CLEVELAND, OH –The Cuyahoga Land Bank board of directors appointed Ricardo León as President at its quarterly board meeting on September 27. The decision comes six weeks following his appointment as Interim President after Land Bank Founder and President Gus Frangos passed away unexpectedly on August 10, 2024. Frangos served as the Land Bank’s leader since its inception in 2009.
León’s extensive, relevant and diverse professional history make him the perfect fit to fill the open position. He joined the Land Bank more than two years ago as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Land Bank, León led Metro West Community Development Organization as the Executive Director for nearly five years. He also currently serves on a variety of nonprofit boards that support Cuyahoga County residents.
“Ricardo León has the experience, vision and track record to lead the Land Bank into the future,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Ricardo learned from the best in land banking, Gus Frangos, and has shown his ability to achieve results through his previous experience leading the Metro West Community Development Organization and as the Land Bank’s Chief Operating Officer. I look forward to working with Ricardo to build better communities throughout Cuyahoga County.”
Cuyahoga Land Bank Board Chair and Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers seconds Executive Ronayne’s comments. “Ricardo has illustrated leadership, knowledge and experience since his first day as the Land Bank Chief Operating Officer. It is a natural transition for him to move into the President role, and we support him as he moves this organization forward.”
León will fill the president role immediately.
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The Cuyahoga Land Bank is a private, non-profit, government-purposed entity formed following passage of Ohio Senate Bill 353 in 2009, which granted county land banks the special community development powers needed to improve neighborhoods. The mission of the Cuyahoga Land Bank is to strategically acquire properties, return them to productive use, reduce blight, increase property values, support community goals and improve the quality of life for county residents. Now in its 15th year, the Cuyahoga Land Bank has several initiatives specifically designed to support the revitalization of Northeast Ohio communities, including, Realty Reimagined (a nonprofit real estate brokerage) Land Bank Charities and the Cleveland Site Readiness Fund (an economic development community land assembly tool).