Mayor's Cabinet

Abby Arnold, Deputy Mayor

Ms. Arnold serves in a co-management team, directly overseeing the infrastructure departments of Transportation, Parks and Youth Services, Public Service, and Public Utilities. Ms. Arnold was appointed by Mayor D. Michael Collins in June 2014 as the Commissioner of Utilities Administration in the Public Utilities department. Prior to that appointment, Ms. Arnold served as the Chief of Staff and Director of Real Estate in the Lucas County Auditor’s office. Ms. Arnold received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Cincinnati in 2003, and a Master of Public Administration from Kent State University in 2016. Ms. Arnold played a key role in the implementation of the nationally-recognized Engage Toledo program.

Karen Poore, Deputy Mayor

Ms. Poore serves in a co-management team, directly overseeing the direct service departments of Building and Code Compliance, Housing and Community Development, Economic Development, and Public Safety. Ms. Poore is a 25-year public service veteran with key management and communications expertise. Ms. Poore previously served as the chief deputy treasurer for the Lucas County Treasurer’s office, managing complex tax accounting, treasury, and delinquent collection systems in support of the $500 million county budget with a staff of 23 employees. Ms. Poore also previously worked for Toledo City Council and the Lucas County Board of Elections.

Michael Troendle, Police Chief

Chief Michael Troendle is a 29-year veteran of the Toledo Police Department. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Crime Analysis from Tiffin University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Chief Troendle has worked in Field Operations, Investigations, SWAT, Communications, Criminal Intelligence, and Special Operations. He was responsible for the implementation of Intelligence-Led Policing and designed and managed the construction of the Real-Time Crime Center. Chief Troendle was promoted to Sergeant in January 2004, to Lieutenant in October 2006, to Captain in October 2012, to Deputy Chief in March 2017, Assistant Chief in July 2018, and named Chief in 2023.

Allison Armstrong, Fire Chief

Chief Armstrong was appointed Fire Chief in 2022, after 22 years with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department. Her promotion to Lieutenant came in 2010, to Captain in 2011, and to Battalion Chief of the EMS Bureau in 2019. Chief Armstrong earned her EMT-Paramedic Certification in May of 2008. She holds a Associates in Nursing from Owens Community College, a Bachelor of Nursing from Mercy College and a Master of Health Informatics from University of Cincinnati. She is also a State of Ohio Certified Fire Safety Inspector. State of Ohio Fire Instructor including NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor. Chief Armstrong is also a member of the federally deployable Ohio-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team based out of Toledo, Ohio, which provides medical treatment to those affected by disasters.

Lacy J. DeBerry, III, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director

Mr. DeBerry brings over 25 years of government experience to his role, having previously served as a Human Resources Consultant in Greensboro, NC. He is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Affairs and holds a certificate from the University of North Carolina School of Government. With a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Mr. DeBerry is advancing these critical initiatives in Toledo through implementation of complaint case management software, new city offices for disability and gender equity, as well as implementation of recommendations from the city's first disparity study.

Brandon Sehlhorst, Economic Development Director

Mr. Sehlhorst is primarily responsible for facilitating major development projects, managing the City’s real estate portfolio, and increasing job creation and investment through attraction, expansion and retention of private sector companies. Prior to joining the City, Mr. Sehlhorst worked for the Regional Growth Partnership, City of Cincinnati’s Department of Economic Development, and at REDI Cincinnati where he led incentive negotiations for job creation projects in southwest Ohio. Mr. Sehlhorst graduated cum laude from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Urban Planning and a Master of Business Administration and Real Estate. He lives in South Toledo with his wife and two children.

Rosalyn Clemens, Housing and Community Development Director

Ms. Clemens oversees the implementation of a comprehensive housing strategy, affordable housing projects, and administration of federal funds. With 25+ years in public service, she's driven to uplift underserved areas, managing a $50 million budget and a team of 40. Notable achievements include leading a $110 million mixed-use redevelopment project and creating homeownership assistance programs. She holds a Master's in Economics, has managed HUD programs, and received awards for community impact. Clemens excels in partnership engagement, project management, and government efficiency.

Anne Bennett, Information Technology (IT) Director

Ms. Bennett is accountable for the City’s IT services and our resident-facing Engage Toledo call center. She oversees the City’s entire IT infrastructure, network security, software applications, and call-center operations. With over 30 years of experience in IT, including CIO positions at The Anderson and the Toledo Museum of Art, Ms. Bennett has a proven record and passion for strategic development, IT infrastructure, and process improvement. Ms. Bennett graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science, in Information and Telecommunication Systems and the University of Toledo with a Master, in Liberal Studies. She and her husband Brian have two children; Michael & Grace.

