By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For 22 years, Andrew Kalmar has skillfully juggled the priorities of 15 elected officials and the wellbeing of Wood County’s 130,662 residents.
He’s done so with unflappable composure – masking his ire even when handling the stickiest of situations and the most pompous of personalities.
Kalmar is retiring as Wood County administrator on July 1.
“Andrew will be really missed by a lot of people,” said Doris Herringshaw, president of the Board of Wood County Commissioners. “His temperament is really non-threatening. When you work with him, even when it’s a crisis, he remains calm.”
His unruffled demeanor often rubs off on people.
“He’s good at planting the seed and letting people think about it, then put their two cents in,” Herringshaw said.
Kalmar, who grew up in Troy with a mom who taught Latin and a dad who was a career public administrator, prided himself in being able to work with anyone and find solutions to any problem.
“You can have disagreements with people, but it’s best to have those disagreements in a small group setting,” Kalmar said.
“It’s important to let them talk, let them get it off their chest,” he said.
Over the years, personnel issues have proven to be the most difficult to resolve. “Those are the things that can get really prickly.”
Former Wood County Administrator Dick Edwards said Kalmar’s personality has led to his longevity in the job which requires serving 15 different county elected officials.
“I’ve marveled at his good work,” Edwards said. “His demeanor has always been very effective. It takes someone like an Andrew Kalmar to hold those disparate parts together.”
Kalmar promoted a team concept in county government – working with county commissioners from Jim Carter, Alvie Perkins, Tim Brown and Joel Kuhlman, to the current board of Herringshaw, Ted Bowlus and Craig LaHote.
“He has a wonderful capacity to listen and move all the moving parts together to make it work,” Edwards said. Kalmar is a “true public servant,” aided by his professionalism and dry sense of humor, his predecessor said.
During his tenure, Wood County government’s fiscal health has continued to thrive, aided by retail growth that has allowed sales tax revenue to bring in more than half of the county’s general fund despite the tax remaining at 1 cent for at least 30 years.
“The county is in great financial health,” Kalmar said. “We certainly budget in a conservative manner.”
Wood County has improved its information technology operations, is expanding its landfill to meet the needs of its residents and businesses, built the courthouse atrium in response to security issues, converted the old jail into a records center and law library, and invested in the exterior of the county courthouse – guaranteeing its life for the next century.
Kalmar has also served on the Wood County Economic Development Commission for years – working to bring growth to the county.
“They have the best interest of the county at heart,” he said. “They understand the balancing act of our economic development projects.”
Still in the works is the expansion of the county jail.
“I had thought we would have the jail project done by now – but COVID hit,” Kalmar said. The commissioners were concerned that the economy might tank, so the project was put on hold. “We just didn’t know” that the local economy would remain strong throughout the pandemic, he said.
“As long as you have good people following behind you, they’ll get it done,” Kalmar said.
Throughout his tenure, Kalmar said he has worked with great county department heads.
“We’re always able to find good people,” he said.
During new employee orientations, the county commissioners always stress customer service, he explained.
“We don’t sell anything else except service,” Kalmar said employees are told. “For many citizens the only interaction with Wood County will be that person on the phone.”
The Wood County Commissioners have appointed Carri Stanley as the new county administrator effective July 3. Stanley was appointed assistant county administrator in 2019.
“I think we’re in good hands with Carri,” Herringshaw said.
Kalmar, just 57 years old, has accepted a position as assistant director of the Wood County Park District. Prior to becoming county administrator, he served nearly nine years as director of the park district.
“I need to do something meaningful and productive,” Kalmar said.
“I’m happy for him that he’s going back to one of his true loves,” Edwards said.
Kalmar will also continue his work with the Bowling Green Community Band, of which he and Edwards are founding members.
He leaves the office with friendships built on decades of respect, and some house plants that he nursed back to life for other county officials who left them in his hands.
“I save people’s plants,” Kalmar said.
The tallest plant, now about 10 feet tall, arching across the ceiling in Kalmar’s office, was passed on by Alvie Perkins. The plant was just a “brown stick” when Kalmar inherited it.
“He wasn’t a very good plant waterer,” he said, remembering Perkins.
Another of the plants was handed down by Edwards, his predecessor. That one Kalmar is leaving to his successor, Stanley.
The commissioners will hold a retirement reception in Kalmar’s honor on Thursday, June 30, from 2 to 5 p.m., in the commissioners’ hearing room on the fifth floor of the Wood County Office Building.
