Ohio Mayors
Alliance Members

Born and raised in Akron, Shammas knows that people are what makes the city of Akron special. Growing up in Northwest Akron, Shammas learned about the importance of public service from his mom, Dr. Helen Qammar. She also taught Shammas the importance of education and hard work. Those values, as well as the International Baccalaureate program at Firestone High School, helped Shammas get a scholarship to The Ohio State University and then the opportunity to attend Harvard Law School. After finishing law school, Shammas decided to come back home, to serve Akron like his mother. Shammas Malik was elected to Akron City Council in 2019, and represents Ward 8, where he grew up. He serves on four City Council committees - Public Safety, Budget and Finance, Parks and Recreation, and Rules.

Mayor Steve Patterson has lived in Athens since 1998 working as an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at Ohio University until March, 2016 and is currently the Mayor of Athens, Ohio. Mayor Patterson served in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard for over 20 years in both the Enlisted (9 years) and Commissioned (14 years) ranks and retired as a Major with the District of Columbia Air Nation Guard 113th Fighter Wing.

Mayor Patterson serves on the Executive Boards of the International Town-Gown Association (President-elect), the Athens County Economic Development Council, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, the Athens County Foundation, the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), the American Red Cross Ohio South Central Chapter and a member of the Ohio Mayors Alliance. Mayor Patterson also serves as the President for the Mayors Partnership for Progress, Co-Vice Chair for the National League of Cities Race, Equity and Leadership Council, Athens County Transportation Improvement District, the Athens County Regional Planning Commission, and the Athens City Planning Commission (Chair).

As a 2-term At-Large Councilmember for Athens, he served as the Chair of the City and Safety Service Committee, the Vice Chair of Finance and Personnel Committee, Chair of the Athens Commission on Disabilities, Council Representative for the Arts, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Board, Co-Chair Armory Ad-hoc Committee, and as a member of the Athens Farmer’s Market Long Range Planning Leadership Group.

Finally, Mayor Patterson and his wife Dr. Connie Patterson are the proud parents of beautiful twin daughters, Adelia and Alana.

Don Adams is retired after 50 years as a national sales manager in the optical field. He continues to give back to his community by volunteering through the Neighborhood Assistance Officer; Dayton Police Department; Vice President of Jaycees local chapter and District Director; Squadron Commander and Group Commander for Civil Air Patrol with Rank of Major; Greater Dayton Emmaus Community Board Chair; Beavercreek High School Choir Department Treasurer; Beavercreek Music Parents Association President; and Beavercreek High School Friends Annual Show Choir’s Stage Manager.

Don is President of Beavercreek Police Citizens Police Academy Alumni, and Citizens on Preventive Patrol. He is a member of the Beavercreek Township Fire Department Auxiliary and Citizen Emergency Response Team. In 2014, Don was awarded Miami Valley Crime Stoppers’ Citizen of the Year. He serves as President of the Wright B Flyer Museum, and National Aviation Heritage Area board member.

Don serves as President-elect of Rotary Club of Beavercreek; Kingswood Forest Board of Directors; Elder for 11 years at Beavercreek Christian Church; and Beavercreek City Council member and Vice Mayor. In 2022, Don was awarded the E.G. Shaw Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce and appointed to the Board of the Family Violence Prevention Center. Don and his wife, Ann, 45-year Beavercreek residents. They have three children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

William Sherer grew up in Canton and attended Canton City Schools. He was brought up in a working family and learned the importance of hard work and community at a young age. After meeting his wife Carrie, they decided to raise their three daughters in Canton.

Sherer has always been proud to serve his community. He has had the honor of being elected President of the Canton City Council, where he dedicated his work to fighting for working families. Sherer served as the Business Manager of Ironworkers Local 550, Vice Chairman of the Stark Democratic Party, and President of the Ohio Ironworkers.

Sherer is determined to continue showing up for Canton as Mayor. He believes in expanding community safety, protecting workers’ rights and wages, creating high-quality jobs, and helping every child to graduate with more access to apprenticeships and vocational training.

Aftab Pureval is the 70th Mayor of Cincinnati. He was raised in Southwest, Ohio, the son of first-generation Americans. He is making history as Cincinnati’s first Asian American Mayor. As Mayor, he is committed to serving Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods. He has made equitable economic growth a top priority of his administration, as well as a comprehensive reform and improvement of public safety, affordable housing, and environmental action.

