BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      After receiving more than 100 applications for the position of Township Administrator, Boardman Trustees interviewed 15 of those applicants and have narrowed the list down to five persons, Steve Yacovone, chairman of the board, announced on Monday night.
      Those persons are Joseph Sinnott, 60, who served as mayor of Erie, Pa. from 2006-18; Mark Ragozine, 34, who currently serves as safety service director for he city of Girard, Oh.; Brian Blad, 57, who served for terms as mayor of Pocatello, Idaho; Jeremy Shaffer, 43, a former township trustee in Dodson, Oh. and who is currently the director of human resources in Wilmington, Oh.; and Adam Thompson, 45, who has served since Aug., 2004 as the director of finance for the city of Port Richey, Fla.
      Boardman Trustees Yacovone, chairman of the board; and Larry Moliterno and Matt Gambrel are seeking a replacement for Jason Loree, who has served in the post for almost 20 years. Loree is facing health challenges diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a condition that has affected many of his family members. He is currently on the list for a kidney transplant.
      Joseph Sinnott
      Sinnott, who holds a law degree, has served for the last two years as director of administration for Erie County, Pa. where he oversaw a workforce of 750 employees while implementing the county’s $450 million annual budget.
      While mayor of Erie, Pa. he led the city from near insolvency and a state takeover to a fiscally sound community.
      He says “I am a transformational executive with over 20 years of experience in elected and appointed governmental leadership.”
      From Apr., 2022 to May, 2023, Sinnott served as city administrator in Cleveland Heights, Oh. where he helped develop and implement an $83 million annual budget.
      Mark Ragozine
      As safety service director for the city of Girard, Ragozine says he works “closely with the mayor and city council to translate policy direction into efficient service delivery, manage risk and ensure fiscal and operational stability.”
      Prior to serving Girard, Ragozine was economic development program manager for the Eastgate Council of Governments where he administered state and federal grants and prepared reports and recommendations for governing boards and advisory committees.
      “This experience strengthened my ability to operate across jurisdictions, balance competing priorities and maintain transparent communication with public officials and stakeholders,” Ragozine says.
      Ragozine served from 2018-19 as a first ward councilman in Girard, and from 2019-24 was an adjunct instructor in political science at Eastern Gateway College. He says he is “known for disciplined management, sound judgement and steady leadership.”
      Brian Blad
      Blad served for 16 years as mayor of Pocatello, Idaho where he oversaw some 21 departments, more than 700 employee and a $180 million annual budget. He lost his bid for re-election last year, after first gaining the seat in 2009 in an upset victory.
      Blad says he is “experienced in leading comprehensive municipal operations including police, public works, water and wastewater utilities, sanitation and recycling, airport services, economic development, community services and recreation.”
      From 1992-2010 Blad was president/CEO of Merln’s Insulation where he “built a sustainable, profitable business through disciplined leadership, operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives.”
      Jeremy Shaffer
      Shaffer cites his 26 years of “progressively responsible leadership and management experience across municipal government, county administration, township governance, and the Ohio Air National Guard” and offers a “proven record of operational oversight, fiscal stewardship and community-focused leadership that aligns directly with the goals of Boardman Township.”
      He served a administrator for the Village of Geneva-on-The-Lake and his background also includes service as a Highland County, Oh. county commissioner. Highland County has a $32.8 million annual budget and a workforce of some 240 employees.
      Shaffer served from 2001-07 as a trustee for Dodson Township.
      “This hands-on township governance experience provided me with a strong foundation for township operations, fiscal planning and public works oversight---experience that directly supports the mission of Boardman Township,” Shaffer says.
      From Jan., 2002 to Feb., 2019 Shaffer was a member of the Lynchburg (Oh.) Area Joint Fire and Ambulance District Board of Trustees.
      Adam Thompson
      Thompson says he is a “results driven professional with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in municipal government, city management and public finance (and) a proven track record of managing budgets ranging from $4 million to $450 million.” He says he is “skilled in strategic planning, financial forecasting, compliance and cross-functional leadership.”
      Thompson also has experience in public administration as director of finance and administration for the St. Louis, Missouri Job Corps Center (2023-2024), city administrator at Brynes Mill, Missouri (Dec., 2022-Dec. 2023) and as city manager in Bowling Green, Florida (Oct. 2021-Dec., 2022).
      Final Five
      In announcing the final five persons currently under consideration for the Boardman Township administrator’s post, Yacovone said “they have the experience and traits we are looking for to lead Boardman Township with the uncertainty of the property tax issue.”
      Yacovone said the ‘final five’ will be interviewed for a second time by Trustees and then the list will be pared down to two or three candidates who will be interviewed again before a final decision is made.