2023 Tremont West Membership Meeting and Board Elections May 18
This year’s meeting will be held Thursday, May 18th 2023 at Scranton Road Bible Church (3095 Scranton Road) at 6 pm. Please join us for a light dinner followed by the Annual Meeting. If you cannot join us we will be streaming the meeting at facebook.com/tremontwest. Additionally, in order to get an accurate count of who will be attending the meeting, if possible, please register for the meeting at the following: https://bit.ly/2023twdc.
Per a change to the Code of Regulations in 2021, Tremont West is now able to have early voting. Early voting is available Monday May 8th (9 am) through Thursday May 18th, 2023 (2 pm) at the offices of Tremont West Development Corporation, 2406 Professor Avenue.
There will be a drop off available 24/7 on the smaller side porch of 2406 Professor. Please place your folded ballot in the slot. Each ballot will have a number assigned to each individual member. Once the ballot is received your name and number will be verified. In order to ensure voting is confidential, votes will not be tallied until the day of the annual meeting and the assigned ballot number will only be used to ensure one vote per member. If a ballot is lost, please contact Tremont West to schedule a time to receive a replacement ballot, at which time the original assigned ballot number will be discarded from use. Note: should a quorum of votes not be reached by the end of the annual meeting, the Board may exercise emergency authorization powers to extend voting until the close of business on the following Monday, May 22.
This year, there is one candidate for the Board President position and six candidates for five Board of Directors seats. The candidates are listed below.
Candidate(s) for Board President
- Seronica Powell
Candidates for Board of Directors
- Jason Adams
- Carolyn Bentley
- Fred Calatrello
- Dan Imfeld
- Kate O’ Neil
- Jason Petroff
We hope you will take some to time to closely consider the qualifications of each candidate prior to attending the meeting. Your vote is extremely important. If you have any questions, please contact coryriordan@tremontwest.org
Candidate(s) for Board President
SERONICA POWELL
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: I am the current Board President for TWDC and have been a Board member for the past 6 years. I have also been an active member of the Duck Island block club for many years and now an active member of the Lincoln Heights block club.
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: I am the Director Finance at The Center for Black Health, a national public health organization. I have worked for the organization for the past 3+ years. Prior to my employment with The Center, I have worked for several different local non-profit social service agencies. I have served on the board of TWDC for the past 6 years as well as the Near West Land Trust, TechBOOM, and CHN Partnership Board over the past few years.
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): TWDC Board, Finance and Executive Committee. Near West Land Trust and CHN Partnership Board
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: As far as skills and expertise that I would bring to the board, it is my 20+ years of experience within the social service arena with a focus in property management, operations, finance, human resource, and project management.
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: Since I have resided in the Duck Island community for over 10 years with my family, I have seen progressive change in a positive direction and have tried to support it as much as possible. Therefore, I wish to further contribute to the community by serving as a board member and President of Tremont West Development Corporation. Due to my knowledge and experience, I believe I can offer continued progression in the right direction.
Statement: I am a mother of two, LaKendria and Joseph. I have been a long-term resident in the Tremont Neighborhood, Duck Island community for 14+ years and most recently the Lincoln Heights community. My children grew up here and attended the local school systems. I am passionate about the community. I have worked in both social service and public health and enjoy helping to make whatever community I am apart of better. I look forward to serving as the President of TWDC board.
*Update! Question from The Tremonster: How important is affordable housing in Tremont, and do you feel we have the right amount, we need less, or we need more?
Affordable housing is incredibly important in Tremont, as it is in many communities across Cleveland. The availability of affordable housing can have a significant impact on the overall quality of life in a community, particularly for lower-income residents who may struggle to find safe and stable housing. Therefore, I don’t think any neighborhood should be one of anything because when people are boxed off, you lose the opportunity for people to have access to different things. Ultimately, ensuring that there is an adequate supply of affordable housing in Tremont is important for creating a more equitable and livable community for all residents. As for having the right amount of housing, the ideal ratio of affordable housing in a community can depend on a variety of factors such as local housing needs, demographics, and economic conditions. In my opinion, we should strive for 25% -30% of the housing market to be affordable. Keeping in mind that “affordable housing” can mean different things to different people based on the economic status.
