Erie County Clerk Julie Slomski resigns, accepts leadership role at Port Authority

Erie County Clerk Julie Slomski tendered her resignation Wednesday to accept a new role as deputy executive director of the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.

Slomski, who was appointed the county's first female county clerk in March 2022, said she put in her two weeks notice shortly after the Port Authority Board of Directors selected her for the new position Wednesday.

"The port has always been something near and dear to my heart," Slomski told the Erie Times-News. "There's so much great work going on at the port and this is a way for me to be involved and help serve the community in another way."

Port Authority Executive Director Martin LaMar said Slomski was one of 54 candidates who applied for the job.

"She was the most qualified; had the greatest understanding of things Erie needed at the port and was able to translate an understanding of the importance of the port to the city," LaMar said. "She also had an overall knowledge of the inner workings of state, regional and local politics."

Slomski, 45, who had been appointed to the Port Authority Board of Directors by Mayor Joe Schember in March 2021, said she resigned from the board Monday to ensure there were no conflicts with her appointment.

LaMar confirmed her salary will be $108,000. Her salary as county clerk was $82,991.

Slomski applied for the position in May. She expects to begin July 17.

What does the deputy executive director do?

The deputy executive director is responsible for partnering with and advising the executive director on "operational and organizational matters, external affairs, customer issues and strategic goal setting," according to the job description on LinkedIn.

The position also engages with the board of directors on political, strategic and policy matters, and can hold full delegated authority to act in the absence of the executive director, the description continues.

The position, which reports to the executive director, hasn't been filled for more than 20 years because of prior restructuring at the authority.

Slomski says background will serve her well in new role

Slomski previously served as chief of staff for state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-3rd Dist., and as northwest regional director for Gov. Tom Wolf. In 2020, she unsuccessfully ran against Republican state Sen. Dan Laughlin for the 49th district seat. Prior to her appointment as county clerk, she managed PPE for Logistics Plus.

She noted how Gov. Josh Shapiro had appointed her as a maritime representative for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers conference, which brings together regional leaders to focus on the $6 trillion Great Lakes economy.

She also highlighted how she's built relationships within the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the American Great Lakes Port Association and worked closely with former Port Authority Executive Director Brenda Sandberg when she worked in the Wolf administration.

Slomski selected as county clerk: County Council chooses Democrat Julie Slomski for county clerk

"I'm so excited to use my knowledge and my relationships to help bring dollars in the port and work with Mr. LaMar and this wonderful board," she said. "This is an opportunity to serve the community on another level."

Slomski said she was proud of the accomplishments made during her tenure as county clerk, to include overseeing the comeback of the Human Relations Commission and ensuring election integrity.

Her selection as county clerk caused a stir with Republican council members, as well as Erie County Executive Brenton Davis, who believed Slomski was too embedded in Democratic politics to serve in a neutral office. She was appointed on a 4-3 vote.

Slomski said Deputy County Clerk Megan Moore will likely be acting county clerk until council appoints a full-time clerk via an interview process.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County Clerk Julie Slomski resigns, accepts job at Port Authority