LOUDONVILLE — Shawn Wade has spent his career putting stuff together — and also teaching others how to do it.
The welding technology teacher will soon join the effort to mold a better Loudonville as he prepares to take a seat on the village council.
“I care a lot about the community. I want to keep it a good place to live,” he said.
Wade was the only new face seeking a seat on council in the November election. All four candidates were elected, including returnees Cathy Lance, Bill Huffman and Tom Young.
Matt Armstrong and Brandon Biddinger’s terms expire at the end of 2027 on the six-member council.
Wade, who will begin his four-year term on Jan. 1, teaches welding technology at Wooster High School. He previously taught welding at the Heartland Technical Education Center, formerly the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center.
Prior to that, he worked in the welding industry for 20 years.
He is a Loudonville native who raised two children, both of whom graduated from Loudonville High School. One of those now-grown children has enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
Wade previously managed Loudonville’s public swimming pool with his wife, Heather Wade, to whom he has been married for 22 years.
When his children were in school, Wade coached various sports to support them. They are grown up and Wade said he had the time to take on another community role.
The 46-year-old has not served in an elected office. But he said he is well-known in town and always listening to what issues residents are concerned with.
“Local government works best when residents are involved,” he said.
Wade said he does not have an agenda or list of actions he plans to take as a council member. Instead, he hopes to learn on the job.
He said his open-mindedness and solid moral compass make him the right fit for the job.
When Wade is not working, he likes to spend time with his family, attend local sporting events and go camping.
Wade replaces former Councilwoman Hollie McCauley.