The 63-year-old Concord Township resident wants to devote more attention to boosting the economic and political health of the region.
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Dennis Lafferty shows off a gift for Chinese ambassador Zhou Wenzhong during his two-day visit to Cleveland in January 2008. Jones Day sponsored a private soiree with the ambassador.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dennis Lafferty -- the consummate power-behind-the-power at Jones Day, his BlackBerry studded with 1,300 names of movers and shakers in Northeast Ohio -- will leave the law firm in August to devote more attention to boosting the economic and political health of the region.
But Jones Day's office administrator is not a candidate for the new position of Cuyahoga County executive, even though he gets daily phone calls suggesting he's tailor-made for the job.
"That's an absolute no. I'm not running," Lafferty said Wednesday. "I would rather support [the county executive] in any way I can, as a member of the kitchen cabinet. I think that would be terrific."
Lafferty, 63, of Concord Township, has worked in Northeast Ohio civic circles since coming to the region after graduating with a business administration degree from Youngstown State University.
His role as a civic emissary has been a big part of his work at Jones Day, which he joined in 1987 after 14 years at the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, now named the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Lafferty served as executive assistant to former Jones Day managing partners Patrick McCartan and Richard Pogue. Both gave him wide latitude to represent the firm in a host of public endeavors.
Lafferty played key roles in helping secure the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and coordinating a review of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport that led to an expansion of Continental Airlines, among numerous other projects that fill a four-page resume.
K. Michael Benz, chief executive of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, said he was "shocked, surprised" that Lafferty was leaving Jones Day. "But I sure as heck understand. He's run on a tough schedule the 35 years I've known him."
Lafferty's last day will be Aug. 31. Among his proudest achievements, he said, are helping found Leadership Cleveland, the nine-month academic training program aimed at building a cadre of business, non-profit and government leaders in Northeast Ohio; and organizing the area's first "Minority Matchmaker" event at Jones Day that brought together 80 minority-owned businesses and 10 local firms.
Lafferty became Cleveland office administrator at Jones Day in 2008 under Lyle Ganske, still the partner-in-charge of the office. Lafferty "demonstrably increased operating efficiencies" in the office of 250 lawyers and 500 staff members, according to an office memo Tuesday.
It's a good time to exit without the firm's missing a beat, Lafferty said. But he sees the larger community poised at a critical turning point.
Lafferty has many goals for a job yet to be defined: helping to consolidate a crowded non-profit sector, encouraging mergers and collaboration among local governments and maximizing the benefits of the planned medical mart and casino.
Tom Waltermire, chief executive of Team NEO, the region's business-attraction group, said Laffery has "made a tremendous contribution to the community."
"I hope he follows through on staying involved."