Meet the Team

When you vote for your County Councilmember At-large, you vote to fill three seats tasked with representing all Summit County residents. County Council has district positions as well, and this November the sixth district is on the ballot.

Keep Elizabeth Walters, John Donofrio, and Erin Dickinson as your three At-large County Councilmembers and Christine Higham as your Sixth District County Council Representative.

This team has a track record of success and is the most experienced and committed to fighting for you and your families.

Meet Erin Dickinson

Erin Dickinson has spent her career as a business litigation attorney and mom, working to bring people together. In today’s political climate we need leaders who can get past politics and work together to achieve shared goals for our community. Erin has experience to do just that and the expertise and training to craft effective, common-sense legislation.

As a mother to four children under the age of 11, Erin knows what it is like to balance many responsibilities and understands the needs of young families and the challenges they face. When not working to raise her kids, she advocates for safer communities through her role on the Community Legal Aid Board.

From a young age, Erin was taught the value of service and giving back to ones community. She is a leader committed to listening to people and will bring a fresh perspective to county council, and be part of a new generation of leadership focused on jobs, economic development and opportunities that best support our Summit County families.

Erin grew up in Stow and currently resides in Hudson with her husband, Michael, their four sons, and their rescue dog, Wally. She loves to meet people and looks forward to welcoming your ideas and through many discussions over the campaign!

Follow Erin @DickinsonForSummitCounty.

Meet John Donofrio

John Donofrio has a track record of working hard for Summit County residents. He brings a unique perspective to council having served as Summit County Treasurer and Fiscal Officer for a combined 31 years. John has represented you as an At-Large Summit County Council Member since 2015 and currently is the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Throughout his career, John has worked hard to make government run efficiently and effectively, always keeping taxpayers as his top priority. He has been a forerunner in the State of Ohio for his development of many innovative programs including the Real Estate Discount Program, Delinquent Tax Payment Plan, Military Reserve Payment Plan, Real Estate Tax Certificate Sales, Fuel Quality Testing Program, and the Regional Tax Collection System.

John is a known collaborator as demonstrated by six accolades awarded to him by the National Association of Counties. He is no stranger to leadership roles, having served as former President of the Ohio Treasurer’s Association and former State Director for the National Association of Treasurers and Finance Officers.

John loves to work with residents, to help them navigate government resources and best serve Summit County families. In his free time, John enjoys hitting the links and being with his family. He resides in Akron with his wife Marijean. They have five grown children and eight grandchildren. John served 3½ years in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged.

Follow John @JohnDonofrioCountyCouncil.

Meet Christine Higham

Christine was appointed to Summit County Council in June of 2022. Since 2015, Christine has worked for Mustard Seed Market and Café, a locally owned and operated business, as their Director of Human Resources and Administration. Prior to that, she served as deputy director of human resources for the County of Summit where she led and managed policy development, payroll, hiring, substance abuse training, job classification, and compensation. Additionally, she served as an advisor to other appointing authorities providing guidance on human resource compliance issues. In 2014, she was nominated for the Crain’s Archer Award in Innovation for her skills in human resources, technology initiatives, and continuous improvement.

Christine began her professional career in Columbus, where she worked for the Ohio House of Representatives. After returning to Summit County, she spent ten years in social services in a variety of roles that benefited from her skills in policy writing, strategic planning, organizational development, outreach and project management.

Christine serves her community through current and past involvement in numerous organizations:

Member, Rotary Club of Tallmadge, Past President
Member, First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, Christian Education Committee
Member, Akron Area Society of Human Resource Management
Secretary, Tallmadge Little League Softball Board
Served as Tallmadge Civil Service Commissioner
Served as Board Member, Project Learn
Served as Secretary, East Akron Board of Trade
Served as Treasurer, Akron Boards of Trade Council
Served at Co-Chair of Get Out the Vote Committee, Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Service Levy

Christine is a graduate of Tallmadge High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kent State University and her master’s degree in business administration from Tiffin University. She resides in Tallmadge with her husband and their two children.

Follow Christine @CouncilwomanChristineWiedieHigham.

Meet Liz Walters

Liz Walters is your current Summit County Council President and is dedicated to making Summit County the best place to live, work, and play.