He served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts from 2016 to 2021 and was the first Democrat to hold this office in over 100 years. During his tenure, he brought modern and professional reforms to the Clerk’s office. He paid a living wage to all employees and became the first county officeholder in Ohio to offer comprehensive paid family leave. By ending nepotism, by cutting waste, and by making the office more professional, he saved taxpayers millions of dollars.

Mayor Aftab graduated from The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati for law school. He resides in Clifton with his wife, Whitney, and their sons, Bodhi and Rami.

Justin M. Bibb is the 58th Mayor of Cleveland working to improve public safety, invest in neighborhoods and modernize City Hall. On January 3, 2022, Mayor Bibb took the oath of office as the city’s first millennial mayor.

Mayor Bibb was born and raised on Cleveland’s southeast side in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. Over the past 15 years, Mayor Bibb has worked in government, business and the nonprofit sector as an executive and nonprofit leader. He started his career in public service working for President Obama when he was in the U.S. Senate and later at Cuyahoga County as a Special Assistant advising on education and economic development policies. He led the Global Cities Practice at global research firm Gallup, served as Vice President at KeyBank and most recently as Chief Strategy Officer at Urbanova, a startup focused on improving cities.

Mayor Bibb is a proud American University alumni with an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies. He completed the General Course Programme with an emphasis in Social Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Law (JD).

Mayor Bibb’s vision for Cleveland is to become a national model for city management, police reform, and neighborhood revitalization.

Mayor Kahlil Seren was sworn in as the first Mayor of Cleveland Heights on January 1, 2022. He is leading a large scale government transition due to be completed during his first term.

Mayor Seren’s administration has focused on improvements in public services, and meaningful reforms around health and safety, sustainability, and economic development.

The Mayor’s service in Cleveland Heights began in the legislative branch. Before becoming executive, Mayor Seren lead on housing reforms, and government transparency, often introducing legislation he penned himself after engaging directly with residents. For the past 15 years Mayor Seren has focused on government policy. His experience advising Cuyahoga County Council helped shape his collaborative approach and emphasis on strengthening the city’s regional connections.

Mayor Seren is a Leadership Cleveland participant, a Certified Economic Development Professional, and is currently earning his Certification in Public Management. A native of Northeast Ohio, Mayor Seren is a graduate of Cleveland State University, with a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the Levin College.

Mayor Seren believes that Cleveland Heights has a responsibility to lead on issues of sustainability, his 2023 budget includes funds for the city’s first electric cars and charging stations, a new sustainability coordinator position, and sets aside funds for a comprehensive multi-year sustainability plan that includes a long-awaited climate action plan for our city.

Coming out of the pandemic, the mayor recognizes that Cleveland Heights needs to celebrate together. Whether it’s raising the Progress Pride Flag at all city buildings last June, or collaborating with local cultural institutions on an immersive educational celebration during Black History Month, the mayor understands that Cleveland Heights’ inclusive values are worth celebrating.

Andrew J. Ginther was elected the 53rd mayor of Columbus on Nov. 3, 2015, succeeding Mayor Michael B. Coleman who was the longest-serving mayor in Columbus history. Mayor Ginther previously served on Columbus City Council from 2007-2015, and served as president of Council from 2011 until assuming the Office of Mayor January 1, 2016.

Under his leadership, Columbus topped the Midwest in job creation, adding 50,000 jobs while wages grew more in Columbus than any other big city in America. At the same time, the City reduced healthcare, workers’ compensation, pension and other expenses projected to save more than $260 million.

Mayor Ginther is a Columbus native and proud Columbus City Schools graduate, and he has a long history of community service. Prior to joining Columbus City Council, he was elected to the Columbus Board of Education in 2001 and re-elected in 2005.

Mayor Ginther earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science from Earlham College, studied abroad at the University of Ulster and Queen’s College in Northern Ireland, and taught at public schools in Belfast and Derry. He also served in consecutive internships at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, where he taught non-violence and dispute resolution.

Mayor Ginther, wife Shannon and their young daughter live in Clintonville.

Mayor Don Walters was born and raised in Cuyahoga Falls and attended Lincoln Elementary, Roberts Middle School and Cuyahoga Falls High where he developed a deep love for the city and its residents. His parents taught him the value of being honest, pro-active, collaborative, and, most importantly, hardworking.

The mayor started his professional career with Bisson’s Grocery Store, formerly located on Graham Road, while still in high school. Throughout his time there, he attended the University of Akron and the National Institute of Technology and honed his leadership skills while working his way into an administrative position.

