Edrea Mientkiewicz of Niles has been appointed deputy elections director by the Trumbull County Board of Elections. The position opened following the retirement earlier this year of long-time Deputy Director Ron Massullo.

The appointee may be new to elections procedures, but she is no stranger to politics. Her son Steve Mientkiewicz is Niles mayor.

Meeting in special session Friday, the board unanimously approved the appointment of the 62-year-old Mientkiewicz to the $58.69 hourly rate position—an amount projected at $59,693 annually according to Mark Alberini, elections board chairman. The new appointee is currently an adult protective services supervisor at Trumbull County Job and Family Services, where she has served in several positions over the years.

“Ideally, I would have liked (for her) to have more election experience, but she has experience in more difficult areas (finance) and budgeting,” Alberini told the board before the unanimous vote in favor. “I see her as a complement to Stephanie (Penrose, board of elections director) with her areas of strength.”

According to Alberini, out of 13 candidates who applied for the position, the board selected five for interviews including Mientkiewicz. Alberini said the board used a “weighted scale” that included assessments of qualification and administrative experience. “It was an impressive pool of candidates,” he said.

As an hourly employee, Mientkiewicz must undergo a 120-calendar day probationary period. She is expected to begin her duties no later than April 1.

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