Clermont Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Sharon Woodrow, left, is retiring at the end of the year. Assistant Superintendent Dan Ottke, right, will be taking over as superintendent.

Clermont Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Sharon Woodrow, left, is retiring at the end of the year. Assistant Superintendent Dan Ottke, right, will be taking over as superintendent.
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

If you ask Sharon Woodrow about her impact as Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent since she started nearly 22 years ago, she’ll tell you she took over at an agency that was already supported well by the community.

And that may be true, but Woodrow has also worked to accomplish many things for people with disabilities and her shoes will be hard to fill.

“Sharon has been a force in this field with individuals with developmental disabilities not only in Clermont County but in the state,” Dan Ottke, Woodrow’s successor said about her. “She has been integral in a number of initiatives and changes.”

Ottke said Woodrow is recognized across the state for the work she’s done for people with disabilities.

Woodrow said one thing they have gotten better at since she has been at Clermont DD, is realizing that everyone has a voice, even those with disabilities.

“That’s something we’ve done that I’m really proud of,” Woodrow said.

Woodrow said she has worked hard along with her staff to help people with disabilities lead active lives.

The agency provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to get jobs in the community and receive assistance at home rather than having to be at a facility each day.

She said she has seen the attitude has changed toward individuals with disabilities since she’s been at the agency.

“We have seen and been a part of real growth with people with disabilities and a reduction in the stigma,” Woodrow said. “We’ve advanced and progressed every year from day one.”

But she said in a perfect world there would be no stigma.

She said she is confident in Ottke to take over her position.

“I think Dan is the perfect person to step into this,” Woodrow said. “He’s been here five years with the last two as assistant, actively involved. He is the right person for the right time.”

Ottke said he is looking forward to continuing to build on things they are doing at Clermont DD.

“I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve so many individuals and families,” Ottke said.

He said he knows they will have challenges as he takes over.

“We have a unique challenge because the system is going through transformation that will require us to look at new ways to engage people we serve,” Ottke said. “We need to build on things we’ve already done.”

Ottke said he still has a lot to learn as he takes over.

“I still have things to learn and will need to spend time with all the teams,” Ottke said. “I am looking forward with that.”

Ottke said they will not be hiring an assistant superintendent, but have hired a program services director, Jessica Petre, to oversee adult services.

“She’ll begin in December,” Ottke said.

Woodrow’s last day at Clermont DD will be Dec. 31.

For more information about Clermont DD, visit http://www.clermontdd.org/.