*Update! Question from The Tremonster: You may have recently visited Tremont block clubs and answered questions–how important are block clubs to Tremont?
For me, block clubs are very important just for the fact that you get people’s opinions and input on what they would like to see in the community in real time. Most block clubs meet at least once a month to discuss the development of Tremont. The block clubs also play a valuable role in bringing together residents and fostering a sense of community. They can provide a forum for residents to discuss common concerns and work together to address them, and they can serve as a platform for organizing community events, such as clean-up days, block parties, and other social activities. Block clubs can also help to build social connections between neighbors, which can be especially important in areas where residents may not know each other well. Lastly, they support the community and the activities they organize help the community to stay vibrant.
-The Tremonster issue #72
Candidates for Board of Directors
JASON ADAMS
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: My involvement with TWDC started this year when I paid a visit to the headquarters. I met Scott Rosenstein and Cory Riordan. Cory filled me in on the history of Tremont and a bit about TWDC, while Scott educated me on getting involved at the block club level, and the process to join TWDC.
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: I have volunteered with City Mission, Neighbors Make a Difference Day, and the Cleveland Food Bank. I am an annual giver to the United Way.
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): I am a long-term board member of Centers for Dialysis Care, which is a non-profit, community-based dialysis company. I also sit on the finance committee, and serve as Treasurer for the Centers for Dialysis Care Foundation. Member of the CFA Institute, and the CFA Society of Cleveland.
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: r Arts / Crafts / Trades: Lover of the arts, and love to listen and play music. r Community Outreach r Community Representation r Construction r Finance: 25-year career in finance with a focus on investments, financial planning, and banking r Fundraising r Governance r Legal r Mechanical r Real Estate: Involved in several residential real estate transactions and provide guidance and financing to clients r Sales / Marketing: Involved in the wealth management sales process as a portfolio manager and a relationship manager r Technology r Writing / Documentation: Published reports as an equity analyst, and podcasts as a portfolio manager
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: I moved to Tremont is 2021 and was motivated to get more involved by what appeared to be an increase in violent crime in the neighborhood. Getting more involved only served to increase my interest in doing more. As a native of northeast Ohio I love Cleveland, and, as a resident of Tremont, I want to contribute to the continued health and vitality of the neighborhood.
Statement: The information I most want voters to consider is that I love Cleveland, and genuinely want to help make a positive impact on Tremont and the surrounding community. I believe I bring a unique set of skills as a CFA Charterholder, a professional designation within the investment profession that hones expertise in asset valuation, economics, financial statement analysis, portfolio management and ethics. I would welcome the opportunity to forward TWDC’s mission of promoting an inclusive community, and unified neighborhood.
CAROLYN BENTLEY
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: I began my formal relationship with the board about 3 years ago when I was elected Duck Island’s ex-officio representative to the board. Then when a board seat became available about a year ago I was voted on as a full voting member and later as secretary of the full board and the executive committee. In addition to serving as a member of these boards, I have been on committees like Celebrate Tremont and Economic Development and I’ve volunteered at events like the Arts & Cultural Festival. I have also been a long time sponsor of Tremont West and all their yearly programming. I have also been in charge of planning Duck Island’s annual Party in the Park summer potluck for the last 3 years.
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: For the last more than 5 years I had been an active volunteer for the May Dugan Center, even winning their “Volunteer of the Year” recognition. Due to scheduling conflicts I ended my relationship with May Dugan about 2 months ago in part because I had to decide whether to spend my available time volunteering for May Dugan or Tremont West and I chose Tremont West.
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): None besides those described above.