In 1989, Mayor Walters moved to Roadway, now known as YRC Worldwide, where he worked in Operations and Logistics. He understood commitment, during his 23 years with YRC, but he also made time for his true passion – serving his community.

The mayor was first elected to Cuyahoga Falls City Council in 2001. Throughout his 12-year tenure, he applied his knowledge of the city and his fervent belief in Cuyahoga Falls neighborhoods. He took leadership roles on the Finance Committee, Public and Industrial Improvements Committee, Public Affairs Committee, Moral Claims Commission, and Traffic Committee. The mayor continued to serve in those capacities until he became Mayor on January 1, 2014.

Mayor Walters and his wife Stephanie are proud parents and grandparents.

Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr., joined the Commission in January of 2014 with a distinguished history in public service.

Mayor Mims was the Third District Representative for the Ohio School Board and is past president of the Dayton Board of Education (2008-11), after retiring from Dayton Public Schools with more than 35 years of service, serving recently served as Director of Government and Community Relations and Compliance. His diverse work within the district included garnering support for equitable funding of Ohio’s public schools, and his efforts helped pave the way for Ohio’s New School Facilities Program. He was elected President of the Dayton Education Association (DEA) for six consecutive terms (1983-88). As President of the DEA, Mr. Mims negotiated the district’s first multi-year contract between the DEA and the Dayton Board of Education.

For the past 40 years, whether as a teacher, a coach, a community volunteer, or president of the Dayton Education Association, Jeffrey Mims has committed to making the city of Dayton and the Dayton Public Schools strong partners in developing a “Champion City and School District” and improving the quality of life for Dayton citizens through education.

Mayor Mims earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art, Art Education and Industrial Technology from Central State University (1973) and a Master of Science degree in Education from Wright State University (1975).

Additionally, Mayor Mims is a Vietnam veteran, (Air Force Commendation Medal with the 604th Air Commando Squadron), a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Beautillion Drillmaster Mentor with the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (37 years), a chef with the Links “Cooking Men” (18 years) and a volunteer with the YMCA Mentors Matter program, the Dayton Youth Golf Academy (he is an avid golfer and has won local championships).

Mayor Mims is a National Education Association Human Relations Awardee, a Dayton Top Ten African American Male and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority “Strength and Perseverance” awardee. He has two children, Cory (Monique) and LaDawn (Derrick). Both are proud graduates of Dayton Public Schools and graduates of higher and post-graduate education programs. He also has three grandchildren.

Chris Amorose Groomes was elected to serve as mayor of Dublin in 2020 and again in 2024. She previously served a two-year term as vice mayor from 2018 to 2020. A life-long Dublin resident and owner of Amorose Landscape Service, Amorose Groomes served eight years on the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission – six of those as chair – prior to her election to City Council. Mayor Amorose Groomes is the chair of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, having also served as the secretary and vice chair. She was tapped by the National League of Cities to serve on the Information Technology and Communications Federal Advocacy Committee and previously was a member of NLC’s Community and Economic Development Committee. As a committee member, she plays a key role among a diverse group of local leaders in shaping NLC policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress. In 2021, she was appointed to serve on the Ohio Mayors Education Advocacy Committee for the Ohio Mayors Alliance. Her devotion to public service has included volunteering on the board of directors for Young Life Metro Columbus, coaching girls’ basketball, serving as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and planting flowers for the Memorial Tournament benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In 2022 she was inducted into the Dublin City Schools Hall of Fame, and in 2019 she was honored as a Friend of Public Education by the Ohio School Boards Association Central Region for her demonstrated record of supporting public education. She is a graduate of Dublin High School and The Ohio State University, where she earned degrees in horticulture and agricultural business. Amorose Groomes and her husband, Kevin, reside in Muirfield Village and have two grown sons Tyler and Tucker.

Kevin Brubaker, a native Elyrian and Elyria High School graduate, has spent the last 16 years serving the residents of Elyria. He began his work in Elyria City Council as an at-large member in 2007. From there, he became the Assistant Safety Service Director for 10 years and moved his way up to Safety Services Director in 2020.

Kevin attended Appalachian Bible College, focusing on youth ministries and family counseling. Family is important to Kevin. He has been with his wife, Lisa, for over 30 years and has a 22 year-old son, Cameron, who they love dearly. More recently, Brubaker served as the Public Works Director for the City of Avon Lake, but made his way back to Elyria as the new Mayor-elect. Brubaker serves on the as the Vice President of Elyria City School District Board of Education.

