A Vietnam veteran, Michael Close’s dedication to community and country has never wavered. As an attorney, Mike provided management guidance to non-profit entities that touched on food deprivation, homelessness, chemical dependency, development disabilities, prisoner reentry and community development.
His colleagues at the Ohio Bar Association championed him into roles with the Council of Delegates and the Board of Governors. Mike also was a regular presenter at judicial conferences, judicial college and the annual process for continuing legal education.
Further acknowledgement of his career success was evident when he was elected as judge in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, eventually reaching judgeship in the Court of Appeals.
Mike offered his knowledge and leadership skills as a Dublin City Councilman and as Mayor of Dublin, expanding Dublin’s economic growth. Mike’s passion for serving his fellow veterans inspired his years of membership in numerous veteran organizations.
He has served as keynote speaker at several events and volunteers much of his time and giving to veteran causes.
As a former Franklin County Veterans Service Commissioner, he moved the office into audit compliance and encouraged the recruitment of staff that now represents an appropriate cross section of gender, race and ethnicity.
Always active in his community, Mike has assisted in the management of his church and its school, and launched a soccer program that would eventually support more than 1,000 children in Hilliard annually.
His collective contributions in the social, education, government, community and legal fields are recognized today as he enters the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame at age 79.
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