Youngstown, Ohio January 2, 2017 Effective January 2, 2017, Officer Wes Skeels assumed the position of Court Administrator at Mahoning County Juvenile Court. Judge Theresa Dellick appointed Skeels to the position previously held by newly elected Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony D’Apolito. Tim Novak, will assumes the positon of Chief Probation Officer. Skeels has served as Chief Probation Officer at the Court for the past ten years while Novak began as a teacher at the Detention Center.
“ Wes’s knowledge and extensive training in multiple disciplines including probation, law enforcement, RECLAIM, and department budgeting could not be overlooked when deciding who to hire in place of Judge Anthony D’Apolito, who previously served as Court Administrator. Hiring Mr. Skeels ensures the continued efficiency and timely administration of justice as well as the close monitoring of all Court projects and programs. In addition, the Court’s services to Mahoning County’s youth and families will seamlessly continue. Having worked with Wes and Tim and knowing their character and commitment, I have the utmost confidence in them assuming these very important positions.” - Theresa Dellick, Judge
Chief Probation Officer Skeels graduated from Kent State University with a B.G.S with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Education with a minor in Psychology. Skeels started his criminal justice career in 1993 as a Specialized Probation Officer (Sex Crimes Unit) for Summit County Juvenile Court. In 1997, Skeels was hired by the Department of Youth Services as a Specialized Parole Officer. During his 10-year career with the State of Ohio, he was twice recognized as the ‘Parole Officer of the Year’, and received the “Jack Riehl Award of Excellence”, which represents the State of Ohio’s employee of the year. While working for the Department of Youth Services, Skeels was the first bargaining unit employee to attend Ohio’s executive leadership program. On November 6, 2006, Skeels was hired as the Chief Probation Officer to the Mahoning County Juvenile Court. In addition to his duties as Chief Probation Officer, Skeels was a part-time Task Force Officer with the FBI Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force as well as an instructor for the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Judicial College. Mr. Skeels resides in Boardman with his wife Liz and their three daughters.
In 1993, Tim Novak began his career as a teacher for the Youngstown Board of Education working at the Mahoning County Juvenile Detention Center. During the summers, he also supervised the students for the Mahoning County Community Service Department. In August 2000, he was hired full time at the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center as a Detention Center Supervisor. He remained in Detention for seven years, and was then promoted to Director of the Day Reporting Program. Tim received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics from West Virginia Wesleyan University. He is a certified Conflict Resolution Trainer through the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and a “Bridges out of Poverty” Trainer. In addition to his role as OYAS Director, Tim served as Re-Entry Docket Coordinator, Electronic Monitoring Coordinator, and DYS Coordinator. Tim and his wife Anita have one daughter and three sons.
During my career at the court I have witnessed the court transform into one of the most progressive juvenile courts in the state. I am excited to take my next step to be part of that progression. - Tim Novak