United Way of Hancock County has announced this year's campaign cabinet and plans for the 2017 campaign kickoff. The campaign will kick off with a luau from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Elks Lodge at Northridge. The luau is open to the public and will include a hog roast, live music with J.D. Owen, cash bar, and more. Cost to attend is $15. To register for the luau campaign kickoff, go to http://liveunitedhancockcounty.or/luau-united.
Included in this event will be an inspirational rally for all workplace campaign coordinators from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those attending the rally get free admission to the luau. To register for the rally go to http://liveunitedhancockcounty.org/workplace-rep-rally. The rally and luau are sponsored by Huntington Bank. Participants can also register by calling United Way at 419-423-1432.
Chris and Dina Ostrander are co-chairing the United Way fundraising effort for the second year in a row.
“Dina and I are proud to have the opportunity to lead the United Way campaign for a second straight year,” said Chris Ostrander. “Our team established outstanding momentum in 2016, and we felt that providing leadership stability to the new campaign team would reduce their learning curve and provide continuity for the companies we developed relationships with last year to help accelerate that momentum.”
Chris Ostrander, a West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran, recently took over as the chief executive officer and advisory board chairman for the Family Office of Gardner & Sons. Their companies include Superior Trim, The Gathering, Gathering Wine, The Anvil Whiskey Bar, and the family’s real estate business. He also owns CEO Consulting, LLC, focused on advising senior executives, private equity companies, hedge funds, and other potential investors in the automotive aftermarket, and is a partner in Cornerstone Consulting Organization, LLC, a veteran-owned manufacturing consulting company. In 2015, he served as the chief executive officer of AP Emissions Technologies in North Carolina before accepting his current role. From 2011 through 2014, he led Cooper Tire & Rubber Company as the senior vice president and president of the Americas Tire Operations. He currently serves as vice chairman on the board of trustees for the University of Findlay, director for the board of Tour de Force, Inc, chairman of the board for Cornerstone Consulting Organization, LLC, chairman of the board/partner for JOCS 3, LLC, and chairman of the board/partner of Kensington Hill Partners II, LLC. He formerly held board positions with AP Emissions Technologies, the Marathon Center for Performing Arts, the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association, and was chairman of the board for Cooper Tire’s joint venture manufacturing facility in Mexico. He was the corporate division chair for the 2014 United Way of Hancock County campaign and currently serves on the United States Military Academy Advisory Board for U.S. Congressman (Ohio) Bob Latta.
Dina Ostrander recently won the May primary as the Republican candidate for Findlay’s 3rd Ward City Council seat and will run for election in November. She also recently earned acceptance into the prestigious Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. She is a graduate of Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh. She has volunteered for the Cuddle Care Program at Blanchard Valley and served on the board of the Findlay Family YMCA.
“Our theme this year is ‘united we fight, united we win.’ This theme truly speaks to the work of United Way as we strive to find solutions to the biggest problems in our community. We need to get to the root causes of problems that others may shy away from,” said Dina Ostrander. “The financial support of our wonderful community goes a long way in supporting these efforts.”
Mike Lewis, owner of Partitions Plus, is this year’s corporate division chair. Lewis and the company were named Emerging Small Business of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards luncheon in 2015. In 2012, the company received the STAR award from Blanchard Valley Industries for being an outstanding workplace for adults with developmental disabilities. The company held their first United Way fundraising drive in 2016 and landed in the top 20 companies based on giving amount.
Chairing this year’s commercial division is Roger Barton. Barton is the general manager of the Reineke Family Dealerships in Findlay and he is a member of United Way’s Gaslight Society. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Findlay and serves on the board for the American Red Cross Hancock County Chapter.
Heading this year’s education division is Chelsea Bodnarik, curriculum supervisor for the Hancock County Educational Service Center. She has served as a volunteer for the Literacy Coalition of Hancock County, Findlay Family YMCA, Flag City Balloon Fest, Mazza Museum’s Funday Sunday and the Halloween parade. She currently serves on the Literacy Coalition of Hancock County and was a past president of Chapter DN, P.E.O. She is a 2017 graduate of Hancock Leadership.
