Beachwood's NBA Vet Brad Sellers Reaching For Greater Heights

Beachwood Economic Development Director and former NBA player Brad Sellers will return to Warrensville Heights in 2012 — this time as mayor.

Sellers overcame his two opponents Clinton Hall and Deborah Hill with nearly 60 percent of the vote.

Sellers has worked as a contracted employee in Beachwood since May, while staff and council worked out a long-term economic development strategy.

Beachwood Mayor Merle Gorden called Sellers’ stint with the city fruitful. “I’m very pleased that he won overwhelmingly,” said Gorden. “As far as I’m concerned, Brad is a class act. His time with the city has been very very productive.”

Last month, to establish an economic development department and hire a full-time economic development director by consultants hired to recommend a long-term strategy to the city.

Gorden said that staff and council are still considering  and have not made a decision about which recommendations to initiate.

Prior to his stint in Beachwood, Sellers was the economic development in Warrensville Heights and has a hand in bringing Eaton Corporation to Highland Park.

His contract with Beachwood is up at the end of 2011. His term as Warrensville Heights mayor begins Jan. 1, 2012.

Sellers worked in Warrensville Heights for 10 years, during which the city saw more than $500 million in new construction and private sector investment and 3,900 jobs, according to a Beachwood press release.

Sellers could not be reached for comment Wednesday.