Mayor-elect’s assistant chief of staff works on brownfields

Joel Mazur, a brownfield-redevelopment officer in Toledo’s Division of Environmental Services since 2006, was chosen as assistant chief of staff for Mayor-elect D. Michael Collins. He is 33.

Joel Mazur is an expert on projects to eliminate eyesores and polluted industrial property in Toledo’s blighted neighborhoods.

As the brownfield-redevelopment officer in the city’s division of environmental services, Mr. Mazur has created potential for economic development out of contaminated wastelands where factories once stood.

“I am a scientist by trade and training. I think I think more rationally because we have to make decisions based on fact and based on real data. I think that is a quality that has helped me to get me where I am in my career,” said Mr. Mazur, who will be assistant chief of staff for Mayor-elect D. Michael Collins.

At 33, Mr. Mazur is among the youngest administrators in the new mayor’s staff.

“I am very grateful that they considered me for the position, let alone offered it to me,” he said.

Mr. Mazur’s entire career with the city has been in the department of environmental services. He joined the division about six months after graduating from Adrian College.

Since 2006, he has worked in the brownfield-redevelopment section of the office. Among Mr. Mazur’s tasks have been overseeing the removal of asbestos and contaminants before demolition of the former Toledo Edison Acme power plant on Front Street; asbestos cleanup in the 30-story former Fiberglas Tower, and cleanup of the former Jeep plant site on Jeep Parkway managed by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

He also oversaw cleanup of the former Plabell Rubber Co. on South St. Clair Street, a former federal Superfund site. Using federal and state grants, Mr. Mazur’s office removed contamination and demolished the factory near Swan Creek in South Toledo.

“He is very hardworking and diligent in his job. He has done a great job in environmental services. He has worked on the most difficult projects we have done,” said Tim Murphy, commissioner of environmental services.

A Toledo native, Mr. Mazur spent his early childhood in the city’s north end, where he attended St. Adalbert Grade School. After his family moved to Waterville, he attended Anthony Wayne High School.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and biology from Adrian College in 2002. He was employed by Cousins Waste Control Inc. for about six months until he was hired by the city.

Mr. Collins said Mr. Mazur proved his worth in the city’s environmental services division and deserves a chance to advance.

“I see an individual in Joel Mazur who has brought to the city a very sound quality in terms of his knowledge of environmental issues, and this will be very important as we move forward,” he said. “I see him as a fast study as well as totally capable of being developed into a solid leader.”