David Merriman Named Administrator of Cuyahoga Job and Family Services

Cleveland - Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish today announced two new senior staff appointments.

Former City of Cleveland Law Director and Municipal Court Judge Bob Triozzi will join the Budish administration as Law Director, and David Merriman will serve as Administrator of Job and Family Services – a position he was appointed to last July on an interim basis.

"With these most recent appointments, we're continuing to build a county government with experienced and dedicated public servants," said Budish. "Bob and David will be important members of my leadership team moving forward, and I am eager to work with them on the challenges facing Cuyahoga County residents."

An alumnus of Cornell University and Case Western Reserve School of Law, Triozzi joins the Budish administration after four years as senior counsel with Calfee, Halter and Griswold, LLP. He will work both as the County's Law Director as well as lead its external affairs with stakeholders across the region.

Outgoing Director of Law Majeed G. Makhlouf, who will join the firm of Berns Ockner & Greenberger LLC where he will he will handle litigation, economic development, real estate, land use, zoning, and construction matters, stated: “I am honored to have Bob succeed me as Director of Law. His experience will prove invaluable to the County. It’s been a privilege to serve the County for the last four years, and I look forward to remaining engaged through civic service and contributing to our community.”

Outgoing Director of Law Majeed G. Makhlouf, who will join the firm of Berns Ockner & Greenberger LLC where he will he will handle litigation, economic development, real estate, land use, zoning, and construction matters, stated: “I am honored to have Bob succeed me as Director of Law. His experience will prove invaluable to the County. It’s been a privilege to serve the County for the last four years, and I look forward to remaining engaged through civic service and contributing to our community.”

David Merriman started at the County as a case worker in the Division of Children and Family Services. After leaving DCFS, he worked eight years with the Cleveland Department of Public Health and then accepted a position as Special Assistant to the County Executive in 2011. He later was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff for Health and Human Services and then began leading Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (CJFS) last July.

"I have been privileged to work to enhance the delivery of critical human services here in Cuyahoga County," said Merriman, who holds a master’s degree in social work from Cleveland State. "I am proud of the progress we've made, but I also understand that CJFS' systems must continue to evolve so that we can help move County residents out of poverty."

As CJFS Administrator, Merriman will work to promote the agency's mission of ensuring economic self-sufficiency and personal responsibility for families by providing a broad range of quality services, as well as enhancing the stability, health, and economic well-being of Cuyahoga County children and families.