Lorain County Community Action Agency

William T. Locke, Executive Director

William (Bill) T. Locke currently serves as the Executive Director of the Lorain County Community Action Agency. He served as Executive Director of the Lorain County Community Action Agency from 1988 until 1999.

William has had an extensive history of working in and around community service related organizations. He began his community service career in Portage County in 1974 where he served as Executive Director of the Portage County Community Action Council until 1983. In 1983, He received an appointment by Governor Celeste to serve as the Chief of the States Office of Community Services in the Department of Development to administer the Community Services Block Grant for Ohio. William left the State of Ohio to become the Deputy Executive Director for the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action before coming to the Lorain County Community Action Agency.

Bill currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio.

Bill currently serves on the Workforce Development Board of Lorain County, The Children and Family Council of Lorain County, The Ohio Urban Resources System, The Lorain City Schools Financial Advisory Committee, Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies Board (OACAA) of Trustees 2nd Vice President, and is a member of the Elyria and Lorain branches of the NAACP.

In 2008, Bill was recognized for his achievements and contributions to Lorain County by Leadership Lorain County as he was honored with a Difference Makers Award.

One of Locke's proud achievements came to fruition in 1995 as he was able to plan and develop the Hopkins-Locke Head Start Center, which was named in honor of Charles & Fannie Hopkins and William Locke, a state of the art preschool building.

Bill is also very active in Jones Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Elyria. Bill also served in the U.S. Army from 1959 until 1967 and received an Honorable Discharge.

William is married to the lovely Dorothy Locke (who does not call him Bill). William & Dorothy currently reside in Lorain.

Contact William T. Locke at (440) 204-3150 or at wlocke@lccaa.net.

Chakakhan Abston, Director of Human Resources

Chakakhan Abston has been employed at Lorain County Community Action Agency since November of 2000 and is currently the Director of Human Resources. She is responsible for the managerial oversight and coordination of all human resources matters of the Agency, including the formulation of policies, recruitment of personnel, determination and coordination of employee benefits, wage and salary administration, maintenance of personnel records, incentive programs, employee relations and labor negotiations.

She is a graduate of Southview High School in Lorain. She received her Bachelors of Business Administration from Kent State University. Prior to becoming the Director of Human Resources, Chakakhan occupied the positions of Staff Development Coordinator and Human Resources Assistant.

Chakakhan is an active member at Faith Ministries Christian Center in Lorain, Ohio where she sings on the Praise and Worship Team.

She and her husband currently reside in Lorain, Ohio.

Contact Chakakhan at (440) 204-3123 or at cabston@lccaa.net.

Jackie Boehnlein, Director of Strategic and Organizational Development

Jackie Boehnlein joined the Agency in 2007 and serves as the Director of Strategic and Organizational Development. She is currently responsible for strategic initiatives, organizational performance review, technology, community learning resources, agency communications, and resource and program development. While at the Agency she has innovated to create an organizational Results-Oriented Management and Accountability Scorecard, directed the creation of an electronic request technology HelpDesk, automated the purchase order process for the Agency, and championed a digital imaging social enterprise. The programs and projects she touches benefit from her commitment to continually improving processes and systems.

Mrs. Boehnlein is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Tiffin University holding a bachelors degree in Organizational Management. She earned a certificate in Technical Writing from Cleveland State University and is a certified Self-Management^TM professional development coach. Prior business sector experience includes banking, small business, and higher education. She currently serves as a peer reviewer with the Academic Quality Improvement Program of the Higher Learning Commission and with the Pathways to Excellence Program of the Community Action Partnership. In 2005, she was recognized as a CQMgr, Quality Manager, with the American Society of Quality.

Jackie serves as the Agency's primary contact and administrator of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding for Lorain County.

Married since 1989, she and her husband, Chuck, live in North Ridgeville. They have one daughter, Meg, who is a senior in high school.

Contact Jackie at (440) 204-3146 or at jboehnlein@lccaa.net.

Samuel H. Hitchens Jr., Director of Energy Conservation Services

As Director of Energy Conservation and Emergency Services Sam is responsible for providing agency-wide direction, planning, and oversight for the energy conservation and emergency services programs and related services. Sam is also responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive energy conservation and emergency services strategy and action plan based on the Agency's strategic plan and priorities. Sam works with local municipalities and neighborhood groups to develop and maximize energy conservation and emergency services program development and he develops collaborative relationships with other local energy conservation organizations for the purpose of enhancing the county's overall energy conservation strategy.

Sam started with LCCAA as a Weatherization Technician in 1989. He then went on to become Crew Chief then Estimator /Inspector in the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP), which is funded by the Ohio Energy Office in Columbus. Sam left LCCAA in 2001 to further his Weatherization career. He worked for Detroit Shoreway Community Development as an HWAP Inspector for four years, and Cleveland Housing Network as Regional Maintenance Co-coordinator also performing electrical energy audits for two years before returning to LCCAA in 2007. Sam has trained at The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development Ohio Weatherization Training Center in Athens, Ohio. Sam received certifications in House Diagnostics, HVAC Inspection, Production Considerations, Blower Door Use, and Consumer Education.

Sam was born and raised in Lorain. Sam is a Clearview High School graduate where he was a member of the 1974 state basketball champion team. Sam is a sports enthusiast and supports all Cleveland sports as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contact Sam at (440) 204-3164 or at shitchens@lccaa.net.

