Transition

Jonathan was appointed as the Civil Service Administrator by Mayor Charles P. Sammarone and the Civil Service Commission on August 15, 2012. This appointment made Jonathan Huff the first African-American to hold this position in the City’s history.

Prior to serving as the Administrator, Jonathan was the Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Youngstown, appointed by former Mayor Jay Williams. During Jonathan’s tenure as Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission, he was recognized in the Youngstown Business Journal as one of the Valley’s top 40 under 40 for his work in City government.

Jonathan received his Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati. Jonathan has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, (Psi Omicron Chapter) since 2003. Jonathan has also been an active member of the Youngstown community by serving on different boards and committees through out the City (The 2010 & 2020 US Census Complete Count Committee, St. John’s Episcopal Church Vestry member, and Compass Family and Community Services).

Jonathan currently resides in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was born and raised. He is married to the lovely Roshay Huff. Jonathan is committed to serving the residents of the City of Youngstown.

Kyle Miasek became the Director of Finance for the City in January 2018, after serving twelve years as the Deputy Finance Director.

Prior to moving to Northeast Ohio, Miasek worked for the State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy & Management, the Governor’s staff agency, in the Economics, Capital and Revenue Forecasting unit for eleven years, ranging in roles as a Budget Analyst, Budget Specialist and Principal Budget Specialist.

Miasek holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Connecticut University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Hartford, with a concentration in Mathematical Economics.

The Finance Department is responsible for Audit and Budget, Debt Management, Employee Benefits, Purchasing, Accounting and Payroll Taxation, Treasury and Management Information Systems (MIS).

Adam Buente became the Deputy Law Director for the City in March of 2024 after having served as Assistant Law Director for four years.

Serving in hs own private practice for over twelve years Adam

Youngstown’s Fire Chief

Courtney Kelly is a lifelong public safety professional with 26 years of service dedicated to the City of Youngstown. She currently serves as a Captain with the Youngstown Fire Department, where she has been proudly employed since 2006. Prior to joining the fire department, Courtney began her career as a paramedic in Youngstown, gaining invaluable frontline experience in emergency medical care and public service.

Throughout her career, Courtney has served the City of Youngstown through fire suppression, emergency medical services, and public safety education. Her professional focus has centered on building strong teams, supporting training and mentorship, and ensuring public safety services are delivered with integrity and accountability. She values collaboration, humility, and steady leadership, and takes pride in helping others succeed while strengthening the organizations she serves.

Courtney is the wife of a Youngstown Police Sergeant and the proud mother of three daughters, all of whom have chosen careers in public service—one serving as a Youngstown Firefighter and Labor & Delivery RN, another as a Youngstown Police Officer, and the youngest as a Respiratory Therapist and EMT. She is supported by a close network of family and friends who continue to inspire and ground her.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Courtney is an advocate for youth and community sports and has volunteered her time coaching volleyball and softball. She is an avid fan of the Youngstown State University Penguins and Ohio State Buckeyes. At her core, Courtney believes in service, teamwork, family, and giving back to the city that shaped her and her family.

Sharon Cole is a lifelong public servant and veteran law enforcement leader with 25 years of service in

the Youngstown Police Department. Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, she built her career serving

the community and has worked in every operational and administrative division of the department.

Cole currently serves as a Detective Sergeant assigned to the Internal Affairs Division, where she

conducts internal departmental investigations and oversees officer and supervisory accountability. She

is directly involved in the department’s recruitment and hiring process.

Throughout her career, Cole has held numerous supervisory and leadership assignments, including

Officer in Charge of the Patrol Division and Special Victims Unit, Patrol Road Supervisor, 911

Telecommunications Center Supervisor, Field Training Officer, and Detective Division Investigator. She

has broad experience in patrol operations, investigative functions, crisis response, personnel

supervision, and communications oversight.

A certified member of the Officer-Involved Shooting Team, Cole has investigated multiple

officer-involved critical incidents. She has also played a key role in department-wide initiatives,

including the implementation of the body-worn camera program and the transition to

computer-generated media reporting. In addition, she serves as the department’s Crime Stoppers

liaison and fulfills Public Information Officer responsibilities.

Prior to serving with the Police Department, Cole gained valuable experience with the Mahoning

County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Youngstown Law Department, where she developed a

strong foundation in municipal law, departmental budgeting, and legislative processes.

Cole is a graduate of East High School in Youngstown and holds an Associate of Applied Science

in Criminal Justice degree. She has completed extensive supervisory, investigative, and leadership

training. Her career has been recognized with multiple departmental commendations and a Lifesaving

Award.

She is married to Captain Jeff Cole of the Warren City Police Department and has three children

Youngstown Chief of Police

Demaine Kitchen, has previously served in the roles of 2nd Ward Councilman, Chief of Staff of the City of Youngstown, President of City Council, and board member of the Mahoning Valley Sanity District (MVSD) as an appointment of City Council. Demaine is a licensed real estate professional with Gonatas Real Estate.

He currently serves on the boards of The National Center for Urban Solutions and NOW Youngstown.With a variety of political and non profit experience, Demaine Kitchen is a dedicated local leader committed to strengthening the community through smart economic development, job creation, and responsible growth.

With a deep understanding of local needs, he will work to ensure policies support small businesses, attract investment, and create opportunities for residents and families.

