Porter “Chip” R. Welch is a native of Canton, Ohio. During high school, Chip was active with the mock trial team and successfully competed on the speech and debate team in extemporaneous speaking. He was also very active in his Boy Scout Troop, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Chip graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and Economics and a minor in Ethics. After completing his undergraduate studies, Chip moved to Columbus, Ohio to attend The Ohio State University College of Law. He graduated in 1999 and became a licensed attorney that fall. For several years he managed his own private law practice and worked as a Lieutenant with the Genoa Township Fire Department.
In 2005, Chip was hired as the Chief of the Scioto Township Fire Department in Pickaway County, Ohio and transitioned to a part-time law practice. After a twenty-five year career in the fire service, Chip opened a full-time law practice in Galena, Ohio. Chip has been active in many community and civic organizations – Trustee of the Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Past-President of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, Past President of the Great Lakes Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Board Member of the Central Ohio Trauma System, Elder of the Condit Presbyterian Church, Past Master of Sparrow Lodge #400 F&AM, a member of the Scottish Rite, Eastern Stars, York Rite, and the Aladdin Shrine. Chip and his wife, Molly, reside in Genoa Township with their daughters Abby and Addy.
