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Lakeside Welcomes New Chief Administrative Officer, Meg Johnson

Lakeside Chautauqua is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Meg Johnson as its new Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer. Johnson will work strategically in the areas of human resources, information technology, municipal services, grounds, safety services, gates and shuttles and oversee daily operations. She reports directly to Charles Allen, President & CEO.

“This position is an important next step to complete our leadership team,” shares Allen. “Meg brings a breadth of experience in aligning daily operations, human resources, information technology and finance to better care for our historic structures, staff and grounds and advance our information technology and operations. We are excited to have Meg onboard.”   

Johnson has an impressive background in finance, bank regulations, risk management and operations. Much of her career was spent at the Federal Reserve in various roles. She has also worked in risk management with S&T Bank, based in Pennsylvania, taught as an adjunct faculty member at Terra State Community College and served as Terra’s Chief Financial Officer.  

“I’m excited to leverage my background to advance this special community,” says Johnson.

Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree at Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree at Cleveland State University and a doctorate at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She has a strong connection to the area. Johnson grew up in Avon Lake, Ohio, and met her husband Pete, a Port Clinton native, while both were college students working at Put-in-Bay. Johnson’s cousin owns a house in Lakeside and her in-laws all reside in Marblehead and Port Clinton.  

A fond recent memory of Lakeside was spending an afternoon with her daughter, Sara, a Lakeside Marketing Intern, at the Craft & Art Show this summer. She hopes to make more Lakeside memories with Pete, Sara, and her son, Haden. 

Johnson wasn’t looking for a new job, but when she found out about Lakeside’s CAO position, she felt it was worth looking into.

“It would have been foolish not to at least explore what it’s all about,” Johnson said. “I felt like this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Johnson will support and collaborate with Allen, lead Lakeside’s strategic finances and oversee fiduciary reporting for federal, state and local grants. She will be working closely with Human Resource Manager Leslie Krasniewski on organizational structure, HR practices for pre-Lakeside employment through post-Lakeside employment, and ensuring that the policies and procedures are strong.

Johnson will work significantly with Director of Operations Dawn Drew, overseeing the Grounds, Safety Services and Municipal Services crews, and Steve Koenig, Director of Guest Services, who manages Gates and Shuttle Operation. Finally, she will work directly with Lakeside’s Information Technology contractor.

Johnson said her primary goal in the first few months is to meet the staff and connect with those who live in and visit Lakeside. She is a self-described “people person” and would like the staff and community to get to know her.

“I like to know what makes people tick,” says Johnson. “Why do they like working here and what opportunities do they see? Lakeside is a people organization, and getting to know the individuals who work here, what they do and what makes them vital is an important foundation to have. I want to learn what the community values and about the guests who live here or come to visit, whether they’re first-timers or repeat visitors. My door is always open.” 

Please help us warmly welcome Meg to our Chautauqua community!

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