October 2010 Session

DAVE A. LIEBERTH
Deputy Mayor - Administration
The City of Akron

Dave Lieberth brings 34 years of private sector experience - - in business, in media, and in law - - to his position as Akron's Deputy Mayor of Administration, and Chief of Staff to Mayor Don Plusquellic. He joined the city of Akron in May, 2002.

In his present position, Dave also manages the city's downtown operations including major events and Lock 3 Park. He organized the Chriskindl Market at Lock 3, and serves as a liaison with Akron’s sister-city of Chemnitz, Germany.

Lieberth, a resident of Akron's 4th ward, was a journalist and broadcaster during the 1960's and 70's, winning prestigious national awards for his reporting. His published articles on television in the courtroom preceded the Supreme Court's decision to open Ohio courtrooms to television. Dave served on the national board of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the local chapter honored him with its John S. Knight Award in 1993.

Dave's second career was the law. His litigation practice landed him among the few attorneys listed in "The Best Lawyers In America” for 10 consecutive years. He was a Trustee and Fellow of the Akron Bar Association Foundation; and founding president of Summit County's Pre Trial Intervention Project. He was adjunct professor at the University of Akron School of Law for seven terms. In 1998, the Akron Bar Association presented him with the Sir Thomas More Award.

After 20 years as a lawyer, Dave began his third career as a private Mediator in 1997.

Dave’s community activities reflect a diversity of interests. He is one of the founders of the Leadership Akron program. He retired as a founding member of the board in 2003 after serving 20 years. He served as a trustee of the Children Services Board (1986-1990). He chaired the first Summit Meeting of agencies dealing with children's issues (now in its 21st year); and has served as speaker or moderator for dozens of community meetings on child abuse and neglect.

A local historian, he was president of the Summit County Historical Society,(1980-1983) developed its first endowment fund, and opened its first new museum in 40 years. He chaired the project that marks the Portage Path Indian Trail with permanent markers, dedicated in October 2001. He has also chaired boards of the University of Akron Law School Alumni Association, and the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority. He has been a trustee of the Akron Community Foundation, a member of the University of Akron's national Alumni Board, and received the University of Akron’ Alumni Honor Award in 1989. In 1997 he chaired the Civic Theatre's Annual Fund, and in 1999 chaired Magical Theatre’s Endowment Fund drive.

Dave is in his 6th year of service as a Director of Summa Health System, and has served on WKSU's Advisory Board. Presently, he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Downtown Akron Partnership, a member of the Board of the Akron-Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, a member of the Advisory Committees of Hospice of Summa and the D.O.V.E. program at St.Thomas Hospital, a director of the Akron Zoo, and a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Akron Advisory Committee. In 2005, Dave was honored by the Akron-Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau as the 4th recipient of the Chairman’s Award for his contributions to enhancing Greater Akron as a tourism destination.

Lieberth graduated from the University of Akron in 1969 and received a Masters degree in Television from Syracuse University in 1970. He is a graduate of the School of Law of the University of Akron (1977).

Dave Lieberth's complete bio is available at:
http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/mayor/cabinet/administration.htm

THOMAS G. BECK
General Manager - WZIP 88.1
Adjunct Assistant Professor
TheUniversityof Akron-College of Communications