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: The main area of expertise I bring to Tremont West is an in-depth understanding of real estate in the Tremont and Duck Island markets. Primarily residential (which is what I practice) but I have had some experience with commercial real estate projects just as an interested observer. I have had the opportunity to support Tremont West in their real estate ventures and to serve as a sounding board and educated advisor many times over the years. I also have a strong interest in the importance of community and the arts and how those structures work to reinforce a strong city neighborhood. I am a naturally organized and structured thinker who values supporting those who are serving the community so I feel like my role as the board secretary has been the perfect fit for my abilities.
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: It has been a true pleasure to me to be able to serve on the board and as the board secretary over the last year. I feel like this is the right fit for my desire to encourage and structurally support those individuals who are serving our community. Duck Island and Tremont are so important to me as an active community member and I want to continue to be a voice for the community and for the importance of community.
My 75(ish) word statement: Duck Island is the first place I’ve lived that has felt like home and community. It has been such an honor to me to be able to raise my young family in this neighborhood of active, involved members who watch out for each other. I want to continue to support and strengthen this. I want to serve my neighbors and help them have the same experience I am having living here through all phases of our lives.
FREDERICK CALATRELLO
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: current member TWDC Board, member and co-chair North of Literary block club, member Economic Development Committee. Volunteered to work on almost every festival or occasion sponsored by TWDC such as Arts In August, Taste of Tremont, annual food drives et al
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: Catholic Charities, Seeds of Literacy, St. Joseph’s Indian School (South Dakota), St. Augustine summer camp for children and Food Pantry
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): President of the Board, Arts Renaissance Tremont, which has sponsored free concerts in Tremont for over 30 years, elected precinct person Ward 3(f) and elected to Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Executive and Central Committees and member of Ward 3 Democratic Club, volunteered to serve on Metro Zoo citizen work-shop, Member of American Bar Association, ACLU, charter member of the Federal Senior Executive Association, member of numerous environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Worldwildlife Organization, National Parks Conservation Assoc., Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy et al. I am also a long standing member of AARP, Cleveland Museum of Art and PBS.
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: by both academic training and professional experience, I have skills in journalism, law and management (for more than 30 years I was head of the Cleveland office of the National Labor Relations Board which for decades had between 25 and 50 professional employees (both attorneys and field examiners) as well as support staff and interns. I hold undergraduate and graduate law degrees in Labor Relations and I was frequently on national management teams that negotiated collective bargaining agreements between the NLRB and its employee unions. I also authored evaluations of senior supervisors and managers in my office. And I took part in several arbitration proceedings. Before coming to Cleveland I served as Chief Counsel to NLRB Board Members (presidential appointees), authored numerous published Board decision and personally argued cases before a Federal Court of Appeals. (4th Circuit). I believe all of this equips me to be a valuable TWDC Board member.
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: I have found my past 3 years on the TWDC Board to be both challenging and engaging. I think TWDC provides an invaluable service to Tremont residents and I believe that as an active Board member I have contributed, and would like to continue to contribute, to TWDC’s success. Membership on the TWDC Board of Directors requires a substantial commitment of time and energy. Members of the Board typically serve on one or more committees, which meet monthly, as well as the Board of Directors meeting, which also meets monthly. Typically, Board Members spend between 5 -10 hours per month on TWDC matters. Please indicate the number of hours per month that you will be available as a member of the Board of Directors: given that I am retired I would fully expect to be able to contribute 10 or more hours a month to TWDC. Please send this application, along with a current résumé and a short (not more than 75 words) statement that contains the information you most wish voters to consider to: twdcboard@gmail.com I am a 27yr. Resident of Tremont seeking a second term on the TWDC Board. The Board plays a critical role in communicating the views of Tremont residents to City administration and, conversely, in informing residents about the public and private projects that affect Tremont. Given my academic training in journalism and law, coupled with substantial managerial experience, I am well suited for a Board position that demands both dedication and skills.
Statement: I am a 27yr. Resident of Tremont seeking a second term on the TWDC Board. The Board plays a critical role in communicating the views of Tremont residents to City administration and, conversely, in informing residents about the public and private projects that affect Tremont. Given my academic training in journalism and law, coupled with substantial managerial experience, I am well suited for a Board position that demands both dedication and skills.
