Additionally, Plusquellic has recommended to the Akron Civil Service Commission that Rubright be named interim director of personnel. The commissioners have advised the Mayor that they will schedule a special session as soon as practicable to implement the recommendation.

The interim appointment is necessary because Akron Personnel Director Virginia Robinson and Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations James Masturzo both are departing the city under the Voluntary Separation Plan, which was offered to all employees this summer.            

Patricia Ambrose Rubright is a 1977 graduate of the School of Law at the University of Akron. She began working for the City in June, 1976 during law school, as an intern in the prosecutor’s office. Following graduation, she joined the city as an assistant prosecutor in January of 1978.

Rubright spent two years in the prosecutor’s office and was appointed in 1980 as assistant law director. For the past 19 years, she has been handling litigation for the city in state courts and primarily federal courts, usually on matters related to employment issues, including civil rights issues. She will maintain her litigation responsibilities while functioning as the interim manager of personnel and labor relations.

"This is an interim solution to deal with our current issues, "said Plusquellic. "Our financial situation requires us to be more creative and to do more with fewer people. While this is a new position for Patricia, by reason of her courtroom experience and extensive knowledge of the field, I’m confident she will be able to handle these additional duties."

Rubright, 57, has two children, one in college and one in high school. She has two grown step daughters with her husband Richard.