Each year since 2001, Leadership Geauga County has recognized community leaders who have significantly enhanced the quality of life in Geauga County. Those that have contributed to providing the Geauga quality of life that we hold so dear deserve to be awarded.
The Emerald Leader Award, Geauga County’s “Person of the Year,” is presented annually to an individual, a business and/or a non-profit agency that exemplifies outstanding leadership by positive contributions through volunteerism, philanthropy, or innovation that impact the quality of life in Geauga County.
Just some of Individuals who have been honored as Geauga County Emerald Leaders have included:
Jeff Keener, Bill Prior, Gordon Safran, Dick Moss, Kimm Leininger, Tom Benda, Paul Newman, Howard Bates, Deborah O’Connor, Chuck Fowler, Kathy Leavenworth, Ed Babcock, and Richard Frenchie.
The categories for achievement include:
- Leadership in Economic/Social/Civic Development
- Volunteer/Community Service
- Special Achievement
Recognition is given to individuals whose leadership has significantly enhanced the quality of life in Geauga County. Criteria recognized include but are not limited to:
- Participation in voluntary in community/professional/service organizations
- Material to community/professional/service organizations
- Engagement in a single special act or service that impacts the community
- Creation or support of an innovative program, system, or facility that benefits and enhances the community
- Service to Geauga County in a capacity beyond job requirements
- The Fostering of positive community relationships
- Enhancement or support of community improvements
- Introduction or implementation of innovations in the community
This year’s award winner, has been a pillar in Geauga County for a long time, and has been giving to Geauga County his whole life.
Dan McClelland has served as a Geauga County deputy sheriff since 1976 and was appointed as Geauga County Sheriff in 2003 and has been elected three times since his appointment.
His sixty years of leadership and contributing to the County has included service as a deputy, a sergeant, a lieutenant, and as chief deputy. Just a few of his professional memberships include: Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, National Sheriffs Association, Geauga County Local Emergency
Planning Committee (LEPC), Geauga County Safety and Security Council (CSSC), Geauga County Terrorism Task Force, Geauga County Fire Chiefs Association, Geauga County Automated Data Processing Board, Geauga County Township Trustee’s Association, FBI National Academy Associates and the Geauga County Farm Bureau.
He is a graduate of Chardon High School, the University of Akron, FBI National Academy Quantico Virginia, Lakeland Community College, the Peace Office Basic Training Program and Leadership Geauga County.
He is a member of Chardon Alumni Hall of Fame, Burton-Middlefield Rotary, Burton Chamber of Commerce, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, and is a 32 Degree Mason and Shiner.
Dan has received many awards during his career and a few include: Official Departmental Commendation for clearing a major burglary ring involving 20 residences and 18 suspects, Official Departmental Commendation for safely disarming a suspect armed with a shotgun who was threatening to kill another deputy , Official Commendation from Middlefield Police Department for apprehending a barricaded armed suspect (August 28, 1989), Official Commendation from Middlefield Police Department for apprehending several suspects in the act of breaking into the Cardinal High School, Official Commendation from the Middlefield Police Department for apprehending two armed individuals who had committed an Aggravated Robbery at a bank branch, Chardon Alumni Hall of Fame Recipient for lifetime and career accomplishments, Buckeye State Sheriffs Association Commendation as a Certified Law Enforcement Manager, and 2011 Recipient of the DARE Law Enforcement Executive of the Year Award for the State of Ohio.
When asked about his career and life Dan says, “It’s always been about family and bringing people together.” About his work ethic, “If I don’t do something right, Mom’s gonna yell at me.” And about his legacy, “Mom always told me to “Leave a place better than I found it.”
Dan and his wife Bev have been happily married for 41 years. He is the father of Daniel R. McClelland, Kelly McClelland Slattery, and Andrew McClelland, and grandfather to six little ones.
And of course, his “sidekick” Midge.
Leadership Geauga County is honored to announce that Sheriff Daniel C. McClelland has been named a 2014 Leadership Geauga County Emerald Leader Award Winner.
At the Leadership Geauga Emerald Ball on March, Dan will be formally recognized as the 2014 Emerald Leader!
Leadership Geauga’s annual Emerald Ball will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Federated Community Center in Bainbridge Township.
For further information or to receive an invitation, contact Leadership Geauga County at 440-286-8115 or by email at drbob@leadershipgeauga.org.
