ZALESKI, Ohio — The Village of Zaleski announced the retirement of its Solicitor, Michael R. Moran, effective Nov. 30, 2024. Moran has held the position since March 2021. Before his tenure in Zaleski, Moran served as General Counsel/Staff Instructor at On Guard Defense Training Center and Shooting Range in New Plymouth from 2017 until the range closed in 2024. He also maintains private law practices in Gahanna and Logan and is involved in various businesses.
Moran, a Maumee native, was appointed after Jeff Griffith resigned following his election as Judge of the Vinton County Court in 2020. Moran graduated from Capital University Law School and Marietta College, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1994. His municipal attorney roles include serving as Magistrate for Sunbury, Pickerington, and Lithopolis; Solicitor for Alexandria; Law Director for Kirkersville; and he is retiring this month after 28 years as Solicitor & Prosecuting Attorney for Hartford in Licking County. He has also been a Special Prosecutor in several counties.
From 2011 to 2021, Moran was Chief Counsel for Franklin County Probate Judge Robert G. Montgomery, who was recently elected to the Fifth District Court of Appeals. Moran also served as the interim 27th Franklin County Recorder and was Chief of Staff in the Recorder’s Office. He retired as a Colonel from the Ohio Military Reserve, where he was a Judge Advocate officer and Inspector General. His career also includes state positions from 1991 to 2000 and various roles in Gahanna. Moran’s initial government experience was as an intern at the Ohio Department of Liquor Control in 1988.
Council President Carrie McCollum praised Moran, saying, “Mike was a wonderful example of a public servant. When he was hired, we lacked a lot of policy and procedure and were going through major transitions. He had a way of answering our questions and helping out without making us feel less-than, in a community that has been long neglected. Mike was a strong advocate for our Village and this region. We will miss his focus and dedication to public service.”
Moran responded, “It has been a tremendous experience to work with Mayor Tosa Broome, Council President McCollum, Fiscal Officer Melissa Thomas, Fire Chief Mark Peters, and the other Village officials. They are some of the most dedicated public servants I have ever worked with, who are always wanting to do the right thing to improve the community. They are honest, kind, and hard-working. I thank them for allowing me to represent them.”
During his tenure, Moran advised on legislation, infrastructure, and other projects, including securing a FEMA grant for a tornado warning siren, renewing a lease for the water treatment plant, and obtaining a $3 million grant for trail development from the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
Moran added, “Appalachian Ohio is a special place. I visited as a child on many adventures with my family, friends, and scout troop and was always wanting to come back. When I became an adult, I chose to move here to advance my education and work. I have swam, paddled, and fished these beautiful lakes, rivers, and creeks, and hiked, hunted, camped, rode the trails, and explored the back roads of this region. Vinton County, the Village of Zaleski and surrounding areas are stunningly beautiful and Ohio’s best kept secret. I am glad to have played a small part in bringing sorely needed funding to this community to improve public safety, infrastructure, and bring tourism dollars to Southeastern Ohio.”
At the Nov. 19 Village Council meeting, officials honored Moran with tokens of appreciation. The council also gave a second reading to an ordinance to appoint Darren L. Meade as the new Solicitor, with a vote expected on Dec. 9. Meade, who serves as Solicitor for Sugar Grove and St. Louisville, is a University of Akron School of Law graduate, admitted to the Ohio bar in 1994. He was previously First Assistant Fairfield County Prosecutor and runs The Meade Law Group in Columbus.