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Governing Board

Governing Board

The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR) Governing Board is a policy-making body that functions according to the mandates of state law and is comprised of nine elected members.

The Board usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:45 pm at the Auburn Technology Learning Center, 8221 Auburn Road, Concord, Ohio. 

It is the policy of the ESCWR that all of the ESCWR-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities.  If you need assistance in participating in this meeting due to a disability as defined under the ADA, please call the ESCWR Superintendent's office at 440-350-2563. 

President

Geoffrey Kent is pictured
Mr. Geoffrey Kent assumed his role on the Western Reserve Governing Board effective in January 2020 and was elected in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Prior to this appointment, he previously served as President of the Governing Board of the Lake County ESC where he served two terms.  In addition to his commitment to education, Mr. Kent has a diverse background that includes serving as Lake County Recorder, Painesville City Councilman, and Council President. He attended Lake Erie College and Ohio University and holds a degree in finance and government. Furthermore, he enjoyed a successful career as a budget cost analyst at Maximus, headquartered in Washington, D.C. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kent is an active member of his community, exemplified by his role as vice president of the Lake County Employee Credit Union. He also contributes to the community's well-being through his dedicated service on the Lake Central YMCA Board of Directors and Painesville Little League Boards. He served as a class 1 official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, where he provided 35 years of support. 


Mr. Kent and his wife, Marilyn, call Painesville Township their home. Marilyn has dedicated an impressive 36 years of her life to the teaching profession. Together, they not only cherish the responsibilities of parenthood but also proudly celebrate their son, Mark, a Riverside Graduate. In addition to their immediate family, the Kent’s are also blessed with two beloved grandchildren, completing their close-knit family circle.  

  

Vice President

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Mr. Timothy H. Snyder, Esq., was elected Member of the ESCWR Governing Board commencing January, 2022.  He earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Hiram College, an M.A. in Psychology from Cleveland State, and Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.  Tim is still active with over 35 years of state and local law enforcement experience, and over 25 years of experience as a private practice attorney, college professor, and police academy instructor. He volunteers for many community activities including flipping pancakes for the Burton Fire Dept., donating blood over 130 times, and organizing bone marrow donor registration drives. Tim and his wife live in Burton where they raised their three children and now enjoy visits from their grandchildren.


           

Member

Ken Burnett
Mr. Ken Burnett has been a lifelong resident of Burton and a graduate of Berkshire High School and Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking. Except for a 10-year period of non-profit administration he has consistently worked within the Banking/Mortgage Financing area throughout Cleveland’s eastern suburbs. Ken has actively served his community with over 30 years of service as a Board Member of the Geauga County Educational Service Center and is currently serving his third 4-year term as a Burton Township Trustee. He has been married to his wife Ruth for almost 47 years, and has two children and 4 wonderful grandchildren who all attend Geauga County Schools.

Member

Ken Cahill is pictured
Mr. Kenneth Cahill has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January 2020.  Previously, he served on the Lake County ESC Governing Board.  Since 1991, Ken Cahill has been practicing family law, working toward outcomes that are in the best interest of families and children. Ken is a noted speaker on issues of family law and serves as chair of the Family Law Committee. Protecting dependent, neglected, and abused children was the role of Family Law attorney Kenneth J. Cahill at the Lake County Prosecutor’s Juvenile Division representing the Lake County Department of Jobs & Family Services.  Practicing Family Law since 1991, Ken started first as an Assistant Lake County Prosecutor enforcing and modifying child support orders before joining the Lake County Prosecutors Juvenile Division.  Ken has also prosecuted criminal cases against juvenile offenders. In 1993, he commenced his private practice primarily focusing on Family Law before joining Dworken & Bernstein in 2000. Ken Cahill has frequently lectured on several topics related to divorce and family law matters including legislative developments involving family law, marital & separate property issues, and child custody matters. He is frequently appointed by trial courts to serve as Guardian Ad Litem to represent the best interests of children.

Member

Susan Culotta is pictured
Dr. Susan Culotta has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January 2020. Previously, she was a member of the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board. Dr. Culotta is a Professor of Psychology at Lake Erie College. She also serves on the Board of Health for the Lake County General Health District. Dr. Culotta holds a doctorate from Cleveland University, a Master's Degree from John Carol University, and a Bachelor's from Kenyon College. Dr. Culotta lives in Kirtland with her husband, Judge Vincent Culotta, and their two daughters.

Member

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Mr. Thomas Hach was elected to the ESC of the Western Reserve's Governing Board in January 2024. He was born and raised in Concord and is a 1982 graduate of Riverside High School. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and earned a BS in Chemistry, and he later earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He resides in Concord with his two children, who are former students in the Riverside District. He has over 20 years of experience as a Project Manager and he is also a retired Commander from the Navy Reserve. He is involved in the community as a member of the Painesville Salvation Army Board of Advisers and he has been very active in his son's Boy Scout Troop as a member of the Troop Committee.

