Chris Ronayne has taken on a new role that will surely put his experience in urban planning and development to the test on a regional scale. The Cuyahoga County Executive was appointed by National Association of Counties (NACo) President J.D. Clark as the first-ever Chair of the Great Lakes Regional Forum. According to the announcement from Cuyahoga County, this appointment was made at NACo's annual conference, where county leaders across the nation gather to address mutual concerns and strategies.
"I am honored to be appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Great Lakes Regional Forum and to work with county leaders within the Great Lakes region to advance our shared priorities," Ronayne stated via the Cuyahoga County website. His readiness "to work together with leaders at all levels of government to improve freshwater quality and access, sustain critical infrastructure, and bolster economic and destination development throughout the Great Lakes" shows his commitment to regional collaboration. Having once served as President of University Circle Inc. (UCI) for 16 years, his experiences in community development and urban planning projects like the Towpath Trail and the Cleveland-Europe Express container service mark him as well-equipped for his new leadership role.
Before his current role as County Executive, Ronayne has had a rich history of working for the City of Cleveland, including time as Chief of Staff and his leadership in creating the Cleveland Lakefront Plan and the Euclid Corridor. On top of his urban planning background, in 2024, he founded the Fresh Water Institute through Cuyahoga County, aiming to bolster the cultural commitment to freshwater stewardship through education and research initiatives. This project also focuses on the economic development and advocacy necessary for proper water access and quality.
It is the Great Lakes Regional Forum's mission to create a converging point for county leaders across the vital watershed region to discuss and develop strategies on shared issues like water quality, watershed protection, and economic development. With the Great Lakes containing more than 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water, these discussions have global significance and even more so for the over 40 million residents who depend on it for drinking water. The value of the lakes extends far to also support a $6 trillion regional economy and over 1.5 million jobs in the U.S., facts highlighted by the county news release.
