DEERFIELD TWP. — Trustees say Greg Horwedel, the Florida man hired Tuesday as township administrator, has the leadership and vision to lead one of the fastest-growing areas in Ohio.

        Mr. Horwedel will leave his job as director of development services and redevelopment for the city of Sarasota, Fla., to replace longtime administrator Hazel Dotson, who is retiring. Mr. Horwedel, 40, will earn $65,000 annually, and start July 31. About 200 candidates applied for the position.

        “He has the leadership skills necessary to guide the township on a positive course,” trustees President Larry Backus said.

        Last year, Money magazine named Sarasota the “Best Small City in America.” Mr. Horwedel helped create the city's first strategic plan and geographic information system to track property values and home ownership rates.

        “He really showed me something when early on in his work with the city he was able to bring warring parties together on an important project,” said David Sollenberger, Sarasota city manager.

        Sarasota has 53,000 residents, more than double that of Deerfield. There, Mr. Horwedel supervises a staff of 122 and oversees total department budgets exceeding $10 million. Deerfield has 100 full- and part-time employees, and current expenditures of about $25 million.

        The Cleveland native said he is excited about returning to Southwest Ohio, where he and his wife grew up.

        “It's going to be bittersweet having to leave here, but there are trade-offs in everything you do,” he said. “The trustees have outlined some strategic goals and objectives. One of the key challenges I perceive is figuring out a plan to go ahead and implement those (goals).”

        Mr. Horwedel also has worked as the director of planning and economic development in Riverside, Ohio, and as development director for the Affordable Housing Fund in Montgomery County, Ohio.

        The administrator in Warren County's Deerfield Township is the chief operating officer of the township, overseeing all administrative functions, the road crew and the cemetery staff, and acts as a liaison between the township staff and the trustees.

        Trustee Bill Morand said Mr. Horwedel's “proven track record (working) with people speaks volumes about his management ability.”

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