Irelan On-The-Job for Westerville

FOR WESTERVILLE

The Westerville Electric Division sets our community up for success in many ways. It’s not simply year-round competitive power rates and reliable service. It also attracted the attention of Westerville’s new City Manager, Monica Irelan.

Irelan’s first introduction to Westerville was through the electric utility, having participated on the American Municipal Power (AMP) Board and/or AMP committees since 2013. As “public power” cities Joint Action Agency for municipal electricity, Irelan knew Westerville had an excellent reputation for public services and programs. When former Westerville City Manager David Collinsworth announced his retirement last spring, Irelan seized the opportunity to apply for the job.

“I was always impressed, and still am, with the forward thinking and innovation that was coming out of the City of Westerville,” she says.

While the ongoing pandemic continues to limit community interactions, Irelan shares more about herself in this profile, and how she’s finding Westerville in the early days of her new job.

Where did you grow up and what activities did you pursue?

I grew up in a small, northwestern Ohio community called Wauseon. I lived outside the City proper but went to Wauseon schools. Growing up, I participated in 4-H and raised rabbits. I was an All-American athlete, drum corp leader and on the speech/debate team. My sister and I were Duo partners in speech and made it to the State Finals. We didn’t win State, but we had a great time.

My high school did not have a ladies soccer team until I was a freshman. I joined the inaugural team with my friends and cousins and ended up being co-captain of the team my junior year.

I love music. I started playing piano when I was young and joined the band in junior high as a percussionist. I was the section/ squad leader of the drum corp in high school and played the snare. Our section received top ratings in State competitions.

I also went to college half-days my senior year and started my social work degree while in high school. Later I decided to go into political science instead of social work.

Monica Irelan holds son, Noah, while speaking with Council Chair Mike Heyek at her swearing in on January 4.