Bell realigns executive team

Press release from the City of Toledo:

Bell selects Deputy Mayor, realigns staff entering second year in office

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell today announced the appointment of Thomas Crothers to the position of Deputy Mayor for External Relations following the departure of Dean Monske to head the Regional Growth Partnership.

“I don’t view Dean joining the RGP as a loss for the city, but as the extension of our efforts and the opportunity to continue working with him and RGP as partners,” Bell said. “The momentum we started with Dean will continue. I have confidence that Tom will pick up where Dean leaves off and continue collaborating with our partners - local, state, national and international - to move Toledo forward.”

Mr. Crothers is currently director of public utilities and was previously executive director of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District and President of the Greater Downtown Business Partnership. He has also served as chief of staff, finance director; deputy director of economic development; and executive officer for previous mayoral administrations in the city of Toledo.

Along with the responsibility to spearhead the city’s collaborative economic development efforts, Crothers will additionally oversee the city’s inspection and neighborhoods departments and the Division of Real Estate.

As Crothers departs public utilities, David Welch will take over as director. Mr. Welch is currently director of public service and previously served as commissioner of field operations in the Department of Public Utilities.

Ed Moore will be appointed director of public service. Mr. Moore is currently commissioner of streets, bridges and harbor, that department’s most expansive division responsible for road maintenance and repair, demolition and debris removal; snow and ice control; and leaf collection. He has worked with the city of Toledo for 17 years beginning as a heavy equipment operator with the demolition crew. He became a foreman supervising road repair and was later appointed commissioner of sewer and drainage services. Moore is completing a degree in construction engineering technology at the University of Toledo.

David Pratt will serve as acting commissioner of streets, bridges and harbor. Mr. Pratt has worked for the city for 20 years in various capacities. Most recently he has served as manager of streets, bridges and harbor working with Mr. Moore to oversee road repair, snow and ice control and leaf collection.

Salaries have not yet been determined for those employees changing status or departments.

Other staff realignments will include a change in title for Shirley Green. Ms. Green has served as director of public safety, overseeing police and fire services. She will take on an expanded role as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Personnel as human resources and affirmative action are brought under her administration. As a lieutenant, Green served as the equal employment opportunity officer for the Toledo Police Department. The changes in executive oversight will allow Deputy Mayor for Operations Steve Herwat to focus on collective bargaining negotiations with six of the city’s eight unions during the 2011 calendar year. There will be no change in salary for Ms. Green or Mr. Herwat.

The executive leadership changes will take effect March 14th.

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