Mary Beth Hammond is this year’s finance, insurance and real estate (FIRE) division chair. This is her third time serving in this role. Hammond joined Fifth Third in 2001 and has more than 30 years of financial experience. She is currently a vice president and senior private banker at Fifth Third. She is a graduate of University of Northwestern Ohio and serves on multiple boards including the Owens Community College board of trustees. She is a past president and still serves on the board for the Arts Partnership of Greater Hancock County, Handbags That Help and volunteers with several United Way Agencies. She chairs the Fifth Third Bank Wall of Fame committee for the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. She is a past president of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. William Kose is chairing the health division for the third time this year. He recently transitioned to the position of chief medical officer, Blanchard Valley Medical Practices at Blanchard Valley Health System, after serving as senior vice president of medical affairs from 1991– 2012 and chief quality officer from 2012-2017. Prior to BVHS, he co-founded Blanchard Valley Medical Associates and practiced internal medicine from 1974-2002. Kose served on the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS). He is also a Baldrige examiner for the Ohio Partnership for Excellence, a member of the Ohio State Medical Association and a member of the Ohio Patient Safety Institute.
This year’s mercantile division is chaired by Andrea Kramer. She served United Way in the same capacity in 2008, 2009 and 2016. She is the president of City Apparel and founder of Go Grow Strategies. She currently serves as a member of Governor John Kasich’s Executive Workforce Board, the Braden Kramer Foundation board, and the Black Swamp Classic planning committee. She is a member of Findlay Rotary Club where she chairs the public relations committee. She just completed her term as the chairwoman of the University of Findlay Dana Scholars. She is a member of the University of Toledo Family Business Center, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and the Findlay – Hancock County Chamber of Commerce. In the past few years she has served on the board for Findlay Young Professionals, Associated Charities, American Cancer Society – Hancock County chapter, Findlay Area Hockey Association and Junior Achievement of Hancock County. She is a past communications committee member for United Way of Hancock County as well as a past board member and a Days of Caring volunteer. In 2006, she headed up a “Night of Giving”, a large fundraiser for United Way. That same year her company received the United Way Community Partner award.
Heading this year’s professional division is Drew Mihalik. He is a partner at Fitzgerald & Mihalik Law Firm. He has served on many boards and committees including Convention and Visitors Bureau Board; University of Findlay University Colleagues Advisory Board; Knights of Columbus; St. Michael Volunteer Coach and Findlay Youth Baseball Coach. His past United Way volunteer positions include serving as a past professional division chair; guest bartender for United Way’s Celebrity Server event and is a member of United Way’s Gaslight Society.
Fire Chief Josh Eberle is overseeing the public division. Eberle has more than 17 years in the fire service and had been a captain in the Findlay Fire Department since 2010. He was promoted to chief in 2015. Eberle is an assistant instructor for the All Hazards Training Center at the University of Findlay and a credentials coordinator for the Country Music Association Awards television program. He serves on the board of the Fire Relief Foundation.
David Cassidy will chair the independent division. Cassidy has been a United Way campaign volunteer since 1990. He serves on the volunteer leadership council of the American Cancer Society. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus of and has served as a past grand knight. He is retired from Chrysler. Cassidy was selected to receive United Way’s Jeri Bjorling Memorial Distinguished Volunteer Award in 2012.
Heading up the rural division is Ag Credit Branch Manager, Dean Recker. He is currently a member of the Knights of Columbus as a deputy grand knight. He is a member of Hancock County Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce’s Agri-business committee and board member of the Findlay Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has been a cattle and cash grain farmer for more than 30 years.
Serving as this year’s Gaslight Society Membership co-chairs are Bill and Hope McCleave. Bill McCleave is director of brand marketing for Marathon Petroleum Corporation. He is a board member for United Way of Hancock County. Hope McCleave is a volunteer for CASA/GAL of Hancock County.
Funds raised each year by the campaign cabinet team are used for grants to local nonprofit agencies that provide services to those in need in Hancock County. Funds are also used to support United Way’s Halt Hunger Initiative and other programs that improve people’s lives. Local companies are holding in-house campaigns, often offering payroll deduction as a convenient way to support the community through United Way of Hancock County. Local businesses or corporations interested in holding a fundraising campaign should contact Michael Momany, resource development director, at Momany@uwhancock.org or at the United Way office, 419-423-1432.