Representative Rogers began his distinguished career of public service in 1989 when he was appointed to Mentor-on-the-Lake City Council. He served in that position until 1994 when he was appointed Mayor and Safety Director. He won successive re-elections from 1996 to 2012. While serving as Mayor, Representative Rogers oversaw the operations of all city departments, comprised of approximately 108 employees and managed a budget averaging in excess of $4.5 million dollars. His many accomplishments include bringing major infrastructure improvements to the city, promoting local business development leading to the establishment of over 40 new small businesses, creating approximately 350 new jobs, over 200 new housing units, and increasing tax revenue. He partnered with the Mentor Public Library System to build a permanent branch in the city, and with the Lake Metro Parks to provide cost-free maintenance and upgrades to a community park, as well as overseeing improvements to all of the community’s parks.

As the City’s Safety Director, he restructured the Fire Department’s operations providing around the clock in-house staffing, improving response times, and delivering appropriately trained personnel to treat medical emergencies without increasing taxes. In addition, the Police Department was nationally recognized and accredited by the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies or CALEA on five separate occasions.