Skowrunski celebrates successes with Coshocton Port Authority

Dorothy Skowrunski is pictured at right with Robert Simpson, owner of MFM and the Coshocton Port Authority Board Chairman. Simpson presented Skowrunski with a plaque honoring her for her years of service as the port authority’s executive director. Contributed | Beacon

COSHOCTON – Dorothy Skowrunski joined the Coshocton Port Authority in 2010 as interim executive director, but ended up staying for more than six years.

She, however, announced her resignation in February and the Port Authority Board recently approved the hiring of Tiffany Swigert as the executive director of the Coshocton Port Authority. Swigert will begin her employment on July 10.

The port authority’s mission is to be an economic development resource center, connecting business, industry, finance, government and education to promote growth and prosperity. Some projects Skowrunski has helped spearhead that focused on these goals are: County Road 12 and County Road 10 repaving projects; The expansion of the Kraft Foods plant; McWane Ductile expansion; Getting the ethanol plant back up and running with a new company; Working with the EPA on site cleanup; Updating the port authority’s logo, website and mission statement.

While working on projects like these, Skowrunski also was involved with the following boards and organizations: OMEGA – officer on the board of directors – treasurer – appointment by the commissioners; EODA – officer on the board of directors – secretary – appointed by the commissioners; Coshocton Visitor’s Bureau – required position in by-laws; Coshocton is Blooming Board – downtown development initiative; Community Development Council – chairman; JEDD annual meeting – oversaw the process; Coshocton CARES (College Access); Clary Gardens; helped city become a Tree City USA, establish first tree commission and tree commission academy; graduated from Leadership Coshocton County.

“I love this community,” Skowrunski said. “I’ve never felt a sense of community like I have here. The people here are great.”

She is originally from Cuyahoga County, but she and her husband John purchased land here more than 40 years ago. When her husband retired they built a home on the land and shortly after that she started working with COTC and helped the school launch its Coshocton campus.

“In six years we went from a small store front to our campus in Roscoe with more than 500 students,” Skowrunski said.

After all she has accomplished in Coshocton, Skowrunski is ready to take some time off, but she will work through the end of July to assist Swigert with the transition to her new role.

“I am excited about the selection of Tiffany and believe with her background in county government she will do a great job,” Skowrunski said.

Swigert said she feels very blessed to have been offered the opportunity to serve Coshocton as the executive director of the port authority.

“I have enjoyed all aspects of my service with the county commissioners the last nine and a half years, but am very much looking forward to continuing the progress that Dorothy Skowrunski and the port authority board has made while bringing my regional planning background to the table,” Swigert said.

Category: Business