After months of searching, the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has named a new executive director.
After months of searching, the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services has named a new executive director.
Christine Lakomiak, a Geauga County resident, was named to the role at the regular board meeting Feb. 15.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much. I’m thrilled to be appointed as the executive director of the Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services,” she said. “Mental health and recovery is my passion.”
Lakomiak thanked the board for the opportunity to take on the new role and for the time they spent searching for the right fit.
“I know that that took a lot of time,” she said. “But you know, throughout your tenure, there’s never been a time where there hasn’t been recovery services in this county — both mental health and recovery services.”
Lakomiak said the leadership of the board and its dedication to working with county mental health agencies means there has always been direct service available in the county.
“You should be applauded for that,” she said. “The work that you do is volunteer and I appreciate what you’ve done as a community member.”
Lakomiak comes to the role after working for 16 years as the director of quality and clinical operations at the Lake County ADAMHS Board. In addition to her passion for mental health, which started with a career in homeless outreach, Lakomiak said she and her husband spend their free time riding motorcycles and dirt bikes.
After a discussion with the heads of various agencies in the county, including Ravenwood Health, Family Pride, WomenSafe, Catholic Charities, National Alliance on Mental Illness Geauga and Lake/Geauga Recovery Centers, Lakomiak proposed they meet with her as she comes into the role to discuss how the board can better collaborate on issues of funding and staffing.
“I’m really looking forward to having a collaborative relationship with you,” she told the group. “I can tell you that, at least the board members who interviewed me, they’re ready to go. They’re full of energy and expect great things.”
Board chair Steve Oluic said it was a good day for the board and for Geauga County.
“Over the last six months or so, we’ve been moving forward and trying to overcome what was reported yesterday as dysfunction,” Oluic said, referring to a Feb. 14 article in the Geauga County Maple Leaf.
Oluic described the hiring process that led to Lakomiak’s selection. A committee of five board members — himself and Linda Miller, Alberta Chokshi, Michael Petruziello and Kathy Johnson — were approved by the full board to consider 20 applications for the position.
Only nine of those were good, Oluic said, adding the committee whittled the list down further to three finalists.
One was Lakomiak, the other, a candidate currently employed in a clinic. The third was former state Rep. Diane Grendell.
The absences of three board members — Walter “Skip” Claypool, Carolee Lesyk and Ryan Mekota — meant 10 of 14 members of the board were present, after the resignation of board member Jennifer Malainy effective Feb. 8.
Oluic said Malainy’s obligation to the board caused too much competition with her work and personal schedule; however, the board will have openings in seats appointed both by the state and by Geauga County Commissioners this June.
