Ward 17

About Charles J. Slife

Councilman Charles Slife represents Ward 17, the far west area of the city and includes West Park, Kamm's Corners, and part of the Puritas neighborhoods.

Known for its strong community spirit and dynamic local economy, Ward 17 reflects Councilman Slife’s dedication to thoughtful development, resident-focused service, and sustainable growth.

Councilman Slife represents the Council on the City Planning Commission, is vice-chair of the Transportation and Mobility Committee, and is a member of the Council's Safety Committee, Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee, and Workforce, Education, Training, and Youth Development Committee.

Councilman Slife brings a blend of public service and private sector experience that informs his work across multiple critical areas of city governance.

Before joining Council, Councilman Slife worked as a site selection and economic development consultant with The Austin Company, a Cleveland-based engineering and construction firm with global reach. He previously served the City of Cleveland from 2012 to 2017, beginning as an intern in the Department of Economic Development and later serving as a Special Assistant to the Mayor for Regional Development. In these roles, he gained deep experience in workforce and business development, zoning, brownfield remediation, urban planning, and project design review. 

Earlier in his career, Councilman Slife worked in government relations in Washington, D.C., expanding his understanding of public policy at the national level.

He holds a Master of Public Administration in Urban Economic Development from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Councilman Slife lives in West Park neighborhood of Ward 17 with his wife, son, and daughter. He is a former board member of Kamm’s Corners Development Corporation (now West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development) and remains deeply engaged with the residents and neighborhoods he serves. He was elected to a four-year term on Council in November 2021, after being appointed in 2019.