WARREN — Karen Infante Allen’s tenure as Trumbull County Clerk of Courts has drawn to a close after 20 years of service.

The longstanding clerk finished out her tenure Friday.

Since assuming office on Jan. 3, 2005, she has overseen a period of significant transformation in the office.

“From the start, my philosophy has been that the public is not dependent on us, but rather, we are dependent on them,” Allen said “Our pledge has always been to provide quality service with efficiency and courtesy, and I think we’ve done that.”

One of her proudest accomplishments has been the office’s financial turnaround.

When Allen took office in 2005, the Clerk of Courts was subsidized by the county’s general fund to the tune of $60,000 annually. By the time of her retirement, Allen’s management of the office’s title fees and its commitment to customer service allowed her to contribute $2 million back to the county.

“Through a title fee increase by the state and running the title office like a business, we thrived,” she said. “The dealers and customers came back to Trumbull County, and we were able to turn around the office’s finances. That $2 million donation to the general fund was one of my biggest accomplishments.”

In addition to her fiscal achievements, Allen is proud of her role in the Good Deeds Program, a collaboration with Trumbull County’s probate judge and county recorder.

The program, designed to help county residents protect their assets, was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but eventually saw success as it traveled across the county.

“We were able to get out into the community, answer questions, and help people safeguard their homes and property,” she said. “The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was a real privilege to be part of such an important initiative.”

The COVID-19 pandemic posed one of the biggest challenges of Allen’s career. To ensure public services remained uninterrupted while keeping staff safe, she implemented split shifts and extra safety measures.

Her focus on maintaining high service standards during such a difficult time earned praise from both the public and her colleagues.

“The pandemic forced us to adapt quickly. We had to work in new ways, but we made sure we could still serve the people of Trumbull County,” Allen said.

Under her leadership, the Clerk of Courts office also evolved technologically. The office updated its case management system to allow the public to access court images online and implemented electronic filing in recent years.

“The office has come a long way since 2005,” Allen said. “We’ve made it more accessible and efficient, which is what the public expects. It’s been an exciting time of growth and innovation.”

Looking ahead, Allen is ready to enjoy her retirement and spend more time with her family. She plans to visit her daughters and grandchildren in Columbus more often and is eager to volunteer with her church and the Niles Community Services board.

“I’ve been blessed to serve the public, and I’m grateful for the experiences and friendships I’ve gained over the years,” Allen said. “But now it’s time for a new chapter. I’ll miss my colleagues and the daily interactions we had. We were a family, and that’s what I’ll miss the most.”

Randy Law will succeed Allen after winning the November election.

Allen is confident that the office is in good hands.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years,” she said. “I know Randy will continue to serve the people of Trumbull County with the same level of commitment.”