Cuyahoga SWCD 2026 Board of Supervisors Election

CUYAHOGA SWCD 2026 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ELECTION

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors are elected public officials tasked with helping shape and direct the Cuyahoga County’s conservation priorities. Five (5) supervisors serve on the board, each serving a three-year term. Annual elections are held for open positions and Cuyahoga residents and landowners over 18 years of age are eligible to vote in the elections.

The 2026 Board of Supervisors election will be open from September 30th through October 29th, 2026.

2026 Board of Supervisors Candidates:

• Michael Jirousek
• Caroline Kelemen
• Lara Roketenetz

HOW TO VOTE:

There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:

• IN-PERSON AT THE CUYAHOGA SWCD OFFICE
  September 30 – October 29 | 8:30am – 3:00pm
  3311 Perkins Ave., Suite 100 | Cleveland, OH 44114
  (Free parking available on Perkins Ave. & East 36th St.)
• ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN VOTING
  September 30 – October 23 | Request a mail-in ballot
  Phone: 216.503.0719
  Email: [email protected]
  Web: Absentee Ballot request form
  *Absentee ballots must be received by Cuyahoga SWCD’s office by 10/28/2026 to be counted toward the election
• AT THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
  3rd Annual Stormwater Run-Off  | October 4
  8:30am – 10:00am
  Clark Field Park | Tremont Pk. & Clark Ave

  Cuyahoga SWCD’s Annual Meeting & Conservation Costume Contest | October 29
  4:30pm – 6:00pm
  CentroVilla | 3140 West 25th St. | Cleveland

  *You do not have to register for these events to vote in the election, but we hope you do!

Two supervisors will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

MIKE JIROUSEK

Mike Jirousek is a career environmentalist and has served on the Cuyahoga SWCD Board for five years, two years as the Board Chair. Mike is very proud of the energy and dedication of the staff and the ways we’ve grown and enhanced the services we provide to the county residents and our environment.  A life-long resident of NE Ohio, Mike received his Environmental Degree from John Carroll University and a MS in Environmental Management from the University of Findlay. Most recently, he was Manager of Environmental for FirstEnergy, managing the water and air compliance efforts for their fleet of 26 power plants.  He respectfully requests your vote so he can continue to work within the CSWCD and support their work serving the residents of Cuyahoga County.

CAROLINE KELEMEN

Caroline Kelemen, PE, is a construction engineer recognized as a Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering Outstanding Alumna. Caroline brings deep technical expertise encompassing major regional initiatives including stormwater master planning, the Irishtown Bend Stabilization, the Lakeview Cemetery Dam Renovation, and numerous storm, sanitary and water main projects.

​On the Cuyahoga SWCD Board since 2019, Caroline has delivered steady leadership through major executive and operational transitions. Looking ahead, they are committed to driving pragmatic, innovative solutions—applying technical rigor and visionary governance to adapt to shifting weather patterns, modernize district operations, and safeguard our local natural resources for future generations.

LARA ROKETENETZ

Lara Roketenetz, Ph.D., has lived in Northeast Ohio for 30 years. She has an undergraduate biology degree at Case Western Reserve University. Lara has graduate degrees from John Carroll University (MS in Biology), The University of Akron (Ph.D. in Integrated Bioscience), and Cleveland State University (Certificate in Non-profit Management). She has worked in industry as an environmental consultant and at a non-profit as a natural resource manager. Lara now serves as the Director of the University of Akron Field Station, where she is responsible for overseeing education, community outreach, and research. She is passionate about our amazing natural resources!