Joe Tomsick can take pride in what he achieved during his tenure at the helm of the Lake County Council on Aging. Joe Tomsick (Submitted) The organization recently announced that Tomsick, its longest-serving chief executive officer, would be stepping down Feb. 6 after 14 years of service, The News-H erald’s Chad Felton reported. According to the council, Tomsick departed “to pursue a new professional opportunity, leaving behind an agency strengthened under his leadership.” Since 2012, Tomsick has led the council through significant growth, expanding programs and services, modernizing facilities and building a team dedicated to improving the quality of life for Lake County’s older adults. He also established the Ruth Densmore Senior Advocate Award, recognizing individuals or organizations demonstrating exceptional advocacy on behalf of Lake County’s seniors. Tomsick led community forums highlighting the changing needs of older adults, including the county’s first-ever Aging in Lake County forums for elected officials and presentations for area mayors and city managers. “Joe brought vision, energy and heart to this organization from day one,” said Cameron Zwagerman, Tomsick’s first board president. “He understood the responsibility of leading a nonprofit agency, and his leadership positioned the Council on Aging for long-term success in serving seniors.” Additionally, officials note, Tomsick was instrumental in securing more than $1.1 million in grant funding from various organizations, including the Walmart Foundation, the Granger Foundation, the Western Reserve Junior Service League, and the Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust. The funding supported a wide range of improvements, including a modernized nutrition site in central Painesville, kitchen and technology upgrades, security enhancements and facility improvements that reduced reliance on taxpayer funding. Tomsick also oversaw key capital improvements at the Mentor East Avenue office and led “innovative partnerships,” including using American Rescue Plan Act funding to relocate the Mentor Nutrition Site to the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood Administration Building. Humbled, Tomsick said, “We are and have been the gold standard for senior services in Lake County because of our incredible staff, strong board and supportive community. I have always said that Lake County is fortunate to have an independent, nonprofit Council on Aging that truly listens to seniors and puts their needs first, without having to navigate layers of bureaucracy. “One of the reasons I take great pride in having been the CEO is that over the past 54 years, our employees have dedicated their energy to building and maintaining a reliable, responsive social service agency … it has been an honor to serve,” he added. “As I move on, I have assured our board of trustees that I remain available to support the next CEO as they step into this new role — I’m confident that they will have the full support of our incredible staff.” Current council Board President Shannon Cianciola added that the agency is better and its work is stronger because of Tomsick’s tireless advocacy. “He genuinely loves seniors, and that shows in everything he does,” she said. The News-Herald commends Tomsick for providing excellent leadership as CEO of the Lake County Council on Aging. He certainly set a high standard for his successor. ...read more read less