Throughout his public service and community involvement, Demaine has focused on fostering partnerships between local government, entrepreneurs, and community organizations. He believes strong local economies are built by supporting existing businesses, encouraging workforce development, and planning growth that benefits everyone—not just a few. His primary focus is on building a resilient local economy, improving quality of life, and ensuring the community is positioned for long-term success.

 He is married to Leslie Kitchen and they have four children; Olivia, Savannah, Amber, and Christopher.

Youngstown’s Community Planning & Economic Development

Harry L. Johnson, III is a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, having been born in Warren, Ohio and raised in Youngstown. After graduating from Ursuline High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in Finance from Kent State University. After completing his undergraduate work, Mr. Johnson chose a career in banking, where he served in various capacities over a ten-year period, including Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Lender, Branch Manager, and Business Banking Officer. During this era, he gained valuable fiscal management experience by managing loan and deposit portfolios in excess of $20 Million.

On May 6, 1998, Mr. Johnson was appointed by Youngstown City Council to the Board of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (MVSD). This appointment made him the first African-American to be appointed to the Board. Before resigning on January 25, 2006 to join the Youngstown Water Department, he served two terms, including one term as President of the Board. During his tenure, he participated in capital improvement initiatives that invested more than $7 million in major upgrades to the District’s infrastructure. He also shared in an effort that saw the MVSD save more than $3 million over a 20 year period by refinancing $50 million in municipal bonds. Mr. Johnson has worked for the City of Youngstown through several mayoral administrations, originally appointed to the positions of Controller/Office Manager by Mayor Jay Williams in January 2006. Mayor Charles Sammarone promoted Harry to the Water Commissioner position on December 4, 2012. He continued to serve in that position under Mayor John McNally. Mayor Jamael “Tito” Brown re-appointed him to the position in February 2018.

The Water Department is a division of the City of Youngstown, employing a staff of over 90 people. It owns and operates over seven-hundred miles of distribution lines, serving 52,000 accounts that encompass more than eight communities in the Mahoning Valley. Water Department management and staff continue to identify which assets are most critical to sustain operations and how best to operate, maintain, repair, replace and rehabilitate the system over its life cycle. This is evidenced by the over $30 million invested back into the water system over the past decade. Mr. Johnson’s team has a thorough understanding of the distribution system and continues to ensure that every customer’s service is reliable and of the highest quality.

Youngstown’s Water Commissioner

Michael Durkin was appointed to the position of Code Enforcement and Blight Remediation Superintendent in April of 2018. This position oversees the City’s Housing Code Enforcement, Environmental Sanitation, Grass Cutting, Demolition, and Rental Property Registration.

Michael is a lifelong resident of Youngstown and a proud 1976 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School. In 1977, Michael was hired by the Youngstown Fire Department as a Medic on the Fire Department Ambulance. He served by 25 years with the YFD and achieved the rank of Captain. In 2002, Michael was appointed as Fire Chief of the Liberty Fire Department (Trumbull County), where he served for 12 years as Fire Chief. He has received many awards and commendations throughout his 37 year career as a firefighter/Chief.

Michael resides in Youngstown with his wife of 15 years, along with his three children.

Youngstown’s Blight Remediation & Code Enforcement

Charles Shasho has been a resident of the City of Youngstown for 49 years. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School, graduating in 1988. After high school, Mr. Shasho enlisted in the United States Navy. Mr. Shasho served in the United States Navy Construction Battalions (Seabees) as a Utilitiesman, both active and reserve from 1988-1997, working on numerous construction projects in the U.S. as well as Puerto Rico and Hati.

Mr. Shasho received his Bachelor of Science Applied Science in Civil Engineering in 1996 from Youngstown State University. He has worked for a number of private consulting firms in Ohio and Pennsylvania where he specialized in Land Surveying, General Civil Engineering, Storm Water Management, HEC/RAS, and Sanitary Sewer Collection system design.

Mr. Shasho has worked for the City of Youngstown for 19 Years and was originally appointed to be the Deputy Director of Public Works by Mayor Jay Williams in 2008. He has served in that position under Mayors Jay Williams, Charles Samarone, and John McNally, up to the present day. Mayor Jamael Tito Brown re-appointed Mr. Shasho to the position in February 2018. Mr. Shasho has administered and successfully completed hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects including Construction of the Covelli Centre, the Brier Hill Industrial Park Rail Modernization Project at Vallourec, Wick Ave. Improvements, Federal Street Rehabilitation, Renovations to the City of Youngstown Waste Water Treatment Plant, and Construction of the River Front Park and Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater.

Mr. Shasho serves as the Mayor’s Designee on The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments Technical Advisory Committee, and District 6 Public Works Integrating Committee. He is a member of the City of Youngstown Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, and Special Assessment Appeals Board.

When not at work, Mr. Shasho enjoys spending time with his two sons Rocco and Tyler and is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, currently serving as Scoutmaster for Troop 9022 from St. Christine’s parish. His other interests and hobbies include playing Bocce, Fishing, Camping, Hiking, and Kayaking. Mr. Shasho enjoys barbecuing and can often be found outside by an open fire cooking. He is an accomplished woodworker and cabinet maker, and enjoys building various woodworking projects.

Youngstown’s Public Works