Susan Butler-Kaczay, Director of Head Start

Susan Butler-Kaczay is presently the Head Start Director at Lorain County Community Action Agency. She has been with the company since 1997, having served as Coordinator of Disability Services, Director of Planning, Research and Development and co-Interim Executive Director during the search for the present Executive Director. Sue has also done independent consulting and was employed by Firelands Schools.

Sue is responsible for directing, coordinating and providing managerial oversight for childcare and community service programs to fulfill the philosophy, mission and vision of the agency. She also supervises all assigned divisions and departments within the Agency that provide direct services to children and families. She also develops collaborative & coordinating agreements with other public and private organizations as well as develops specific strategies for putting comprehensive outcome based family development services into operation.

Sue is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Ohio University and was nominated Outstanding Senior Leader. She served as president of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Sue was named Dale Carnegie Outstanding Achievement Award winner in 2007, and she is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Lorain County.

Sue has participated in many local, Ohio Department of Education, and Ohio Department of Health committees and boards throughout her 27 year professional career.

Sue is mom to Amanda, a 2008 graduate of the University of South Carolina and Drew, a 2008 graduate of Bay High School.

Contact Sue at (440) 204-3153 or at skaczay@lccaa.net.

Mary Keuper, Director of Finance

Mary A. Keuper is the Director of Finance at Lorain County Community Action Agency. Mary was hired as the Controller in October of 2001 and has the distinct privilege to serve as Director of Finance since March of 2003.

As Director of Finance, Mary directs and coordinates the financial affairs of the Agency to formulate and administer fiscal policies and procedures. She advises management and department heads on relevant fiscal issues. Mary is responsible for the coordination and implementation of all fiscal policies, directives, and procedures. She ensures Agency compliance with all funding source fiscal requirements and prepares an annual consolidated Agency budget incorporating revenue and expenses for all Agency functions. Mary prepares Agency financial statements and reports for management and Board review, and she generates reports which reflect financial position in areas of income, expenses, cash flow based on past, present, and projected operations.

Mary attended St. John Fisher College located in Rochester, New York where she studied Accounting while maintaining a full-time management position with a local company. Mary received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from St. John Fisher College in 2000.

In 2001, Mary relocated to Ohio to marry her husband Brian. Mary and Brian are currently registered in the foster to adopt program with Lorain County Children Services. Mary and Brian reside in Avon Lake with their dog Smokey.

Contact Mary at (440) 204-3140 or at mkeuper@lccaa.net.

Diana Marrero-Pinto, Director of Housing

In her present role as Director of Housing Development for the Lorain County Community Action Agency, Diana is responsible for directing, coordinating and providing managerial oversight for all housing development initiatives, new construction, rehabilitation, and other housing related projects. Diana's job duties include developing a housing development strategic plan and implementation plans for increasing home ownership for low-and-moderate income families of Lorain County. She is also charged with the pursuit and preparation of housing related funding proposals, developing collaborative & coordinating agreements with other public and private housing development entities, developing new housing programs relevant to the needs of low-to-moderate Lorain County residents, and promoting and creating decent and affordable housing opportunities for residents of Lorain County.

Diana has ten years of housing experience and also holds certification as a Homeownership Counselor and Educator, Certified Post Purchase Educator, Certified Foreclosure Prevention Specialist, Credit Counselor, and Property Management Specialist. Her career experience as an Ohio Licensed Realtor, mortgage broker, and insurance agent illustrate her full scope of knowledge of housing. Through bilingual individual counseling, classroom settings, and workshops as well as community education Diana has sought to bring the importance and vital need for financial literacy and housing counseling and education to the public. Currently she is working towards a degree in Urban Planning. Diana has also served on the City of Lorain's and Lorain County's Fair Housing Board.

Diana is an active member of the Hispanic community where she coordinated the City of Lorain's first Puerto Rican parade. She is currently married and mom to four children.

Contact Diana at (440) 204-3155 or dmarreropinto@lccaa.net.

Vincent M. Urbin, Director of Community Services

Vince brings a diversified background with him. He has worked in manufacturing, retail, business and research and development positions in the past. He also brings over twenty years of public service. He has served as a full-time Mayor and Safety Director, Council President and Councilman-at-Large in Avon Lake where he grew up. He came to us after spending the last three years working for Lorain County as an Economic Development Specialist/Planner III and as the Administrative Coordinator of The Lorain County Community Alliance.

Over the years, Vince has served on many local and state committees, boards and commissions. He also has participated in local organizations including Church and Kiwanis. He is an ordained deacon and he also is a proud member and one of the original creators of The Lorain County Community Alliance.

Vince has been honored for his service and leadership including awards from the Cleveland State Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs Local Leadership Academy who presented him with the first ever Excellence in Government Award and the Ohio School Board Association awarded him for creating a strong city/school partnership.

Vince is an Avon Lake High School graduate where he graduated as president of his class. He also graduated in 1997 from Leadership Lorain County and in 1993 from the Cleveland State Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs Local Leadership Academy.

He resides in Avon Lake with his wife Evelyn. They have two grown children; a daughter Angel and a son, Vinny.

At LCCAA, Vince is eager to assist anyone who is interested in starting up a new business and he looks forward to partnering with organizations all over the county. Vince had this to say about his new position with the agency; I am blessed and proud to be a member of a team that is interested in helping and serving others and working to make a difference in peoples lives and the community we serve.

Contact Vincent M. Urbin at (440) 204-3154 or at vurbin@lccaa.net.