On November 3, 2015, Euclid residents elected Kirsten Holzheimer Gail to be the 14th Mayor. Mayor Holzheimer Gail is a lifelong resident of Euclid with a lengthy family history in the community.

Since 2008, she has served as the President of the Euclid City Council and from 1997-2007, Ward 1 Councilperson. Mayor Holzheimer Gail and husband, Kevin, have three children. She is a graduate of Villa Angela Academy and Kenyon College and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University.

A life-long resident of Fairfield, Mitch graduated from Fairfield Sr. High School in 1976 and went on to attend Miami University as a Business and Marketing major. Mitch started his career working for five years at both Procter & Gamble and GE Aviation before finding his passion as an entrepreneur and launching his own business in the promotional product industry where he has spent the last 33 years. His company operates as a global supplier to several of the largest companies in the world.

Mitch married his high school sweetheart, Lois (Bennett) Rhodus, and they have two grown children Brad (Brooke) and Katie, three grandchildren (Grady, Laney, and Betty Rae), and another soon to arrive in Feb 2022. He enjoys spending time with his grandkids and long weekends with Lois and friends traveling in their RV.

Mayor Christina Muryn, a Findlay native, is the third of four daughters of the late Michael Terry and Laura (Miller) Wasson. Mayor Muryn graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Findlay in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Marketing and a minor in finance. She also is a graduate of the 2014 class of the JoAnn Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. While at the University of Findlay, she served as student representative to the Board of Trustees, Student Government Association President (two terms), a Dana Scholar, Service Chair of Mortar Board Academic Honor Society, Vice President of Aristos Eklektos Service Honor Society, and founding member of Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

Prior to being appointed as Mayor, Muryn served as the Director of Business & Physician Development for Pain Management Group, where she has worked for the previous five (5) years. Mayor Muryn was the youngest member of Pain Management Group holding a director or higher level position. Mayor Muryn’s work focused on providing alternatives to opioid use for patients suffering from acute and chronic pain. Her day to day responsibilities included such things as managing the physician development team, negotiating contracts with hospital executives and attorneys, and preparing financial forecasts for potential programs.

In November 2019, Richard L. “Ike” Stage was elected to the position of Mayor for a fourth consecutive term. Stage also served as Mayor from April 1988 through December 1995 and served as the appointed City Administrator of Grove City from January 2000 through November 2003. Stage was elected to City Council in 2005 as the Councilman-at-large and served a two-year term ending Jan. 1, 2008.

Stage is a member of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Past Chair, past board member of the National Association of Regional Councils, Washington, D.C., current member of the Ohio Commodores, Franklin County Convention Authority, Central Ohio Mayor’s and Manager’s Alliance and retired Executive Vice President of The Huntington National Bank.

COUNCIL SERVICE RECORD
January 1, 2018, to present
Council term expires on December 31, 2025

COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Member of the Committee of the Whole and Council Work Sessions.

OTHER SERVICE
Council Representative to Dayton First Tier Suburbs Consortium
Member of the Dayton Area Mayors/Managers Association
Member of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association
Member of the Mayor’s Association of Ohio
Member of the Ohio Mayors Alliance

Peggy Lehner is the Mayor of the City of Kettering, elected into office November 2, 2021. Peggy has lived in Kettering for most of her adult life with her husband, Jim. They raised five Kettering kids and are proud we chose to live here. Mayor Lehner served three terms as an at-large City Council member. She served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate where she led the Education Committee.

Mayor Lehner will continue to uphold quality service, spectacular amenities, sound infrastructure and economic development. Seeing what the City of Kettering has done to help people–renters, landlords, homebuyers and homeowners–who are feeling the negative impacts of COVID reconfirmed that her decision to run for Mayor was the right one.

Mayor Lehner hopes to join forces with community partners to ensure the children and their families have appropriate resources for their wellbeing. If children are struggling academically or psychologically as a result of the pandemic, Mayor Lehner will lead the City to do its part to work with educators and school administrators to help make resources readily available and easily accessible.

Mayor Lehner will ensure the city’s financial health remains a priority, as well. She stated, “As the work-from-home trend gains momentum, the City of Kettering is carefully strategizing and preparing for its impact on income tax revenues and developing incentives to attract and keep our residents and businesses. Ohioans pay municipal income taxes where they work, even if their workplace is at the kitchen table.” As Mayor, Peggy will make sure their kitchen tables remains in Kettering!

Meghan F. George was sworn in as Mayor of Lakewood on January 1, 2020. Mayor George is a lifelong Lakewood resident whose family has a lengthy history of public service and community involvement. She is proud to carry on this tradition by serving the city she is proud to call home.

