Building Ideas

Steve Langenkamp was an accomplished football student- athlete at The Ohio State University, ran a family business, served over 20 years as a public elected official, and now is COO and Sport Facilities Planner for a leading architecture & design firm.

Matt Oberlin has worked in Collegiate athletics for nearly two decades, starting as a D3 student athlete with professional tenure at both Division 2 and Division 1 athletic departments. He is the Past President of the Collegiate Events and Facilities Managers Association (CEFMA) and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director/Capital Projects and Facilities/Events at Central Michigan University.

April Berg is the Co-Founder of Aruna Project. She was a collegiate athlete and passionate about running and fitness. April walked away from a career as a nurse in internal medicine to serve communities in China and India. Her time serving women in the brothels of India instilled a passion to relieve injustice for oppressed women in the world. This passion and her love of fitness served as catalyst to the creation of Aruna, an Athleisure lifestyle brand creating functional luxury bags and accessories handcrafted by women freed, empowered, and employed. www.arunaproject.com

Jeff Berding is President of FC Cincinnati and led the club's meteoric rise from the United Soccer League into Major League Soccer. He started his career in politics, worked for members of Congress, ran a successful political campaign to fund the renewal of Cincinnati's central riverfront that maintained the City's MLB and NFL teams, served on Cincinnati City Council, and spent nearly 2 decades working as a sports executive for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kenji Matsudo is a passionate, enthusiastic educator and "teacher of teachers" who serves as a Superintendent at Madeira City Schools - one of the highest performing public school districts in the Midwest. www.madeiracityschools.org

Betsy Ross is CEO of Gameday Communications. She was one of the first women to break into sports reporting and broadcasting, having served as sports reporter, news anchor for regional television as well as ESPN News and Sportscenter. She is currently a play‐by‐play anchor for women’s college basketball for ESPN, Fox Sports and other national and regional outlets, and as a sports reporter for Cincinnati’s FOX 19. She is the author of the book " Playing Ball with the Boys: The Rise of Women in Men’s Sports" released to a national audience. She also teaches a graduate level course at Xavier University, and has taught at Indiana University. www.gamedaypr.com

Mike Bohn is the Director of Athletics for the University of Southern California. His 35+ year career in Athletics was inspired from his formative years on a Little League ball diamond in Colorado, earning championships at Boulder High School, and also as a dual-sport athlete at the University of Kansas. He has served in leadership with multiple NCAA Division 1 institutions including at The Air Force Academy, University of Idaho, San Diego State, University of Colorado, University of Cincinnati, and USC. He is committed to creating an athletics culture focused on the "student athlete experience" and is a firm believer in being a "constant student of leadership." www.usctrojans.com

John Heater brings two decades of non-profit work, from local pastor to service at multiple YMCA systems across the country. His breadth and depth of experience in leading people with an attitude of 'servant leader' has impacted communities throughout the Midwest and Southeast. He is currently serving as Group Vice President at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. https://myy.org/

Terry Rupert is a former student athlete, educator, coach, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Wilmington College, and been involved nationally with the NCAA. He previously served at Salisbury University, Utah State, Eastern Michigan University, and West Virginia Tech. www.wilmingtonquakers.com

Julie Cromwell is CEO and President of Julie Cromwell Associates - a structural engineering design practice based in Cincinnati. She left a career-track leadership position in a well established company to start the first woman-owned Structural Engineering firm in the history of the region. She is active as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, a mentor to young professionals promoting diversity in STEM career pathways, and a passionate coach of youth soccer. www.juliecromwell.com

John Jaskiewicz is an Architect and President-Elect of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects - founded in 1870 and one of the oldest in the United States. www.aiacincinnati.org

Dawn Stewart is the Director of Athletics for Otterbein University. She is a former student-athlete with a 20+ year career in collegiate athletics having served at the University of Dayton, Captial University, and now at her alma mater - Otterbein. In 2016 she was named as one of four Division 3 "Under Armour Athletic Directors of the Year." She has been active with the National Association of the Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and been instrumental in expanding the size and influence of Athletics at Otterbein. www.otterbeincardinals.com

Matt Earman is Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Dublin, Ohio - a fast growing "community of choice" in Central Ohio and the Columbus metropolitan region. This native of Northern Virginia graduated from Virginia Tech, served many roles in a large Parks Conservation District outside of Washington, D.C. and been instrumental working with Dublin City Councils and Administrations to develop innovative parks and recreation amenities in one of the premier communities in the Midwest. www.dublinohiousa.org

Evans Nwankwo is CEO and Founder of Megen Construction - a national construction firm based in Cincinnati. He was born and raised in Nigeria as one of 13 children, fled with his family to a rural village during a civil war, emigrated to America and graduated from Texas A&M. He is passionate about the impact of education to change lives, the importance of design and construction on the built environment, and giving back to his community both here in the United States and in his home village in Nigeria. www.megenconstruction.com www.nuwayfoundation.org

Steve Estepp is the Superintendent of Mariemont City Schools, an elite & high performing public school district just east of Cincinnati, Ohio. This central Ohio native had dreamed of a career in broadcast journalism, but ultimately pivoted to enter education as a result of the profound impact of mentors and teachers on his life. In addition to his role leading the District, this graduate of Grove City High School and The Ohio State University is active in his community including the local Kiwanis Club, and as a volunteer EMT for the Terrace Park Fire Department.

