Youngstown native appointed to treasurer post in Franklin County

COLUMBUS -- The Franklin County Democratic Party has appointed a Youngstown native to serve out the remainder of Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray's unexpired term as the county's treasurer.
Atty. Ed Leonard, 42, of Columbus, was born and reared on Youngstown's North Side. He is a 1983 graduate of Ursuline High School. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Youngstown State University in 1987, and is a graduate of YSU's Army ROTC program.
"Growing up in Youngstown had a tremendous impact on shaping who I am," Leonard said.
He is one of 11 children of Helen Leonard of Girard and the late William "Hoppy" Leonard. He is married to the former Mary Ann Lozzi of Warren.
Since March 2003, Leonard has served as special counsel to the Franklin County treasurer's office. In that capacity, Leonard implemented the tax lien certificate sale program that resulted in the collection of more than 55 million in delinquent real estate taxes, and helped to establish the county's land bank program.
Leonard will run in the November 2008 election for a full four-year term.
After graduating from YSU, Leonard attended Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, receiving a law degree in 1990. He spent four years on active duty in the Army as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. He and his family then moved to Columbus, where he has held a variety of government jobs.