Login | April 26, 2025
Ret. court clerk Anthony Vivo looks back on his career
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 7, 2023
He started working as a file clerk in the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Office after graduating from high school holding several different positions over the years, but on Aug. 26 Anthony P. Vivo officially retired after serving as clerk of courts for almost 30 years.
He had approximately 16 months remaining on his current term.
“I decided to step down for two reasons,” said Vivo, who turned 65 in April. “First, I think it was time for some new blood to take over and second, I have a health condition that has made it increasingly difficult for me to sit for long periods of time.”
As clerk of courts Vivo was responsible for overseeing the office’s operations and maintaining all felony and civil documents for the common pleas courts, 7th District Court of Appeals and the four area courts in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Sebring. He was also in charge of the auto title office located on Oak Hill Avenue.
“The clerk of courts office is in great shape,” said Vivo, whose last workday was Aug. 25. “Whoever takes over will be blessed with a good salary and a tremendous staff, most of whom I hired during my tenure as clerk of courts.”
On Aug. 24 Mahoning County commissioners selected longtime clerk of courts administrator Scott Grossen to temporarily fill the post. On Sept. 13 the Democratic Party Central Committee will choose someone to complete the remainder of Vivo’s term which ends on Jan. 5, 2025.
Voters will elect a new clerk of courts in November 2024.
Grossen, who was hired by Vivo, said he has no intention of running for the position.
“Anthony is an awesome public official,” said Grossen, who has served as administrator since April 26, 2000.
“I’ve been blessed to work for Anthony for over 23 years,” said Grossen. “Just as a coach strives to mentor their players, Anthony does that and more for his staff. I have learned so much over the years and thank Anthony for his willingness to share his extensive knowledge of the clerk of courts operations.
“I wish Anthony all the best for his retirement,” said Grossen. “He will definitely be missed.”
To pay tribute to his years of service, the commissioners presented Vivo with a replica of the statutes that are on top of the county courthouse. His staff also held a celebratory reception for him in the basement of the courthouse on Aug. 24.
Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts Kathi McNabb Welsh has worked in the office for over 25 years.
“I started working for Tony on his first day as clerk of courts, Dec. 4, 1994,” said McNabb Welsh.
“He appointed me the chief deputy clerk of courts, the first woman to hold that position. He has always treated me with great respect, supporting my decisions, which as a woman means more to me than I can say.
“Tony has done a wonderful job and has been great to work for,” said McNabb Welsh. “First and foremost, he is very ethical and honest, which I think are two of the most important qualities for an elected official to possess. His motto has always been you have nothing to worry about if you do what’s right.
“He’s also funny and made the workplace interesting,” said McNabb Welsh. “He will be missed.”
Raised in Boardman Township, Vivo is the son of former Clerk of Courts Anthony Vivo, who was elected in 1960 and served until his death in 1994.
The younger Vivo began as a file clerk in the office in the summer of 1976 after graduating from Boardman High School.
He continued to work in the office while attending Ohio University during his school breaks.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in communications in 1981, Vivo started as a full-time deputy clerk.
“I loved sports broadcasting and I wanted to be a sports broadcaster but I didn’t think it would provide enough stability,” said Vivo. “I’ve continued to do it as an unpaid hobby all these years.
“I’m kind of a sports historian,” said Vivo. “I’ve done all kinds of broadcasting, including play-by-play and hosting my own shows. I hope to do more of it now that I’ve retired.”
To separate his work life from his radio and television broadcasting endeavors, Vivo uses the name Champ Summers.
“I am a huge Detroit Tigers fan, which is why I picked the name Champ Summers,” said Vivo. “He was left-handed like I am, which is another reason I chose the name.”
Vivo has also performed in choral and theatrical productions ever since he was in high school. He’s been cast in many shows put on by Youngstown’s professional stock theatre company Easy Street Productions and the Youngstown Playhouse.
In addition, he played piano, sang and was a choreographer for the local group Rich Mauro Revue.
“We toured with the USO in Germany, Belgium and other parts of Europe,” he said. “It was fun but I did not want to do it full time.”
In 1984, he moved to Orlando, Florida, where he was an auditor for Advertising Checking Bureau.
“My father convinced me to move back by offering to appoint me as administrator,” said Vivo.
“When I was an auditor I studied different computer systems and my plan was to turn our manual system, which included electric typewriters and paper docket books, into a fully computerized system.”
Vivo returned to the area in 1986 taking on the role of both office administrator and head bookkeeper.
While researching how other clerk of courts offices had computerized their operations, he visited Butler County (north of Cincinnati).
“They used Sabre Systems software which is what I decided we should use here in Mahoning County,” said Vivo.
The new system, which initially included the common pleas courts and the 7th District Court of Appeals, was unveiled in July 1989.
In the early 1990s, the four county area courts were also added to the system.
“The area courts were not under the jurisdiction of the court of clerks office until 1993,” he said. “They were under the jurisdiction of the county commissioners and I lobbied to bring them under the purview of the clerk of courts office while I was administrator and head bookkeeper.
“The title office became part of the state system,” said Vivo.
After his father passed away in 1994 and the Democratic Party declined to endorse him, he decided to run for the office.
“I was temporarily appointed by the county commissioners but when the party didn’t support me I chose not to stay on as administrator and head bookkeeper,” said Vivo.
He won both the May 1994 primary and the November general election taking office in December 1994.
As clerk of courts he’s continued to keep the technology and software up to date to help ensure the office operates as efficiently as possible.
“We now use CourtView which is PC-oriented and allows for imaging of documents, online viewing and e-filing,” said Vivo.
In addition, Vivo said he has worked to eliminate duplication of services and bring in a diverse group of employees.
“I believe the staff needs to represent the makeup of the residents in the county,” said Vivo. “I think diversification improves production.
“I have made a point of promoting from within,” he said. “I also negotiated all the contracts since the office was unionized in 1991.
“When negotiating with the union, I always kept in mind that the taxpayers are the ones paying the salaries. I left an empty chair at the table to remind everyone of that. If the taxpayers were not on board with the terms of a contract I would take it off the table,” said Vivo.
“I have always been open to multiple views and welcomed activists to stop by the office and discuss their ideas. If anyone had a good idea I was not afraid to use it.”
Outside of the office Vivo has been active in the community.
Vivo is a previous president of Easterseals of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana as well as the Youngstown Lions Club, where he continues to be a member.
He is also a former member of the local American Cancer Society.
Now that he’s retired Vivo said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
“I am married to the former Beth Kosar and I have two adult male stepchildren, Brian and Josh, both of whom are autistic,” said Vivo. “I am the oldest of seven children and my siblings all live in Columbus so I hope to spend more time there.
“I’m also hoping to do more sports broadcasting, watch lots of sports, play golf and practice the piano.
“Running the clerk of courts office is almost like running a private business,” said Vivo. “I was constantly thinking about the office even when I wasn’t there. It will be nice to get that responsibility off my back and truly enjoy some free time.”
As for who will ultimately fill his position, Vivo said, “My entire career I made a point of never getting involved in anyone else’s race and I don’t plan to comment on my replacement either.”