Keith G. Malick is the Chief Legal Counsel at Ohio Real Title Agency in Cleveland. He previously worked at Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLP, and began his legal career as a law clerk at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas and the Akron firm of Grisi & Riegler. He has experience with the First American Title Insurance Company and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, where he held roles like Administrative Hearing Officer and Assistant County Prosecutor, focusing on abuse and neglect cases. Mr. Malick earned his J.D. from The University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Science from Miami University.
Mr. Malick was appointed by the County Executive in 2014. His term expires December 31st, 2029.
Patrick L. Bravo is the Executive Director of the Summit County Land Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies and Psychology from Kent State University, a Master of Public Administration & Urban Studies, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron, along with PhD coursework there. He is a Board Member of Akron Public Schools, chairing the Finance & Capital Management Committee and serving on the Equity Committee. Additionally, he is Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Land Bank Association and has participated in various other boards and committees, including Child Guidance & Family Solutions and the Salvation Army Advisory Council. He was also a licensed foster parent.
Mr. Bravo was appointed by the County Executive in 2021. His term expires in 2027.
GinaKaye Maddox is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Training Officer at Red Oak Behavioral Health. A native of Akron, she has extensive experience as a corporate training consultant, notably with Leadership Akron and FirstMerit Bank, where she created a Diversity and Inclusion curriculum. She also teaches as an adjunct faculty member at The University of Mount Union. Maddox holds a Master’s in Communications from Kent State University, a professional certificate in Business Ethics Management from Bentley University, and has completed doctoral coursework in Organizational Leadership. She serves on the SCCS Board of Trustees and as Vice President of the Mayor’s Akron Civil Rights Commission, along with various leadership roles in local organizations.
Ms. Maddox was appointed by the County Executive in 2004. Her term expires December 31st, 2027.
Anna M. Arvay specialized in not-for-profit and governmental accounting, with 28 years in public accounting, including 19 years focused on these sectors. She founded her own firm in 1997 after working for local firms for 16 years. A graduate of The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, she has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1986 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Arvay has served on various boards, including the County of Summit ADM Board and the Regional Arts and Cultural District, where she chaired the Finance Committee and held treasurer roles for other organizations.
Ms. Arvay was appointed by the County Executive in 2009. Her term expires December 31st, 2028.
Anne M. Connell-Freund served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Oriana House, Inc. until January 2021, overseeing community corrections and chemical dependency programs. Her career began in 1989 as a caseworker coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Technical Education from the University of Akron. Connell-Freund was active in the U.S. Army from 1977-1981 and served as a Military Intelligence Analyst until 1992. She was President of the Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections (OJACC) from 2014-2015 and held leadership positions in the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) and Ohio Community Corrections Association (OCCA), along with participation in various criminal justice committees.
Ms. Connell-Freund was appointed by the County Executive in 2006. Her term expires December 31st, 2029.
Katie Stoynoff is the Director of University Composition and a Professor of Instruction at The University of Akron, where she has worked since 1997. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management-Human Resources and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from the same university. Stoynoff began her career in the Office of the Registrar, later working as a compensation analyst in Human Resources. After a period as a stay-at-home mom, she returned in 2006 as a lecturer in English, focusing on first-year composition and business writing. She is involved with the Akron-AAUP. Additionally, she has served on the Green Local Schools Board of Education since 2013, fulfilling various roles including delegate to the Ohio School Board Association.
Mrs. Stoynoff was appointed by the County Executive in 2015. Her appointment expires in 2026.
Megan E. Recker, LISW-S, MBA, is the System Director of Behavioral Health at Summa Health System, overseeing operational and strategic leadership for the Behavioral Service Line. She manages growth, financial sustainability, and compliance with policies and regulations. Ms. Recker holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience, a master’s in social service administration focused on Mental Health, and an Executive MBA. She is a Leadership Akron Class 36 graduate and participated in the Equity-Grounded Leadership Fellow Program in 2024.
