Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Summit County Children Services is guided by a distinguished board of trustees, whose members comprise leaders in business, law, education and social services in local companies and organizations. All appointments to the board of trustees are made by the Summit County Executive unless otherwise indicated.  Click here for the 2024 schedule of Board Meetings.

ANNE M. CONNELL-FREUND, CHAIRPERSON

Anne M. Connell-Freund was the Executive Vice President of Operations for Oriana House, Inc. until her retirement in January 2021. Oriana House is a private, non-profit organization that operates community corrections and chemical dependency programs. Ms. Connell-Freund was responsible for the overall operation and management of residential, non-residential and diversionary programs, cognitive skills and treatment programs, as well as developing and implementing new programs. In addition, she supervised grants administration, project construction and research. Her successful career with Oriana House began in 1989 as a caseworker coordinator. Ms. Connell-Freund received a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master of Science degree in Technical Education from the University of Akron.

She served in active duty for the U.S. Army from 1977-1981, and worked as a Military Intelligence Analyst during her career as a Reservist from 1985-1992, when she left the service as a Captain. Ms. Connell-Freund also served a two-year term as President of the Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections (OJACC) in 2014 and 2015. OJACC is an umbrella organization that pulls together many diverse groups to improve adult and juvenile community sanctions as an alternative to prison. In addition, Ms. Connell-Freund was a Past President of the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA) and Past President of the Ohio Community Corrections Association (OCCA). Ms. Connell-Freund is also a member of numerous statewide coordinating and collaborating committees in the field of community corrections and criminal justice initiatives.

Ms. Connell-Freund was appointed by the County Executive in 2006. Her appointment expires in 2025.

Keith G. Malick is Chief Legal Counsel with Ohio Real Title Agency in Cleveland. Previously, he worked at Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLP. Mr. Malick began his legal career as a law clerk in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas and he also clerked at the Akron firm of Grisi & Riegler. Mr. Malick worked for the First American Title Insurance Company and for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. While with the Prosecutor’s Office, he held several positions including Administrative Hearing Officer and Assistant County Prosecutor and worked with Summit County Children Services staff in the handling of abuse, neglect and dependency cases.

Mr. Malick received his J.D. from The University of Toledo and his Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University. 

Mr. Malick was appointed by the County Executive in 2014. His appointment expires in 2025.

GinaKaye Maddox is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Training Officer for Red Oak Behavioral Health. A native of Akron, she has spent most of her professional career as a corporate training consultant, most recently with Leadership Akron and the former FirstMerit Bank. While at FirstMerit, she developed and facilitated the Diversity and Inclusion curriculum. Ms. Maddox has a love for teaching and has served for several years as an adjunct faculty member at The University of Mount Union in the Department of Communications Studies.

Ms. Maddox has a Master’s in Communications from Kent State University, holds a professional certificate in Business Ethics Management from Bentley University, and has completed her doctoral coursework in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. 

In addition to serving on the SCCS Board of Trustees, she currently serves as Vice President of the Mayor’s Akron Civil Rights Commission and has served several area organizations, including Past-President of Akron Rotary, Board of Trustees for Mobile Meals, Goodwill Industries, Cascade Locks Parks Association and United Disability Services.  

Ms. Maddox was appointed by the County Executive in 2004. Her term expires in 2023.

Anna M. Arvay specialized in not-for-profit and governmental accounting and auditing services, including governmental single audits and consulting specialty services prior to her retirement in 2017. Ms. Arvay was involved in public accounting for 28 years, 19 of those years involved with not-for-profits and governmental entities. She spent 16 years working for local firms and formed her own firm in February 1997. She graduated from The University of Akron in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and was a Certified Public Accountant since 1986. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ms. Arvay has served on the Board of Trustees of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADM) Board where she chaired the Finance Committee and on the Board of Trustees of the County of Summit Regional Arts and Cultural District. She has also served as treasurer for various other organizations. 

Ms. Arvay was appointed by the County Executive in 2009. Her term expires in 2024.

Omar S. Banks, an Akron native, currently works at The County of Summit Executive Office. Mr. Banks also serves as the Union Steward at the Center and Business Agent for Local B-148 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Mr. Banks is a member of the Tri-County Regional Labor Council and has served on the United Way of Summit County’s Board and Executive Board. He is active in the community and the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church where he serves as the Director of the Youth Choir. He is committed to working each day to better the community in which he has chosen to live and raise his family. Mr. Banks and his wife, Daleena, have 3 children: David; Marleena; and Chloe. Mr. Banks is a graduate of Akron East High School and has completed coursework at The University of Akron.

Mr. Banks was appointed by the County Executive in 2013. His appointment expires in 2024.

Pastor Kemp A. Boyd is the Executive Director of Love Akron, a Christian based organization that is an intersectional hub working to unify the colors, cultures, and congregations to see Greater Akron thrive. Pastor Boyd is also a co-leading pastor at Garden City Church in Highland Square.   

