Leadership

TMACOG is a voluntary organization of dues-paying members, with additional partnerships among many nongovernmental and community organizations. Members include local political subdivisions in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan: cities, counties, villages, and townships, as well as schools and colleges, park districts, and other organizations focused on quality of life in the region.

As a regional council of governments, TMACOG represents more than 80 governmental members in Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties in Ohio, as well as Monroe County, Michigan. We provide leadership in regional transportation, environmental stewardship, and economic development, serving more than 800,000 residents. TMACOG is designated as the area’s Metropolitan Planning Organization and the regional 208 Wastewater Authority.

Decisions are made in partnership by representatives of communities that make up the western Lake Erie region. For more information about governance and organizational structure, check out our Councils & Committees page.

Executive Director

As the Executive Director, Sandy is responsible for leading regional collaboration in transportation, water quality, and economic development to enhance the quality of life for communities across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

With a strong commitment to public service, Sandy previously served as Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Toledo and as an elected member of Toledo City Council. She holds the Certified Ohio Economic Developer designation through the Ohio Economic Development Association and has contributed to national policy discussions as a member of the National League of Cities’ Community and Economic Development Committee.

A passionate advocate for economic growth and inclusivity, Sandy is a founding member and co-chair of the Northwest Ohio Women’s Business Council and serves on the board of Lott Industries, which provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

As she leads TMACOG, Sandy is committed to integrating economic development with regional planning and advocacy, working to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the region.

Chair

Ed Schimmel is currently serving his third term as the mayor of Northwood. He earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from University of Toledo and a law degree from University of Toledo School of Law. In addition to serving as mayor, he is an attorney with the law firm of Hizer & Schimmel. Mayor Schimmel is a proud husband to his wife Carolyn, and together they have 3 children, Aidan, Adrian and Ava, all of whom attend Northwood Schools. In his free time, he enjoys farming his 250 acres with his father, and fly fishing.

First Vice Chair

Toledo City Councilman George Sarantou was elected in November 2021. He serves as the Chair of the Finance, Debt & Budget Oversight Committee of City Council. He is also a member of the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee, the Regional Growth, Development & Small Business Enterprise Committee, the Water Quality Committee, and the Zoning & Planning Committee.

George is a graduate of DeVilbiss High School, Ohio State University, and a lifelong resident of Lucas County. George has spent much of his career in public service, including 12 years on Toledo City Council, over 3 years as Toledo’s Director of Finance, and 3 years as a Court Administrator with the Lucas County Probate Court. George and his wife Barbara have been married for 39 years and have raised 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren in the Toledo community.

Second Vice Chair

Lisa is a long-time public servant. She served in the U.S. Navy as the first female fire safety instructor sailor. During her service, Lisa was stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 3.5 years and at Charleston, South Carolina for two years.

Originally from Republic, Missouri, Lisa has been part of the Toledo landscape for many years.

She served as a member of the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education for eight years, during which she served as board president and served on the Ohio School Facilities, Policy, Curriculum, Human Resources, and Community and Public Relations committees. She oversaw the construction of 44 new schools and the renovation of two 100-year-old high schools, implemented a strategic plan, and oversaw a balanced budget.

Lisa was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018 and served four years as State Representative, serving served on the Primary and Secondary Education Committee, Economic and Workforce Development Committee, Ways and Means Committee, State and Local Government Committee, Joint Education Oversight Committee, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, and the State Report Card Study Committee.

Bills sponsored by Lisa and passed by the House 133rd & 134th General Assembly include the Eugene Kranz Day, the Officers Dia and Stalker Highway, a $5 million grant for CDL opportunities to grow the workforce, and Fair School Funding.

Before running for the Ohio House, Lisa worked as an economic support specialist for Lucas County Job and Family Services. She was active within her union, AFSCME Local 544-01, and served as the chapter’s chair.

Lisa lives in Point Place. She has been married to her husband Eddie for 27 years, has two sons, one daughter-in-law, one granddaughter, and one grandson.