Julian and Chris are the Founding Principals of Studio NYL, a Colorado based Structural Engineering and Facade Design firm that has earned the trust and respect of architects around the world for delivering truly innovative design-led solutions that exceed the conventional. Founded in 2004, Studio NYL's vision is rooted in the founders' belief that all architectural design can be elevated through the inventive use of structures and façade systems that enhance rather than limit design. It is this passion for raising design standards through the "artful use of structure" on every project—whether humble or grandiose in scope—that drives their distinctively poetic approach. www.studionyl.com

Holly is the Vice President for Athletics at Transylvania University - the first college in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This Louisville native is responsible for 27 NCAA sports and activities that include 420 student athletes. Prior to her tenure at Transylvania, Holly was at the NCAA where she served as Assistant Director of Championships, where she was responsible for managing nine Division 1 and Division 3 championships. She also previously served at the University of Louisville as Assistant Athletic Director for Championships & Student Development and as an instructor and volleyball coach at Lindsey Wilson College. www.transysports.com

As Founder and President of Leadership Exceleration (LE) and author of The Ascending Leader, Diane Egbers engages with clients and guides our consulting team to provide all aspects of Leadership Development, Executive and Team Coaching, and High Performing Teams. Diane founded and serves as Board Chair of a nonprofit called Grant Us Hope. In three short years, the organization has created positive change in the culture of 60+ Ohio schools, impacted countless young lives to promote mental wellness, and garnered national attention. www.lei-consulting.com www.grantushope.org

Joe serves as the Director of Athletics for Princeton City Schools in Cincinnati. This North-Central Ohio native was a graduate of Lexington High School, the University of Cincinnati, and Xavier University. His career in athletics began as a scholarship student manager for Coach Bob Huggins and the Cincinnati Bearcats during their return to prominence in the 1990's. Prior to coming to Princeton, Joe served at several Districts in Ohio and Kentucky including his alma-mater of Lexington. Joe is the past president of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). www.vikenation.org www.ohsaa.org

Todd began his career with the park district in 2003 and by 2017 had received four promotions. During that time, he steered the agency’s five-year strategic plan and completed several key projects including Highfield Discovery Garden, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Fernbank Park, and the Mitchell Memorial Forest Mountain Bike Trail. Todd has served in the lead role on several park district initiatives including its visioning process, Needs Assessment teams, and most recently the agency’s first Comprehensive Master Plan. He became Great Parks of Hamilton County’s next Chief Executive Officer in May 2019. https://www.greatparks.org/

Justin Newell is assistant athletic director and director of the Kenyon Athletic Center (KAC). As director, Newell is responsible for the oversight of the 263,000 square foot KAC, as well as all outdoor field and recreation space. Furthermore, his responsibilities with the athletic department are to act as a liaison to other Kenyon College departments, such as student affairs, maintenance, campus safety, and alumni affairs. Newell will take on all capital projects and facility improvement opportunities to best provide for the student-athlete and Kenyon College experience. Finally, Newell will serve as the primary game administrator for all NCAC and NCAA championships that are hosted by Kenyon College. Newell comes to Kenyon after four years as the director of facilities at Tulane University. In his time at Tulane he served as the game administrator for all events hosted by Tulane, including the opportunity to serve as the tournament director for the 2012 NCAA men’s basketball Final Four. Newell graduated with a Master’s of Education in sports administration from Millersville University in 2005. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in general agriculture with a concentration and minor in wildlife conservation and history. Justin is the current president of the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association. www.kenyon.edu https://nacda.com/sports/cefma

Andrea Swartz AIA is Chairperson of the Department of Architecture at the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. A registered architect who has taught in professional architecture programs at Ball State, RPI, and as a graduate teaching assistant, she received her Master of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture where she was the recipient of the AIA Henry Adams Medal and Certificate. Swartz also attended Yale University for her undergraduate degree - BA with a major in Architecture, Summa Cum Laude. Andrea has worked with several firms (Rhode Island, Maine, Washington, California) and is licensed to practice architecture in Rhode Island and Indiana, where, in addition to a few residential design projects, she explores speculative and built design work. She has received award recognitions at regional, national, and international design competitions, including a second-place award at the Toronto Sukkahville Design + Build Competition and Exhibition (2014), and recognition at state AIA design “ideas” competitions (2017, 2015). Her photography and creative work has been exhibited nationally. Prior to, and while serving as the Chair of Ball State’s Department of Architecture she taught architectural design studio at all year levels, elective courses in photography, material investigations, and furniture design, as well as the introductory structures courses. Andrea received the 2014 Charles M. Sappenfield Faculty Award from alumni in recognition of her “dedication, contribution, and commitment to the education of students of the College of Architecture and Planning.”

Nick Lingenfelter has over 17 years of experience in the Commercial Real Estate industry and began partnering with PLK in 2014 on development projects. He currently oversees the development of PLK’s apartments and for sale townhome projects focusing on site identification, planning, entitlements, project vision, and end design. Nick has an extensive background with complex real estate structures completing almost $2.9 billion in projects in 10 states, both as a banker and developer. He has significant experience in Tax Credit Financing, TIFs, Bonds, Brownfield Developments, Historic Redevelopments and ground up new construction. Prior to joining PLK, he spent 14 years as a Commercial Real Estate banker in Chicago and Cincinnati. Nick graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Finance where he was a National Buckeye Scholar and most recently worked for WesBanco Bank as the Senior Vice President, Senior Commercial Banker, and Team Lead for Southwest Ohio. He is actively involved in his community where he served 2 terms as the Chairman of The City of Loveland Finance Committee. Nick is a proud husband to an amazing wife (Jessica) and father to two children (Eli and Zoe). When he is not at work, he is still working and dreams of fishing and the beach. https://plkcommunities.com/

Mike Penner has been a member of The Ohio State University’s athletic department’s leadership team for the last 14 years providing strategic direction and oversight for the 36-sport athletic department with more than 1,000 student-athletes and 1,700 full and part-time employees. He was promoted to Executive Associate Athletic Director in June 2018 and currently serves as the lead administrator for the department’s facility operations, capital projects and athletic district development; event management and championships; technology, and audio services; and, the sport athletic director for men’s and women’s tennis teams. In his time at Ohio State, Penner has provided oversight of fan experience and promotions, creative services, the OSU Golf Club, and camps staffs; and provided leadership for more than $200 million of capital projects; has hosted more than 100 NCAA championships and more than 40 Conference championships; and has managed more than 125 events in the 100,000-seat Ohio Stadium. Penner is a former President of the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association (CEFMA) and was selected as the inaugural CEFMA/GameDay Consulting Event & Facility Manager of the Year award recipient. He has taught classes in Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business in the Sport Management program and has given dozens of presentations on various event topics at national and regional conferences and local universities. He has worked at the NCAA Hoop City, OHSAA Tournaments for track, tennis, basketball, softball and wrestling, the Special Olympics State Summer Games and the Major League Baseball All-Star Fan Fest. A 1997 sport management graduate of the University of Dayton, Penner earned his master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1999. He then began his career at Ohio State in July 1999 with the Department of Recreational Sports where he served as the intramural coordinator. He moved to the Department of Athletics in 2001 as the assistant director of event management and then was promoted to event management director in 2003, assistant athletics director in 2006, associate athletics director in 2009 and is now the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations. The Cleveland native now resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio with his wife Stephanie, daughter Kaylie (7) and son Zachary (5).

Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Cady arrived at Miami in 1976 and has served both a coach and an administrator. Steve was the inaugural Coach and started the nationally-renowned Ice Hockey Program,. Cady credits his lengthy career in intercollegiate athletics to his own invaluable student-athlete experience and a strong belief in the value of the life skills athletics can teach. In addition to his roles at Miami, Steve has been involved in many levels of NCAA Hockey governing and planning bodies across the country. This Upstate New York native earned his undergraduate degree at Saint Lawrence University, and his Masters from Bowling Green State University. Steve is integral in the design, planning, fundraising, and execution of improvements and expansion of the Redhawks athletics facilities at Miami. www.miamiredhawks.com

Sr. Rita Sturwold is a lifelong enthusiastic, innovative educator, serving as a teacher in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, as an administrator, and, for over 30 years, as a friend raiser and fund raiser. She has been the first to serve in a variety of positions locally, nationally and internationally. Sr. Rita is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an international congregation of women religious serving on five continents. She earned a BA in Latin from Our Lady of Cincinnati College, an MA in English from Northwestern University, Evanston, and secondary administrative certification through The Ohio State University. She is one of a few Sisters to be a nationally Certified Fund Raising Executive. She is a member of Class XVIII of Leadership Cincinnati. Chaminade Julienne High School honored Sr. Rita as a 2019 Distinguished Alumna for her professional achievements. With a keen interest in Catholic education, fund raising and marketing, spirituality and holistic living, Rita is a frequent speaker at local, national, and international conferences. https://www.sndden.org/

Robert Sheeran assumed his duties as Vice President, Facilities at Xavier University in 2012 and is responsible for the operations of the physical plant. He served as Associate Vice President for Facility Management from 2002 -2012. Xavier’s Office of Physical Plant is responsible for the leadership in the planning and design of all new construction, major remodeling, maintenance and improvement on the 2.4 million square foot, 208-acre campus. Sheeran stewards the university’s physical plant resources and works with senior management to prioritize facilities investments to support Xavier’s academic priorities. He provides strategy input in facilities planning and decisions, and he guides the development, update and approval of the campus master plan and major construction activities. Sheeran has 40 years’ experience in managing commercial construction projects having held senior leadership positions with general contracting and construction management firms in Cincinnati. During that time, Sheeran served as Project Executive on a number of key building initiatives on the Xavier campus, including the Health United Building, Hoff Academic Quad, Alter Hall, Fenwick Place, Cintas Center and Gallagher Student Center. He is a member of APPA, SCUP and the AJCU Facilities groups and received the President’s Award for Excellence in 2011 from Xavier University. Sheeran has a B.S. Architectural Engineering Technology and B.S. Construction Management from the University of Cincinnati, and a MBA from Xavier University.

Katie Freeland is the Director of the Columbus Studio and an Associate Principal at MSA Design, a nationally renowned design practice based in the Midwest. She is from Powell, Ohio and attended Miami University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture degree. She went on to receive her Master of Architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis, graduating with honors. She lived in St. Louis for several years before returning to central Ohio and joining MSA Design. Katie is a registered architect and enjoys working on a range of diverse projects types, including municipal, educational, transportation, corporate, and sports and recreation. Katie lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, Mike, and their two children, Wesley (age 7) and Nora (age 4). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being outdoors, and traveling.

Dan McNally born in Darwen, England (1978) is the Director of Soccer Operations for MLS franchise, FC Cincinnati. McNally has been with FC Cincinnati since the club formed in 2015 and he holds the distinction of being the clubs first full time employee. During his tenure at FC Cincinnati McNally’s primary role has been to establish the clubs Soccer Operation and to oversee the Gameday Operation during the clubs historic 5 year run at Nippert Stadium. In addition McNally played a lead role during the planning and design process of the Mercy Health Training Center. FC Cincinnati’s state of the art training facility is widely recognized as one of the best soccer facilities in North America. Before he joined FC Cincinnati McNally enjoyed a soccer career as a youth player in the academy of the Blackburn Rovers, an apprentice professional player with Bury FC, a Collegiate Head Coach (MSU-Billings) and an All-American college player (ERAU). McNally holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications (ERAU) and a Master’s degree in Counseling (MSU-Billings). Growing up in his native England, McNally played in the soccer academy at Blackburn Rovers and he was an apprentice professional player at Bury FC. He currently resides in Florence, KY with his wife Jenny and sons Liam & Kellan. www.fccincinnati.com

Blake Lane is a Senior Design Researcher at Thrive in Atlanta, Georgia, where he specializes in healthcare innovation. Blake received his BFA in interior design from Valdosta State University in South Georgia and went on to earn his master’s of science degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati, where he is also a PhD candidate. It was while doing theoretical research on spatial design for his doctoral degree that Blake homed in on his interest in user-centered research and design thinking. In 2014 Blake began working for the Live Well Collaborative, a design and product innovation consultancy in Cincinnati, as a design researcher and strategist. At Live Well, Blake worked on projects with Fortune 500 companies like Procter & Gamble, Pfizer and Boeing, as well as top-ranked healthcare institutions including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). For CCHMC, he worked across all spectrums of the hospital, from creating the most comfortable cancer patient journey to developing an ideal anesthesia induction experience for children, which has resulted in a patent filing and multiple publications. After leaving Live Well, Blake worked at GE Aviation as a user experience researcher, focusing on ways to improve how airlines and engineers assess jet engine health. Eventually, he made his way to Thrive and back to his passion of doing design research for healthcare. www.thrivethinking.com

