WARREN — One of the three finalists for the director’s job at Trumbull County’s 911 Center has dropped out of the running after completing her interview with county commissioners last week.

Joleen M. Clelland, who has 15 years of experience managing and leading communications staffs, wrote “after reflecting on a few things, I think this would be the best choice for both myself and the best interest of Trumbull County,” in an email to commissioners.

Clelland is a dispatch coordinator with the Ravenna Police Department. She previously worked as a police dispatcher with the Mantua Police Department and a communication manager / 911 county coordinator with the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and as an emergency medical technician.

Commissioners now must decide on a director from the remaining two candidates, Eric Tobin and Tacy Bond, or renew the search by advertising for new candidates.

Tobin has no experience managing a county 911 center. However, he worked for eight years as the director and partner with Northeast Ohio Communications in Howland, where he managed a 170-seat center serving clients in the green energy and telecommunication sectors. For three years, Tobin was the senior business manager with MCI, where he managed a 1,100 seat call center.

Bond, a 911 coordinator in Norwalk, is one of 37 people in Ohio who possesses an Emergency Number Professional certification. ENP means someone who demonstrates a mastery of the comprehensive knowledge base required for emergency number program management. She was the first 911 coordinator for Huron County.

The three commissioners last week interviewed the candidates. One candidate, Tobin, was interviewed May 22 by Commissioners Mauro Cantalamessa and Denny Malloy, but had to return May 26 for an interview with Commissioner Niki Frenchko due to the fact she had a phone meeting at the same time of her interview

Malloy said he recommended both final candidates take a tour of the county’s 911 center in Howland. The tours are scheduled to take place next week.

The county has been looking for a permanent 911 director for approximately 2 1/2 years.

The 911 center has 22 dispatchers, including four recent hires. The department has an operational capacity of 30 employees.

It recently lost its operations manager. County officials want the new 911 director to choose the next operations manager. A longtime dispatcher, with more than 20 years experience, passed away Wednesday.

The person hired will manage the county’s dispatch center, coordinate with other public service answering points, develop standard operations policies, set and monitor goals and objectives and act as a liaison with elected officials and other agencies.

The new director will earn a salary of $67,044 to $99,479, based upon experience and qualifications.

rsmith@tribtoday.com