 

Previously, Pastor Boyd was employed by Red Oak Behavioral Health, a mental health treatment organization in Akron. In 2013, he served as Director of outpatient services, where he led the charge to oversee operations of the outpatient mental health clinic. Pastor Boyd is a certified instructor in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, helping raise awareness while reducing the stigma associated with mental health disorder and he is a certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist. 

Pastor Boyd earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Akron in 2004 and a master’s degree of Organizational Management with a concentration in Business Leadership from Ashford University in 2010. Pastor Boyd has been married 18 years to Stacy and has six children. He is also the head football coach of the Akron Garfield Golden Rams. 

Mr. Boyd was appointed by the County Executive in 2023. His term expires July 31, 2024.

Patrick L. Bravo is the Executive Director of the Summit County Land Bank.

Mr. Bravo obtained a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies and Psychology from Kent State University, Master of Public Administration & Urban Studies and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron and has completed coursework towards a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Akron.

He is a Board Member of the Akron Public Schools and currently serves as the Chair of the Finance & Capital Management Committee, Equity Committee member and Kenmore-Garfield Ward 9 liaison and is a board member and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio Land Bank Association. He has served on numerous other boards and committees including Child Guidance & Family Solutions, Salvation Army Advisory Council, the Akron Urban League Gala Planning Committee, Summit DD Microenterprise Advisory Board, ReWorks, Summit Trail & Greenway Advisory Board, University Park Alliance Urban Development Committee, Summit County Economic Development Task Force, Summit County Young Democrats, Stonewall Democrats of Summit County, Summit County Progressive Democrats and Summit County Democratic Party. He was also a SCCS Licensed Foster Parent.  

Mr. Bravo was appointed by the County Executive in 2021. His term expires in 2026.

Traci J. Buckner is the Executive Director of the Akron Children’s Museum, an interactive museum for young children offering exhibits on science, technology, health, and culture. Mrs. Buckner is also the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School…Center for STEM Learning and most recently served as Director of Specialty Programs where she served in the Akron Public School system for 18 years.  She is a member of Leadership Akron and currently serves on the Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron Marathon, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is president of the ATHENA Akron Board of Directors. 

Mrs. Buckner earned a Master’s in education from John Carroll University and Bachelor of arts degree in communication from The Ohio State University.  She also received an instructional leadership administrative certificate from Ashland University. In addition, Mrs. Buckner is an author and has co-authored the book STEM Leadership, a guide on creating a STEM culture in a school or district.  She resides in Akron with her husband, Tobin and their two sons. 

Mr. Boyd was appointed by the County Executive in 2023. His term expires July 31, 2024.

 

Beth Gracey, LISW-S is the Children’s Program Coordinator for the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADM) Board. She has more than 20 years of post-Masters experience in social work in Northeast Ohio. She has worked for both public and private organizations in the areas of mental health, addictions and child welfare. Some of her past roles include; investigating child abuse and neglect, working in foster care and adoption and providing social work supervision. Ms. Gracey has provided individual counseling for children and adults and served as a clinical supervisor at a private practice.   

Ms. Gracey has a B.A. in Sociology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. and a Master’s Degree in Social Service Administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She was awarded the 2015 “Social Worker of the Year” in Region II by the National Association of Social Workers. She is a graduate of the Child and Family Leadership Exchange and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Some of her time at the Summit County ADM Board involves facilitating collaborations including; the Summit County Young Adult Transition Team, the First Things First Behavioral Health Committee, co-facilitating the Summit County Maternal Depression Network, serving as a cluster representative for youth involved with multiple systems and serving on the Summit County Children Services Citizens Advisory Committee.

Ms. Gracey joined the board in 2015 by virtue of her election as chair of the agency’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

Katie Stoynoff currently serves as Director of University Composition, Professor of Instruction, at The University of Akron. She is a graduate of The University of Akron, holding a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management-Human Resources and a Master of Science in Secondary Education. Mrs. Stoynoff began her career at The University of Akron in 1997 in the Office of the Registrar. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she transitioned to the Office of Human Resources as a compensation analyst. When she left The University of Akron to become a stay-at-home mom, she was an employee trainer. In 2006, upon completion of her master’s degree, Mrs. Stoynoff returned to The University of Akron as a lecturer in the Department of English. Coupled with her administrative work, Mrs. Stoynoff teaches courses with a focus on first-year composition and business writing/communication. She is a member of the Akron-AAUP (American Association of University Professors).

 

Mrs. Stoynoff was elected to the Green Local Schools Board of Education in 2013. In 2014, she served as the Board’s delegate to the Ohio School Board Association, as the Board’s liaison to the Green Schools Outreach Network, and as a member of the Policy Committee. 

Mrs. Stoynoff was appointed by the County Executive in 2015. Her appointment expires in 2026.

Support Our Mission

Learn how you can help advance the mission of Summit County Children Services

Foster or Adopt

With nearly 800 children in our custody, SCCS relies on the selflessness of our community to foster or adopt children in need.

Volunteer or Donate

We have year-round activities the success of which is dependent on the generosity of our community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Get the latest information about SCCS activities toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

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