Member

Marilyn Percic
Ms. Marilyn Percic was elected and sworn in as Vice President of the ESCWR Governing Board in January 2022.  Marilyn has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. Her professional service was spent primarily in emergency and trauma nursing with some experience with school nursing, both in and out of Geauga County.  She and her husband have always enjoyed and embraced all that comes with a more rural community. They were happy to have found their niche in Burton. Since 2007, they have raised their family in Geauga County. Their children's growth opportunities in K-12 and college institutions, community sports, and 4H have also offered many opportunities for Marilyn to become engaged and support her community. She has led healthy school initiatives, helped organize fundraising efforts, and even "stirred" at the Apple Butter Festival. She has also enjoyed continuous involvement in their church and community. 

Member

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Mr. Steve Remias was appointed to the vacancy on the Governing Board effective January 1, 2022. He was the former president and vice-president of the Geauga County ESC Governing Board.  Mr. Remias has been a lifelong Geauga County resident, married with two children and one grandchild. His past accomplishments and experience include work as a professor teaching Criminal Justice courses, and administrator handling basic police academies across Ohio. His educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, a Master of Science in Technical Education, and CAI accreditation from the Auction Marketing Institute. Mr. Remias is a member of the VFW Post 1863, Buckeye Sheriff’s Association, Geauga Farm Bureau, Geauga County Department on Aging, and the National Auctioneers Association. He also worked with the Geauga County Umpires Association.  

Member

Mr. Erik Walter

Mr. Erik L. Walter has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January, 2020.  Previously, he was a member of the Lake County ESC Governing Board. Mr. Walter is a partner at the law firm of Dworken & Bernstein Co., L.P.A. He has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA in Lansing, Michigan, is currently on the Board of Directors for the YMCA in Lake County, Ohio, the Northeast Ohio Autism Group and Lake County Jail Ministries. Mr. Walter, his wife Melissa and three children Hannah, Noah and Isaiah reside in Concord.

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Jennifer Felker
Felker, Jennifer
Superintendent
Office: 440-350-2563 x 1701
Jennifer Felker serves as the Superintendent for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve, bringing over 30 years of experience in educational leadership. Previously, she served as an State Associate Superintendent at the Ohio Department of Education, where she led significant improvements in education. Jennifer's prior roles include:
  1. Director of Educational Programs and Services – Orange City School District
  2. Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent Pro-Tempore- ESC of Cuyahoga County/NEOESC
  3. Director of Operations - ESC of Cuyahoga County/NEOESC
  4. Special Education Supervisor- Olmsted Falls City Schools/Maple Heights City Schools
Jennifer holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education with a license in K-12 Special Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University with licenses as an Elementary and Middle School Principal, and a Superintendent license from Cleveland State University. She also completed post-master's doctoral coursework at Cleveland State University.

Currently, Jennifer oversees the strategic direction and leadership of the ESC of the Western Reserve, using her expertise to support education initiatives. She is also involved in various state-wide boards and initiatives. Throughout her career, Jennifer has focused on leadership development, educational improvement, and fostering collaboration within academic environments.

Key Areas of Focus:
• Educational Leadership and Strategic Planning
• K-12 Special Education and Administrative Development

OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

L Greg Slemons
Slemons, L Greg
CFO Treasurer
Office: 440-350-2563 x 1731

Greg Slemons serves as the Treasurer/CFO for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve, bringing over 35 years of experience in public school finance and leadership. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Youngstown City Schools under HB70, where he played a crucial role in overseeing financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Greg's prior roles include:

  • Chief Financial Officer - Youngstown City Schools

  • Treasurer – Orange City Schools

  • Treasurer – Warren City School District

  • Treasurer – Hubbard Exempted Village School District

Greg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting from Youngstown State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Akron University. Greg has held an active Ohio School Treasurer’s License for 40 years and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1996. He is a past President of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) and currently serves as the President of the Ohio Treasurers of Educational Service Centers Association (OTESCA).

Currently, Greg oversees financial operations, budgeting, and strategic fiscal planning for the ESC of the Western Reserve, using his expertise to support financial sustainability and efficiency. He is also involved in various statewide financial leadership initiatives. Throughout his career, Slemons has focused on financial leadership, compliance, and fiscal responsibility, fostering strong financial strategies to support educational success.

Key Areas of Focus:
• School District Financial Leadership and Compliance
• Budgeting and Strategic Planning
Apr
08

Governing Board Meeting

Tue Apr 8 2025
May
15

Governing Board Meeting

Thu May 15 2025

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