Karl L. Keith was appointed Montgomery County Auditor in December 2000 and elected to a full four-year term in 2002 and again in 2006 when he was the top vote-getter in Montgomery County, garnering over 60 percent of the vote. He brings over 26 years of experience to the position of auditor with an extensive background in public service and finance.
A Certified Cash Manager, Mr. Keith's career in public service began as a state examiner in the county/township audits division of the state auditor's office. He served eight years in the Montgomery County Treasurer's office and over nine years as chief deputy auditor before assuming his current position. Additionally, he earned the Ohio Financial Accountability Certification from the Auditor of State in March 2002.
Keith was born in Hamilton, Ohio and attended public schools in Butler County. He earned a BA in political science from Ashland College in 1978 and holds a master's degree in state and local government from Miami University in Oxford. In March 2007, Mr. Keith was married to Doris Anderson; the couple now resides in a home they are rehabbing in Dayton.
Along with his duties as county auditor, Mr. Keith is a member of the executive committee of the County Auditors Association of Ohio and, also, serves as a member of the Association's technology and weights and measures standing committees. In addition, Keith serves as chair of the Tax Incentive Review Councils for 10 jurisdictions in Montgomery County and as a member of the Animal Resource Advisory Board.
Active in the community, Keith has served as a judge for the Choices in Community Living annual talent show, a guest auctioneer for the Great TV Auction benefiting public television, and as chair of county government's 2004 United Way Campaign. Keith also serves as the Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party's executive committee. He has participated in the Dayton Public Schools Principal for a Day program for the past four years and was the recipient of the Appalachian Unsung Hero Outstanding Government Leader award in 2006.
Mr. Keith's professional memberships include the Government Finance Officers Association, the Association of Finance Professionals, the Association of Government Accountants and the International Association of Assessing Officers.