Rachel Hart, Marketing and Communications Interim Director

Ms. Hart is responsible for coordinating all communication presented by the City of Toledo. Social media, traditional media, press events, videos, graphics, and the website are all used to communicate programs that benefit residents. In addition, she coordinates internal communications for over 2,500 employees. She is focused on enhancing user experience for residents and increasing access and participation in city services and events. Ms. Hart holds a degree in visual communication from BGSU and was a web designer/developer prior to being hired at the City of Toledo in 2019. She and her husband Michael reside in south Toledo with their daughter and 2 dogs.

Malcolm Cunningham, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Director

Mr. Cunningham leads the MONSE efforts to increase neighborhood safety through building connectivity and capacity within Toledo's existing ecosystem and oversees the Save Our Community program. He is focused on identifying the root causes of violence and determining which interventions, policies, and supports are vital for well-being. Mr. Cunningham is a graduate of Ohio State University with a BS in Psychology and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda. Cunningham then taught Toledo youth organic farming and developed a macro perspective on public health at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. Currently, Mr. Cunningham is a Fellow in the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing on violence prevention.

Joe Fausnaugh, Parks and Youth Services Director

Mr. Fausnaugh was hired in 2021 to serve as director of the newly formed Parks and Youth Services department. Mr. Fausnaugh leads the team of staff responsible for capital reinvestment in parks, regional connectivity projects, maintenance, and recreational programming in the city’s system of 125 parks. His duties also include execution of a comprehensive youth engagement strategy addressing youth civic engagement, health and wellbeing, education, safety, and job preparedness. Prior to joining the city, he worked for 24 years at Metroparks Toledo in various capacities including Chief of Operations and as the Chief Executive Law Enforcement Officer. He holds an undergraduate degree in Zoology from Ohio State University and a Master’s degree in Organization Development from Bowling Green State University.

Tom Gibbons, Plan Commission Director

Mr. Gibbons has over 29 years of planning experience and joined the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission in 1995 as a planner. Since that time, he has been a Community Development Director for the City of Sandusky and has worked on numerous planning projects for the City of Toledo. Prior to employment at the City of Toledo, Tom was a Planner with an engineering firm in northwest Ohio. He holds a Masters of Arts & Science Degree in Geography and Planning and a Bachelor of Education from The University of Toledo.

Brian Byrd, Public Safety Director

Mr. Byrd has oversight of the city’s police and fire departments. His work in public safety began in 1988 as a member of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. In his 33 years of service, he was promoted through the ranks and retired as the Chief of the Department in December of 2021. He also served as a paramedic in the Lucas County Emergency Medical System for 27 of those years. Mr. Byrd has served on the Department of Homeland Security Emergency Medical Services Subcommittee and the Ohio Emergency Medical Services Board Medical Transportation Committee and Critical Care Subcommittee. He also served as the Lucas County Coordinator of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Emergency Response Plan. He has been deputized through the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office since 2018 and is a nationally certified firearms instructor and range safety officer.

Megan Robson, Public Service Director

Ms. Robson has been employed with the city of Toledo for 16 years. During her time with the city, she has worked closely with all divisions and operations. In her current role as Director for the Department of Public Service, Ms. Robson provides leadership and guidance to the department on key functions including goal planning, strategic priorities, policies and procedures, fiscal planning and coordination of city resources.

Ed Moore, Public Utilities Director

Mr. Moore has held numerous positions in the cabinets of Toledo’s last five mayors dating back to 2007, becoming Director of Public Utilities in April of 2014. Mr. Moore had previously served as Commissioner of Sewer & Drainage Services, Commissioner of Streets, Bridges and Harbor, Director of Public Service, and most recently, Commissioner of Engineering Services. Mr. Moore holds degrees in Managerial Accounting, Construction Engineering Technology, and an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Mr. Moore is a lifelong Toledoan and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He and his wife Pamela have been married for 32 years and have two children, Marvin and India.

Douglas Stephens P.E., Transportation Director

Mr. Stephens has been employed with the City of Toledo for 22 years. During this time, he has served as the Deputy Director of Public Utilities, Administrator of Engineering Services, and various roles in Engineering Services as a professional engineer. He is a licensed professional engineer and holds Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master in Business Administration degrees. In his current role as Director of the Department of Transportation he provides leadership and guidance to the department in order to provide a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system.