Incoming Youngstown mayor announces final round choices for cabinet
On Wednesday, December 24, Youngtown mayor-elect Derrick McDowell announced his final department head appointments as part of a three-phase plan in a news release.
In Phase I, McDowell selected a Chief of Staff, Law Director and Director of Finance.
Then, later in Phase II, McDowell selected a Chief of Police and Fire Chief.
Most recently, the mayor-elect announced his picks for select department heads on December 22, 2025.
Now, McDowell has announced his final selections:
- Mike Drummond as Building & Ground Commissioner, noted as being newly appointed
- David Labra as Downtown Events & Citywide Special Projects, noted as being newly appointed
- Clemate Franklin as Director of Parks & Recreation, noted as being reappointed from the prior administration under Tito Brown
A full biography of the newly appointed department heads can be found on the "McDowell for Youngstown Mayor" website here.
"Coming to the end of this transition selection process is truly just the beginning for the City of Youngstown. Transparently assembling the key leadership team that will take us into the next leg of the City's legacy has now come to a close, but together we begin the work of Reclaiming Our Identity and driving towards the results that every resident and all 33 neighbors here deserve," said McDowell within the release.
Additionally, McDowell made a post on his "McDowell for Mayor" Facebook page on Wednesday, highlighting the work it took to choose his cabinet.
"I began with all diligent speed, under what I believed to be a noble cause. That was: Find the 'perfect person' for each position..." said McDowell.
McDowell further reassures the community that he has made these selections in an effort to develop an "experienced and qualified leadership team."
The mayor-elect will officially take office on January 1, 2026.
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