James J. Posch II will step down as the president of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library at the end of December, ending seven years of service to the Library that included two successful levies, the creation of a comprehensive technology plan, and a structure for long-term planning.
“Jim has been the driving force behind the many innovations and modernizations of our fiscal and technological operations,” says Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin. “He helped the library create a comprehensive map of all technology based operations, tied them to the staff responsible, the public they serve, and the means for improvement. All of this was incorporated into a long-term financial planning that makes budgeting for innovation much easier.”
Posch, whose day job is general partner at the on-line testing software company Test.Com, has lived in Cleveland Heights for 32 years. He and his wife, Joyce Braverman, Planning Director for the City of Shaker Heights, have two children: Ellen, 19 years old, a Freshman at Georgia Tech and Michelle, 16 years old, a Junior at Cleveland Heights High School.
It was his appreciation of the library’s importance in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights community that inspired him to apply to the library board in 2007. “I’m a big user of the library, and I’ve always loved it,” says Posch. “During the planning and re-construction of the Lee Road Library in 2005, I was concerned about the anger in the community about the project, especially the bridge. I thought the project was very misunderstood, and I wanted to do something about it.”
Recently, Posch worked closely with the Heights Libraries Levy Committee on a campaign for a new, continuing 2.2 mill operating levy that was decisively approved by voters on November 4. “He helped the committees raise over $15 thousand and put together almost as many yard signs!” says Levin. “Jim has always been a champion of collaboration and partnerships on the local level, with a clear understanding of the vision and values of our library, and that understanding made him a powerful leader and advocate. He will be missed.”
The incoming board president is Rob Fischer, who previously served as Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Operations Committee.
Thank you for all your hard work! Peggy Behrens