Finch bids farewell to Twinsburg after 23 years in post
TWINSBURG – Director of Planning and Community Development Larry Finch’s 23-plus-year career with the city has come to an end as he looks forward to retirement.
At City Council’s April 26 meeting, Mayor Ted Yates presented him with a proclamation – on behalf of the administration and Council – recognizing his tenure with the city. Several Council reps voiced praise for his work and best wishes to him.
According to human resources director Kellee Perez, Finch will be succeeded by Rebecca Ziegler, who is expected to assume the post at the end of May.
“I’ve had the honor to work for and with three great mayors [Jim Karabec, Katherine Procop and Yates] and the dedicated staff of the city,” said Finch. “It’s been a pleasure, and I will miss the challenges and the friendships.”
Finch began his service in 1999 as community development consultant, and was promoted by former Mayor Katherine Procop to his current positions six years later. He also has served as executive director of the Community Improvement Corp.
He was community development director for the village of Highland Hills from 1991 to 2018.
“He has led the [Twinsburg] department of community planning and development through many challenges, changes and developments,” read the proclamation.
“His expertise and commitment are unparalleled and his efforts have seen adoption of numerous planning documents, buildout of the Cornerstone Business Park and creation of the CIC.”
Yates said Finch has been a valuable asset to his administration, and has assisted the city in acquiring and retaining many businesses that are at the core of the industrial sector.
“He also has progressively led the city in its green initiative and its pursuit to reduce the carbon footprint,” said Yates. “I have learned a great deal from him during my time as mayor, and he will truly be missed.”
Prior to his city tenure, Finch was a project planner for a large engineering/architectural consulting firm, and had his own private practice for 15 years. He has served as an expert witness and has lectured about subdivision and land development.
His recent accomplishments include leading a major multi-agency economic development planning effort for a Recovery Action Plan in response to the 2009 closure of the Chrysler Stamping Plant.
The effort, funded by the Economic Development Administration, identified industrial clusters, emerging and declining industrial groups, occupational trends. innovation trends and made recommendations to facilitate regional recovery efforts.
The former Chrysler site is now nearly totally redeveloped with FedEx, Amazon and other warehousing and logistics companies.
The Summit County Department of Economic and Community Development and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization were co-participants in the effort.
Finch prepared an adaptive re-use plan for Randall Park Mall for an international development group, prepared a rezoning plan for North Randal to facilitate its transition from a retail center to an industrial/warehouse center, and assisted the village administration in incentive efforts to attract and secure an Amazon Fulfillment Center.
According to Procop, “Larry is a man of many interests, skills and abilities, all of which he used to advance his expertise in land planning and economic development. The success of Cornerstone Business Park is largely attributed to his leadership.
“The Twinsburg community will always be grateful for his contribution to this important redevelopment project.”
The proclamation also points out the city has benefited from numerous grants, recognitions of distinction and a continued reputation for community excellence.
“Larry has tirelessly led efforts for redevelopment of central Twinsburg and his dedication and work ethic have served as an exceptional example for all city employees,” read the proclamation.
Finch earned degrees in planning/public administration and urban geography from the University of Akron and studied business administration at Ohio State University.
Contact the newspaper at twinsburgbulletin@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Finch bids farewell to Twinsburg after 23 years in post
