LEETONIA — Roman Ferry always had heard about Leetonia’s Golden Age while growing up there, and now he has a chance to be a big part of its renaissance.

Effective Sept. 2, Ferry starts as the new assistant village administrator.

Brandon French still serves as interim village administrator, after Gary Phillips’ retirement this summer.

Council voted their former council colleague into this post after an executive session held at the conclusion of their Wednesday night regular meeting.

Ferry’s father J.R. Ferry, who serves as council president, was absent so did not have to abstain from the vote.

Mayor Kevin Siembida said that Ferry’s salary will be $50,000 annually plus benefits.

Ferry had served on council since being appointed to a vacant seat in January 2024. He had resigned that seat in mid-April for undisclosed personal reasons and had planned on running for the seat in the November election.

Currently the village administrator post vacated by Phillips in late May has not been officially filled. French, who oversee the village’s utilities, also is interim village administrator.

Ferry is a graduate of Youngstown State University, where he studied business and economics. Most recently he has been working at Holloway Insurance, which he informed of his new post last week.

“My roots are very deep in Leetonia,” Ferry said. “Not only am I a very proud alumni of Leetonia High School, I really look forward to continuing my legacy here.”

Currently Ferry is one of four candidates registered with the Columbiana County Board of Elections as pursuing one of four Leetonia village council seats up in November’s general election. Due to the recent employment by the village, he acknowledged that he would be withdrawing his candidacy.

The other three remaining candidates are incumbent William Garlough; William Merdich, who currently serves in the seat vacated by Ferry; and Leisa Lorch, who had been appointed to Ferry’s seat but never officially served.

Although petitions from non-partisan races were due in by Aug. 6, write-in candidates must file their declarations of intent by 4 p.m. Aug. 25, which is 72 days before the general election.

Once Ferry withdraws his candidacy, the fourth seat will lack a possible candidate to elect.

Ferry confirmed that infrastructure is where he believes they need to start, which is what Phillips also had expressed.

“I also am excited to see the improvements to downtown and part of the Leetonia Community Learning and History Center too. I hope the community embraces this like I think they will,” Ferry concluded. “This really is my dream job, working for this community.”