Richard F. Celeste is a former diplomat and politician who served as the 64th Governor of Ohio from 1983 to 1991.

Celeste’s first major job after college was as staff liaison office in the Peace Corps and as special assistant to Chester Bowles. He was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1970, in a district that included western Cleveland and Lakewood, where his father Frank, had once served as mayor. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 1974, serving with James A. Rhodes (at that time, the lieutenant governor was elected separately from the governor). In 1978, Celeste ran for governor, but lost to incumbent Rhodes.

President Carter appointed Celeste Director of the Peace Corps from 1979 to 1981, where he was responsible for programs in 53 countries.

In 1982, Celeste was elected Governor, winning his reelection bid in 1986. As governor, Celeste increased support for human services, mental health and addiction recovery services, and funding for education and children services, including providing onsite daycare for state employees.

Celeste hired more women to his cabinet than all previous governors combined and is known for opening many government positions to people of diverse backgrounds. Celeste also allowed state employee unions to negotiate wages and benefits, rather than just working conditions. At the end of his last term he commuted several Ohio prisoners death sentences to life terms.

After his term as governord ended, Celeste then established the consulting firm Celeste & Sabety Ltd. President Clinton appointed him as United States Ambassador to India, a position he served in from 1997 to 2001.

In 2002, Celeste became the President of Colorado College. During his tenure as president, Celeste raised $200 million for capital improvements and scholarships.

Celeste’s autobiography, In the Heart of it All: An Unvarnished Account of My Life in Public Service, was published in 2022.

Celeste graduated from Yale University and received a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Exeter College at Oxford University, where he is an Honorary Fellow.