Mayor George’s priorities in office include enhancing public safety, providing high quality city services, and preserving and building on the historic and cultural heritage that make Lakewood a uniquely desirable place to live.

Prior to taking office, Mayor George served as a city-wide, at-large member of Lakewood City Council. She is a past president of Lakewood City Academy and currently serves a member of several other local and regional boards, including: Westshore Council of Governments, Cuyahoga County Mayors & City Managers Association, Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association, Ohio Mayors Alliance, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, and LakewoodAlive.

A graduate of The Ohio State University (BA) and Cleveland State University (PBACC), Mayor George’s professional experience outside the public realm includes work in education and serving as a human resources and employment consultant to large corporations.

Mayor George and her partner, Matt, reside in Lakewood with their young daughter, Maggie (Lakewood High School, class of 2039).

Don McDaniel is a native of Lancaster, Ohio, and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1980. Following High School, he served for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Don is a thirty-year veteran of the Lancaster Police Department. During his career at LPD, he worked in various assignments and positions. He served his final two-plus years as Chief of Police.

Don has been involved in the Lancaster community, coaching girls’ softball for many years. He also coached biddy basketball at Tarhe Elementary School for ten years. He is a member of Lancaster Rotary and he currently serves as a member of the Salvation Army Board. Don most recently worked for the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department, as the Supervisor of Recreation Services. His duties included managing both Tiki and Miller swimming pools and managing all the recreation programs and programming.

Don and his wife Tracey, have four adult children and three grandchildren. They have been married for thirty-three years and attend St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.

Sharetta T. Smith was elected as the Mayor of the City of Lima in November of 2021. Prior to the election, she served as the Chief of Staff to the previous mayor since January of 2017. In her role as Chief of Staff, Sharetta was responsible for overseeing city operations including the coordination of policy and legislation, external affairs and communications, and leading many of the Mayor Berger’s key initiatives.

Prior to joining the Berger Administration, Ms. Smith served six terms as a Magistrate for Hamilton County General Sessions Court in Chattanooga, Tennessee; reporting to the county commission. As a magistrate she presided over probable cause and bond hearings, issued arrest and search warrants, and appointed counsel for indigent defendants. Ms. Smith has earned numerous awards including being named one of Chattanooga’s Top 20 under 40, and the 2011 Young Professionals Association of Chattanooga Young Professional of the Year.

She is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and a recent graduate of Allen Lima Leadership. Ms. Smith earned a bachelor's degree in general studies / communications from the University of Toledo, a law degree from Ohio Northern University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also a Lima native.

Jack W. Bradley is a husband, father, veteran, business owner and attorney with 40 years of experience and service to Lorain. A graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, he also taught elementary school at Emerson Elementary School for 5 years while attending law school at night. Unwavering in his commitment to the youth, he has spent 20 years working with teens and leading youth retreats which supported high school students to believe in themselves and lead a successful life.

Born in Lorain and living here his entire life, Bradley has achieved much through hard work and dedication, yet he also understands hardship and believes in lending a hand to people when they most need support. When he was only 5 years old, his father, a mechanic, lost his right arm in a tragic work accident, yet in watching his parents overcome this tragedy, he learned true strength and was also instilled with the value of never giving up.

As mayor, he will dedicate his life to making you proud to call Lorain your home.

Jodie A. Perry, CCE, IOM, CCEO-AP, currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development in Mansfield, Ohio, and had served as President & CEO from July 2014 to September 2022. In 2017, she took over leadership for the Richland Community Development Group. In this combined role, she is responsible for leading the county-wide economic, community, and workforce development efforts.

Prior to this position, she led the Greece (NY) and Van Wert (OH) Area Chambers of Commerce and also served on staff at the Ashland (OH) Area Chamber of Commerce. She also worked as the Deputy Chief Clerk for the US Senate Banking Committee. Jodie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Religion from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.

In 2008, she graduated from the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management earning the IOM designation. In 2018, she received the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) distinction, the highest certification in the industry. Jodie received the 2019 ATHENA Award for Richland County. She is on the National Board of Trustees for the Institute for Organizational Management and Chair for CCEO (Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio). The importance of business was instilled at a young age as she grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in Rochester, NY.