Ms. Recker was appointed by the County Executive on March 31, 2025. Her appointment expires on March 30, 2029.
Omar S. Banks, an Akron native, works at The County of Summit Executive Office and is the Union Steward at the Center and Business Agent for Local B-148 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He is involved with the Tri-County Regional Labor Council and has served on the United Way of Summit County’s Board. Active in his community and the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church as the Youth Choir Director, he is dedicated to improving his community. Omar and his wife, Daleena, have three children: David, Marleena, and Chloe. He graduated from Akron East High School and completed coursework at The University of Akron.
Mr. Banks was appointed by the County Executive in 2013. His term expires in December 31st, 2028.
Pastor Kemp A. Boyd is the Executive Director of Love Akron, an organization aimed at unifying diverse communities for the betterment of Greater Akron. He co-leads Garden City Church and previously worked at Red Oak Behavioral Health as Director of Outpatient Services. A certified instructor in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and a Grief Recovery Method Specialist, he focuses on mental health awareness. Pastor Boyd holds a B.S. from the University of Akron and a master’s in Organizational Management from Ashford University. He has been married for 18 years to Stacy and has six children, and he also coaches the Akron Garfield Golden Rams football team.
Mr. Boyd was appointed by the County Executive in 2023. His term expires July 31, 2028.
Traci J. Buckner is the Executive Director of the Akron Children’s Museum, which features interactive exhibits on science, technology, health, and culture. She is the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School and has 18 years of experience in the Akron Public School system as the Director of Specialty Programs. Mrs. Buckner is involved in various organizations, including Leadership Akron, and serves on several boards, including Archbishop Hoban High School and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. She holds a Master’s in education from John Carroll University and a Bachelor of Arts in communication from The Ohio State University, along with an instructional leadership certificate from Ashland University. Additionally, she co-authored the book “STEM Leadership.” Traci lives in Akron with her husband and two sons.
Mrs. Buckner was appointed by the County Executive on June 5th, 2023. Her term expires December 31st, 2028.
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Board Minutes for February 2026
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Cassandra Holtzmann, JD, became Executive Director of Summit County Children Services (SCCS) in May 2022.
Prior to joining SCCS, Mrs. Holtzmann served for five years as the Director of the Crawford County Department of Job and Family Services. Before becoming Director there, she had served as Director of Ashland County Job and Family Services from 2011 to 2016. She has served the public for 24 years in the roles of Director, Staff Attorney, and Intern Prosecutor. She also maintained a small private practice for several years prior to becoming a Director. Mrs. Holtzmann is also a Labor and Employment Law Specialist, Certified Mediator and Certified Labor Relations Professional. In addition, she has served as Adjunct Professor for the Ashland University teaching Family and Community Mediation.
She has a passion and is an advocate for improving the Child Protection Services system and under the leadership of Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) and the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association (OJFSDA), she has worked with colleagues to drive changes in the system at the state and local levels.
Mrs. Holtzmann received her bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University in 1989 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron, School of Law in 1999. She was licensed to practice law in Ohio in 1999 and in Northern District of Ohio Federal Court in 2002. She is a member of the Galion Rotary and a member of the Welcome Church of Christ where she serves as a member of the Finance Committee.
Catherine Pomeroy Van Horne, JD began her career as Legal Counsel with Summit County Children Services (SCCS) in 2003. She later moved to the position of Senior Legal Counsel and in 2022, she assumed her current role of Deputy Executive Director/Chief Legal Counsel. Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne has twenty nine years of experience in Child Services law and has extensive knowledge of Ohio Juvenile Law. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1993 and admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, in 2016.
Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne completed her Bachelor of Science at Kent State University and earned her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. While in law school, Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne clerked for the City of Cleveland Law Department. She began her career in Child Services while serving as a Guardian Ad Litem for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court before working at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Children & Family Services Division. As a Prosecuting Attorney, Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne prosecuted all types of Juvenile Court cases including Permanent Custody trials as well as arguing appeals before the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
During her time at SCCS, Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne has been a liaison to the Juvenile Court prosecutors and appellate prosecutors. She served on a statewide committee that developed Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) guidelines addressing parental Fourth Amendment rights in child abuse/neglect assessments. Ms. Pomeroy Van Horne has provided numerous trainings both to agency staff and community partners, has served on committees at Juvenile Court and within the agency, was the Legal Department representative to the Permanency Planning Review Panel and previously served as the agency’s Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) Monitor. She completed the Child & Family Leadership program in 2013 and was awarded Non-Social Services Supervisor of the Year in 2009.
Darin Kearns, a Certified Public Accountant, worked for the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services as an Auditor, Auditor in Charge, and Audit Supervisor from 1995 thru 2010. During that time, he had the opportunity to work with Summit County Children Services in his auditor role. He then worked for Wayne County Job & Family Services, and most recently served as the Budget & Finance Administrator for Portage County Department of Job & Family Services.
Mr. Kearns brings a wealth of experience and information regarding audit and budgeting to the agency. He also has experience supervising facilities management functions which is now part of the finance division at SCCS.
Ms. Mangon began her professional career at Summit County Children Services (SCCS) in 1996 as a Child Welfare Caseworker in Protective Services. In this role, she was responsible for the continuous assessment of abuse, neglect, and other forms of maltreatment of children in the agency’s care and custody. While working for the agency, Ms. Mangon obtained her Juris Doctorate and joined the Legal Department in 2002 where she served as Legal Counsel and the Civil Rights Coordinator. In 2016, she transferred to the Supervisor of Records Management.
During her tenure at SCCS, Ms. Mangon has served in various roles and committees. She was the former President of the SCCS Rewards and Recognition Committee and her and her team have played an integral role in the development and execution of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work through Quality Improvement. Her team has worked diligently to link DEI efforts to practice through data analysis and an internal data dissemination series called The LOOP.
Ms. Mangon received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron. She is a licensed social worker and attorney in the State of Ohio. As a member of the Continuous Quality Improvement Advisory Committee, Ms. Mangon has provided training statewide on quality improvement topics, and has also served as a trainer for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.
Ms. Sushila Tripathy-Moore, MSSW, LISW-S received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Sociology from Ohio University and a Master of Science degree in Social Work from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. She began her professional career in the social services field in Jacksonville, Florida by serving as a residential social worker at Bannum Youth of Duval, Inc. and then provided child welfare services at a supervisory level at the Children’s Home Society of Florida—Duval Division.
In 1990, Ms. Tripathy-Moore returned to Ohio and began her career with Summit County Children Services (SCCS) as a social worker in the agency’s residential units. She was promoted in 1992 to supervise a team of line caseworkers who provided ongoing protective services to children and families. In 1994 she moved on to manage the Foster Care Support Unit working with foster families caring for children in agency custody. In 1998 she was promoted to the role of Department Director, overseeing Foster Care, Paid Placements and Adoptions.
During 2003, Ms. Tripathy-Moore served in the role of Client Rights Officer, where she interacted with clients, working with them in conjunction with agency staff to resolve concerns while ensuring the protection of their rights. In August 2009, Ms. Tripathy-Moore was appointed by the agency’s Executive Director to serve as the Department Director, Intake Services. During her tenure in this position, she has had responsibilities for the management of frontline and hotline case workers and line supervisors assigned to assess/investigate allegations of child abuse, neglect, and dependency, and management of support staff, the 24/7 Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline, and after-hours on-call team. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Serious Trauma and Assessment team (STAT Unit), bringing on an Intake 2nd shift unit and Summit County’s participation in the federal grant funded Alternative Response pilot program. Ms. Tripathy-Moore was selected as SCCS’s Employee of the Year in 2011.
