville Reserve Homeowners Association Board.