John Lang, Chief Operating Officer
Cleveland Public Library is pleased to announce John Lang has been named the new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
“It is a privilege and honor to join such a storied institution,” said Lang, incoming COO of Cleveland Public Library. “I look forward to working closely with the staff and community to fulfill the Library’s promise to create vibrant learning centers highlighting the history and unique qualities of each facility and their neighborhood.”
Lang joins the Library from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), where he has worked as the Director of Construction, Planning, & Design since 2016. At Tri-C, Lang is responsible for construction project management and leads teams of consulting architects, engineers, and construction managers. He’s one of three leaders overseeing the implementation of Tri-C’s $228 million college-wide capital construction plan.
As COO of Cleveland Public Library, Lang will oversee the Library’s Property Management Department and the Facilities Master Plan, a million-dollar project to reimagine and revitalize our library buildings. “This project calls for a strong person who understands the city of Cleveland and can lead a collaborative effort to re-envision our facilities to meet the needs of our patrons. We could not find a better person for the job than John Lang,” said Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. “Lang is a solutions-oriented visionary and innovator.”
Lang has nearly 30 years of experience managing $18 billion in infrastructure. Prior to joining Cuyahoga Community College, he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) from 1991 to 2016. Most of Lang’s military career was focused on logistical support – specifically, facilities management and construction.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
“As an avid reader and admirer of Cleveland Public Library, I am thrilled to be chosen to shape the future of the Library and its neighborhood branches,” Lang remarks.
Lang takes over as COO of Cleveland Public Library on Monday, October 12.