Cuyahoga County Executive’s Chief of Staff Eric Wobser leaving after 5 months

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After just five months on the job, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne’s Chief of Staff Eric Wobser is resigning to return to Sandusky, where his family remains.

News broke through the Sandusky Register Friday, in a story naming him CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership.

“Congratulations to our Chief of Staff (Eric Wobser) on becoming CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership,” Ronayne tweeted out the news around 10:30 a.m. Friday. “Our Northern OH partnership just got stronger. Job well done on helping us successfully launch our (Cuyahoga County) Admin and to our continued partnership.”

Minutes later, Wobser also confirmed the news on his Twitter page.

“I can’t thank (Chris Ronayne) enough for his support, vision, and leadership,” Wobser tweeted. “While my role will change, my commitment to his success and vision will never waver. Chris has a great team and the future is bright.”

In an email shared with Cuyahoga County employees Friday, Wobser said he’s leaving for personal reasons.

“Due to family circumstances, I am unable to return to Cleveland full-time and will remain in Sandusky to better support my family,” Wobser wrote in his email. “I knew it would be difficult to remain Chris’s chief of staff and continue the commute from Sandusky and made the difficult decision (to leave).”

Ronayne later told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that he understands the challenges that made it difficult for Wobser to move his family to Cleveland at this time. He said he supports Wobser’s return home.

“At the end of the day, this is good news for Eric, and I’m happy for him,” Ronayne said. “He’s been, remains and will always be a good friend and partner.”

Wobser’s last day at the county will be in late July. Ronayne said he expects to name someone to fill the role in the interim, while he selects his next chief of staff.

In his departure, Wobser will not completely sever ties with Cuyahoga County.

Wobser said in his email that he will continue working on projects related to the waterfront and downtown Cleveland transformation initiative, and will continue to serve on the Destination Cleveland board.

Wobser is from Sandusky and served as its city manager until he joined Ronayne’s transition team following Ronayne’s election in November 2022. His hire was considered one of Ronayne’s greatest staffing accomplishments.

He is known as a renowned civic leader and catalyst in reviving Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood while he was executive director of Ohio City Incorporated from 2009 to 2014. He also once served as the manager of the City of Cleveland’s Office of Capital Budgeting.

He was last earning $189,000.