Kinnick new head of ERCG

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

James Kinnick has been named executive director of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, succeeding John Getchey, who retired Dec. 31 after 27 years in that position.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and has provided a seamless transition for the membership, staff, and the region as a whole,” Joe Warino, Canfield city manager and 2015 Eastgate General Policy Board chairman, said of Kinnick.

Kinnick, 52, who became Eastgate executive director Jan. 1, spent 30 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 4 office, ending his career as the planning and design administrator overseeing an annual construction program of more than $300 million.

He lives in Austintown.

As executive director, Kinnick will be responsible for carrying out Eastgate’s mission, strategic goals, policies and programs. He will oversee the overall management of Eastgate, including structure, personnel, finance and the implementation of policies and programs.

Kinnick, who starts at $105,000 a year under a three-year contract, will also represent the agency before a variety of government, business and other organizations across the region.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work more closely with the local communities in addressing their transportation, planning and environmental needs,” said Kinnick, who is a professional engineer.

Eastgate serves as both a council of governments and a metropolitan planning organization, and also is the areawide water-quality management agency for Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Members include Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning counties, and all cities, villages and townships in those counties. Eastgate also is responsible for a variety of federal, state and local planning and project implementation programs.