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There is no Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs without Mark Weinberg. As the school’s founding dean, Weinberg has overseen the unit’s programs and initiatives since its inception in 1981, when it existed under another name, the Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development, or ILGARD.

Weinberg’s expertise in organizational strategy, public sector value creation, and regional economic development is renowned. Beyond OHIO’s Voinovich School, he’s served as a professor of political science and as director of OHIO’s master of public administration program.

The key to his achievements?

“I will stick with something until I get it. I’m basically a problem solver to the extreme.”

Ohio Today asks Weinberg what else makes him tick for this issue’s “Last word.”

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

One of the things that (Senator) Voinovich talked about is making a difference. Your purpose here is to make a positive difference in relation to your community. You also need to make a difference in relation to your friends and family.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

Right now, I sort of like salmon. That wouldn’t have been the case growing up, just like Brussels sprouts. You have to hit 20 years old to like Brussels sprouts.

If you could be an Olympic athlete, in what sport would you compete?

That’s easy: track. I ran the quarter mile in high school. My peak in that event was 10th grade. I’m not Usain Bolt.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dishonesty. Second is control. I’ve always been interested in innovation and creative thought, and not micro-controlling things.

What is your favorite day of the week?

I’m not a Monday fan, but then again, nobody is. With the work schedules and technology, the weekends don’t have the same distinctions they used to. I’m not sure there is a favorite day of the week anymore because they blend together. It’s more related to what you’re doing than what the actual day is.