A Wadsworth High School alumnus, Mike graduated with honors from Bowling Green State University in 1982 and 1983 with degrees in Business Administration, Biology and Secondary Education.
An active United States Naval Officer from 1984-1989, Kovack served three decorated tours of duty in the Persian Gulf aboard destroyers and minesweepers. A reserve officer from 1989-1993, Kovack was recalled to the Naval Reserve following 9/11 in 2001. He was mobilized four times between 2003 and 2008, including two overseas ground tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded numerous decorations including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is a lifetime member of Wadsworth VFW Post #1089.
Kovack served as a Wadsworth City Councilman from 1990-91, chairing the Finance Committee, while finishing his Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He received his Master’s in 1992, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Akron and was named a Presidential Scholar by President George Bush for excellence in the field.
Kovack is Medina County’s longest serving auditor, holding the office from 1993 – 2023. Kovack received numerous local, state and national awards as auditor and was recognized internationally for his customer service in 2016. Kovack was recognized for “Excellence in Financial Reporting” by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for 30 consecutive years. In 1998, he was the first Medina County Auditor to receive the “Outstanding Auditor Award” from the County Auditors’ Association of Ohio.
Mike served as president of the Northeast Ohio Auditors Association four times and has also served as president of the statewide County Auditors Association of Ohio (CAAO). He was elected as Medina Municipal Clerk of Courts in 2023.
Kovack has three children, ten grandchildren, and resides in the City of Medina with his fiance’ Soehnke Hasselhof.
Kovack is the chair and founder of the Kovack Family Community Fund, which has distributed over $200,000 in scholarships and assistance throughout its history.
