Trustee

Edward D. Diebold

Phone: (330) 687-0073
Email: [email protected]
Edward Diebold was re-elected Township Trustee to serve his second term beginning January, 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021. Mr. Diebold served on The Zoning Commission form 2009 through 2013 and served as Chairman 2012 and 2013. Mr. Diebold has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Hazardous Materials Management (emphasis in Industrial Hygiene) from The University of Findlay. Mr. Diebold has been a resident of The Portage Lakes for over 36 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie and three step-daughters Kayla, Kacie, and Makenzie.

Trustee

George T. Beckham

Phone: (330) 644-0785
Email: [email protected]
George Beckham was elected Township Trustee to serve from January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2023.

Trustee

Jeffrey P. Houck

Phone: (330) 644-0785, ext. 690
Email: [email protected]
Jeffrey P. Houck was elected on November 5, 2019 to fill the unexpired term vacated by the passing of Tom Seese. His term began on January 1, 2020 and will expire December 31, 2022.

Jeff was born in Youngstown and raised in Pittsburgh.  His career brought him to Akron once in 1981, and then again in 1987, and he has lived in this area since then.  He has been a resident of Coventry Township for 16 years, and is married to Lisa, who has lived in Coventry Township form birth.  They have a daughter and two sons, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law, and two granddaughters (a grandson is expected to join the family in December!).

Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Akron.  His career has been in healthcare-related organizations, starting in hospital administration and moving toward building several successful hospice programs.  The first several years were spent as an efficiency engineer, but in 1990 he started building new hospitals and programs and became a job creator, which he much prefers.

In 2007 he and Lisa (with a third business partner) bought the Upper Deck in New Franklin, and they learned the joys and trials of entrepreneurship.  After making the Upper Deck successful and selling it, they started a new restaurant and called it Lala’s Restaurant and Fireside Lounge.  They operate it to this day.

Jeff and his business partners started Autumn Hills Home Care in 2016, and through that organization have cared for nearly 100 senior citizens in the area, employing 90 caregivers and performing tasks that help seniors stay safe in their homes.

Jeff took an interest in the operation of the Township several years ago, regularly attending monthly trustee meetings and becoming more involved in the community.  He made the move to lending his leadership skills to the township and ran for office in 2019.  He was elected to office that November and took the oath of office in January 2020.  He has found it challenging and satisfying.  He enjoys taking up and resolving issues for residents as well and being involved with the management of the treasury of the community.

 

Fiscal Officer

David Gissinger

Phone: (330) 644-0785, ext. 691
Email: [email protected]
David Gissinger was appointed to the position of Fiscal Officer by the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting of December 9, 2021 to fill the unexpired term, vacated by the retirement of Lori Seeman. A resident of the area his whole life, David is a Coventry High School graduate and has a bachelor’s degree in financial management from The Ohio State University.

Democracy In Action

What is a Township?

The township form of government is the oldest and most efficient in the United States. Townships are even older than the state form of government. Nowhere else do residents have such direct access to those who manage the services and finances of a community.

The three Township Trustees and the Township Fiscal Officer are elected to four year terms in nonpartisan elections. Trustees are responsible for the overall administration of township services including fire and police protection, zoning, roads, and parks. The Township Fiscal Officer handles all financial matters and is the keeper of all township records.

All Meetings are Open

You are invited to attend!  Trustees meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Hall located at 68 Portage Lakes Drive.  All meetings are open to the public.  A portion of each meeting is allotted for questions and comments from the public.  Guidelines for speaking at a Trustees meeting can be found here, under our Public Comment Policy.