Dr. Kay Soltesz, family and consumer sciences department chair at Bluffton University, is the newly-elected president of the Ohio Board of Dietetics for 2010.

Soltesz was appointed to the board in 2006 by Governor Bob Taft for a five-year term. She will officially take office on Jan. 1, 2010.

"I am honored to be in this position," said Soltesz. "It was an honor to be appointed to the board by the governor but even a bigger honor to be elected president of the board by my fellow board members. Hopefully next year, we will continue progress on updating standards and strengthening professional practice."

Board members are appointed by the governor of Ohio while board members select the president. The Ohio Board of Dietetics is charged with protecting the public safety through licensing and setting standards of practice for dietetic professionals.

They issue licenses and permits, investigate complaints, administrate minimal competency examinations and assist with continuing education for all licensees. The board meets every other month.