Board members

The board is comprised of both public and private sector leaders who are committed to improving the long-term health of Northeast Ohio through inter-governmental collaboration. NEO|SO’s governing structure is unique among Councils of Governments; our Code of Regulations stipulates that a majority of the board members must come from the private sector.

NEO|SO’s board members include:

Board Chairman: The Honorable Georgine Welo, Mayor of South Euclid
Timothy R. Fitzwater, Retired Banking Executive
James L. Mason, Retired Corporate Executive
Board Secretary: Terry W. Vincent, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP



diagram 1.0 Board Chairman: The Honorable Georgine Welo, Mayor Of South Euclid

The Honorable Georgine Welo was elected Mayor of the City of South Euclid in November 2003. She is a passionate advocate of regional thinking and cooperation. She also serves as the board chair of the First Suburbs Development Council.

Mayor Welo graduated with a Bachelors of Arts and Science from the University of Akron. After spending several years in the private sector working for Keithley Instruments, she began her career in public service in 1991 when she was elected to South Euclid City Council.

From 1996-1998, Mayor Welo served as the Co-Executive of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. In 1998, she was appointed Administrative Bailiff to Judge Ann T. Mannen, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.


Timothy R. Fitzwater, Retired Banking Executive  

Mr. Fitzwater recently retired as the President and Chief Executive Officer of National City Bank, Northeast Region. Headquartered in Akron, the region includes Youngstown, Niles, and Warren, in addition to smaller cities such as East Liverpool, Steubenville and Martins Ferry.

A native Clevelander, Mr. Fitzwater spent more than 36 years at National City. He joined National City through the company's Management Training Program after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University. He worked in Cleveland in both the retail and corporate banking divisions and, in 1983, was transferred to the Northeast Bank as head of lending. He became president of the Northeast Region in 1997.

Mr. Fitzwater is involved throughout the community. He serves on the boards for Leadership Akron (1985 graduate), Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron Community Foundation, Akron General Health System, and Summit County Port Authority. He also serves on the Advisory Council for the Center for Economic Education and on the Advancement Council for the University of Akron's College of Business Administration. He chaired Summit County's United Way campaign in 2005 and has been involved in many other service endeavors.


James L. Mason, Retired Corporate Executive  

Mr. Mason served as Vice President for Public and Community Affairs at Cleveland-based Eaton Corporation for 27 years. In this role, he was responsible for federal, state, and local government relations; Eaton's political action committee; and planning and implementing philanthropic and community involvement initiatives, including strengthening the company's relationships with nonprofit organizations.

Prior to this role, Mr. Mason managed Eaton's Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. and had responsibilities in Cleveland, as well. He started his career in the Cleveland area, working in a variety of marketing, communications, and development positions.

Mr. Mason is involved in many external activities. He is past chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers' Public Affairs Committee. His community involvement includes service as president of the Citizens League of Greater Cleveland and extends to other groups.

Mr. Mason earned his undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and his M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.


diagram 1.0 Board Secretary: Terry W. Vincent, Brouse McDowell

Mr. Vincent represents clients on a variety of IRS examinations, appeals, collection and criminal matters. He also represents public bodies and nonprofit entities on issues affecting formation, business operations, bidding procedures and Sunshine Laws. He also advises clients on tax and business issues affecting both entity formation and operations.

Prior to joining Brouse McDowell, Terry worked as senior attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel in the Tax Litigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C. and as a senior attorney in the Office of District Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service in Cleveland, Ohio.

Terry was recognized as one of Ohio’s SuperLawyers™, in the 2004, 2005 and 2007 Cincinnati Magazine, as voted by his peers.

Terry is a member of the American and Federal Bar Associations. He is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Taxation Section, Federal Taxation Subcommittee and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, General Tax Committee; Past chair: General Tax Committee (1995-1996)

Terry is a member of the Lakewood City Income Tax Review Board; the Board of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce (Chair, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee); Rocky River Rotary - Lakewood Sunrise Club; Case Western Reserve University Estate Planning Advisory Council; Board Secretary of the Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office; Harvest for Hunger Allocations Committee; Board of the Lawyer’s Guild of Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; a Trustee for the Partnership for a Safer Cleveland and serves as an Adjunct Professor with Case Western Reserve School of Law, LLM Tax Program.

Mr. Vincent has given numerous presentations on various tax, nonprofit law and business topics.

Admissions
Ohio Bar (1987)
U.S. Tax Court
Federal District Court