Peoria County board appoints successors for retiring elected officials; emphasizes succession planning

The Peoria County Board unanimously approved a slate of appointments on May 13 designed to fill upcoming vacancies and support office succession planning following several announced retirements.

Chair James C. Dillon explained the appointments followed consultation with the affected officeholders and senior staff and were intended to provide a seamless transition. The board voted to confirm the nominees by recorded roll call.

The board read and honored retiring officials before the appointments: Dave Ryan, Supervisor of Assessments, who served more than 30 years in the office and 22 years as supervisor, will retire effective May 19; Beth Kreider, Regional Superintendent/Regional Office of Education, is retiring after more than 17 years in the role. Both received proclamations of appreciation prior to the votes.

Chad Jones was appointed to a four‑year term as Supervisor of Assessments; Jones thanked Dave Ryan and the staff he will work with and acknowledged the "big shoes to fill." Brandon Martin was introduced as the incoming County Treasurer; Martin said he brings private-sector experience in retail, real estate, logistics and finance and pledged fiscal accountability. The board also promoted Dr. George McKenna to regional superintendent at the Peoria Regional Office of Education; Beth Kreider said she had worked closely with McKenna in succession planning. Marcellus Somerville was appointed to the Sheriff’s Merit Commission, the body that reviews hiring and discipline for sheriff’s office personnel.

Chair Dillon described the appointments as part of deliberate succession planning to avoid service gaps and to allow new appointees time to "hit the ground running." The board approved the appointments by roll call; the transcript records 15 ayes on the appointments vote.