Jason Wilson’s life might best be paralleled with the Disney movie Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. A military brat, his father took tours of duty that took the family from Ohio to the East Coast, the Gulf shores of Texas, Cincinnati and two stints in Alaska. Professionally, he began his career in Architecture and "felt the call" to go into Construction. In 2009, he founded Marathon Construction Consultants, initially operating as a general contractor and finally morphing into offering Owner’s Representative services to numerous national and international clients primarily in the aviation industry. Outside of work, Jason lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky with Sarah, his wife of 21 years, and their 3 children, Katie, Jack and Nick. From early childhood, sports have been an integral and formative part of his life. He has coached track at Covington Catholic High School, select baseball for the Cincinnati Titans and is currently in his 7th season as a head coach for the Kentucky Warriors AAU basketball program. He has run 14 marathons - 15 if you count the one he ran on his 31st birthday on his father’s cattle ranch in Montana. He is an avid college basketball fan and lives and dies with the Cincinnati Bearcats. jwilson@marathoncc.com

Sarah Eingle is Director of Interior Design and Associate Principal at MSA Design, a nationally renowned architecture+interior design+graphics practice based in the Midwest. As the leader of MSA's Interior Design team, Sarah has set the direction and influenced the design of award winning interior environments on projects across all of the firms seven market practices. Sarah, a native of the small college town of Tiffin, Ohio has previously practiced in San Francisco with an internationally-renowned clientele including leading Silicon Valley firms. She is a leading voice in the Midwest on Interior design, and is currently renovating an historic home in the heart of Covington, Kentucky just across from Downtown Cincinnati. www.msaarch.com

Michael Collins is Senior Vice President of global consulting practice JS Held. Michael has worked as a Principal in Charge, Project Executive, Pre-Construction Manager, Project Manager, Project Engineer, and designer for local, regional, and national Ownership Groups. Michael Collins has nearly 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry. At J.S. Held, Michael leads the Owner’s Representation and Project Support Services practice service markets such as healthcare, mixed-use development, multi-family, commercial office and retail, educational, private, and public works engagements. His practice area provides services include estimating, budgeting and budget management, scheduling, project representation, construction monitoring as well as quality control throughout the project. A proud 6th generation West Side Cincinnatian, he graduated from the Great Oaks Career Campus System, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, and the University of Cincinnati. He's a husband and father of three and engaged in his community as a youth sports coach. www.jsheld.com

Nate Stewart is the Director of Athletics for Carthage College, heading a department that supports nearly 800 student-athletes across 27 teams. He was hired from Division-III Centre College, where he was the Deputy Director of Athletics for three years. During his time in Danville, Ky., he led many of the department's development and fundraising efforts, and led the External Relations Committee which was responsible for marketing and promotions at Centre Athletics. Prior to his time with Centre, Stewart spent one year as Athletic Director at Valley City State University in North Dakota. While there, Stewart helped eliminate a $75,000 deficit in athletics and produced a positive return in department revenue. Stewart negotiated Valley City's first department-wide apparel deal with Under Armour and also oversaw the construction of new baseball and softball locker rooms, new scoreboards for baseball and volleyball and a rebranding of the gymnasium lobby. Stewart spent six years at Eastern University in Pennsylvania, first as head men's basketball coach and then as assistant athletic director for advancement, then becoming Athletic Director. At Eastern, Stewart's first administrative project was organizing and directing the Eagle Classic golf tournament, increasing revenue for that event by 150 percent. As Athletic Director at Eastern, Stewart led a massive reconstruction and rebranding of the school's fitness center, created a position for a full-time strength and conditioning coach, oversaw the implementation of men's and women's track and field programs, and negotiated a two-year extension with Under Armour on an apparel deal. As a coach, Stewart's 2011-12 team posted the second highest win total in Eastern basketball history, and his final team in 2014-15 led the Middle Atlantic conference in scoring. Stewart graduated from Roanoke College in 2003 as a four-year letter winner in basketball and earned his master's degree from Marshall University in 2005. Stewart and his wife Lauren have two sons. www.carthage.edu

Deanna Brant is currently the Executive Director of the Delaware Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. The Board is comprised of 7 staff and 14 volunteer Board members who oversee the planning, funding, monitoring and evaluation of a comprehensive continuum of behavioral health care in Delaware and Morrow Counties, just outside of Columbus Ohio. Her focus has been on collaboration with community partners, supporting housing capacity, crisis services and building the infrastructure to support behavioral health care services locally. Ms. Brant came to Central Ohio from Northeast Ohio where she was the Chief Operating Officer of Intensive Services at Ravenwood Health in Geauga County. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervisory endorsement, and was a Certified Trauma Specialist and Trainer. She specialized in suicide and violence/homicide risk assessment, pre-hospital screening, and crisis intervention. She is the co-chair of the Geauga County Suicide Prevention Coalition. She had been the Mental Health Coordinator of the Geauga County CIT Program since its inception in 2004 and has a lead role in the CIT Program in Delaware and Morrow Counties. Ms. Brant received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services from Hiram College and her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University. Ms. Brant was the recipient of the 2010 Professional Contribution Award from the Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. She has 30 years of experience working in the behavioral health field, particularly with individuals in crisis. Ms. Brant has four adult daughters and four grandsons. https://www.dmmhrsb.org/

Chris Patek is a Principal and Architect at MSA Design, a nationally renowned design practice based in the Midwest. As a senior leader in MSA's Education and Transportation markets, Chris has led teams on many of the firms' award winning design projects including recent work with the Great Oaks Career Campus System, Mariemont City Schools, and Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. He is passionate about work that elevates and engages the community. In addition to his project roles, he is instrumental in elevating the firms' level of design and project execution and also integral in the onboarding of new team members. Chris was raised just outside of Toledo, and has practiced in firms across the world including both coasts of the United States and in Zimbabwe. Chris is active in his community having previously served as President the American Institute of Architects Cincinnati Chapter and as a Scoutmaster and youth sports coach. He resides on the east side of Greater Cincinnati with his wife Kelly and sons Ben & Owen. www.msaarch.com

