MORPC Announces New Officers - MORPC

April 9, 2020

Gahanna City Council Member Karen Angelou to serve as chair

Representatives of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC’s) membership have elected three new board officers that will serve for the next two years.

Those elected include:

Karen Angelou

As Chair: Karen J. Angelou – Council Member, City of Gahanna

As Vice Chair: Erik J. Janas – Deputy County Administrator, Franklin County

As Secretary: Chris Amorose Groomes – Mayor, City of Dublin

“I want to thank the Gahanna City Council, who over eight years ago, made me the representative to MORPC. I am humbled, honored and excited to become the chair of this innovative and dedicated organization. In my time as a representative, MORPC’s membership has more than doubled – to 74 communities. When I look out at the crowded audience at our commission meetings, I see colleagues, friends, our extraordinary MORPC team and executive director – all of whom are creating strong, lasting relationships that will connect our communities and provide continual communication.”

MORPC Chair Karen Angelou

In the role of chair, Angelou will preside over MORPC board meetings and advise the commission on setting goals and implementing strategic plans. She will also play a key role in MORPC’s efforts to collaborate regionally with members, community leaders, and state and federal governments. Angelou, who is in her 12^th term on Gahanna City Council, most recently served as MORPC vice chair.

“Karen is a longtime public servant who is passionate about making Central Ohio the best it can be. Under her forward-thinking leadership, MORPC will be well prepared for the future in areas such as transportation and sustainability, which are so important to our local communities.”

MORPC Executive Director William Murdock

As vice chair, Janas will oversee MORPC’s executive committee, which reviews and makes recommendations to the board about budget, administrative and public policy issues. The executive committee governs the core functions of the commission including personnel matters, contracts and financial issues. Janas served as board secretary in the previous term.

MORPC’s newly elected secretary, Amorose Groomes, has been an active member at the commission, including her service on MORPC’s executive committee. She has served on Dublin City Council since 2016.

MORPC serves its members through planning, direct service, public policy information, innovative programming and intergovernmental coordinating services in the areas of transportation, sustainability, land use, energy conservation and housing.

To learn more about the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, visit www.morpc.org.