Council President Klein Names Top Council Staff
Columbus City Council President Zach Klein
named several top City Council staff members Tuesday, announcing the
appointments of the Chief of Staff to the Council President and the Directors
of Communications, Human Resources, Community Affairs and the Legislative
Research Office.
“I’m honored to work with my colleagues and these distinguished
public servants on behalf of the citizens and taxpayers of Columbus,” said
Council President Klein. “I have no doubt that this council team, which
reflects Columbus’ strong diversity, will serve the community well.”
Klein named Ed Roberts, who most recently
worked as Development Coordinator for the Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers,
as the Chief of staff to the Council President. In this role, Roberts, who also
formerly had been the Central Ohio Representative for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown,
will serve as the top staff advisor to Council President Klein.
Lee Cole, who most recently served as a Public Relations Specialist for the Columbus Division of Fire, was appointed as
council’s Director of Communications. Cole has also experience working as the Director
of Communications and in communications roles for the Pickerington Local
Schools and the Columbus City Schools. She will oversee council’s
communications and public information programs.
Brian Shinn was appointed to be
council’s Director of Human Resources. Shinn, a former Chief of Staff in the
Franklin County Recorder’s Office and also a former general and elections
counsel in the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, will oversee all human
resources functions for council.
Gretchen James was appointed to be
council’s Director of Community Affairs, a newly created office under Council
President Klein. In this role, James, who has served as Councilmember Klein’s Legislative Aide, and her team will oversee outreach for the council in the
community.
Michael Kasler was appointed to serve as Director of the Legislative Research Office, which provides support and
research on various areas and topics to council members. Kasler has a long
background in city government and in other organizations. Kasler most recently
has worked in the Office of Sustainability in the Columbus Department of Public
Utilities. Kasler has, among other things, served as the President of the
Metropolitan Human Services Commission, served as Legislative Budget Coordinator to the late former Council President Jerry Hammond and as a Legislative Aide to another former council president, the late M.D. Portman.