CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Sharon Dumas had been retired for more than three years when Cleveland Heights’ Interim Mayor Tony Cuda tapped her this fall to be his interim city administrator.
The move followed a familiar solution that public entities turn to when facing challenges: bringing back experienced public servants with decades of institutional knowledge.
Dumas, who retired from Cleveland City Hall in 2022 after more than 40 years in public and private service, agreed to return through the end of Cuda’s interim term, which runs until Dec. 31. Her appointment was Cuda’s first official act after voters recalled Mayor Kahlil Seren in September.
The move comes as Cleveland Heights continues to navigate its transition to a strong-mayor form of government, marked by a contentious 2024 budget process and temporary spending plans earlier this year. Cuda said his priority is stabilizing operations and laying groundwork for a fiscally responsible 2026 budget.
Dumas brings deep experience in municipal finance and administration. She served as Cleveland’s finance director for 15 years and as chief of staff for five years under former Mayor Frank Jackson, managing the city’s $1.3 billion budget and overseeing major fiscal reforms.
Her return reflects a broader trend in Northeast Ohio: veteran leaders stepping back into public roles or consulting after retirement. Just a handful of examples include:
- Ken Silliman, former chief of staff to Cleveland mayors Michael White and Frank Jackson, later led the Gateway Economic Development Corp. and authored a book on stadium financing.
- Eric Gordon, who spent 12 years as CEO of Cleveland schools, now heads Positive Education Program after a stint at Cuyahoga Community College.
- Dan Horrigan, Akron’s former mayor, briefly served as Cleveland Heights city administrator earlier this year before resigning amid internal conflict.
- Jay Westbrook, a longtime Cleveland council member, works with Western Reserve Land Conservancy on housing stability and neighborhood revitalization.
- Lee Fisher, former Ohio attorney general and lieutenant governor under Gov. Ted Strickland, left Cleveland State University’s law school to become president of Baldwin Wallace University in July.
- Ronald Adrine, who served 36 years on Cleveland Municipal Court, remains active in justice reform through statewide committees and advocacy groups.
Dumas’ appointment underscores Cleveland Heights’ reliance on institutional knowledge as it seeks to restore trust and stabilize operations ahead of a pivotal election year.
