Leadership

Martin Keane

Director, Department of Public Utilities

Martin Keane was appointed as the Director of Public Utilities in January 2021.  In this role, he has oversight over the entire department, with a focus on Cleveland Public Power, Human Resources, and Security for the Department of Public Utilities. 

Director Keane was first elected to City Council in 2007 to represent the Kamm’s Corners, West Park, and Puritas neighborhoods. He was chair of the Utilities Committee and Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee. In addition, he was a member of the Finance, Development Planning & Sustainability, Operations and Rules committees.

Prior to City Council, Director Keane worked as a probation officer and most recently as Assistant County Prosecutor of Cuyahoga County. Keane was raised in Ward 17 where his father had served on City Council in the 1970s. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School, attended The Ohio State University and earned a law degree at Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Danielle Graham

Executive Commissioner, Department of Public Utilities

As Executive Commissioner for DPU, Danielle Graham is responsible for supporting the Director in the oversight, direction, and daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities. This includes Cleveland Public Power, Water Pollution Control, and Cleveland Water, as well as the following sections: Customer Account Services, Fiscal Control & Budget Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Public Affairs, Risk Management, and Security.

E.C. Graham began working for the City of Cleveland Department of Finance in 2006 and transferred to DPU in 2017.  She is service-oriented, focused, and driven. In addition to experience with utilities, she has extensive knowledge of City processes and procedures.  She has a great rapport with management and employees and is a proven leader with the ability to motivate and develop staff. She has a proven record of accomplishment in operations, project and strategic management.

Alex Margevicius

Commissioner of Cleveland Water

Commissioner of Water, Alex Margevicius, P.E., began his career with Cleveland Water as a Civil Engineer in 1985 and was appointed the Assistant Commissioner of Engineering at Cleveland Water in 1995. Commissioner Margevicius was responsible for coordinating all engineering and Capital Improvement Projects for the Division. In 2011 he was named Interim Commissioner, and in 2016 was sworn in as the Commissioner of Water.

A native Clevelander, Commissioner Margevicius is an expert in the design and operation of large, complex water systems, and has significant insights into distribution system infrastructure issues. He is also an authority on power grid reliability for the water industry. He led in the design of Cleveland Water’s Geographic Information System and hydraulic model systems. He is a frequent speaker to engineering, contractor, civic, and other groups.

Commissioner Margevicius holds a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, both from Case Western Reserve University.

Margreat Jackson

Chief of Public Affairs, Department of Public Utilities

Margreat Jackson brings more than 36 years' industry experience to her role as Chief of Public Affairs for the Department of Public Utilities. Jackson oversees the governmental affairs, graphic design, education & outreach, and communications teams for Cleveland Water, Cleveland Public Power and Water Pollution Control. She also provides strategic counsel to the executive team on matters related to regulatory activities and legislative policy. 

Chief Jackson has a strong background in governmental affairs and is recognized for her expertise navigating Cleveland’s political landscape while building relationships with key decision-makers. She also has broad knowledge of city administration and operations, having held various leadership roles in the Mayor’s Office, Cleveland City Council, Community Development, and the Division of Recreation. 

Throughout her tenure, Chief Jackson has developed a reputation of ethics, commitment to public service and an innate ability to inspire her teams.

Mark Lasic

Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Utilities

As Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the City of Cleveland’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Mark Lasic is responsible for the strategy and management of  IT services within the Divisions of Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Water, Cleveland Water Pollution Control, Cleveland Geographical Information Systems, and the Division of Radio Communication.

Prior to joining the City of Cleveland, Chief Lasic managed large portfolios and programs in IT and process control throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has experience in industrial automation, manufacturing, utilities, media, technology, banking and healthcare.

Chief Lasic holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Physics from Cleveland State University and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering with a focus on Operations Research from Case Western Reserve University

Joe Novak

Chief of Safety, Department of Public Utilities

As Chief of Safety for the Department of Public Utilities, Joe Novak is responsible for the implementation of health and safety programs, managing and conducting safety training, and procurement oversight of safety equipment for Cleveland Water, Water Pollution Control, and Cleveland Public Power. He also directly oversees DPU Safety and Environmental staff for the three divisions.

Chief Novak began his career with the City of Cleveland over 23 years ago. During his tenure, he has worked in the Division of Park Maintenance and Properties and Public Utilities.

Chief Novak is recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST). He is also an OSHA-certified outreach trainer and also a certified trainer by the American Heart Association. 

Catherine Troy, CPA

Chief Financial Officer, Department of Public Utilities

Catherine Troy became the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in 2023. Chief Troy is responsible for the daily and long-term management of the financial health of Cleveland Water, Water Pollution Control, Cleveland Public Power, and Radio Communications.

Chief Troy started with the City of Cleveland in 2007 as Deputy Auditor for the Division of Internal Audit. She transferred to DPU in 2012 as a Senior Finance Manager. She has experience in cost of service and rate studies, budgeting, capital planning, debt, payroll, and accounts payable. Prior to joining the City, she worked for the Ohio Auditor of State, where she completed financial audits for cities, schools, and other governmental entities.

Chief Troy is a registered CPA with the State of Ohio. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ohio Northern University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University.