TOLEDO, Dec. 12, 2023: Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak was honored at a Board of Lucas County Commissioners meeting Tuesday in front of dozens of elected officials, business leaders, union members, community partners, friends, and family members ahead of her retirement.
She will retire on December 31, 2023 after 21 years as a Lucas County Commissioner. She is the longest-serving woman on the Board of Lucas County Commissioners. She took office on December 31, 2002 after serving on Toledo City Council since 1997.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve this wonderful community,” Commissioner Wozniak said. “From the board rooms to the community centers, I have loved it all. I love the role county government plays in our community and I will forever cherish the partnerships, friendships, and forged bonds this opportunity has allowed.”
A licensed social worker, Ms. Wozniak’s professional career also includes: 15 years at Toledo Hospital, time as a guardianship investigator for adoption cases for Lucas County Probate Court, counselor and case manager with the woman-offenders program at the Lucas County detention center, and director of youth programs for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.
Under Commissioner Wozniak’s leadership, Lucas County made significant strides in economic and workforce development, sustainability initiatives, and mental health reform. She was part of the leadership team that built the Huntington Center, opened a one-stop-shop for Lucas County’s critical social services located at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave., and modernized the Glass City Center and its adjoining hotel.
She helped Lucas County navigate through a number of challenges throughout the last 21 years, including a water crisis, a foreclosure crisis, snow storms and tornadoes, and a global pandemic.
“No matter what challenge we faced over the years, Tina persisted in the face of adversity,” Commissioner Pete Gerken said. “Her calm demeanor and experience in crisis management helped lift us through some difficult times. Lucas County is a better place today than it was when she took office because of her tireless work.”
Commissioner Wozniak, who was honored at the YWCA of Greater Toledo’s Milestone Awards in 2008, launched Lucas County’s first Sustainability Department, which created a Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory tool to track urban and rural sources of runoff that contribute to harmful algal blooms.
She also advocated for the development of Lucas County’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department to reinforce the County’s commitment to create, maintain, and foster a diverse and inclusive workforce.
“Tina’s ability to gather stakeholders at the table to get things done for our community has positively impacted Lucas County residents for 21 years and has set our community up for success for many more,” Commissioner Lisa Sobeckisaid. “Tina followed her family’s legacy of getting into public service but she leaves having created her own.”
Wozniak is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, children, and grandchildren in retirement, but she also believes she is leaving at a perfect time to allow the next generation of leaders in Lucas County to step forward.
“Lucas County is in great hands because of an extremely talented bench,” Commissioner Wozniak said. “In every sector of our community, we have exemplary leaders, and exemplary people. I look forward to watching them grow this wonderful place we call home.”