County Administrator Joe Pedro retiring in '07
By DORIS COOKStaff Writer
dcook@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON - -After putting in seven years as Ashtabula County administrator, Joe Pedro, is calling it quits.
"I've told all three county commissioners of my retirement plans," Pedro said. "While it's been difficult to leave, I am looking forward to another challenge. I'd like to get back to perhaps doing some college teaching again," Pedro said.
At Tuesday's commissioners meeting, his bosses publicly thanked him for his dedication and service to the county the last seven years. He will leave his post Jan. 5
"We appreciate, (Joe), what you did for getting the Ashtabula County (Nursing) Home back online and getting us through some tough times," said commissioners' board president Deborah Newcomb.
Commissioners Joe Moroski and Robert Boggs echoed Newcomb's thank-you remarks and wished him well in retirement.
Putting out political fires in disputes among county officials, managing the commissioners' staff plus keeping an eagle eye on county finances during his tenure have kept Pedro of Saybrook Township busy.
"I've enjoyed this job. It's been fun and even frustrating at times," Pedro said. "Before I came to the county in 1999, my background was extensively in finances and management of small and major companies."
An Ashtabula County native, Pedro received his undergraduate degree from Gannon University in Erie. He earned a master's degree in industrial management from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.
His teaching positions included stints at Lorain Community College, Kent State University-Ashtabula and at several area high schools.
"I really love the college academic atmosphere and will probably see what's out there after I leave here," Pedro said. "At colleges, you are teaching people there who want to learn. It's stimulating," he said.
Pedro recalled his early days working for the commissioners. He was given the assignment to turn the management around at the Ashtabula County Nursing Home. Pedro said he spent a lot of time at the facility as the assistant county administrator. Options to either sell the facility or hire a management firm were on the list. The commissioners decided to hire a management firm.
"We went through a couple different administrators, and the commissioners considered selling the home. Finally, we hired Aristocrat Management Inc. of Berea to run the home. They had the know-how to deal with handling Medicare/ Medicaid reimbursement payments from the government," Pedro recalled.
Generations Healthcare Inc. took over about four years ago in a management restructuring with Aristocrat Management Inc. GH is paid $35,000 per month to manage the nursing home and rehabilitation center.
"The management team has done a tremendous job, I feel," Pedro said. "Things are working out well at the center. We have even expanded bed capacity," he said.
Pedro and wife, Joann, have three grown children: two daughters and a son. The couple still resides in Saybrook Township after moving back to Ashtabula County in the early 1990s from Lorain County.
"My one daughter lives in Florida, and after Jan. 5, that's where we'll be headed for a rest and (to) visit with the grandchildren," he said, smiling.
For now Pedro says he's busy working with budget director James Hardin on the 2007 appropriations, and setting up budget meetings with county officials and department heads before his departure.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 9/27/2006
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