Governing Board

The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve (ESCWR) Governing Board is a policy-making body that functions according to the mandates of state law and is comprised of nine elected members.

Mr. Geoffrey Kent joined the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board effective January, 2020. He previously served as the President of the Governing Board of the Lake County ESC. He has also served as Lake County Recorder, Painesville City Councilman and Council President and retired from Maximus, headquartered in Washington DC, as a budget cost analyst. He is vice-president of the Lake County Employee credit union, serves on the Lake Central YMCA Board of Directors, and has been an official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 33 years. He and his wife Marilyn reside in Painesville Township and have one son, Mark.  

 

Marilyn Percic was elected, and sworn in as Vice President of the ESCWR Governing Board January, 2022. Marilyn has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. Her professional service was spent primarily in emergency and trauma nursing with some experience with school nursing, both in and out of Geauga County. 

She and her husband have always enjoyed and embraced all that comes with a more rural community. They were happy to have found their niche in Burton. Since 2007, they have raised their family in Geauga County. Their children's growth opportunities in K-12 and college institutions, community sports, and 4H have also offered many opportunities for Marilyn to become engaged and support her community. She has led healthy school initiatives, helped organize fundraising efforts, and even "stirred" at the Apple Butter Festival. She has also enjoyed continuous involvement in their church and community. 

Mr. Steve Remias was appointed to the vacancy on the Governing Board effective January 1, 2022. He was the former president and vice-President of the Geauga County ESC Governing Board.  Mr. Remias has been a lifelong Geauga County resident, married with two children and one grandchild. His past accomplishments and experience include work as a professor teaching Criminal Justice courses, and administrator handling basic police academies across Ohio. His educational accomplishments include a Bachelors of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, a Masters of Science in Technical Education, and CAI accreditation from the Auction Marketing Institute. Mr. Remias is a member of the VFW Post 1863, Buckeye Sheriff’s Association, Geauga Farm Bureau, Geauga County Department on Aging and the National Auctioneers Association. He also worked with the Geauga County Umpires Association.  

Mr. Kenneth Cahill has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January, 2020.  Previously, he served on the Lake County ESC Governing Board.  Since 1991, Ken Cahill has been practicing family law, working toward outcomes that are in the best interest of families and children. Ken is a noted speaker on issues of family law and serves as chair of the Family Law Committee. Protecting dependent, neglected and abused children was the role of Family Law attorney Kenneth J. Cahill at the Lake County Prosecutor’s Juvenile Division representing the Lake County Department of Jobs & Family Services.  Practicing Family Law since 1991, Ken started first as an Assistant Lake County Prosecutor enforcing and modifying child support orders before joining the Lake County Prosecutors Juvenile Division.  Ken has also prosecuted criminal cases against juvenile offenders. In 1993, he commenced his private practice primarily focusing on Family Law before joining Dworken & Bernstein in 2000.

Ken Cahill has frequently lectured on several topics related to divorce and family law matters including legislative developments involving family law, marital & separate property issues, and child custody matters. He is frequently appointed by trial courts to serve as Guardian Ad Litem to represent the best interests of children.

Mrs. Bonnie Cavanaugh has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board since January, 2020. Previously, Bonnie served as a member of the Geauga County ESC Governing Board. She and her husband David have resided in Middlefield for 26 years. Their two children attended and graduated from Cardinal Local Schools. Bonnie received a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Studies, Summa cum laude, from Cleveland State University, and an Associate's Degree of Business in Paralegal Studies from Cuyahoga County Community College. Bonnie is employed full-time at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Clerk's Office and is a member of the West Geauga Kiwanis club. She also worked as a paralegal in two law offices and has more than ten years corporate administrative / accounting experience.

Dr. Susan Culotta has been a member of the ESC of the Western Reserve Governing Board beginning January, 2020. Previously, she was a member of the Lake County Educational Service Center Governing Board. Dr. Culotta is a Professor of Psychology at Lake Erie College. She also serves on the Board of Health for the Lake County General Health District. Dr. Culotta holds a doctorate from Cleveland University, a Master's Degree from John Carol University and a Bachelor's from Kenyon College. Dr. Culotta lives in Kirtland with her husband, Judge Vincent Culotta, and their two daughters.