Governance Committee

Larry Abbott is the president and founder of Automation Resources, LLC an engineering firm established in 2000. He is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a degree in electrical engineering and has held a Professional Engineering license (PE) in Ohio and Pennsylvania since 1996. Although he has lived in Olmsted Township for only 2 years, his wife, Jennifer Sathre grew up here; his father-in-law, Ron is a 42+ year resident. Larry and his wife have two daughters, Becca (12) and Carley (10) who are students at Olmsted Falls Schools.

Mary Lou Gallus has lived in Olmsted Township for 28 years. She has a strong business background and the skills to document performance, investigate least-cost options, present expected results and analyze financial documents. She recently retired from her job as a business operations manager and is interested in giving back and improving the quality of life in our community. Mary Lou has been a member of the Finance Committee for two years, and has a good grasp of the Township’s financial strengths and shortcomings.

Mark Kennedy has lived in Olmsted Township for over seven years. He manages enterprise applications at a large Cleveland based company and has been an IT professional for over eighteen years. Mark is married and has two children attending Olmsted Falls schools. In his spare time, he enjoys music, the outdoors, weight lifting and travel. Mark looks forward to serving Olmsted Township on the Governance Commission.

Margot Maurer is the current President and lifelong member of the Donauschwaben’s German American Cultural Center. Margot will represent the business interests in the Township and will serve as a liaison to this segment of the community. Margot is an 18 year resident of the community and a teacher in the Cleveland School District now in her 27th year. Margot believes that any decision regarding the future of Olmsted Township should be made with great care, without bias, and with the intent to do what is best for all residents and business entities.

Richard McMakin has lived in Olmsted Township for just over 19 years and has served in various capacities including on the Township Master Planning Committee. Richard served on the Union Cemetery Association Board, and currently is a member of the Zoning Commission. He was instrumental in the establishment, activation, and operation of Olmsted CERT. Richard has a background in federal law enforcement (Special Agent US Treasury –Bureau of Customs) for 7 years and as a retired Captain with 31 years of experience with a major airline.

Annmarie Rajnicek, her husband, Gerry and their two daughters have lived in Olmsted Township since 2003. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and is beginning her 9th year in school administration. She has been principal at St. Mary of the Falls School since 2013. During her tenure in a Cleveland Catholic school, Annmarie served on a “Cluster Planning Committee” whose ultimate goal was to provide research on the reorganization of the Diocese. She is very interested in further involvement and service in the community.

John Vas grew up in Olmsted Township and graduated from OFHS in 1989. While he lived in Lakewood for a few years after college, he returned to Olmsted Township with his wife, Rhinda and three sons in 2000. After a fifteen year career in engineering and business, he left the corporate world to pursue his real passion, education. John currently teaches mathematics at his alma mater, OFHS and serves as a member of the football coaching staff.

Virginia Wendling is a social studies teacher at the Olmsted Falls High School currently in her 26th year. She has also served as a coach and is co-advisor for National Honor Society and Rho Kappa (a National Honor Society for the Social Studies). Virginia, her husband Paul and their three children have lived in the Township for eleven years. The entire family is active at Olmsted Community Church especially in youth programming. Virginia has a vested interest in the continued success of Olmsted Township and looks forward to being able to serve.

Justin Whelan has lived in Olmsted Township for more than two years. He is a life-long Clevelander and is originally from North Olmsted. Justin is an attorney at the law firm of Buckley King LPA, and has experience representing municipalities and other public entities as an assistant law director and special counsel. He and his wife welcomed their first child in April. He has a sincere interest in helping sustain the future of the Township.

Chris Williams is interested in serving Olmsted Township because he would like to raise his children in the best community possible. Chris and his family have lived in the Township for three years. He is a financial analyst for FirstEnergy, located in Akron and has a Master’s of Business Administration degree. Chris’ education and work experience have prepared him to effectively analyze and interpret data in order to make informed decisions.

Lisa J. Zver is an 18 year resident of Olmsted Township and has two children who are graduates of Olmsted Falls High School. She has a degree in Marketing Communications from Baldwin Wallace. Lisa is a trustee of the Bicentennial Commission and was instrumental in planning and implementing the celebration of this community event in 2014. She has over 15 years of experience in marketing, management and business development and has worked in retail, banking, international marketing services, education and consulting for small businesses.