Cuyahoga Makeover

New Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has tapped a former Franklin County treasurer to serve as the top fiscal officer under a reorganized government.

Wade Steen is a certified public accountant who served as Franklin County’s treasurer from 2001 to 2002 and also served as a deputy to Ohio auditor Jim Petro.

In his new position, Steen will oversee most fiscal duties — including those previously assumed by the auditor and recorder — of the state’s most populous county.

“Wade has the skills and leadership ability to make the changes needed in this important area of Cuyahoga County government,” FitzGerald said in a statement. “As we pursue efficiencies in our operations, Wade’s background and experience will be a major asset to our efforts.”

Steen will be the first chief financial officer under the new county charter. FitzGerald took office in January along with 11 County Council members as the first officials of a new executive government that replaced a three-member board of county commissioners.

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