Born and raised in Middletown, Elizabeth has a mother who is originally from Colombia, South America. Her mother met her father in New York while he was working for Armco International at that time. After a three-year transfer to Houston, Texas, and the layoffs that followed, the Armco connection led them back to Middletown. They became the proud owners of Central Pastry Shop, a beloved Middletown business, which remains in her family today.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Middletown with an extensive education, focus on community service, and world-wide life experience. Elizabeth believes in the people of Middletown and that, when they choose to work together and listen and connect, they can move the city forward in every way and in every department.

As mayor, she wants to create a safe space for ideas, brainstorming, and home-grown enthusiasm to bring forward the best ideas that will benefit Middletown. Mayor-elect Slamka will focus on improving the housing stock in various neighborhoods while respecting the historic ones, supporting schools, and helping businesses flourish while opening the door for new employers—creating a path for Middletownians to thrive.

Tim DeGeeter, the 14th mayor of Parma, originally made Parma his home because he and his wife Pam believe in the city, its hard-working people and its future. They knew Parma, Ohio’s seventh-largest city, is a great place to raise a family.

The Mayor has made improving the quality of life for Parma residents among the most important goals of his administration. He has been praised for facilitating such family friendly events as the Mayor’s Outdoor Movie Night, expanding the Recreation Dept. offerings to include Tot programs, adding online Rec. Dept. sign-up and participating in many of Parma’s events with his own family. He makes himself available to residents at these events as part of his Mayor’s In, Mayor’s Out program, during which, every other month, he also visits with residents who come to City Hall to speak to him one-on-one about living in Parma. He puts a premium on staying connected with residents, and to that end, he actively utilizes social media to stay in touch with the community.

Parma’s business community is growing under Mayor DeGeeter’s leadership as well, and small business owners have found a leader who will listen to them and asks for their input at regular Economic Summit meetings. Big business is growing, too, with the ongoing redevelopment of the Parmatown Mall into the Shoppes at Parma.

DeGeeter embraces his city and regional leadership responsibilities with active service. He was appointed to the Board of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, which works to provide leadership to protect water quality, alleviate flooding and improve infrastructure, all important issues to Parma residents.

He also serves as a member of NOACA – the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, which is a transportation and environmental planning agency charged with determining federal funding of highway, bikeway and transportation systems. Additionally, the organization helps address air and water quality needs.

DeGeeter has become a leading proponent for regional collaboration and looks for ways to increase Parma’s leadership as a leader in that area. He was elected to the board of trustees of the Ohio Municipal League in his first year as mayor. The OML works with cities’ leadership to support issue affecting local communities, including economic development, funding and job creation.

DeGeeter came to the Mayor’s office from the Ohio House of Representatives, where he served the 15th District, which includes Parma. While in Columbus, he built a record based on fiscal responsibility while also making critical investments in Ohio and its people. He supported balanced budgets that cut spending but also expanded the Homestead Tax Credit – important for seniors in Parma and across the state – and kept tuition low at colleges.

He was also instrumental in the battle to save Brooklyn’s Hugo Boss plant, which was on the verge of closing, wrote Ohio’s Credit Freeze Law allowing consumers to place a hold on their credit report as a way to protect themselves against identity theft, and sought tougher drug laws, pushing for restrictions on the sale and manufacture of methamphetamine. While in the House of Representatives, he served as Chairman of the Public Utilities and Criminal Justice committees. He also served as a co-chair of the bipartisan Ohio Prematurity Caucus which raised awareness of premature births in Ohio and sought funding for the issue.

He was appointed by Governor Ted Strickland to serve on the Improving Forensic DNA Policy Project, a project to enhance public safety and forensic DNA analysis as a crime-solving tool. In 2004, DeGeeter was a member of the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants, a group that reviewed the issue of self-representation in the state’s judicial system. In 2006, DeGeeter was chosen to participate in an esteemed leadership training program that identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest. He met with other select lawmakers for The Council of State Governments’ 12th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) in Madison, Wisconsin.

Additionally, in 2010, he was nominated and selected by The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) as a delegate to Taiwan for a 7-day leadership exchange program. Just after being elected Mayor of Parma, he participated in The Seminar on Transition and Leadership for Newly-Elected Mayors at the Harvard University Institute of Politics.

Before going to the Ohio House, DeGeeter served as Parma’s Ward Four councilman for five years, where he led a partnership of schools, businesses, city officials and residents to restore and dedicate a park named after Capt. James Lovell, Jr., an Apollo 13 astronaut and Parma native. He also led a task force working with the West Creek Preservation Committee that saved the city’s oldest home, the Henninger House built in 1849, to preserve Parma’s history for all its residents.

