Lucas County honors sanitary engineer Jim Shaw after 31 years

Lucas County commissioners honored Jim Shaw, the county sanitary engineer, at their Aug. 12 Board of County Commissioners meeting as he prepares to leave after 31 years with the county.

Shaw was hired as an assistant sanitary engineer on Sept. 20, 1994, and was promoted to sanitary engineer on June 3, 1999, when his predecessor Larry Gamble retired. Commissioners at the meeting said Shaw led the sanitary engineer’s office through major infrastructure and water-quality challenges and helped coordinate regional water efforts during an algal bloom that affected service to residents.

“Jim’s reputation, his leadership has left an incredible impact on the sanitary engineers department,” Commissioner Lopez said. Colleagues praised Shaw for sharing institutional knowledge with staff and for being a trusted technical resource to local and federal officials; the meeting record notes members of Congress and other officials have consulted him.

Shaw spoke briefly and thanked county staff and his wife, Marsha. He encouraged staff to build relationships across county offices and described his move as “redeploying” rather than retiring. He said there was never a day without work and thanked his wife and colleagues for their support.

The commission presented Shaw with a certificate of appreciation and posed for photographs with family and departmental staff. The minutes record that Shaw’s official last day is Aug. 31, 2025.

The ceremony included remarks from county leaders who said Nate (identified elsewhere in the agenda as Nate Incrat) has been prepared to assume responsibilities, and they encouraged him and the department to continue Shaw’s practices of documentation and shared knowledge.

Shaw and his wife said they plan to spend more time with family and to continue Shaw’s longtime involvement as a collegiate football official.