Allen’s departure sad, board needs to right the ship

The cards were stacked against Deb Allen when she began working as county administrator in January 2023.

Allen had worked since 2015 as executive director of development and community engagement for the Grand Traverse Pavilions, a municipal senior care facility in Traverse City. A Leelanau County resident, she also stepped down from her position as an elected trustee on the Elmwood Township Board to take on the administrator position.

She took the reins from 10-year administrator Chet Janik, who retired.