Elected Officials
New Bremen Mayor’s Welcome
As Mayor of this fine village, I would like to welcome you to our community.
While browsing through our site, I’m confident that you’ll be able to see for yourself why we’ve all come to call New Bremen home — and maybe, why you’ll want to call it home, too.
You’ll see glimpses of our beautifully restored downtown, get a taste of the commercial opportunities waiting for both employees and employers alike and start to recognize the hallmarks of our community — excellent schools, exciting career opportunities and a vibrant, welcoming environment.
We truly believe that we are “one of Ohio’s best kept secrets,” but it’s a secret we’re happy to share. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more about the Village of New Bremen.
Mayor
Village Committee Members
| Committee | Members (committee chair in bold) |
|---|---|
| Finance Including wages & policies | Jacob Larger, Daniel Condon, Tess Elshoff |
| Safety Including fire, emergency squad & local school | Tess Elshoff, Daniel Condon, Jacob Larger |
| Police Including policies & equipment | Daniel Condon, Tess Elshoff, Jacob Larger |
| Utilities Including refuse & recycling | Scott Bertke , Dennis Burnell, Jessica Lomakin |
| Streets Including storm sewers & sidewalks | Dennis Burnell, Scott Bertke, Jessica Lomakin |
| Recreation Including parks, pool, trees, summer sports, decorations & beautification | Jessica Lomakin, Dennis Burnell, Scott Bertke |
Robert Parker, Mayor
Serving as New Bremen Mayor since January 1, 2020. Current term ends December 31, 2027.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 2002.
Village Roles: Councilman from January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2019
Family: Wife, Michelle, and four children, Rachel, Greg, Casey and Sarah
Community Involvement: Robert served as EMS President for 3 years, served on parish council at Holy Redeemer Church, Kiwanis member for several years and served as past paramedic for New Bremen EMS.
Career & Education Background: Robert graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in business and from Indiana Wesleyan University with a master’s degree. He is employed at St Mary’s Foundry, serving as the Vice President of Finance.
Jacob Larger, Village Council President, Finance Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since August 2017. Current term ends December 31, 2027.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Native New Bremen resident.
Village Roles: Finance Committee, Police Committee and Safety Committee.
Family: Wife, Maria, and daughters, Cecelia, Gwendolyn and Vivian
Community Involvement: Active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
Career & Education Background: Jacob is a graduate of The Ohio State University, as well as Capital University Law School. Jacob spent several years in Columbus in various government affairs roles, most notably working for the governor’s workforce policy team. Upon moving back to New Bremen in 2016, he worked as a senior administrator for Rhodes State College in Lima, and in late 2017, transitioned back to the workforce arena with Allen County Job and Family Services.
Dennis Burnell, Council Member, Streets Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since January 1, 1998. Current term ends December 31, 2025.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 1977.
Village Roles: Streets Committee, Utilities Committee, Recreation Committee, council delegate for the Auglaize County Board of Health District Advisory Council and village delegate for the New Bremen-German Township Tax Incentive Review Council.
Family: Wife, Sue, and a blended family of four children and seven grandchildren.
Community Involvement: Dennis has served on church council, Auglaize Industries Board of Directors and Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He is a lifetime member of the New Bremen Historical Society.
Career & Education Background: Dennis and his late wife (Alice) moved to New Bremen in 1977 when they both accepted positions at New Bremen Local Schools. Along with teaching 6th grade, Dennis was also a school bus driver, taught driver’s education and coached football and track. He retired from teaching in 2004. He is currently employed as a workshop supervisor at Auglaize Industries, providing adult day habilitation services for adults with disabilities. Dennis received his B.S. degree from Ashland University and a master’s degree from Marygrove College.
Jessica Lomakin, Council Member, Recreation Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since January 27, 2020. Appointed by council to fill the vacant council seat of Robert Parker. Current term ends December 31, 2025.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 2018.
Village Roles: Recreation Committee, Streets Committee, and Utilities Committee
Family: Husband, Matthew and daughters Harper and Taylor
Community Involvement: a member of the Bremenfest Committee and the New Bremen Parks Committee. She also serves as Vice President of Women in Business-Ohio, a networking organization dedicated to empowering working women and serving the local community, lifetime member of the New Bremen Historical Society.
Career & Education Background: Jessica is an attorney licensed to practice in the states of Ohio and California. Jessica is a litigation associate with the California-based firm of Best, Best & Krieger LLP. In addition to her law degree, Jessica holds an LLM (Master of Laws) in municipal law and a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is a graduate of New Bremen High School, class of 2005.
Scott Bertke, Council Member, Utilities Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since January 8, 2024. Appointed by council to fill the vacant council seat of Chad Wuebker. Current term ends December 31, 2025.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 1993
Village Roles: Utilities Committee, Streets Committee, Recreation Committee, council delegate for the New Bremen Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), and member of the New Bremen Zoning Board.
Family: Wife, Carla, and one child, Chasity.
Community Involvement: Active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Lector & Eucharistic Minister for almost 40 years), member of the Minster K of C, member for the New Bremen Sons of the American Legion, previously served 12 years as a New Bremen Schools Board of Education, and a member of the TriStar Advisory Board.
Career & Education Background: Scott is a graduate of New Bremen High School, Class of 1984. He previously worked as a factory sales representative in the cellular and public safety markets, and currently is employed by Trane Technologies as a customer sales specialist.
Tess Elshoff, Council Member, Safety Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since January 5, 2022. Current term ends December 31, 2025.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 2019.
