BUTLER TOWNSHIP — Beth Herold is a busy woman. Since becoming the administrator of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging 18 months ago, Herold has re-engineered the agency.

“It was a difficult time to come in, but an exciting time to come in,” she said.

The $4 million agency has had flat state funding for six years. It was Herold's job to streamline its operations, develop efficiencies and move staff among existing positions as she asked them to do more with less or to do more in the same amount of time, she said.

“I've grown a lot as a leader in the last 18 months,” she said. “I've learned how important clear and concise communications are.”

Standards changed and expectations increased, she said. She found that the agency had a slower pace than what she was used to at the VNA where she'd been in charge of the private duty services division for 16 years.

In addition to having a master's in business administration, Herold is a nurse. She had to learn the language of the agency's social workers and finance people, she said.

“I had many a night when I was sitting here thinking, 'Why didn't they understand?'” she said. “We had to meet in the middle.”

Through cost savings and program combinations, Herold and the agency staff shaved $300,000 off the budget, she said.

“I didn't have to let anyone go,” Herold said.

Natural attrition led to a reduced staff of 35 employees now.

The agency also contracts with nearly 30 other organizations to deliver services to county residents over 60 years old.

Although some of the agency's services are well-known, such as the Tanglewood Center and BART bus, the agency offers about 45 services to seniors and information on more.

And Herold wants to publicize them more.

“Our most important service is to educate the community on the services we have and deliver them,” she said.

Herold is a member of the 2013 Leadership Butler County class and credits the program with improving her communications skills, which she says is a key facet of leadership.

“Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation, while striving to accomplish the mission and improve the organization,” Herold said. “It is having a vision that is well-communicated, building trust among colleagues and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential.

“Expectations have to be clear and goals have to be achieved. If people also enjoy the journey in reaching those goals or results, they will be committed enough to generate stronger performance. That part is up to you, the leaders.

“Good relationships with just the right amount of 'toughness' defines leadership. Good leadership skills are those actions that produce relationship and results.”

She's learned new skills from all of her managers during her career, she said, but Herold believes Kristy Wright, a former chief executive officer at the VNA most exemplifies leadership.

“She encouraged me to get my (master's in business) even though I was a nurse. She believed in me, and even when I didn't meet an expectation that she had or felt as if I had failed, she believed in me.

“She could build loyalty and commitment more than anything else. I think she did this by being honest and having humility. She is one of the most intelligent women I know, and I learned a great deal from her.”

Caring for the elderly may be a calling, but Herold enjoys her work.

“I've worked with the elderly my entire nursing career,” she said. “My kids have grown up with it.”

Herold, 44, has three children with her husband, John Herold, 46, a state trooper. They live in Meridian.

Herold is a member of the Meridian Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and of the First United Methodist Church in Butler.

She realizes that not everyone can be in a leadership position.

“Stan (Kosciuszko, president of the Chamber of Commerce) has reminded me that community involvement doesn't always mean being chief. Indians are just as important.”

In the meantime, her goal is to make the agency the best it can be.

The Butler County Area Agency on Aging has a caring, dedicated staff, she said, who are willing to go the extra mile to accommodate seniors.

“There is a huge need. (Senior citizens) are so appreciative of anything we can do.”

<B>LEADERSHIP DEFINITION: </B> “Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation, while striving to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.”<B>LEADER:</B> Beth Herold said Kristy Wright, a former chief executive officer at the VNA most exemplifies leadership.“She encouraged me to get my (master’s in business) even though I was a nurse. She believed in me and even when I didn’t meet an expectation that she had or felt as if I had failed, she believed in me.”<B>Name: </B>Beth Herold<B>Age: </B>44<B>Address: </B>Meridian<B>Family:</B> Husband John Herold, 46; children, Sarah 16; John Ryan, 12; and Emma, 10<B>Job Title:</B> Administrator<B>Company: </B>Butler County Area Agency on Aging<B>Company Address: </B>Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Complex, Butler Township<B>What It Does: </B>Provides a full program of services to the elderly<B>Employees:</B> 35<B>Community leadership:</B> Member of the Meridian Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary