When Adam Hewitt graduated from Wittenberg in 2006, he aspired to become a member of the FBI. A decade later, he is pursuing his passion for public service, but in a way he never imagined as a then newly minted graduate.

Hewitt, originally from Piqua, Ohio, currently serves as the director of operations for U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) where he overlooks the day-to-day operations of the office and assists in managing the congressman's schedule.

Hewitt’s path to working with Davidson was preceded by his experience working with U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

“A family friend connected me to Rep. Jim Jordan,” he said. “I worked for him for nine years, and it was during my time with him that I met Warren. After [former House] Speaker Jim Boehner resigned, a few people asked Warren to consider running for Congress. After he decided to do it, I agreed to help him on the campaign, and [when] he won, I agreed to continue to help him and get his office up and running.”

Hewitt’s interest in politics and government began in high school. But it was Dr. Rob Baker, Wittenberg professor of political science, who inspired him to declare political science as his major. Hewitt is grateful for the time professors invested in him.

“Not only were the professors very knowledgeable, they were accessible and very willing to help,” he said.

While at Wittenberg, Hewitt was involved on the Wittenberg campus in many ways; in addition to his political science major, he pursued an East Asian studies (EAS) minor, played on the football team, and was a member of the College Republicans and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Hewitt finds getting to know constituents one of the most rewarding and interesting aspects of his job.

“I really enjoy the people I get to meet,” he said. “Our country has some very good people with very neat stories, and it's fun to get to know a lot of them. Our office also helps constituents navigate the federal bureaucracy, and it can be rewarding to assist people who are having issues with the federal government.”

Hewitt encourages Wittenberg students not to be afraid of pursuing their interest in public service.

“There are many areas and levels of government, so I think it's important to figure out what area of government interests them the most,” he said. “Also, I think it's important to have good elected officials, and new, fresh people in elected office is a good thing. That being said, don't be afraid to run for office.”

By Kim Estenson ’19