He is a co-founder of Leadership for Tomorrow – a program that partners with public and private schools to educate fifth graders on municipal government and to encourage them to become active in their community, and for which he received the Parma Chamber of Commerce Pride Award. In 2007, the Parma Council of PTAs presented the Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award to DeGeeter for his legislative efforts advocating for families and children.

He has been an attorney since 1998, and is the former President of the Parma Bar Association and a former Parma Democrat of the Year. Formerly, he served as an assistant municipal prosecutor for the City of Berea, and also as Assistant Law Director in Avon Lake. While attending law school, DeGeeter was published in the Journal of Law & Health. The law review article, “The Politics of Reducing Tobacco Use Among Children & Adolescents: Why the FDA Cannot Regulate Tobacco and a Proposed Policy for States and Local Communities” received “The Best Note Award” for 1995-96.

DeGeeter, adopted at birth, grew up in Mishawaka, Ind., near South Bend. He attended Holy Cross Junior College in Notre Dame, Ind., and transferred to The John Carroll University. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1991 and later earned his law degree in 1997 from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law, where he met his wife Pam, also an attorney.

The Mayor and Pam have been blessed with two children, Jack and Molly.

Joe Begeny was elected on November 5th 2019 and officially took office on January 1st, 2020 for a four year term. Joe Begeny, has spent the past 16 years in public service, first as a public school teacher and Reynoldsburg City School Board President. While there are many duties a Mayor must perform, Joe Begeny is focused on the redevelopment of Reynoldsburg from Olde Town to Brice Road, with a focus on connecting the entire community with improved walk-ability and is dedicated to attracting new jobs and opportunities to the City of Respect, Reynoldsburg Ohio.

Rob Rue, a proud graduate of Springfield North High School’s Class of 1988, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the City of Springfield. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Heidelberg University and a Bachelor of Mortuary Science from The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

Rob’s journey and leadership development began within his family business, Littleton & Rue Funeral Home, at the age of 13 when he started washing the fleet of cars, and now is currently President and General Manager

Rob was first elected City Commissioner in 2017, re-elected in 2021 and was appointed Assistant Mayor. He began his term as Mayor in November of this year due to the early retirement of longtime Mayor Warren Copeland. In this capacity, he also serves as a liaison to various important community boards and organizations.

Rob’s personal life is equally fulfilling. He is happily married to his best friend, Jenny Rue, and together, they have five wonderful children. Rob’s commitment to leading well, serving well, and cherishing his family is a testament to his dedication to both the funeral service and the city of Springfield.

After nearly 40 years in banking and serving as President and CEO of the Strongsville Savings Bank and its holding company, Emerald Financial Corp., Tom served as an Executive Vice President of Fifth Third Bancorp after Fifth Third purchased Emerald, until retiring to run for Mayor of Strongsville. Never before holding public office, Mayor Perciak was a write-in candidate in a field of seven, and won the election, making it the first time a write-in candidate won a mayor’s job in one of Cuyahoga County’s largest cities. Mayor Perciak has served the City of Strongsville since 2004. He believes his business background is essential in helping him efficiently manage the city, deliver exceptional city services, while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Wade Kapszukiewicz was elected mayor of Toledo, Ohio on November 7, 2017 and took the oath of office on January 2, 2018, becoming the 58th mayor of the city.

Creating a regional water system, increasing the size and diversity of the police force, improving educational opportunities for Toledo’s youngest residents, and consolidating city government functions are among Mayor Kapszukiewicz’s top goals.

During his first year in office, the city of Toledo passed a balanced budget (the first unanimously passed since 2013), hired 80 new police officers, resurfaced more miles of roads than any year in the past two decades, created a bike share program, secured funding to clean up the long-blighted former Champion Spark Plug site, and helped lead a neighborhood coalition to save historic St. Anthony Catholic Church from demolition.

Most notably, Toledo City Council unanimously passed Mayor Kapszukiewicz’s plan to create a regional water system that will share decision-making authority with suburban partners while ensuring long term affordable water rates.