Mike Snyder begins his seventh year as the athletic director of Illinois College in 2020-21. In addition to his responsibilities as athletic director, Snyder was the president of the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association (CEFMA) in 2016-17 and was named to the Executive Committee of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) starting with the 2018-19 academic year. Snyder has helped accomplish a number of impressive feats during his six years at Illinois College. Some of those highlights include the construction of new homes for the IC baseball and softball programs plus a new throws area for the track & field teams, the addition of lights to England Stadium and the Bellatti Tennis Complex, a weight room renovation, a video board at England Stadium, the addition of the Chi Alpha Sigma fraternity to honor student-athletes with excellent academics, and the expansion of varsity sports to include esports and competitive cheer & dance. Under his watch, Illinois College has also seen upgrades to its playing surfaces, including a new court design in Sherman Gymnasium, new turf at England Stadium, and a resurfacing of the track in King Fieldhouse. The 2016-17 academic year was a particularly impressive one for the athletic programs of Illinois College. The women's programs at IC combined for their highest-ever finish in the MWC All-Sports standings in fourth place. The men's programs combined for the second-highest finish in history. At the same time, the 20 athletic programs at Illinois College combined for 40 all-conference athletes, the highest total in the past six years. In 2017-18, the men's programs at Illinois College finished tied for its highest-ever finish in the MWC All-Sports Standings in fourth place and the 20 programs once again produced 40 All-MWC selections. Success in competition carried over to the classroom, where IC student-athletes combined for a cumulative G.P.A. of higher than 3.00 for the year and 128 were named to the Academic All-MWC teams. Snyder also served on the "Gameday the DIII Way" working group in conjunction with the NCAA. The 2018-19 school year provided a massive upgrade to the Bruner Center and IC's athletic facilities. A total of $1.7 million was spent on capital projects including the installation of new turf at England Stadium, the construction of new weight rooms and a cardio room, renovations to locker rooms and branding on every level of the Bruner Center. The Illinois College programs set an institutional record by having 51 student-athletes earn All-MWC honors during the year. Prior to Illinois College, Snyder was at Oberlin College, a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference, located in Oberlin, Ohio. Snyder served in a variety of progressive leadership roles, most recently as Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations. During his time at Oberlin, Snyder supervised and coordinated capital facility projects, negotiated sponsorships, hired and supervised coaches and managed a multi-million dollar budget across 22 varsity programs and 10 administrative departments. He has previously served as Oberlin's Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, and Director of Facilities. Prior to his time at Oberlin, Snyder served as Operations Manager and Events Supervisor for Southeast Missouri State University's Show Me Center. Snyder is an active member of several professional organizations, including CEFMA. He is also active in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and NADIIIAA. Currently, Snyder is a part of a NCAA group for Sportsmanship and Gameday Environment called "Gameday the DIII Way" and is the NADIIIAA Executive Board Representative to the Division III FAR Advisory Group. Snyder earned a bachelor's degree in education from Bowling Green State University, and a master's degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State. Snyder, his wife and three children reside in Jacksonville, Illinois. www.ic.edu

Amber Wasinski is an Interior & Project Designer with MSA Design and part time adjunct faculty member for the School of Architecture and Interior Design, DAAP, at the University of Cincinnati. She completed her undergraduate BS Interior Design and Masters of Architecture + International Business Certificate at UC. Her work spans a wide range of content and scales including domestic and international hospitality / entertainment projects to work exhibited in Two Sides of the Border: Reimagining the Mexico-United States Region. She is an NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer, currently working towards architectural licensure, and in her free time she enjoys any opportunity for outdoor adventures. Laila Ammar is a Project Architect & Designer with MSA Design and a part time adjunct faculty for the School of Architecture and Interior Design, DAAP, at the University of Cincinnati – where she also completed her undergraduate BS Arch. She received her Masters of Architecture at the Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University where she was a part of the research and fabrication team for the 2014 US Pavilion, “OFFICE US” at the Venice Architecture Biennale. She spends her “free” time as a citizen Architect doing advocacy work with The Architecture Lobby and on the board of her neighborhood’s community development corporation, NEST. www.msaarch.com www.daap.uc.edu

Andre Seoldo is Associate Athletic Director for Facilities & Operations at the University of Cincinnati. At UC, Seoldo directs all event management, facility rentals and assists in the planning of capital projects. During his 8 year tenure at UC, Andre has been instrumental in the operations and planning of significant capital investments in Athletic Facilities including the expansion and renovation of historic Nippert Stadium, renovation of Fifth Third Arena, and ongoing upgrades and improvements to the American Conference member's athletic facilities on the 40,000+ student urban campus in Clifton. Prior to coming to Cincinnati, Andre spent nearly three years at the University of Northern Iowa. He began his tenure at UNI as the assistant athletic director for facilities and operations in October 2010 and was promoted to associate athletic director in July 2012. During his tenure at UNI, Seoldo provided leadership and budget oversight to the facilities and operations staff and supervised over 55 personnel. He was also responsible for securing, implementing and marketing external facility rentals, including concerts, trade shows, commencements and other non-University athletic events. Prior to his arrival at UNI, Seoldo spent 10 years at Kent State University where he advanced from field house and sports camp assistant in 2000 to associate athletic director for facilities and operations in 2005. He was the director for conference championships hosted by KSU, including 2006 baseball, 2008 field hockey, 2009 indoor track and field and women's golf and 2010 men's golf. Seoldo completed various large-scale projects during his time at KSU, including the Schoonover Baseball Stadium, Golf Training and Learning Center, Dix Stadium renovations and turf replacement for baseball, football and field hockey. Seoldo worked at the University of Florida from 1999-2000 as the operations and facilities assistant. He earned a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Northeastern University and his master's in sports administration from Wichita State University. He recently graduated from IAVM Venue Management School at Oglebay (Wheeling, W.Va.). Seoldo and his wife Tiffany have two sons, Antonio and Sonny. www.gobearcats.com

Jerry Dendinger is the Chief Operating Officer of Athletes In Action, a worldwide sports ministry headquartered near Dayton. In addition to the retreats, camps, and team building opportunities at their HQ campus (the former Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Xenia, Ohio) AIA provides athletic teams and mission opportunities throughout amateur, collegiate, and professional sports organizations across the globe. Jerry is a native of Bush, Louisiana and was a successful long-distance running athlete at the University of Southern Mississippi. After a post-collegiate running career and brief stint as a chemist, he and his wife came on staff with Athletes in Action. Over his 30+ years at AIA, Jerry has served as a Chaplain, mentor, leader, and now senior executive. He and Mallory have been married for 31 years and have four adult children. www.athletesinaction.org www.woodenfamilyfieldhouse.com

