Staff

Mark Rantala is a native of Ashtabula and a graduate of Ashtabula High School and Columbia University.  Prior to joining the Lake County Port Authority in May of 2013 Mark served as Executive Director of the Nederland, Texas Economic Development Corporation.

Mark brings to this position the insights of 23 years of commercial real estate experience in north east Ohio.  Considered a retail expert, Mark looks forward to selling Lake County.

Early efforts as Executive Director included rebranding the Lake County Port Authority as the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority to distinguish Lake County, Ohio from the other 10 Lake Counties in the U.S. and to emphasize our role as the lead economic development organization for Lake County.

Timothy A. Cahill
Director of Public Finance and Controller
[email protected]
440-357-2290 x234

Tim is a native of Lake County and a graduate of Marquette University, with an MBA from Lake Erie College.

In his role as Director of Public Finance and Controller, Tim provides outreach to the community in the promotion of the Port Authority’s finance programs including bond financing, the Lake County Economic Development Loan Program, the CROP Loan Program, and the Port Authority’s energy efficiency financing programs.  He serves as controller and also is involved in the Port Authority’s business retention and expansion activities.

Tim brings to his position over 25 years of commercial lending and community development experience, and a network of relationships in Lake County.

As Director of Coastal Development, Peter is responsible for the implementation of the Lake County Coastal Development Plan. His previous economic development experience includes working as Executive Fellow for Economic Development for Cuyahoga County and as a member of the Business Development Team at the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Peter is a licensed attorney and a graduate of Cleveland State University’s Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration dual-degree program, from which he also holds a certificate in Real Estate Development Finance

Patty Fulop
Airport Manager
[email protected]
440-953-4372
 

Patty is the Airport Manager for the Port Authority and oversees Lost Nation Airport. Patty has over 10 years’ experience as an airport manager and also currently serves as the secretary/treasurer of the Geauga County Airport Authority Board.  She has extensive experience as the fiscal officer and is responsible for all local, state and federal audits.  She is also experienced in matters of federal mandates and compliance issues.   One of her duties as airport manager is to write and manage grants on the federal, state and local level. Patty is a graduate of Cardinal High School in Middlefield, Ohio and a lifetime member of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents where in 1989 through education and years of service she earned her designation as a Certified Travel Consultant.

Patrick Mohorcic
Economic Development Manager
[email protected]
440.357.2290 x 238

As the Economic Development Manager, Patrick manages the business retention and expansion program for the LCOPEDA.

His primary role is to work with Lake County businesses to determine current and future needs for growth and expansion, and to provide knowledge of available resources through the Port Authority and other local and regional partners. Patrick also leads research and analysis activities for business outreach and engagement in collaboration with LCOPEDA staff and other economic development system partners including, the JobsOhio Cleveland Area office and TeamNEO.

Patrick recently graduated cum laude from the College of Wooster, where he studied political science and business economics. He has been nationally recognized by ESPN, National Football Foundation (NFF), and Athletes for a Better World for his work in the community and in the classroom.

Monica Drake
Economic Development Manager
[email protected]
440.357.2290 x 222

Monica joined the Port Authority as the Economic Development Manager for the cities of Kirtland, Wickliffe and Willowick.  Monica brings 24 years of experience in the public sector to the position, serving 18 of those years as the Executive Director of the Put-in-Bay Township Port Authority.  After moving to the mainland, she held positions with ODOT, Greater Cleveland RTA and Cuyahoga County prior to joining LCOPEDA.  She has also owned and operated her own businesses.  Throughout this time, Monica received diverse experience in retail, lodging, tourism, shoreline development, conducting land acquisition/easements, writing grants, facilitating, transportation planning and facility improvements for aviation, transit and ferry boats.

Throughout her career, Monica has been active in various non-profit organizations, serving as a Malcolm Baldridge examiner for The Partnership For Excellence, trustee to Toledo Area Metropolitan Council of Governments, and member of the Ohio Ports Council.  She also served in leadership roles for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Girls Lacrosse program, Past President of the Ohio Aviation Association, Past Chairman of ODNR’s Coastal Resource Advisory Council, and Past President of the Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Program.

Monica earned her Master of Public Administration degree at Cleveland State University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, Public Relations from the University of Toledo. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Debbie is the Port Authority’s Bookkeeper. She manages the Port’s financial records, prepares invoices and pays bills. She is also in charge of payroll and other human resource functions. She handles banking needs and reconciles bank statements. She is also responsible for assisting the CFO with preparing budgets and board reports.