Jack’s previous tenure in the Ohio General Assembly (1983-1996) included serving as the State Representative of what was then House District 99 (Belmont, Monroe, Noble, and the northern part of Washington Counties). During that time he served on Finance and Appropriations, Ways and Means, Public Utilities, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Energy and Environment Committees. He also served as Chairman of the Development Finance Subcommittee. In addition to these standing committees, Cera chaired select committees on Workers’ Compensation and Longwall Mining. He was also a longtime member of the Coal Technical Advisory Committee and the Board on Unreclaimed Strip Mined Lands. Rep. Cera was instrumental in starting the Roadwork Development Fund which directed gas tax funding to economic development for the first time and for the expansion of the flood warning system following the deadly floods of 1990.

After leaving the legislature, Cera worked for the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services as Workforce Development Director. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of the Jefferson Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority. Rep. Cera continued to serve his community after leaving the House as a volunteer on The Belmont County Port Authority Board, The Belmont County Planning Commission, The Bellaire Public Library Board, The Bellaire Park District Board, The Bellaire Girls Softball Association and the East Ohio Girls Softball Association.

Representative Cera is a 1974 graduate of Bellaire High School where he excelled in the classroom and on the football field. His 97 yard interception return for a touchdown was a school record for over 20 years. He was recruited to play football at Brown University, but his playing days ended after one year due to injury. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brown in 1978. Representative Cera is married to his wife of 27 years, Becky. They have two daughters- Jaclyn, a graduate of Waynesburg University with both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree; and Bethany, a student at the University of Charleston and pitcher on the softball team.