Governing Board

The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR) Governing Board is a policy-making body that functions according to the mandates of state law and is comprised of nine elected members.

The Board usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:45 pm at the Auburn Technology Learning Center, 8221 Auburn Road, Concord, Ohio.

It is the policy of the ESCWR that all of the ESCWR-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. If you need assistance in participating in this meeting due to a disability as defined under the ADA, please call the ESCWR Superintendent's office at 440-350-2563.

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Felker, Jennifer

Superintendent

jfelker@escwr.org

Office: 440-350-2563 x 701

Jennifer Felker serves as the Superintendent for the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve. Before coming to the ESC, Mrs. Felker was the State Associate Superintendent for Public Instruction for the Ohio Department of Education and was responsible for overseeing the Division of Learning: Center for Curriculum and Assessment, and the Center for Student Support and Education Options.

Before the merger of the Lake and Geauga County Educational Services Centers (ESC) in January 2020, Superintendent Felker served as both the Geauga County ESC Superintendent and the Lake County ESC Superintendent.

Superintendent Felker also serves as the Executive Chair of the Lake/Geauga Information Technology Center (ITC), and Superintendent of iStem Geauga Early College High School.

In addition, Superintendent Felker serves on The State Board Legislative Council, and as an Executive Committee Member and FY22 Secretary for the Executive Board for OESCA, a BASA Women’s Committee Member, State Department Committee Member

Board Member for Geauga Family First Council
Board Member for Lake County Family and Children First Council
Board Member for the United Way since January 2018

Throughout her career, Mrs. Felker served as Director of Programs and Services for the Orange City School District, and the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent Pro-Tempore of the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County. Mrs. Felker’s other positions included Special Education Supervisor at Olmsted Falls and Maple Heights City Schools, a teacher and an elementary principal in Brooklyn City Schools, and a teacher for Toledo Public Schools.

OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Slemons, L Greg

CFO Treasurer

gslemons@escwr.org

Office: 440-350-2563 x 731

Greg Slemons joined the ESC of the Western Reserve as the Treasurer in April, 2019

President

Mr. Geoffrey Kent assumed his role on the Western Reserve Governing Board effective in January 2020 and was elected in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. Prior to this appointment, he previously served as President of the Governing Board of the Lake County ESC where he served two terms. In addition to his commitment to education, Mr. Kent has a diverse background that includes serving as Lake County Recorder, Painesville City Councilman, and Council President. He attended Lake Erie College and Ohio University and holds a degree in finance and government. Furthermore, he enjoyed a successful career as a budget cost analyst at Maximus, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kent is an active member of his community, exemplified by his role as vice president of the Lake County Employee Credit Union. He also contributes to the community's well-being through his dedicated service on the Lake Central YMCA Board of Directors and Painesville Little League Boards. He served as a class 1 official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, where he provided 35 years of support.

Mr. Kent and his wife, Marilyn, call Painesville Township their home. Marilyn has dedicated an impressive 36 years of her life to the teaching profession. Together, they not only cherish the responsibilities of parenthood but also proudly celebrate their son, Mark, a Riverside Graduate. In addition to their immediate family, the Kent’s are also blessed with two beloved grandchildren, completing their close-knit family circle.

Vice President

Ms. Marilyn Percic was elected and sworn in as Vice President of the ESCWR Governing Board in January 2022. Marilyn has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. Her professional service was spent primarily in emergency and trauma nursing with some experience with school nursing, both in and out of Geauga County. She and her husband have always enjoyed and embraced all that comes with a more rural community. They were happy to have found their niche in Burton. Since 2007, they have raised their family in Geauga County. Their children's growth opportunities in K-12 and college institutions, community sports, and 4H have also offered many opportunities for Marilyn to become engaged and support her community. She has led healthy school initiatives, helped organize fundraising efforts, and even "stirred" at the Apple Butter Festival. She has also enjoyed continuous involvement in their church and community.

