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“As superintendent, I’ve been blessed to have a wonderful management staff, a supportive board that has provided great leadership and a direct service staff that is second to none. I’ve been very lucky to have such quality people to help me through my days as superintendent,” he noted. “Mike Zinno has spent the past 18-plus years with our program. He has a strong financial background and has been learning the developmental disabilities side of our operation, and he’s extremely qualified and will do an excellent job as superintendent of our program. He’s extremely involved in the community and brings a lot of great things to the table which will help him be successful. He’s also an engaging person who is well-liked by everyone who knows him.”
He further commended the board and administrators for their dedication to serving special needs individuals to the best of their abilities.
“They have been supportive of the staff and program and they only have their best interests at heart,” Mehalik said of the board. “[The administrators] have the compassion necessary to operate the program with the best interests of the individuals they are serving. They are outstanding people.”
Zinno and fellow board members had similar appreciation for Mehalik and said he has been a vital asset to the JCBDD.
“I’ve worked under two superintendents, but it’s been a wonderful experience and I hope to continue the smooth operation that’s been here since [they were in charge]. We will go through some changes and I will get through it with the staff. I want to finish many of the projects Mike started and it will be for the best interest of the individuals we’re serving. If we continue to keep the consumers first and foremost, we will be successful.”
Board member William Kerr lauded Mehalik for his expertise and dedication to the people they served.
“He was a great employee and great leader and he did a very good job,” Kerr commented.
Board President Jim Padden called Mehalik an excellent leader who will be greatly missed.
“One of the highlights of his career is starting the autism units at the school. A few years ago, there was a family with a child with autism who had to transport their child to Canton for their education. We are now able to help families in Jefferson County with children with autism at our school,” Padden added. “Mike always had the individuals’ best interest as his main goal. His insight, dedication and compassion is what made him such a great leader for the JCBDD.”
Mehalik, whose family includes wife Suzie, daughter Meghan, son-in-law Scott and grandson Mick and granddaughter Quinn, still hopes to remain active in the community for as long as possible.
“I will stay involved in the community serving on boards, and as opportunities present themselves, I may become involved with other organizations that are working to make our community better. I think we live in a great community and it’s important that we all try to contribute more to it, especially when we enter retirement and have time to give, and I plan to do it if the good Lord permits.”
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(Photo Cutline: The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities is undergoing a change in leadership as Superintendent Michael Mehalik, left, retires on June 9 after nearly 35 years of service. Current assistant superintendent Michael Zinno will take his place and oversee the program which serves special needs individuals.)