Craig A. Swenson
Mentor,OH
Summary
I am a passionate and driven Executive Director/Attorney with significant experience in developing and managing staff, budgets, and programs that have greatly exceeded expected results. Whether is has been through representing my Agency in prominent public circles or representing the State of Ohio in the courtroom, I have delivered exceptional outcomes in high-stakes and challenging conditions. I am a loyal, hardworking, and dynamic leader that is ready to embrace any challenge that comes in my path.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services
Chardon, OH
10.2014 - Current
- Chief administrator over all Job and Family Services program areas, which include: Public Assistance, Child and Adult Protective Services, Child Support Establishment and Enforcement, Workforce Development, and our in-house 501(c)(3) Special Services of Geauga County. Fiscal Agent for the Geauga County Family First Council.
- Develop and implement Agency policies and procedures. Develop, direct, monitor, and approve Agency budgets and expenditures. Responsible for Agency compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. Responsible for all Human Resource matters.
- Determine Agency needs and goals using the input of employees, Board of County Commissioners, Family Services Planning Committee, community and legislative partners, and the public at large. Promote continuous quality improvement and service delivery that is aligned with the Agency’s mission. Organize and manage fundraising efforts and tax levy campaigns.
- Regularly advocate for legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives that benefit the Agency with federal, state, and local officials.
Chief Assistant County Prosecutor
Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office
Chardon, OH
06.2007 - 10.2014
- Managed all staff responsible for prosecuting juvenile delinquency, child support, and child protective cases.
- Assisted the Felony and Juvenile Division and county law enforcement agencies in all aspects of criminal prosecution including preparing cases for search warrants, grand jury, arraignments, pretrials, suppression hearings, change of plea hearings, jury trials, sentencing hearings, and probation violation hearings.
- Responsible for all appeals for the office.
- Represented the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services, Geauga County Board of Mental Health, and the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities in all capacities.
Assistant County Prosecutor
Lake County Prosecutor’s Office
Painesville, OH
03.2005 - 06.2007
- Researched and wrote over 100 appellate briefs to the 11th District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio. Regularly presented oral arguments in the 11th District Court of Appeals.
- Assisted the Felony Division in criminal prosecutions by conducting jury trials, suppression hearings, sexual offender classification hearings, and sentencing hearings in the Court of Common Pleas.
- Charged and managed a high volume of juvenile cases/prosecutions.
- Represented the Department of Job and Family Services in investigating and prosecuting cases involving abuse, neglect, and dependency of children.
- Conducted pretrials, bench trials, suppression hearings, dispositional hearings, probable cause hearings, final hearings, emergency temporary custody hearings, permanent custody hearings, planned permanent living arrangement hearings, and departmental review hearings.
Contract Attorney
CIANO & GOLDWASSER, LLP
Cleveland, OH
09.2004 - 03.2025
- Performed legal research, and drafted motions and legal memoranda on a variety of civil cases.
- Assisted Partners in preparing for and conducting depositions.
- Counseled a client in a prospective purchase of an NFL franchise.
Legal Intern/Football Operations Intern
CLEVELAND BROWNS FOOTBALL COMPANY, LLC
Cleveland, OH
09.2003 - 05.2004
- Assisted the CEO and Vice-President of Football Operations/Head General Counsel in player contract negotiations and salary cap administration.
- Revised the Cleveland Browns Permanent Seat, Club Seat, and Private Suite licensing agreements.
- Reviewed, revised, and assisted in the negotiation of numerous licensing, advertising, and promotional contracts.
- Assisted and advised the Head General Counsel in all Cleveland Browns litigation matters.
- Gathered comprehensive comparative statistics on several NFL players in preparation for the NFL Free-Agency period.
Education
J.D. -
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
05.2004
B.A. - English And Philosophy, Minor in Business
BOSTON COLLEGE
Chestnut Hill, MA05.2001
Skills
- Advocacy
- Relationship Building
- Public Speaking
- Negotiation
- Strategic Thinking/Planning
- Business Administration
- Compliance and Regulations
- Staff Management
- Communications Strategy
- Public Relations
Certification
- Admitted to the Ohio Bar, 11/08/2004
Accomplishments
- Recipient of the Geauga CASA “Community Advocate of the Year Award” on May 5, 2011.
- Recipient of the Adams/Hunter Community Service Award on May 31, 2022.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive Director
Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services
10.2014 - Current
Chief Assistant County Prosecutor
Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office
06.2007 - 10.2014
Assistant County Prosecutor
Lake County Prosecutor’s Office
03.2005 - 06.2007
Contract Attorney
CIANO & GOLDWASSER, LLP
09.2004 - 03.2025
Legal Intern/Football Operations Intern
CLEVELAND BROWNS FOOTBALL COMPANY, LLC
09.2003 - 05.2004
J.D. -
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
B.A. - English And Philosophy, Minor in Business
BOSTON COLLEGE
- Admitted to the Ohio Bar, 11/08/2004
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