Following the Nov. 4 election, Powell enters 2026 with a City Council that blends continuity, experience and new perspective. David Lester, Tom Counts and Kurt Ramsey were reelected to continue their service, reflecting community confidence in recent leadership and progress.
Lester, first appointed in 2023, serves as an insurance buyer with Hosket Ulen Insurance Solutions and is an active contributor to Powell and the region through his work on Planning and Zoning, the Development Committee, the Rotary Club of Olentangy and the Neighborhood Bridges Steering Committee.
Counts, first elected in 2006, previously served as Mayor from 2008–2009 and again from 2024–2025 and continues to provide deep institutional knowledge through his work with the Powell Development Corporation and Operations Committee. An attorney by profession, he serves as real estate counsel for the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio.
Ramsey, appointed in 2025, brings priorities centered on responsible development, infrastructure investment and strong support for public safety, parks and pathways. His background as a Production Facilities Manager at Battelle provides practical experience in leadership and problem-solving.
The City also welcomes newly elected member Carlos Crawford, who begins his first term in January 2026. Crawford currently serves as Director of Delaware County’s Public Defender’s Office and has previously worked as a civil attorney for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and as a founding partner of a private law firm. His priorities include expanding park and pathway connectivity and supporting distinctive local businesses that contribute to the character of Powell’s historic downtown.
Returning councilmember Heather Karr continues her service into her second term and holds the role of Vice Mayor. A graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School, Karr began her legal career working with the City of Columbus and later served as Victims’ Rights Compliance Director for The Justice League of Ohio and as a staff attorney in the Fifth District Court of Appeals. She later shifted her focus to education, working with students in special learning settings before representing Powell on the Delaware General Health District and the Ohio Association of Boards of Health. She currently serves as a Guardian ad Litem in Delaware County, and has lived with her family in the Chase subdivision since 2002.
Councilmember Leif Carlson also continues his service into 2026, bringing both business experience and deep community involvement. A Powell resident since 2008, Carlson lives in the Olentangy Ridge neighborhood with his wife Laurah and their son Gunnar. He owns Technology Sales & Asset Recovery LLC, a reseller of new and used IT equipment founded in 2015, and is a graduate of Walsh University. Outside Council, he is an active community participant—especially in the summer, when he can be found coaching the Tangy Tornado dive team at the Powell Pool.
Councilmember Tyler Herrmann also remains in his seat. Herrmann was elected in 2023 after previously serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals, and contributes a background in public service at both the state and federal levels, as well as two decades of military experience as a reservist, now serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He lives in the Reserve at Scioto Glenn with his wife and two children.
Altogether, the 2026 City Council positions Powell to carry forward its momentum and thoughtfully guide the community into the future. In the year ahead, Council will help shape several major initiatives, including the Downtown Powell/Village Green Master Plan, the extension of Scioto Street, and the future of Bennett Farm.