CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities is promoting longtime employee Amber Gibbs to Superintendent and CEO, effective May 1.
Gibbs joined the department in 2008 and has worked in a variety of roles, most recently as chief administrative services officer. She was recognized in 2018 with the Ohio Association of County Board’s Partners in Excellence Award for her work to eliminate the statewide Medicaid waiting list.
“I am honored to have been selected for this important role and grateful to work with the incredibly talented staff at Cuyahoga DD who passionately support our mission,” Gibbs said in a news release Tuesday. “I look forward to leading our agency as we continue our efforts to embrace diversity and find creative ways to support people with developmental disabilities in our community and throughout the Ohio DD system.”
Gibbs received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wittenberg University, a master’s degree in social science and psychology from the University of Chicago and is expected to complete a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Dayton in 2023.
Cuyahoga DD Board President Cynthia V. Schulz said the board has confidence in Gibbs’ “innovative approach” to helping the county’s 13,000 residents with developmental disabilities and their families.
“She absolutely stood out in our robust search process,” Schulz said.
If approved by the board at its Nov. 17 meeting, she will succeed Kelly Petty, who has held the role since 2013 and will retire in April.