Press Releases

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 30 largest cities, has elected three new mayors to serve in leadership positions for the organization. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, and Springfield Mayor Rob Rue have been elected to join the 7-member, bipartisan board of directors of the Ohio Mayors Alliance.

They join current board members Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, and Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith.

“We are thrilled to welcome Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, and Springfield Mayor Rob Rue to the Ohio Mayors Alliance Board of Directors,” said Executive Director Keary McCarthy. “Their dedication, vision, and commitment to bipartisan leadership will strengthen our coalition and help us address the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio’s cities. Together, with our current board members, we look forward to fostering thoughtful collaboration and driving positive change for communities across our state.”

The three mayors were elected at the organization’s annual membership meeting on Dec. 11, 2025. They replaced outgoing mayors Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, Fairfield Mayor Mitch Rhodus, and Kettering Mayor Peggy Lehner. The Ohio Mayors Alliance Board includes 4 Democrats and 3 Republicans and is representative of both large- and medium-sized cities in different regions of the state.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik: “It is so important for local leaders to come together in a bipartisan way to represent the interests of Ohio’s cities and local communities. The Ohio Mayors Alliance does just that and I’m very much looking forward to joining my colleagues on the board.”

Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry: “The Ohio Mayors Alliance has been a very effective organization representing Ohio’s cities. I’m looking forward to joining the board and working alongside my colleagues to ensure that cities and local communities like Mansfield have a voice at the Ohio Statehouse.”

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue: “I am honored to join the bipartisan Board of Directors of the Ohio Mayors Alliance. The support shown to Springfield in the recent years by my fellow mayors is a testament to the strength of our communities, the importance of local leaders supporting one another, and the organizational capacity of the Ohio Mayors Alliance.”