Jim Woofter – Publisher / General Manager
Jim was born and raised in Cortland and has lived here nearly all of his life. Following graduation from Lakeview High School in 1967, he joined the Navy and served on the destroyer USS Hugh Purvis (DD 709). Jim attended both Los Angeles Harbor College and Youngstown State University. He received his degree of Photographic Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America. Jim worked as a professional photographer for 34 years, retiring in 2004. Later that same year he became the first manager of the Cortland News and in January of 2008 he purchased the newspaper and is now the owner and publisher. Jim was elected Mayor of Cortland in 2016. Previously to that he had served in city government for fourteen years.
- Community Involvement
- Past charter member, president and Paul Harris Fellow of Cortland Rotary Club
- Founder and past member of the Cortland Community Band
- Member of Old Erie Masonic Lodge #3, F & AM
- Past Board member of Trumbull Mobile Meals
- Member of the Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council
- Member of the Committee for the Freedom Warrior Golf Outing
- Member Trumbull County Alzheimer’s Walk Committee
- Member Trumbull County Tourism Bureau
Thom Foley – Editor and Account Representative
I grew up in Youngstown but have considered Cortland my adopted home since 1987. After graduating from Ursuline High School in 1967, I attended Kent and YSU earning both a BS in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Technology. I taught at YSU, TCTC Adult Ed and Kent State, being named outstanding faculty member at Kent State-Geauga. My business experience includes owning several pizza and ice cream stores, including Tom Foolery’s in Cortland. For over 45 years I have played the role of Santa Claus during the Christmas season. For the last 30 years I have had a Medical Practice Consulting business helping Doctors manage and market their practices.
Personally, I am the father of two grown children and seven grandchildren. My favorite past time is to spend time with my grandchildren! I have been active in numerous civic and business organizations over the years including Boy Scouts, [Eagle Scout], Little League, PTA, Rotary, Optimists, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Associations. I served as a state Board Member for the Ohio Restaurant Association and was President of the Mahoning Valley Restaurant Association for 5 years. Currently I was recently appointed to the Mayor’s Strategic Planning Committee for Cortland.
Apparently, I have completely missed the idea of what retirement is supposed to be!
Ralph McCord – Sales Representative
Ralph has 45 years of Industrial Sales experience.
Ralph is a life-long resident of Cortland and a graduate of Youngstown State University. Ralph has two successful sons, Christopher & Kevin. Paula, Ralph’s Wife, has a daughter, Leah Madera.
Ralph and his sons are graduates of Lakeview High School.
Tracy Omerzo – Graphic Designer & Webmaster
Tracy is a graduate of Maplewood High School and graduated from YSU with BA in Graphic Design. She has had over 20 years experience in the graphics and printing business. She is a free-lance designer with her own business, Tracy Omerzo Design, and also works part-time at Good Intentions Market & Cafe in Kinsman, Ohio.
Tracy and her husband, Greg, have two amazing sons, Hunter and Wyatt, and resides in Greene Twp.