Amy Benetti joins us as an Associate Principal and Project Manager at MSA Design. Amy is a native of Speedway, Indiana - home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A childhood influenced by family home improvement projects and "tinkering" ultimately led her to attend the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. After graduation, she came to MSA Design where she has risen into Senior leadership within the firm and has led many of the firms' key projects in the Education, Religious, Sport and Civic markets. Her skills at community engagement and consensus building have earned her great acclaim within the profession. For a period of time she left private practice to become an "in house" project leader within the City of Cincinnati. In addition to her work at the firm, Amy is a graduate of AIA Cincinnati's VISION program for emerging leaders, a leader of MSA's Madeira City Schools Senior professional mentor program, and has become a leading voice in the mentorship of young women in the design and construction profession in Greater Cincinnati. Amy, her husband Jon and their daughter reside in the small town of Madeira in Greater Cincinnati. www.msaarch.com

J. Marshall Hyzdu is the second president of Archbishop Moeller High School. As president and a Moeller alumnus, he is dedicated to deepening Moeller’s tradition of academic excellence, commitment to its Catholic and Marianist identity, and its engagement with the alumni and Moeller family. A 1996 graduate of Moeller, Marshall was the school vice president and finished in the top 10 of his class and played linebacker and served as captain of the football team. In his years at Moeller Marshall learned a lot that he values and continues to carry with him throughout his career and life. “Moeller taught me to be a leader and a teammate. My best friends are from Moeller because we formed a bond of brotherhood, rooted in faith and family, that I cherish and will continue to carry with me for life.” After graduating from Moeller, Marshall attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he earned a double major in history and psychology, while playing four years of football. To further enhance his career, he went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan Ross Business School. Beyond bringing his strong educational background to Moeller, Marshall brings significant leadership, management and marketing experience. His professional background includes investment banking, as well as over 12 years of brand- management experience, during which he established a track record of success in building well-known brands, while also delivering strong business results. Marshall and his wife, Sara, are the proud parents of three sons: James (Moeller Class of 2032), Teddy (Moeller Class of 2033), and AJ (Moeller Class of 2035).

Haven Fields is the Deputy Athletics Director at Ball State University, an NCAA Division 1 Institution competing in the Mid American Conference. Haven oversees external operations and assists in supervising the Cardinals’ 19 teams and 400-plus student-athletes. Prior to coming to Ball State, Fields spent the previous five years working at the University of Illinois Office of Athletics Development. He quickly rose up the ranks to Associate Athletics Director, Development – Chicago Operations in 2018. Fields was helping to drive the university’s $2.25 billion “With Illinois” campaign, $300 million of which is earmarked for athletics. To date, the athletics portion of the campaign has already raised $215 million. Prior to his stint at Illinois, Fields worked at the University of South Alabama for five years as the Assistant Athletics Director for Administration and Major Gifts. He served as a member of the USA senior administration leadership staff and supervised the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field teams. He was also involved in the day-to-day oversight of the Jaguar Athletic Fund Leadership Circle and facilitated the overall operations of a start-up Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program, including budget management and football contracts. Fields began his career in intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater, Auburn University. He originally served as a graduate assistant for compliance and event management before sliding over to the role of Associate Director of Athletics Development. During his time at Auburn, Fields assisted in the $170 million “Legends Campaign for Athletics,” which was part of Auburn University’s “It All Begins at Auburn” capital campaign. Fields played collegiate football for Auburn where he earned the Zeke Smith Award (Auburn’s Defensive Player of the Year). He was an honorable mention to the All-SEC team as a linebacker and also earned a spot on the All-SEC Football Allstate “Good Works” Team. Following college, Fields went on to play two seasons of professional football in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tigercats and British Columbia Lions. Fields earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Auburn in 2001 and later earned a master’s in higher education administration/sports management. He and his wife Mya have two sons, Haven Jr. and Hendrix. www.ballstatesports.com

Troy Bonte serves as Executive Director of Facilities Management & Planning for Otterbein University, located in Westerville, Ohio. Troy oversees the Office of Facilities Services, and other business operations including the University Bookstore, Mailroom, and Print/Copy Center. Troy and his staff handle daily service, energy management, campus construction, maintenance and repair, and special events, as well as capital project planning. Prior to joining Otterbein University, Bonte served as the Director of Facilities at Washington & Jefferson College located in Washington, Pennsylvania, and as the Director of Facilities Management at Capital University, located in Columbus, Ohio. Bonte holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Leadership from Otterbein University and a Masters of Business Administration from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He is a member of APPA and has more than 25 years of construction and facilities management experience as a contractor, consultant, and owner’s representative. In his career in facilities services, Troy has managed many projects that have improved accessibility, safety, and sustainability. One major achievement was the development and construction of The Point, a 60,000-sf S.T.E.A. M. facility, designed to create partnerships between the University, private enterprise, and various governmental agencies, which provide experiential learning opportunities for the Otterbein student. In speaking with staff and administration, the University President, recently stated that, “We start every tour and end it at The Point.” Working through the pandemic, he was a key member of a designated team, providing leadership and oversight of the University’s endeavors to stop the spread of COVID-19. The result was a very low rate of transmission among students, and no recorded transmission from employee to employee. www.otterbein.edu

For more than two decades Harry Snyder, President and CEO (Superintendent) of Great Oaks Career Campuses, has been committed to ensuring that youth and adults are prepared with the competitive skills necessary for economic growth. Because he understands that this means business and education working together, he has become a major voice in workforce training. In 2014, the Great Oaks Board of Directors named Harry its fifth President and CEO. He is responsible for four campuses and career technical training for over 20,000 youth and 15,000 adults from 36 partnering school districts. Great Oaks is one of the largest career-technical school districts in the country, covering over 2,100 square miles in southwest Ohio. Great Oaks has been named a Cincinnati Enquirer Top Workplace for 7+ years. Harry has been acknowledged multiple times as a Cincy Magazine Power 100 recipient. He continues to hold many leadership roles in both professional and community organizations. He presently serves on Boards of Learn 21, High Aims, Christian Benevolent Association, Ohio Association of Career Tech Superintendents, Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, Clermont UC Advisory, and the FFA Agriculture Education Foundation. Harry holds a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Cincinnati. Harry has resided in Southwest Ohio his entire life. Presently he resides outside of Batavia with his wife Janet; he has two daughters and one son. www.greatoaks.com

