11/21/2025

CTAO Installs New Leadership at Fall Conference

Recognizes Legislative Champion & Treasurer of the Year

The County Treasurers Association of Ohio (CTAO) celebrated its Fall Conference & Annual Meeting November 12 – 14, 2025 and installed new officers during the event.

Kathy Kelich, Belmont County Treasurer, was sworn in as President of the association during the ceremony. Kelich will lead the organization that serves the interests of Ohio's 88 county treasurers for the next year. 

The complete slate of officers for 2026 includes:

● President: Kathy Kelich, Belmont County Treasurer
● First Vice President: Dan Yemma, Mahoning County Treasurer
● Second Vice President: Vickie Myers, Defiance County Treasurer
● Treasurer: Cheryl Brooks Sullivan, Franklin County Treasurer
● Secretary: Dave Wolters, Mercer County Treasurer
● Immediate Past President: Brad Cromes, Cuyahoga County Treasurer

The installation ceremony was part of the association's annual Fall Conference, which featured educational sessions on property tax administration, investment management, and emerging technologies in treasury operations.

The CTAO recognized Senator Bill Blessing as the 2025 Legislative Champion for his tireless efforts to ensure that all property taxes, especially delinquent property taxes, are paid before a property transfers ownership.  The goal of these efforts is to reduce future property delinquencies across the state by ensuring taxes are paid current before a property changes hands, ending the cycle of unpaid taxes and potential future delinquencies.

The association also honored Hancock County Treasurer Steve Welton as the 2025 Treasurer of the Year. A county treasurer since 2001, Treasurer Welton has been a key member of the CTAO Legislative Committee for many years and continues to be actively involved in advocating for various pieces of legislation that CTAO supports. It is in recognition of these dedicated efforts that he was named CTAO Treasurer of the Year.