2021-07-13 - Deputy Mayor James Hardy Accepts Position with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Mayor Horrigan names Sean Vollman as Acting Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 07-13-2021

Akron, Ohio, July 13, 2021 - Today, Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced that James Hardy, Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development, has accepted a positon with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Senior Program Officer, effective at the end of the month. Mayor Horrigan is pleased to announce that Sean Vollman, a development attorney with 22 years of experience, has accepted the appointment to lead the Office of Integrated Development starting August 2, 2021.

'Serving Mayor Horrigan and the City I call home-as Chief of Staff and as Deputy Mayor-has been an honor and privilege,' James Hardy said. 'I will forever be proud of what the City accomplished during my time here, and thankful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. Akron is my hometown, and I have never been more hopeful about what this community can achieve.'

The Office of Integrated Development was formed in 2018 to bring together the existing departments of Planning and Urban Development, Economic Development, Downtown Operations, Recreation, and elements of Engineering under a single strategic vision.

'I thank James for his years of dedicated service and for helping to successfully merge our economic and community development efforts under one roof,' Mayor Dan Horrigan said. 'James' diverse professional background and deep community connections were assets to the City during his tenure. I wish him the very best in his career and look forward to celebrating his accomplishments in the philanthropic arena.'

Incoming Acting Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development Sean Vollman has been an Assistant Director of Law with the City of Akron since 2003. He is a graduate of St. Vincent - St. Mary (1991); Georgetown University (1995) and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (1999). He lives in Akron with his wife, Elise, and two daughters who attend Akron Public Schools.

Sean has been the lead real estate, development, and construction attorney for the City for many years. Some of his noteworthy projects include: Amazon; Dave's Supermarket/ Middlebury Plaza; Mustard Seed; Whole Foods Plaza; Stark State; the Bowery Project; IRG East End; Hickory Development; as well as all major downtown housing developments in the last decade (22 Exchange, 401 Lofts, Depot, Law Building, etc.). Sean also has diverse experiences with the City's CSO program, purchasing processes, and public land matters.

'Sean is a seasoned development professional with decades of experience using tools and negotiations to draw jobs and investment to Akron,' Mayor Horrigan said. 'His vast knowledge and familiarity with City operations, services and partner organizations make him an ideal candidate for this position. As Deputy Mayor, Sean will use his skills and experiences to bring together public and private collaborators to imagine and build a stronger, more vibrant Akron community.'

Three years in, the Office of Integrated Development is undergoing a strategic analysis of current strengths as well as opportunities to build capacity, advance equity, and drive policy within its critical public-facing services and programs-including Lock 3, recreation and parks, housing, Great Streets, entrepreneurship, business retention and expansion, Elevate Akron, and more.

'Creating accessible, healthy public spaces and a resilient, opportunity-rich economy continue to be my priorities for Office of Integrated Development,' Mayor Horrigan added. 'As we regain the positive momentum in downtown and our neighborhoods, and seize the once-in-a-generation opportunities afforded by the American Rescue Plan funding, I am incredibly optimistic about the investments to come.'

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For further information, contact:
Ellen Lander Nischt
Press Secretary & Senior Strategic Counsel
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]

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