SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Effective January 1, 2022, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro has three new directors leading departments under her authority, Diane Miller-Dawson, Phil Montgomery and Lori Pesci. Miller-Dawson, former Finance and Budget Director, has shifted to Community and Economic Development Director. Montgomery, the former Finance and Budget Deputy Director, now leads the department. Following County Council’s approval of a Department of Public Safety, former Deputy Director Pesci heads the new department.
“I am thrilled to announce the transition of Diane to Community and Economic Development Director and the promotion of Phil and Lori to director. They each bring an incredible set of skills and valuable experiences to their new positions,” said County Executive Shapiro. “Summit County is well-positioned for exciting and innovative growth and collaboration. I am confident our three new directors will play a significant role in our future accomplishments.”
Miller-Dawson joined County Executive Shapiro’s staff in 2019 after a long career as the City of Akron’s Director of Finance. Since joining the County, she led the development of three budgets and oversaw the distribution of tens of millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 pandemic aid. In her new role as Community and Economic Development Director, Miller-Dawson continues the department’s work in supporting existing local businesses while attracting new employers, and aiding the economic development efforts of all 31 communities in Summit County. She also leads important community development work including the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Home Weatherization Assistance Program and the ongoing Summit County Cares rent and utility assistance program. Miller-Dawson serves on several boards including Project GRAD, Summit ReWorks, the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), and the Summit County CDBG Committee. In 2017, she was inducted by the Akron Urban League into the Women in STEAM Leadership Academy. Miller-Dawson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Akron Alumnae Chapter.
Montgomery previously worked in the private sector and at the City of Akron before County Executive Shapiro named him Job and Family Services Chief Financial Officer in 2017. In 2021, he transitioned to Finance and Budget Deputy Director, where he assisted Miller-Dawson in managing the County’s $500 million budget and navigating rigorous financial reporting requirements. As Director, he oversees more than one billion dollars in financial transactions and the budget allocations to every department, office and division of Summit County government. Montgomery is a board member of the Gay Community Endowment Fund, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Akron Children’s Museum and is board president of CANAPI. He also serves on the Akron Pride Festival Steering Committee and was named a notable LGBTQ Executive by Crain’s Cleveland in 2020.
After a career in law enforcement and completion of law school, Pesci joined the County in 2008, later becoming the Division of Public Safety Deputy Director. In this role, she has overseen the County’s Public Safety Communications, Justice Affairs and Emergency Management Offices. She advises the County Executive and Summit County Criminal Justice Advisory Board regarding public policy and justice system issues and provides research and other technical assistance to related boards, committees and agencies. In recognition of the growth of the division and its importance in the community, County Executive Shapiro and County Council created the Department of Public Safety in 2021. As Director, Pesci continues to carry out the important mission of the department and spearheaded efforts to launch the County’s regional dispatch center. Pesci is a recent Leadership Akron graduate, a graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School and a volunteer for the Akron Civic.
