I’m running because Portage County is my home.
I was born at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, and grew up in Franklin Township. I was the proud product of a Kent City Schools, graduating Kent Roosevelt in 1980.
At 32, I married by wonderful wife Janet, and was blessed with six amazing children.
In 1983 I joined the Portage County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, where I served for eleven years before becoming the Portage County Dog Warden in 1995.
In 1999 I became the Director of Security Services for Portage County, and later became the Director of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in 2007.
In this role, my team worked together to build an all-hazards disaster plan for local governments and first responders.
We also secured grant funding for equipment and trainings, and supported local first responders by deploying assets during disaster situations.
In 2013 I became the Stark County Dog Warden, where I served for seven years before the department was merged with the Sheriff’s Office.
I spent the next five years as Special Deputy for the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2023.
Experience
Stark County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant | 2023 - 2024
Stark County Sheriff’s Office
Special Deputy | 2019 - 2023
Stark County Dog Warden
Chief | 2013 - 2019
Portage County Sheriff’s Office
Special Deputy | 2009 - 2013
Portage County Emergency Management
Director | 2007 - 2013
Portage County Park District
Park Ranger, Auxiliary | 2003 - 2009
Brady Lake Police Department
Reserve | 1998
Wyndham Police Department
Reserve, Auxiliary | 1997 - 2000
Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Reserve, Auxiliary | 1996 - 1997
Portage County Security Services
Director | 1999 - 2007
Portage County Dog Warden
Dog Warden | 1995 - 1999
Portage County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff | 1983 - 1994
Education
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The University of Akron | 2006
Bachelor of Science, Technical Education
The University of Akron | 2003
Assoc. Applied Science, Criminal Justice
The University of Akron | 1999
High School Diploma
Kent Roosevelt High School | 1980
Affiliations
Fraternal Order of Police #70 Ravenna
Member
Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association
Member
Blue Knights Ohio XVI
Member
Portage County Youth Benefit Committee
Member
Leadership Portage County
Class of 2000