Carleton S. Finkbeiner
Mayor
Carleton S. “Carty” Finkbeiner was elected Toledo’s first Strong Mayor in 60 years, taking office on January 1, 1994, and serving two four-year terms. During his administration, Toledo experienced its greatest building growth in decades with the construction of Owens Corning World Headquarters, a Daimler-Chrysler Jeep plant, a State Prison, Dana Commercial Credit Corporation Headquarters, the Docks, Buckeye Basin Greenbelt Parkway, Fifth Third Field, and major additions at Toledo Hospital. The City of Toledo also helped improve its neighborhoods, and brought living opportunities and new life to older buildings in the downtown area, for which Toledo won acclaim as an All-America City in 1998.
While Mayor of Toledo, he served as chairman of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Mayor’s Conference, active in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and national chairman of Rebuild America.
Mayor Finkbeiner is a graduate of Maumee Valley Country Day School and Denison University. Before entering public service, he was a teacher and coach at Maumee Valley CDS, St. Francis de Sales High School, and the University of Toledo. A two-year stint with the Federal Anti-Poverty Program in Toledo’s central city neighborhoods was a profound educational experience in his early professional life.
Following his two terms as Mayor, Mr. Finkbeiner joined WTVG-TV 13 as the host of the Sunday morning public affairs show “Carty & Company,” and presented weekly editorials entitled “It’s Just Not Right!”
Since being reelected as Mayor in 2005 to his third term, Mr. Finkbeiner has continued his passionate mission of keeping Toledo prosperous and growing. Under his leadership, Toledo has racked up an impressive number of international awards, including “Third Most Livable Community in the World” (International Awards for Liveable Communities, 2007), “Top 10 City of the Future and Most Business Friendly City in North America” (fDi Magazine, 2007), and “Hottest City for Entrepreneurs” (Entrepreneur Magazine, 2006). So far in 2008, Toledo has been named a “Champion City” by the national beautification foundation America in Bloom, and was referred to as “the Silicon Valley of Solar Energy” by CNN, in reference to Toledo’s burgeoning alternative energy manufacturing sector. Mayor Finkbeiner also recently accepted an award on behalf of the City of Toledo at the 2008 Northern Ohio Minority Business Council for the City’s efforts in expanding minority-based businesses.
Mayor Finkbeiner has always had an intense passion for Toledo. He has served on the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority board, the Catholic Club board, and the Boys and Girls Club board. He has received numerous public service awards including the 2005 Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award for strengthening the businesses and neighborhoods of Toledo during his first tenure as mayor of the city.
Mayor Finkbeiner continues to positively affect the community by motivating others to serve in their schools, neighborhoods, and community organizations.
Mayor Finkbeiner and his wife, Amy, reside in South Toledo. They have three grown children – Ryan, Jenny, and Katie, and five grandchildren.