From left, retiring Counseling Center trustee secretary Paul W. Taylor, Executive Director Roger Sikorszky and retiring President Susan D. Wenderoth, Board of Trustees, Counseling Center of Columbiana County. (Submitted photo)

LISBON — At the bi-monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Counseling Center, Susan D. Wenderoth and Paul W. Taylor were presented with plaques and sincere appreciation for serving on the board continuously for four three-year terms (12 years altogether), since 2012. Wenderoth served as vice president for one year and then served as board president from 2017 through the present. Taylor has been the secretary-treasurer since 2014.

Throughout their tenure, both Wenderoth and Taylor were committed advocates on behalf of the Counseling Center in its mission to improve the lives of individuals and families by meeting the behavioral health needs of the citizens of Columbiana County. Both board members were involved in many board activities that resulted in expanded programs and services.

During their time on the board, the center expanded housing for residents with severe and persistent mental illness. One project, funded by three separate grants from The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Cincinnati, allowed the Center to build an eight-unit new construction apartment complex – the Hornsby House – and a new construction duplex, successfully completed, under budget, in March, 2016.

Wenderoth and Taylor also participated in the board’s actions on grant awards to remodel seven scattered site apartments throughout Columbiana County in 2013-2015 and complete a remodel of the Center’s homeless shelter – the Kendall Home – in 2015. Both Wenderoth and Taylor helped the center acquire a new building, moving its Salem office to its newly renovated office on Vine Avenue in July, 2017, which provided increased office space, parking, and expanded services and programming to the northern part of the county. In Spring, 2020, the center moved into the renovated 2nd floor of its Salem building, once again, doubling the office space and services provided at that location. Wenderoth and Taylor were also actively involved in the center’s move to a new location in Calcutta to offer improved, client-centered services.

Over the course of their time with the Counseling Center, the agency expanded vocational, youth prevention, school-based, and jail services and established a collaborative relationship with Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Center. More recently, in 2023, both board members helped the center apply for capital funding to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and matching funding from the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (CCMHRSB) to purchase and renovate several scattered site apartments/duplexes to house the homeless experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorder issues. Also in 2023, Wenderoth and Taylor supported the center applying for funding from the CCMHRS Board to construct a stand-alone building to house the center’s outreach/food pantry on its main campus in Lisbon.

Wenderoth lives in Salem with her husband, Jim. They have two grown sons and a 4-year-old grandson. Wenderoth retired from the Columbiana County Educational Service Center in 2014, following a career as a special educator. She has extensive experience teaching students with severe and multiple disabilities and working with their families to facilitate transition from school to work. During her career, Wenderoth often collaborated with The Counseling Center to serve families in stress and/or individuals with dual diagnoses. She joined the board at the Counseling Center in 2011 and has served as president for several years. Wenderoth enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Taylor grew up in Wintersville, where he graduated from Wintersville High School in 1946. He served in the Army of Occupation in Japan. He then graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. degree in education. Returning to Wintersville, Taylor was hired to teach industrial arts at the high school. He attended Ohio University during the summers and graduated with a Master of Education. Taylor was appointed principal of the new Buchanan Junior High School. In 1967, he became the superintendent of the Strasburg-Franklin School District, where he remained until he was hired as the Associate Executive Director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) in 1973. After nine years with BASA, he became superintendent of Beaver Local School District. After retiring from Beaver Local, Taylor worked for Murray Trucking for 22 years, assisting the terminal manager as well as over-the-road-driving. Taylor married Phyllis Medley in 1954. They had four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They are active in the First United Methodist Church and volunteered at F.I.S.H. for many years. Taylor and his wife travel as much as possible, both through the U.S. and abroad. They now enjoy a quiet life at their home in Calcutta.