Dan Montgomery is an Associate and Senior Project Architect at MSA Design. Dan is a native of Lisbon, Ohio - a "small town in the woods" in Northeast Ohio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning (DAAP). Dan's career began with institutional and civic work, and he joined MSA over 12 years ago where he has risen into Senior Leadership and is a key Project Architect on many of the firms' Civic, Educational, and Sport projects. Dan shares his passion for architecture through teaching those newer to the profession by sharing his experiences and implementations that made him successful. Dan believes that “when it comes to design, the best designs are often the simplest. Every design move is done with reason and purpose to support the overarching concept.” Dan is a Member of the Planning and Zoning Committee, a Member of the Pedestrian Safety Committee, and holds a Director position as a Board Member of the Northside Community Council. Outside of work, you can find Dan tending to his small garden, using fresh herbs to create Italian-inspired dishes, eagerly anticipating the next time he can travel through the streets of Italy. Dan and his husband Brett reside in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside.

Tony Costello has been an educator / practitioner for his entire 54+ year career as an architect. He holds the title, Irving Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Ball State University, retiring as a full-time faculty member in 2005 after 38 years. He has continued for the last 16 years in an adjunct capacity and teaches one elective course a year and is involved in the Department of Architecture Professional Advisory Board. He is also the founding principal of C+A, COSTELLO + ASSOCIATES, a limited-practice, award-winning, firm he founded in 1976 in Muncie, Indiana. The focus of his practice since 2010 has been on pro bono projects in Haiti that include a completed library and an orphanage campus consisting of 5 buildings to date. Tony is a native New Yorker (Life-long METS fan) having been born in Corona, Queens, until 9 years of age when his family moved north of Peekskill, New York, on the Hudson River which he considers his “hometown.” He attended Pratt Institute from 1961 to 1964 when he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Turkey. As a Fulbright Scholar he attended the Middle East Teknik University (METU), Ankara, for the ’64-’65 academic year and was awarded a B. ARCH degree in 1965, thus being one of the first three Americans to earn this honor. He returned to Pratt and graduated in 1966 with a B. ARCH degree with Honors and was awarded the school’s Dean’s Medal. He attended Columbia University and received an M.S. Degree in Urban Design in June 1967, and was awarded a William Kinne Fellows Traveling Fellowship for the summer of 1967. After teaching for ten years, he was awarded a Lilly Endowment Open Faculty Fellowship and did a year of post-graduate work in Planning Law and Public Policy at Harvard and MIT. Tony has built an international-recognized career as one of the “pioneers” of the community-based, urban design movement founded in the late 1960’s. His founding of the Urban Design Studio at Ball State (1969) which became the Community-Based Projects (CBP) Program (1979) as well as the Muncie Urban Design Studio and Small Town Assistance Program (both in 1980). Largely due to his pioneering efforts, Ball State’s Community Based Projects (CBP) Program was honored in 2000 with the ACSA-Fannie Mae Community Design Award as one of the three, oldest, continuous community design programs in North America. Combined, these programs have won over 40 national and state awards from the AIA, APA, ACSA and U.S. Dept. of HUD in urban planning design, neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation, and affordable housing. Tony has been a corporate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) since 1971. He served a three-year term (2005-2008) on a board of directors of the national AIA as a regional representative from the AIA Ohio Valley (IN, KY and OH) and served on the institute’s Community Committee. He also served as the national chairman of the AIA 150 - Blueprint for America subgroup, which was one of three components of the institute’s sesquicentennial celebration. For his leadership of this program, he was awarded a Presidential Citation in 2006. He was the major author of the AIA Guidelines on Pro Bono Services (2009); Tony was inducted into the AIA’s prestigious College of Fellows in 2001 and was named an AIA Richard Upjohn Fellow in 2008. He currently serves (2021-2023) as the Ohio Valley Regional Representative of the College of Fellows.

Nestor Melnyk joined MSA Design in 1995 and is integral leading many of MSA’s key institutional projects including civic, religious, and is the Director of Higher Education Academic Projects firm-wide. Clients and colleagues recognize Nestor for his thoroughness and attention to detail in all aspects of the architectural process as well as being a leader in quality control and detailing, as evidenced by a 2000 CSI award. Nestor received a B. Arch. from the University of Cincinnati in 1990 and, as valedictorian, was awarded the AIA’s Henry Adams Medal and Certificate. He continued studying at UC, completing an M.A. in geography in 1991. He also studied planning abroad with the University of the Aegean in Greece and completed liberal arts coursework at St. Clement Ukrainian Catholic University in Rome. Nestor became a licensed architect after only one year of professional employment, is NCARB certified, and became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2007. Beyond his work in the firm, Nestor is a passionate advocate for children’s healthcare and disabilities issues. He is a member of the Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services and served on the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. He also provides extensive service to initiatives at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as well as other healthcare and developmental disabilities service organizations. He and his family have founded multiple community initiatives, including Troy Gives a Duck - an organization committed to ending loneliness and eliminating isolation by setting up social opportunities for friendship building and changing the stigma of those with developmental disabilities. Troy Gives a Duck shows how a single person with a positive message can build community and create a chain reaction of kindness among others, providing them with a physical reminder that they are valued and that there is goodness to be found. www.msaarch.com www.troygivesaduck.org

Mark Evans is the Senior Director of Season Ticket Sales and Fan Experience with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. Mark graduated from Towson University in 2005 with a degree in Sports Management. He began his career in the sports business with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, and also within the Six Flags organization. He began his career with the Union in 2009 in Ticket sales and was involved in the original planning of Subaru Park. Due to his passion for improving the fan experience, and interest in the improvement of season ticket retention, he assisted in the creation of a fan services division at the Union. His successes at the club resulted in his 2019 promotion to his current position where oversees both the Season Ticket Sales and Fan Services Departments. Mark was born in England and is a passionate fan of "the worlds game" - including his lifelong interest in Stadium experiences and the English Premier League.