Village Roles: Safety Committee, Finance Committee, Police Committee and village delegate for the Auglaize County Tax Incentive Review Council
Family: Children, Hannah, Hank, Heidi, Will, and Bret
Community Involvement: Tess has served as a member of the New Bremen Community Improvement Corporation, New Bremen planning committee, Tess is currently the president of the New Bremen New Knoxville Rotary and previously president of the State Board of Education. She also serves on the United Way Board, Neil Armstrong Museum Board, YLA Board (Ohio/West Virginia Youth leadership), Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, Congressman Jordan Military Appointments Board.
Career & Education Background: Tess is currently employed as the North West Ohio Liaison for the Secretary of State.
Daniel Condon, Council Member, Police Committee Chair
Serving New Bremen since January 5, 2022. Current term ends December 31, 2025.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 1993.
Village Roles: Police Committee, Finance Committee, Safety Committee, council delegate for the Village Planning Commission and council delegate for the New Bremen Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).
Family: Wife, LaRita and children Sarah, Micah, and Josiah
Community Involvement: Dan Condon created the the New Bremen Lego club with wife LaRita, with Dan leading the team for 2 years. He is a prior member of the New Bremen Jaycees and Lions club. He served as a Den Leader for the Cub Scouts and as an assistant adult leader for the Boy Scouts. Dan has served as a deacon and small group leader at Faith Alliance Church. He served 3 years as a member of Auglaize Industries Board of Directors and two years as the Board President. Dan is currently a member of both the New Bremen New Knoxville Rotary Club and the New Bremen Rod and Gun Club.
Career & Education Background: Dan graduated with his bachelor’s in insurance from Bowling Green State University. He has 34 years of experience as an independent insurance agent. Dan is also a joint business owner of Francis-Condon Inc and Miller Insurance in New Bremen.
Brent Richter, Village Administrator
Serving New Bremen since January 1, 2016. Councilmember from January 1, 2016 – October 26, 2020. Village Administrator since November 16, 2020.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 2003.
Village Roles: Zoning Administrator for the Board of Zoning Appeals, on the board of the New Bremen Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), Program Manager of the New Bremen-German Township Tax Incentive Review Council, Economic Development Manager and Housing Officer for the Village of New Bremen.
Family: Wife, Teresa, two children, Alexis and Hayden, and one Grandson.
Community Involvement Brent has served as a board member of the Auglaize County Airport Authority, Neil Armstrong since 2014 and is currently the Board President.
Career & Education Background: Brent is a Licensed Professional Engineer, graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and from Wright State University with an MBA. Brent is also a Certified Flight Instructor and a Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument rated pilot.
Mike Skinner, Chief of Police
Serving New Bremen since March 1, 2001.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 1999.
Village Roles: Police delegate for the County Wide Emergency Management Cooperative Advisory Group and police delegate for the Communities Joint Ventures & Partnerships Committee.
Family: Wife, Jennifer; three sons, Tyler, Nathan and Gavin; and one grandchild.
Community Involvement: Mike is a member of the New Bremen/New Knoxville Rotary Club and is active in elementary school safety programs.
Career & Education Background: Mike is a graduate of Elida High School. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1998 and completed FBI National Academy Session 263 in 2016.
Dan Voress, Fire Chief
Serving New Bremen since October 10, 2002.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Native New Bremen resident.
Village Roles: Fire Chief, Firefighter
Family: Wife, Michelle, and two sons, Clint and Bryce.
Community Involvement: Active member of St. Paul United Church of Christ.
Career & Education Background: Dan graduated from Bluffton University with a degree in elementary education. Dan has also obtained a level 2 state firefighter certification through Sinclair College. He is currently employed as a process technician at Crown Equipment Corp where he has been employed for the past 18 years.
Amy Speelman, Fiscal Officer
Serving New Bremen since January 16, 2017.
Bio
New Bremen Resident: Since 2005.
Village Roles: Finance Committee.
Family: Husband, Larry; daughter, Alana; and son, Marcus.
Community Involvement: Holy Redeemer Mass Coordinator, Eucharistic Minister and Finance Committee member.
Career & Education Background: Amy graduated from Tiffin University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has been employed as an accountant with Minster Bank for 22 years.
Village Council Structure and Meetings
New Bremen is served by a village council consisting of six voting members who are elected at-large for staggered four year terms on a non-partisan basis.
The village council meets in chambers at the village office at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, except in December when the fourth Monday meeting is not held.
Regular committee meetings are held at 6 p.m., immediately preceding the full council meeting. In accordance with Ohio Sunshine Laws, all meetings are open to the public.
A Village Solicitor is contracted for a two-year basis and writes or reviews legislation, contracts and other matters requiring legal expertise or opinions.
How to Run for Office in New Bremen
If you would like to serve your village by running for office, here’s what you need to know.
Running for Village Council
In compliance with the Ohio Revised Code, 731.09, the Village of New Bremen is served by a non-partisan board of six council members. The terms last for four years. Council members hold the legislative power of the village, and act in the best interests of the village through ordinances and resolutions.
In order to run for village council, you must be a village resident for one year preceding the election. You must be at least 18 years old as of the date of the general election and must be a registered voter of the village.
You’ll need to file to run for office 90 days before the general election. You can file with the Auglaize County Board of Elections. When you file, 50 valid signatures and a filing fee are required. Contact the board of elections for more information on filing.
Running for Mayor
Per the ORC 733.24, The New Bremen Mayor serves for a four-year term, which begins on the first day of January following the election. The mayor presides over the village council but does not have a council vote except in the case of a tie.
In order to run for mayor, you’ll need to be a resident of the village for one year immediately preceding election. You must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter in New Bremen. You must file with the Auglaize County Board of Elections 90 days prior to the general election. When filing, you’ll need to have 50 valid signatures and pay a filing fee.