TOLEDO, OH — Lucas County Administrator Megan Vahey Casiere has notified the Board of Commissioners that she will be resigning her position, effective Dec. 2, 2022, to pursue other professional opportunities.
“I am so proud of all we have accomplished as a County in the five years I’ve served as Administrator, and I want to thank the Commissioners for giving me this incredible opportunity,” Ms. Casiere said. “Lucas County is well-positioned for continued success, and I wish the Board and the staff all the best in their future endeavors.”
The Commissioners thank Ms. Casiere for her dedication and service to Lucas County. As Administrator, she oversees all operations under the Commissioners’ direction, including managing ten departments and the hundreds of employees within those offices, as well as managing the County’s $750 million annual budget. She guided Lucas County through tough financial times and a global pandemic, and she made smart recommendations to keep Lucas County’s budget strong and bond ratings stable.
“Megan Vahey Casiere is a shining example of what public service should be. Her actions were exclusively for the benefit of our community, and her accomplishments will have a positive impact for years to come,” Commissioner Gary L. Byers said.
“Megan is an unbelievable public servant, and she served Lucas County with distinction,” Commissioner Tina Skeldon-Wozniak said. “I respect her need to explore another avenue, and I know she will continue to find ways to benefit our community. She will be missed, and we wish her well.”
Ms. Casiere worked with the Commissioners to establish public-private partnerships that pushed our region forward, including opening the new Glass City Center Powered by ProMedica and the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites Hotel downtown. The renovated convention center will attract conventions, meetings, and events to our community is expected to generate $800 million in economic impact over the next twenty years.
Economic development and workforce development have been among Ms. Casiere’s top priorities. As president of the Lucas County Economic Development Corporation and Lucas County Builds, she guided investment in major economic projects such as Hensville, the Andersons’ new world headquarters, Dana, and Detroit Manufacturing Systems. She also spearheaded an initiative to build connections between employers and job-seekers through a unified Lucas County Department of Planning and Development, which has received national accreditation for career readiness. The County made much-needed investments in our local businesses, arts and cultural institutions, housing, and community partners during her tenure.
As County Administrator, she worked with the Commissioners to launch the County’s first Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and began new employee training. The Shared Services building at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. was opened under Ms. Casiere’s leadership, a move that united the County’s critical social services and workforce development resources into a one-stop-shop for residents, provided a new consolidated home to the Board of Elections, and created a brand-new data center for the county's IT infrastructure.
“Ten years ago, Megan had the opportunity to come back home from Washington, and our community is better off because of it,” Commissioner Pete Gerken said. “I wish her all the best.”
Ms. Casiere joined Lucas County in February, 2013 as the Chief of Planning & Development and led the County’s Workforce Investment Board before being named County Administrator in November, 2017. She continued to lead the County’s economic development initiatives while serving as Administrator. Ms. Casiere led the efforts to make major investments in county facilities and made great strides to staff mission-critical departments.
Deputy County Administrator Jessica M. Ford will serve as the interim county administrator, effective Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. Ms. Casiere is assisting with the transition to the new administration for the remainder of her employment with the county commissioners. She will be using earned time to spend time with family in November and will begin her new position as CEO for the Employers’ Association in Maumee in December. Her last day with the county will be Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.