History of the Treasury

Treasurers of the U.S.

Mary Ellen Withrow

Mary Ellen Withrow was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to be the 40th Treasurer of the United States on February 10, 1994, and was sworn into office March 1, 1994. She served until January 20, 2001.

She was the first person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government -- local, state and national.

She was elected Treasurer of her native Marion County, Ohio, in 1976 and 1980. She was then elected as Ohio State Treasurer in 1982 and re-elected in 1986 and 1990.

As Treasurer of the United States, Withrow is responsible for the operations of both the United States Mint (which manufactures United States coins) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. (responsible for printing United States paper currency). Ms. Withrow is also the National Honorary Director of the U.S. Savings Bond program, and in that capacity, represents the Secretary of the Treasury nationwide to promote the sale of Savings Bonds.

During her tenure as Ohio's Treasurer, Withrow's innovative programs, management efficiencies and record earnings for Ohio earned her nationwide recognition. In March 1992 she received the Donald L. Scantlebury Memorial Award from the Treasury's Joint Financial Management Improvement Program for financial excellence and improvement in government.

She was named the nation's Most Valuable State Public Official by City & State Newspaper in 1990. She is past president of the National Association of State Treasurers, and past president of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers.

Withrow, who began her career in public service in 1969 as the first woman elected to the Elgin Local School Board in Marion County, is a member of the board of directors of Women Executives in State Government, an inductee into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of a Women Executives in State Government fellowship to Harvard University.