To promote greater transparency in city government, Mayor Kapszukiewicz launched a monthly “Wednesdays with Wade” public meetings series.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz was Lucas County Treasurer from 2005 until 2018. While treasurer, he worked to change state law in 2010 to allow for the creation of county land banks, founded the Lucas County Land Bank, and served as its chairman since August, 2010.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz served one term on the Lucas County Board of Education and was later a Toledo city councilman for nearly seven years. He was first elected to city council in 1999 and then re-elected in 2001 and 2003. When he began his service on Toledo City Council, at age 26, Mr. Kapszukiewicz had the distinction of being the youngest person to serve on the legislative body in 25 years.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz was recognized in 2006 as a “20 Under 40” community leader, and in 2010 ESOP gave him its “Above and Beyond” award. In 2012, the mayor was again honored by ESOP, this time earning its “Rooted in ESOP” award. The Toledo City Paper named him one of its “Big Idea Toledoans” in 2014 for his work creating and leading the Lucas County Land Bank, and again in 2018 for his commitment to pursue an ambitious agenda as mayor.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Marquette University in 1994 and was named the valedictorian of the College of Communication, Journalism, and Performing Arts. He received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan in 1996.

After receiving his master’s degree, Mr. Kapszukiewicz worked for two years as the Policy Analysis and Research Director of the New Ohio Institute, a public policy research organization that studied issues affecting Ohio’s urban areas. In April 1998 he accepted the position of Manager of Planning and Development at the Lucas County Mental Health Board, where he worked until he began serving on Toledo City Council. While on City Council, Mr. Kapszukiewicz taught a course in American Government at Owens Community College and also worked at COMPASS, a social service agency that works with people with drug and alcohol addictions.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz is an adjunct professor at Lourdes University, where he teaches a night course in urban policy.

An avid baseball fan, Mayor Kapszukiewicz had his research published in the Spring 2016 edition of the Society for American Baseball Research journal.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz is a parishioner at Gesu Roman Catholic Church. A resident of Toledo since 1973, Mr. Kapszukiewicz was born in San Diego on October 30, 1972. He and his wife, Sarah, celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary in 2018. They live in the Old Orchard neighborhood of Toledo and have two children, Emma and Will.

William “Doug” Franklin was elected the 35th Mayor of the City of Warren in May 2011. Mayor Franklin has been a community activist for many years, both as an elected official and a private citizen.

Prior to January 2004, Doug was employed as an Hourly Production and Alternate UAW Benefits Representative at General Motors Corporation for twenty-five years. His public service career spans thirty years, beginning when he was elected a Precinct Committee Person on the Democratic Central Committee. In 1989, he was elected and served two terms on Warren City Council as Fourth Ward Councilman. Doug was successful in his first City-wide election for Council-at-Large in 1993, serving three terms in that role. In 2000, Doug was elected to serve as President of Council. He was appointed Director of Public Service and Safety in 2004.

Since becoming Mayor, Doug has focused on several initiatives including a Capital Replacement Plan that encumbers the purchase of new Police cruisers and detective vehicles, a multi-purpose pumper and rescue truck, new hardware and software for the enhancement of the City’s website and IT projects, and the resurfacing of many roads. Warren’s Downtown and Parks revitalization efforts continue to move forward.

Born and raised in Warren, Doug has deep roots in the community and makes promoting volunteerism throughout the area one of his priorities. He has served on the following boards: Someplace Safe, Sunshine Inc., Trumbull County UMADAOP, Warren Grows, Trumbull County Action Program (TCAP), Trumbull County Red Cross, and the Warren Area Council. For his lifelong commitment to public service, Doug has earned honors from various organizations: a Community Leadership award from the Marcus Garvey Institute of Awareness, induction into the Trumbull County African American Hall of Fame, and the “Man of the Year” title from the Psi Omicron/Zeta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi.

Doug is an alumnus of Warren Western Reserve High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and American Government from Kent State University. In 1993, he graduated from the Leadership Mahoning Valley Program.

JAMAEL TITO BROWN was elected the 51st Mayor of the City of Youngstown on November 7th, 2017.

Formerly the Chief Deputy Treasurer overseeing day-to-day operations of the Mahoning County Treasurer’s office, Brown has also served as the Director of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Youngstown.The Mayor has been a Community Organizer for Youngstown State University Urban & Regional Studies Department and a Caseworker for Mahoning County Children Services Board.

His community involvement includes positions on the Board of Directors for Mahoning Valley Sanitation District, as Secretary of Wick Neighbors Inc., and as Chairman of Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partners (MYCAP).

Mayor Brown previously served the residents of Youngstown as President of Council, as 3rd Ward City Councilman and as a Member of the Youngstown City School Board.

Tito Brown is married to Lynette C. Brown, nee’ Frost. They have 4 children: Aaron, Camille, Clarisa and Quentin. He and his family are members of Union Baptist Church of Youngstown, Ohio.

Brown earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Youngstown State University.

He is lifelong resident of Youngstown in the 3rd Ward.