WSOS board in Fremont names new executive

3/18/2013

FREMONT — The WSOS Community Action board has agreed to make Ruthann House the agency’s new president and chief executive, subject to successful negotiation of an employment contract.

Ms. House would succeed Neil McCabe, who retired in February after being placed on paid leave in December following his arrest by Fremont police on gross sexual imposition and assault charges.

The board voted unanimously last week to authorize its executive committee to negotiate a contract with Ms. House, who has been acting president since December and the agency’s vice president since 2001. WSOS Community Action administers Head Start and Early Head Start programs for 800 children in Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Seneca counties.

Ms. House’s proposed salary as the new president and CEO was not available. Joyce Huntley, WSOS director of public relations, hung up on The Blade during an interview about the promotion. In February, Ms. Huntley disclosed that Mr. McCabe had received a salary of $105,019, and that Ms. House’s salary was $101,857.

Mr. McCabe’s case, in which he is accused of assaulting and groping a female paramedic, is pending in Fremont Municipal Court.