MIAMI TWP. - Taking the advice of friends in the community has paid off for Ken Tracy.

After receiving suggestions from neighbors and members of his church, Tracy decided to apply for the open Miami Township trustee position. At the Jan. 4 meeting, trustees Mary Makley Wolff and Ed Humphrey chose to appoint him to replace former Trustee Joe Uecker, who was elected state representative Nov. 2 for the 66th District.

"I'm looking forward to it," Tracy said. "I'm very excited to be helping build Miami Township."

He will be sworn in at the next trustees meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the administration building, 5900 McPicken Drive.

Tracy grew up in northern Ohio and moved to the Eastgate area with his wife, Libby, when they got married 18 years ago. About four and one-half years ago, they moved to Miami Township.

"We looked at several locations to live," he said, "and we chose Miami Township because of what the township offered."

"We wanted to live in Miami Township and be a part of it," Tracy said.

Tracy has two daughters, 11-year-old Katelyn and 9-year-old Kristina, who attend Loveland schools. He is vice president of Pinnacle, Inc., an information technology company headquartered in Dallas, and works from home.

He also is involved in his church, the Milford Church of Christ, and works with the Loveland Youth Athletic Association. "I'm very involved with working with the children there," he said. "It's a lot of fun."

Both Wolff and Humphrey agreed the decision was a difficult one, but felt Tracy was the right choice for the job.

"He's a businessman with a business background, but also very involved with the Loveland school district," Wolff said. "He is the type of resident that has come to live in Miami Township and has come to represent the growth."

Humphrey called the selection of Tracy "a positive move for the township."

His involvement with Loveland schools "makes a connection with Loveland that we haven't had in the past," he said.

"I believe he will be a team player and he'll contribute to what we can accomplish in the township," Humphrey said. "He has some things to bring to us from other things he's done."

"He's very personable, very easy to get to know and get along with," he said. "He seems like a good guy."

Tracy is looking forward to his new position. "I love Miami Township. I'm very excited about the new opportunity."

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