Member

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Mr. Steve Remias was appointed to the vacancy on the Governing Board effective January 1, 2022. He was the former president and vice-president of the Geauga County ESC Governing Board. Mr. Remias has been a lifelong Geauga County resident, married with two children and one grandchild. His past accomplishments and experience include work as a professor teaching Criminal Justice courses, and administrator handling basic police academies across Ohio. His educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, a Master of Science in Technical Education, and CAI accreditation from the Auction Marketing Institute. Mr. Remias is a member of the VFW Post 1863, Buckeye Sheriff’s Association, Geauga Farm Bureau, Geauga County Department on Aging, and the National Auctioneers Association. He also worked with the Geauga County Umpires Association.

Member

Mrs. Jean Brush has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve starting January 2020. She served previously on the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board since 1990. She is active in her church. Seeing children succeed and helping families step up in life are the rewards she receives from her countless hours of volunteerism. Prior community involvement includes service at Forbes House, the YMCA, St. Clair School, the Rape Crisis Center, Lake Health, the Lake County courts, and Neighboring. Mrs. Brush lives in Painesville and has two grown children, Dr. James J. Brush and Betsy Chen. She has three grandchildren, Sarah, Adrian, and Colin.

Member

Mr. Kenneth Cahill has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January 2020. Previously, he served on the Lake County ESC Governing Board. Since 1991, Ken Cahill has been practicing family law, working toward outcomes that are in the best interest of families and children. Ken is a noted speaker on issues of family law and serves as chair of the Family Law Committee. Protecting dependent, neglected, and abused children was the role of Family Law attorney Kenneth J. Cahill at the Lake County Prosecutor’s Juvenile Division representing the Lake County Department of Jobs & Family Services. Practicing Family Law since 1991, Ken started first as an Assistant Lake County Prosecutor enforcing and modifying child support orders before joining the Lake County Prosecutors Juvenile Division. Ken has also prosecuted criminal cases against juvenile offenders. In 1993, he commenced his private practice primarily focusing on Family Law before joining Dworken & Bernstein in 2000. Ken Cahill has frequently lectured on several topics related to divorce and family law matters including legislative developments involving family law, marital & separate property issues, and child custody matters. He is frequently appointed by trial courts to serve as Guardian Ad Litem to represent the best interests of children.

Member

Dr. Susan Culotta has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January 2020. Previously, she was a member of the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board. Dr. Culotta is a Professor of Psychology at Lake Erie College. She also serves on the Board of Health for the Lake County General Health District. Dr. Culotta holds a doctorate from Cleveland University, a Master's Degree from John Carol University, and a Bachelor's from Kenyon College. Dr. Culotta lives in Kirtland with her husband, Judge Vincent Culotta, and their two daughters.

Member

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Mr. Timothy H. Snyder, Esq., was elected Member of the ESCWR Governing Board commencing January, 2022. He earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Hiram College, an M.A. in Psychology from Cleveland State, and Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Tim is still active with over 35 years of state and local law enforcement experience, and over 25 years of experience as a private practice attorney, college professor, and police academy instructor. He volunteers for many community activities including flipping pancakes for the Burton Fire Dept., donating blood over 130 times, and organizing bone marrow donor registration drives. Tim and his wife live in Burton where they raised their three children and now enjoy visits from their grandchildren.

Member

Mr. Ken Burnett has been a lifelong resident of Burton and a graduate of Berkshire High School and Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking. Except for a 10-year period of non-profit administration he has consistently worked within the Banking/Mortgage Financing area throughout Cleveland’s eastern suburbs. Ken has actively served his community with over 30 years of service as a Board Member of the Geauga County Educational Service Center and is currently serving his third 4-year term as a Burton Township Trustee. He has been married to his wife Ruth for almost 47 years, and has two children and 4 wonderful grandchildren who all attend Geauga County Schools.

Member

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Mr. Thomas Hach was elected to the ESC of the Western Reserve's Governing Board in January 2024. He was born and raised in Concord and is a 1982 graduate of Riverside High School. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and earned a BS in Chemistry, and he later earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He resides in Concord with his two children, who are former students in the Riverside District. He has over 20 years of experience as a Project Manager and he is also a retired Commander from the Navy Reserve. He is involved in the community as a member of the Painesville Salvation Army Board of Advisers and he has been very active in his son's Boy Scout Troop as a member of the Troop Committee.