Parma announces new Safety Director

PARMA, Ohio - Mayor Tim DeGeeter announced today that Michael C. O'Malley will become the city's new Safety Director.

O'Malley will replace Greg Baeppler, who is retiring in June after serving more than 11 years as safety director, a position which oversees various departments, including Police and Fire.

"Mike brings a wealth of experience to Parma City Hall, to our administration and to his new role," DeGeeter said.  "He'll be a real asset with his work in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office and his understanding of municipal issues as a Cleveland Councilman, among other roles."

Most recently, O'Malley served since 2012 as the Second Region Supervisor for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Office.  In that job, he handled felony cases from, among other cities, Parma, which allowed him to work closely with the city's police department.  Previous to that position, he was First Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, a role in which he supervised a staff of 320 employees.

He also has an extensive background in municipal government, including in Parma, where he worked as Parma's Assistant Law Director from 1994-1999.  Before working as Cleveland's Assistant Director of Public Utilities, O'Malley served for six years as Cleveland's Ward 16 Councilman.  He represented the Old Brooklyn and South Hills area bordering Parma.

"I'm thrilled to return to Parma as the Safety Director," said O'Malley, who in his previous jobs handled everything from labor negotiations and budget preparations and oversight to strategic planning and general day-to-day problem solving.  "I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and working every day to make Parma an even better city."

In making the announcement, DeGeeter also lauded Baeppler's work as Safety Director. "Greg served this city with distinction in a time of real transition in Parma," DeGeeter said.  "He played a large role in making our Police and Fire departments among the finest in this region.  Whether as Safety Director, or as a former Cleveland police officer, or as a former Cleveland district commander, Greg committed his life's work to protecting the public.  I truly wish him well in his future endeavors."

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