DANIEL IMFELD
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: • Tremont West Development Corporation Board Member 2020 – 2023 o Tremont West Development Corporation Executive Committee (Treasurer) – 2021 – 2023 • Member of North of Literary Block Club (2021 – 2023) • Member of South of Jefferson Block Club (2015 – 2021) • Tremont Trek – Host Home 2019 and Planning Committee 2020 • Active participant in Tremont (Taste of Tremont, Tremont Farmers Market, Walk About Tremont, Tremont Trek, etc.)
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: • Tremont West Development Corporation – Board Member and Treasurer • St. Marin De Porres High School – Board Member and Finance Committee Chairman • United Way – Emerging Leaders Co-Chair • John Carroll University – guest speaker to Accounting and Finance classes • Pelotonia – cancer bike ride fund raiser and participant
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): • St. Marin De Porres High School – Board Member and Finance Committee Chairman • United Way – Emerging Leaders Co-Chair • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants • Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: • Professional Skills: o Financial Advisor – Licenses; Series 7, Series 66 o Certified Financial Planner TM o Certified Exit Planning Advisor o Certified Public Accountant • Tremont Experience: o TWDC BOD member since 2020 o TWDC Treasurer since 2021 o Homeowner in Tremont since 2015
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: • Tremont is my home, and I am passionate about the continued success and improvement of the neighborhood. This includes continuing to invest in residential homes, newbuild and rehab, attracting new restaurants and business, improving the parks, increasing safety and promoting the overall community we all live in. This also includes ensuring we maintain the diversity and culture that is already present in Tremont. We can do this through ensuring that we protect and help long time residents of the neighborhood remain vibrant pieces of our community. The neighborhood has matured over the last number of years, and I’d like to continue to help the community grow and remain a place where all people prefer to live, work and relax – both lifelong and new residents. Over the years I’ve lived in Tremont, I’ve grown to love the neighborhood and want to be able to do my part to help contribute to the continued success of the neighborhood. I think that my professional experience coupled with my experience living in Tremont will allow me a unique opportunity to be a valuable asset to the Tremont West Development Board.
75 Word Statement: Tremont is my home and I am passionate about the success and safety of the neighborhood we all love and live in. I aim to do my part in helping Tremont remain a place people come to live, work and relax and aim to help our current residents remain vibrant members of the community. My experience as the current Treasurer of the TWDC Board of Directors and my professional financial services work experience positions me as a unique and valuable asset to the board and neighborhood.
KATE O’NEIL
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: I co-chaired the Auburn Lincoln Park Block Club for 7 years and for the past 2 years have served on TWDC Board of Trustees. I enjoy getting to know my neighbors through neighborhood events and the more I get involved in our community, the more I like this place and want to stay involved.
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: I have lent my professional skills to several local organizations in the midst of capital campaigns or other events, producing promotional content in support of their missions, including Merrick House, Rosemary Center, TWDC, and the Towpath Trail. (see experiencetremont.com homepage)
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): The Celebrate Tremont Committee has taken most of my time and I’m honored to say that we raised more for TWDC with more new corporate sponsors than in years past (relying less on our chefs and local small businesses) for events such as Arts in August, Taste of Tremont, Arts and Cultural Fest, and more.
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: r Arts / Crafts / Trades r Community Outreach r Community Representation r Construction r Finance r Fundraising r Governance r Legal r Mechanical r Real Estate r Sales / Marketing r Technology r Writing / Documentation
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: I feel like we are just getting started marketing TWDC and raising money for operations and events. I still have work to do!
Statement: After 7 years chairing the Lincoln Park Block Club, I have enjoyed two years on the TWDC board and feel that we are just getting started fundraising and marketing for Tremont. I would like to continue this work and ensure that our programming can not only sustain but also continue to grow.
