Commissioner Mendolera retired in 2009 at the rank of Captain serving more than 35 years with the E. Cleveland and Mayfield Hts. Fire Departments in Ohio. He held certifications as a Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire Instructor and taught Fire Science at Lakeland College, Mentor, Ohio 1982-84. Commissioner Mendolera holds an AAS Degree in Fire Science from Lakeland College and served in the US Army 1971-1973 as an Armor Crewman for a M60A1 Patton Tank.
Commissioner Mendolera has received two letters of commendation for fire rescues, was the 1999 Lions Club International Firefighter of the Year, and was the 2008 recipient of the Cleveland Clinic EMS Council for Award of Excellence and Distinguished Service Medal for helping in saving the life of a police officer.
He has been a committee member of the E. Cleveland Safety Forces Olde Tymers Nite for the past 20 years raising thousands of dollars through donations for retired police and firefighters and sponsoring events to honor those who have retired. He is a Board Member of the Estero Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10498, Assembly 2542. Commissioner Mendolera currently resides in Bella Terra.
Term: 2018-2022