Berding, who was one of 11 candidates to apply for the position, said she pursued it because “I just love our community” and it was “another way for me to contribute to our community.”
“I’m thrilled Judge Rodgers put his faith in me to help lead the growth and development in Fairfield Twp.,” she said. “I think Trustee Hartkemeyer and Trustee McAbee have made significant contributions to Fairfield Twp. and I look forward to joining their team.”
Berding, who moved to the township 18 years ago, manages assessment and investigation of North American/Latin America consumer complaints for a number of P&G brand-name products. She also is involved in the community, her church and the schools.
John Clemmons, the attorney for Fairfield City Council and Fairfield City Schools, said the choice of Berding by Rogers was “an excellent choice.”
Though Clemmons knows Berding, as well as her husband Fairfield School Board member Michael Berding, through many organizations in the city and township, he knows them both well through the Fairfield Twp. Youth Basketball League. Clemmons’ grandsons play in the league.
Berding has given more than a decade of her time to the league and is currently the organization’s vice president/director of registrations and fundraising.
“I think an excellent person’s been select there,” said Clemmons. “I think she’s a person who has very strong listening skills and can build consensus successfully.”
Retired Fairfield Twp. police chief Richard St. John has known the Berdings for a decade and they are “very, very good people” and “are dedicated to the township.”
“They feel a very strong sense of community as far as Fairfield Twp. is concerned,” he said.
The former police chief said Berding’s experience with P&G “is going to be invaluable” as trustee.
“This is a lady who has an unbelievable amount of management experience and professionalism and I think that’s going to be very, very helpful to the township,” he said.
Berding’s term is up at the end of 2017 but at this point isn’t committing to seeking election.
“I’m going to take a wait and see approach on that,” she said. “I want to see if I can be successful, if I can make a difference.”
Rogers said Berding “has a reputation in the township as ‘a tireless worker who leads by example.’”
“Servant leadership involves a blend of being a servant and a leader. Servant leaders regularly give more than they receive. In these challenging times, servant leadership is needed in every level of government,” Rogers said. “Susan Berding has proven herself to be a servant leader.”
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