FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cheryl Onesky, Public Information Specialist
(216) 241-2414, extension 221

Released January 11, 2002: The NOACA Governing Board elected new officers to serve during calendar year 2002.

Geauga County Commissioner Neil C. Hofstetter was unanimously elected Governing Board President.  A member of the NOACA Governing Board since 1993, Hofstetter previously served as Board President in 1998.

Left to right:  Lake County Commissioner Daniel Troy, Lorain County Commissioner Betty Blair
Geauga County Commissioner Neil Hofstetter, Cuyahoga County Engineer Robert Klaiber
and Lake County Engineer Thomas Gills

"I thank my fellow Board members for their confidence and trust," said Hofstetter. "With their support I look forward to meeting the challenges and responsibilities ahead of us this year."  Hofstetter also acknowledged the tenacity and leadership of outgoing Board President Stephen D. Hambley. "Commissioner Hambley was tenacious about getting work accomplished," he noted. "In January last year Steve stated that one if his goals as president was to update the Agency's Code of Regulations, and today we approved it."  The Code of Regulations delineates NOACA's organizational and operating structure.

This year's slate of NOACA Governing Board officers includes:

First Vice-President:         Betty C. Blair, Lorain County Commissioner*
Second Vice-President:     Daniel Troy, Lake County Commissioner*
Secretary:                              Robert Klaiber, Cuyahoga County Engineer*
Assistant Secretary:           William Grace, Mayor, City of Elyria (Lorain County)
Assistant Secretary:           J. Timothy McCormack, Cuyahoga County Commissioner*
Treasurer:                             Jane L. Campbell, Mayor, City of Cleveland*
Assistant Treasurer:          Erwin Odeal, Director of NEORSD (Cuyahoga County)
Assistant Treasurer:          James R. Gills, Lake County Engineer

In addition to the above officers (noted by asterisks), President Hofstetter and outgoing President Hambley will serve as members of the Executive Committee during the next calendar year. The Executive Committee acts as a liaison to the Governing Board, and has the authority to render decisions on behalf of the full Board between monthly meetings.

At the meeting President Hofstetter also welcomed the following new members to the Board:

• Lydia Champlin, Mayor, Chagrin Falls Village
• Ken Patton, Mayor, City of Brooklyn
• Chris Ronayne, City of Cleveland Planning Director
• Mark Ricchiuto, City of Cleveland Public Service Director