Officials & Administration

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Officials & Administration

Elected Officials

Washington Township, like other townships throughout the state, has four elected officials: three Trustees and a Fiscal Officer. Each official serves a 4-year term of office and is elected by voters in both the unincorporated and the incorporated (City of Centerville) portions of Washington Township. Although their offices are considered part time, they are ready to meet their responsibilities and contribute many hours to serving their constituents.

The following elected officials represent the residents of Washington Township: 

Trustee President

Scott Paulson was elected to the Board of Trustees in November of 2009. He has served on the Washington Township Zoning Commission and is active in the community. Scott and his wife, Erica, own and operate Nurture, a prenatal wellness center. Scott is also an engineering consultant for local businesses. His community involvement has included the Associate Board of the Dayton Art Institute, the Montgomery County Land Bank Board of Directors, and fundraising activities with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Scott lives in Washington Township with his family.

Email Scott Paulson



Image of Brian Lunne

Trustee Vice President

A local business owner and involved community volunteer, Brian Lunne served on the Township's Zoning Commission for five years before running for election for Township Trustee. Elected to the board in 2023, Brian's involvement in zoning and development decisions and the thoughtful conversations he has had with residents, business owners, and Township staff contributed to his desire to represent Township residents as a Trustee. 

Email Brian Lunne



Image of Sharon Lowry

Trustee

Sharon Lowry, who began her first term in 2018, has experience as an educator, administrator, small business owner, and community volunteer. She is chairperson of the Centerville Women’s Civic Club Scholarship Committee and a member of the board for Sophie’s Companions for Veterans. A former assistant superintendent of Great Oaks JVS, Lowry also has served on boards for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. For two years, she co-chaired the Nike Dayton Open at the Golf Club at Yankee Trace. A past member of Optimist International and Rotary International, she holds a Master of Education degree from Wright State University.

Email Sharon Lowry 



Image of Gary Smiga

Fiscal Officer

Gary Smiga, who took office in April 2018, served Centerville City Schools for 36 years, including four years as superintendent from 2005-2009. Following his retirement, he spent seven years directing nonprofits for the Dayton Foundation, including seven years as director of the Montgomery County Ohio College Promise Program and two years as executive director of College Promise and the Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship Program. A 37-year member of Centerville Noon Optimist Club, Gary is a past president and served nine years as treasurer. His other volunteer involvement includes membership on the financial advisory board of Washington-Centerville Public Library, BOGG Ministries, and SouthBrook Christian Church. A resident of Centerville-Washington Township for over 45 years, Gary and his wife, Pam, have four grown children and five grandchildren.

Email Gary Smiga



Township Administrator

A full-time Township Administrator oversees day-to-day operations.

The following individual serves as Washington Township's current Administrator:

Hired in 2023 to serve as Washington Township's fourth administrator, Mike Thonnerieux oversees the day-to-day administration of all Township services and reports directly to the Washington Township Trustees.

Prior to becoming the Washington Township Administrator, Mike served as Director of Public Administrative Services for the City of Beavercreek, where he was responsible for multiple divisions, including engineering, street maintenance, traffic, cemetery, buildings and grounds, fleet, parks, recreation and culture, the Beavercreek golf club, and the senior citizens center.

Mike received his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and his master's degree from the University of North Carolina. He is a graduate of Centerville High School and started his career working at the Washington Township RecPlex.

Mike currently serves as the co-chair of the Chuck Dickerson Memorial Scholarship Fund, a board member of Universal 1 Credit Union, a member of the Ohio City Managers Association, the International City Managers Association, National Parks and Recreation Association, and the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

Email Mike Thonnerieux