About Brian’s Family
My wife and I have been residents of Shaker Heights for more than 20 years. Like many Shaker residents, our first residence was a rental in a beautiful two-family house. We have lived in our house on Westchester Road since 1989.
We chose Shaker Heights for its schools, its neighborhoods, its proximity to downtown Cleveland and University Circle, and the quality of life that is Shaker. As a trained city planner I also cherish the rapid transit accessibility, the overall plan of our Garden City, and the architectural quality of our magnificent houses and public buildings.
Our three children are the beneficiaries of the Shaker school system and all that Shaker offers its children: Faye (SHHS class of 2002) has been accepted as a Phd. candidate in Art History at Northwestern University beginning this fall, she currently works at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.; Jacqueline (SHHS class of 2004) begins her first teaching job as a 4th grade elementary school teacher in Philadelphia this fall, having received her undergraduate degree from Boston University in elementary education; and Robert, a senior this year at the High School (SHHS class of 2010) is, among his many other activities and classes, a core leader in the High School’s Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR).
My wife, Pam, has been very active in the Shaker PTO throughout our children’s school years, holding PTO office positions at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. She is also a clinical social worker/therapist in the Cleveland Clinic Foundation system—during her non-PTO hours. You can often find us walking our dog, Stella, a very lively short-haired pointer, throughout the Mercer neighborhood winter, spring, summer and fall.
Brian’s Professional Experience
I have had extensive senior-level experience in managing all aspects of non-profit agencies and programs. Currently I hold the position of Senior Vice President at the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland where my responsibilities include personnel, budget and management oversight of a $55 million agency providing social service, housing assistance and Head Start programs to eligible Cuyahoga County residents.
Previously, as Senior Vice President at University Circle Inc. and Executive Director of Miles Ahead Inc., I have been responsible for the planning and execution of community and economic development programs, as well as fundraising, personnel and budget management activities. I have provided expertise on the role of community development organizations to agencies in Detroit, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Boston as well as to visiting delegations from Romania and Beijing, China.
Brian’s Accomplishments as a Member
of Shaker Heights City Council
- Senior member of Shaker Heights City Council, having served as a member of Council since his appointment to fill a vacant seat in 1999.
- Served a two year term as Shaker Heights Vice Mayor in 2004 and 2005.
- Currently Chairperson of Shaker Heights Landmark Commission.
- Currently the City Council representative on the Shaker Heights City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Member of City Council’s Community Life Committee.
- City Council representative to First Suburbs Consortium.
- Former Chairperson of City Council’s Neighborhood Revitalization Committee and have also served on Council Committees of Finance; Safety and Public Works; Pro-Integrative; and Communications and Outreach.
- Leading advocate for the creation of the Horseshoe Lake Park Improvements Plan resulting in $1 million of pavilion, playground, park and trail improvements in Horseshoe Lake Park.
- Chaired the ad hoc City Council Citizens committee to create and locate a Shaker Heights Skatepark which opened in 2008 as part of the $3.4 million Thornton Park Improvements Project.
- Advocated for a pedestrian connection between the Shaker Nature Center and Shaker Boulevard. A paved walkway was constructed in 1999.
- Worked with RTA to install a new shelter at the Green Line Belvoir stop, replacing a damaged shelter that had been removed. As a pre-condition by RTA, worked with the Shaker Heights Police Department to install a security camera at the RTA Green Line Belvoir stop, which is now monitored by our Police Department.
- As Chairperson of the Shaker Heights Landmark Commission, helped to create and adopt the Winslow Road Landmark District as a means to further encourage investment and improvements in the historic two-family district along Winslow Road.
- Advocated for and succeeded in incorporating green building technology into the new Shaker Heights Fire House on Chagrin Boulevard.
- As then Chairperson of City Council’s Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, helped to create the Point-of-Sale Escrow Program in 2000 which has since resulted in more than $17,400,000 of private funds being invested in 1,378 housing units throughout Shaker Heights.
- As a member of the 1999 Strategic Investment Plan Committee, helped create the Strategic Investment Plan resulting in $35 million of private and public investment to date in the Shaker Town Centre retail district.
Brian’s Community Involvement
- Cleveland Jewish News, Board Member since 2008
- Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Board Member since 2003
- Cleveland Children’s Museum, Board Member 2005–2008
- The Temple Tifereth Israel, Board Member 1998–2006
- City of Cleveland Mayor’s Streetscape Advisory Committee, Member 2002–2003
- Schnurmann House, Board Member 2001–2004
- Shaker Heights City Planning Commission, Citizen Member 1997–1999
- Shaker Heights Neighborhood Preservation Committee, Citizen Member 1993–1996
- Leadership Cleveland, Class of 1996
- Leadership Shaker, Class of 1993
- The Health Museum of Cleveland, Board Member 1992–1996
- Hough Area Partners in Progress, Board Chairperson 1989–1995
- University Heights Finance Committee, Citizen Member 1988–1989
Brian’s Education
- Juris Doctor, Cleveland State University Marshall College of Law—1987
- Master in City and Regional Planning, Harvard University—1979
- Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern University—1977