Akron has now appointed a new Chief Prosecutor Thursday.
Mayor Don Plusquellic announced the appointment of Gertrude Wilms to the position effective Sunday. The move comes after the retirement of Prosecutor Doug Powley earlier this year.
Wilms was named as the Assistant Director of Law in March in 2002.
She has been responsible for the prosecution of over 15,000 criminal and traffic cases in her career.
In her new position she will make over $92,000.
Press Release:
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic today announced the appointment of Gertrude Wilms as Akron’s Chief Prosecutor following the retirement of Prosecutor Doug Powley, which takes effect on Sunday.
Gertrude Wilms was appointed by the Mayor as an Assistant Director of Law in March, 2002. “Gert Wilms has a decade of service with the City as an Assistant Prosecutor. She has an exemplary work ethic and is as committed to serving the public as anyone I know,” said Plusquellic.
“She not only has the experience and ability to do this job well, but she has the respect of the judges and defense attorneys with whom she has to work with on a daily basis.”
Wilms graduated from Ohio State in 1994 with a Bachelor in Arts. She went on to study law and public administration at the University of Akron, earning joint degrees in 2001 -- a Juris Doctorate and a Masters in Public Administration.
During the past 10 years, Wilms has been responsible for the prosecution of over 15,000 criminal and traffic cases. She has served in several capacities, such as general prosecutor, and as the more specialized Domestic Violence prosecutor.
Wilms is very involved in her community. She has previously volunteered at the Summit County Juvenile Court Teen Court and is currently a member of the Summit County Domestic Violence Coalition, the Summit County Sexual Assault Coalition, the NAACP, and the Akron Bar Association.
She has also represented the City in the highly effective Fugitive Safe Surrender Program. “I am pleased to be selected as the City’s Chief Prosecutor,” said Wilms.
“I look forward to the challenges ahead and welcome this opportunity to serve the citizens of Richfield, Bath, Mogadore, Springfield, Fairlawn, and Akron.”
Wilms’ salary will be $92,144.00
