Leadership group recognizes Malecek

Leadership Lake County has chosen Kevin Malecek as the 2021 Lake County Leader of the Year.

Leadership Lake County has chosen Kevin Malecek as the 2021 Lake County Leader of the Year. The award is presented annually to an outstanding recipient for his or her contributions in Lake County, according to a news release. A committee comprised of Leadership Lake County trustees and graduates is charged with selecting each year’s winner. Malecek serves as director of economic development and international trade for Mentor. A member of Leadership Lake County’s Signature Class of 2014, he believes timely responsiveness is a major key to his leadership style. “Listening is essential, and then responding to what you’ve heard either by words or actions,” Malecek said in the release. “I have prided myself on that. I try to get back to people extremely promptly. It shows you have reliability in a leader, and you build trust. “It’s definitely helped me to achieve success.” Malecek said he is honored to join a select group of accomplished professionals who have attained prodigious success in their work to make Lake County a better place. “To be included in those names, it’s really a Who’s Who that have accomplished things in the last three decades,” he said. “To think there are those who think the same thing and recognize it in me is quite an honor.” Dave Cowen is coordinator of internships and adult programs at Auburn Career Center and a member of the Leadership Lake County Signature Class of 1988 and 2017 Leader of the Year winner. He took part in nominating Malecek for the award. “Kevin has been a mainstay of community engagement,” Cowen said in the release. “He just has that ‘laid back take it all in style’ and then he’ll offer wisdom on a direction or a connection to someone who is of value.” Cowen especially noted the key role Malecek, a Democrat, played to bring Lake County to the forefront during the planning of the Republican National Convention in 2016 in Cleveland. “Collaborative ability plays beautifully with the traits of inclusiveness and relationship building, and Kevin has demonstrated that across his career,” Cowen said. Ryan Dumermuth is a partner of Rea and Associates in Mentor and chair of Leadership Lake County’s Leader of the Year Committee. He is a member of Leadership Lake County’s Signature Class of 2008. “Kevin is always trying to help and bring people together to make the community better,” Dumermuth said in the release. “He is out and about and seen and helping wherever he can. He uses his network to connect and help others. “That’s what leaders do,” he continued. “You don’t always have the answers and solutions to everything but connecting them to someone who can help — that’s being a leader.” The 2021 Leadership Lake County Leader of the Year Award will be presented at the 35th Annual Recognition Banquet at 5:30 p.m., June 2, at St. Noel’s Banquet Center in Willoughby Hills. For reservations to the event and other information about Leadership Lake County, visit www. leadershiplakecounty.org and Facebook.