JASON D. PETROFF
Please describe your involvement with the Tremont West Development Corporation or other Tremont clubs and activities during the last 5 years: Since moving to Tremont in 2020, I have been actively involved as a member of the Duck Island Block Club, participating in meetings, neighborhood events like the annual clean-up day, etc. In December 2021 I was elected to serve as the Duck Island representative to the TWDC Board of Directors and have served as Ex-Officio Director since January 2022. I have also been active as a voting member of the Economic Development Committee, participate in several other activities and events throughout the year like the annual River Sweep, and continue to expand my level of involvement within the community. Prior to moving to Tremont, I was involved with the Bridge Brigade Block Club in Detroit Shoreway.
Please describe any involvement that you have had with charitable organizations during the last 5 years: There are several causes and organizations that are near and dear to me. Among them are the Cleveland Food Bank and CHN, both of which I support through volunteerism. As a member of the Fifth Third Bank corporate team in Cleveland, I am a proud supporter of the $20 million investment the Bank is making in the Buckeye neighborhood of Cleveland. Fifth Third has collaborated with Enterprise Community Partners, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, CHN Housing Partners, and Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. to provide strategic insight and investments to help support and revitalize the Buckeye neighborhood. I have been involved in volunteer opportunities through this investment partnership, which also hits close to “home” as I am a graduate of Benedictine High School, which has been firmly rooted in the Buckeye neighborhood for nearly 100 years.
Please describe any other memberships on boards or committees that you have had during the last 5 years (such as non-profit organizations, professional associations or city or county government): While I have not had any direct involvement with other boards or committees over the past five years other than what has been touched on above, I have found my current involvement with the DI Block Club, ED Committee, and TWDC Board to be insightful and fulfilling, and therefore I am hopeful to continue my engagement with not only TWDC, but to also expand my involvement with non-profit organizations whose missions align with my values. My partner, Michael Rigol, Jr., serves as the City Commissioner of Stonewall Sports Cleveland, and I am proud and supportive of the work he does to help bring inclusive sports to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Please describe the skills and areas of expertise that you would bring to the Board of Directors of the Tremont West Development Corporation: I consider myself to be a passionate and driven team-player, and I possess the tenacity needed to accomplish any task to which I set my mind. I feel that I bring a unique perspective to the Board as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and as an individual who is passionate about building an inclusive community for all who consider Tremont home. Having been in the financial services and investment industry for nearly 13 years, I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of managing wealth for high-net-worth clients. This expertise has afforded me the opportunity to develop relationships with clients and other members of the accounting, wealth management, and legal world. These individuals are intimately involved in a myriad of professional and non-profit organizations across Northern Ohio, and I would be excited at the opportunity to leverage my personal and professional networks to help advance the important work of TWDC.
Please state why you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Tremont West Development Corporation: (The following response was crafted to serve as a response to question five and the statement that contains the information you most wish voters to consider.) As a resident of Tremont, I feel that I bring a unique set of skills and perspective to the table, and have the drive needed to execute on the strategic initiatives of TWDC that will continue to improve the lives of Tremont residents and stakeholders. I care deeply about the community in which I live, and the City of Cleveland as a whole. Given that Duck Island is experiencing such a huge boom in development, and that the number of residents in the neighborhood will be growing by 600+ with three new apartment buildings (Waterford Bluffs, Abbey Avenue Apartments, and The Pearl), I feel that additional representation of the Duck Island Neighborhood on the TWDC Board is timely and necessary. If selected for this open Board position, it would be my privilege to serve as that voice for the residents of Duck Island and greater Tremont as the Board continues to serve and guide the community.
(Statement): As a current Tremont resident and Board member, I care deeply about Tremont, feel that I possess a unique set of skills and perspective, and have the drive needed to execute on the strategic initiatives of TWDC. Duck Island is experiencing a surge in development, and continued representation of Duck Island on the Board is important. It would be my privilege to continue serving as a voice for the residents of Duck Island and Tremont. Many thanks, Jason
