Mayor names three new department heads

Changes continue to take place. Over the past month, three new department directors have been named.

Changes continue to take place in Willoughby.

Over the past month, three new department directors have been named: Diane Bosley as finance director, Lee Bock as service director and Tom Thielman as the director of economic development.

Bosley, who was confirmed by council during the Jan. 2 meeting, is replacing retiring Finance Director Ray Rogowski. Prior to her promotion, Bosley served the city as the assistant finance director.

In his mayor’s report, Mayor Bob Fiala said that Bosley has worked closely with Rogowski to maintain the city’s reputation for excellence in accounting, and she brings to the position intimate knowledge of the city’s budgeting process, business system and staff.

“Finances are always pretty complex, we are always challenged with matching revenue for expenses,” Fiala said. “(Bosley) has watched our revenue and expenses for many years at City Hall and we just thought that since like other cities we are facing stable or declining revenue and rising expenses, her knowledge and background would provide stability.”

Bock is an outside hire, coming from Euclid’s Service Department, and he brings with him more than 30 years of experience, Fiala said.

“He has a pretty broad range of experience and with the service department being complex because of all the things they do, his knowledge in everything they do will be helpful,” the mayor said. “He has proven that he understands what we do and how we do it.”

Bock, who was confirmed by council Jan. 16, is replacing former Service Director Angelo Tomaselli, who retired.

Thielman has become the new full-time director of economic development. A resident of Wickliffe, he started out in the Wickliffe Economic Development Department prior to working for Parma. He comes to Willoughby from Mentor, where he spent 12 years as the head of Mentor Economic Assistance Corp., or MEACO.

Willoughby hasn’t had and official economic director for some time. Former Mayor David Anderson had assumed that role, taking the lead in economic development, with Janice Lipscomb, former community and economic development manager, handing all the day-to-day details, Fiala said.

“Prior to his retirement, Dave (Anderson) and I had a conversation where we discussed needing to get a full-time director on board,” Fiala said. “It’s a challenge maintaining current businesses and getting new businesses, where we will be putting special emphasis going forward.

In addition to the three new directors who are on board in their positions now, the city also can anticipate the appointment of attorney Michael Lucas as its new law director.

Lucas has been appointed by Fiala for the position, but not yet confirmed by council.

Once confirmed, Lucas will replace retiring Law Director John Wiles.

At this time, Wiles has not decided on a date for his retirement, according to Fiala.

“Once we know a formal date, we will ask for council approval,” Fiala said.