Kirk Koennecke is the Superintendent of the Indian Hill School District - a nationally renowned high performing school district located in Greater Cincinnati. A veteran educational leader with 16 years of experience in administration and 24 years of service to students, Mr. Koennecke came to the Indian Hill School District after serving as superintendent of the Graham Local School District in Central Ohio, where he led in that capacity since 2016. Prior to that position, Mr. Koennecke worked as a principal at multiple districts including Marion City Schools, Springfield City Schools, Barberton City Schools, and the Bedford City School District. In addition to his vast experience as a leader in education, Mr. Koennecke has also been a featured presenter nationally, and has published numerous articles within education publications. Mr. Koennecke earned his Master of Arts in Education and Superintendent Licensure from Wright State University (2014); his Master of Science in Education from John Carroll University (2005); his Master of Science in Sports Administration from Miami University of Ohio (1995); and his Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University (1994). He is a member of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), and is the executive director of the Ohio Small and Rural Collaborative (OSRC). Awards: • Ohio State Strategic Leadership Innovation Award, 2019 • AASA Success Practices Network Model School, 2018 • Education Innovation Award, Urbana University, 2018 • Leadership Excellence+ Certified Trainer • Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt Certified • BASA Technology Committee • AASA STEM Consortium Advisory Member • Chapter Author: Rural Incubators in Innovation and Implementation in Rural Places, 2018, Edited by R. Martin Reardon • Author: Small Town STEM for District Administration, September, 2018, Volume 4, Number 77 • AASPA Human Capital Leader in Education Certification

Jason Farmer has worked in Ohio Athletics since 2003. Farmer was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations in 2008, and again promoted in 2016 to Associate Athletic Director, the position he currently holds. As Associate Athletic Director, Farmer schedules and manages daily operations of all athletic controlled facilities, coordinates all aspects of gameday operations for home athletic events, oversees all maintenance, renovation and construction projects, develops and implements policies and procedures in the area of facilities, maintains a full staff and establishes and monitors an annual budget. In recent years, Farmer has been a leader in the development and innovation of Ohio athletic facilities. He has successfully planned and implemented Ohio facilities developments such as Walter Fieldhouse and Sook Academic Center. Farmer, who received his Bachelors of Science in Sports Science and minored in Business Administration from Ohio University in 2003, has played a pivotal role in the overall success of Ohio athletic operations.

Jason Farmer has worked in Ohio University Bobcat Athletics since 2003. Farmer was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations in 2008, and again promoted in 2016 to Associate Athletic Director, the position he currently holds. As Associate Athletic Director, Farmer schedules and manages daily operations of all athletic controlled facilities, coordinates all aspects of gameday operations for home athletic events, oversees all maintenance, renovation and construction projects, develops and implements policies and procedures in the area of facilities, maintains a full staff and establishes and monitors an annual budget. In recent years, Farmer has been a leader in the development and innovation of Ohio athletic facilities. He has successfully planned and implemented Ohio facilities developments such as Walter Fieldhouse and Sook Academic Center. Farmer, a northern Ohio native, received his Bachelors of Science in Sports Science and minored in Business Administration from Ohio University in 2003. He has played a pivotal role in the overall success of Ohio Bobcats athletic operations. www.ohiobobcats.com

Michael Schuster, FAIA, LEED AP is the founder and a principal of MSA Design, an AIA Ohio Gold Medal firm, offering award-winning services in architecture, interior design, planning, and experiential graphics. Schuster received his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP). He became a registered architect in 1982 and is NCARB certified in 30 states. He founded MSA Design in 1985 and since then, MSA has grown from a single practitioner to a firm of over 50 employees operating from three offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, and Naples, Florida. Mike Schuster is a recognized leader in the architectural community. His expertise lies in a strong and passionate design process that results in innovative, creative solutions. His involvement with Great American Ballpark, Xavier University, University of Cincinnati, The City of Blue Ash, Great Oaks Career Campuses and Government Square among many others is testament to his belief that architecture and design should uplift, empower, and energize communities. Mike has always placed great importance on improving the community through design. His tireless efforts and distinguished work have earned him AIA Fellowship and AIA Gold Medal, the highest honor, recognizing pioneers in architecture. He has served on local boards including OKI, the College of Mt. St. Joseph, and The Leukemia Society of America; is past is past president of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; and is personally involved in charities for Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the Leukemia Society of America. In recognition of his dedication, he was honored as a “Cincinnati Gentleman of Style and Substance” in 2014 – an honor that recognized not only his contributions to the architectural profession, but to the community at large. His leadership has propelled, MSA Design to receive over a 100 state, regional and national design awards and their work has been featured in numerous peer and trade publications.

Jason Wilson takes the helm as the guest host of the Season One Finale, interviewing Bill Baker. Bill is an Architect, Principal, and Owner at MSA Design – a national architecture, interiors, and graphic design firm headquartered in Downtown Cincinnati with offices in Central Ohio and Florida. In addition to his role on the Executive Board of MSA, one of his key professional passions is MSA Sport, the athletic design practice of the firm and a “Top Twenty” Sports Architecture firm in the United States. Bill has over two decades of experience on the design of indoor and outdoor athletic venues for colleges, cities, high schools, and professional teams. Bill led the MSA Sport team on the recently completed FC Cincinnati Mercy Health Training Center - hailed as the “premier soccer training complex in North America.” Bill is actively working on sports projects at multiple NCAA institutions including The Ohio State University, Centre College, Miami University, and the University of Cincinnati. In addition to current MSA Sport work, he serves clients in the K-12, Higher Education, Community, and Mixed Use/Commercial markets. Bill's passion for community is evident in his current and past involvement with multiple community boards and organizations including the Cincinnati 2026 World Cup Local Organizing Committee, Cincinnati USA Sports Commission, Blue Ash YMCA Advisory Board, Ball State University Department of Architecture Professional Advisory Board, Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church Board of Trustees, Charter Committee of Cincinnati, and the Pleasant Ridge Community Council. He is a native of the small Central Ohio town of Sparta, a 10+ year cancer survivor, and passionate about the ability of architects to leave a civic legacy in the communities they serve. Bill graduated with Honors from the Ball State University Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning in Muncie, Indiana where he earned the Alpha Rho Chi Service Medal from the Department of Architecture. Bill and his wife Amanda are raising three children and reside in Cincinnati's Mount Lookout neighborhood. www.msaarch.com

Jackie Reau, CEO of Game Day, a media and marketing agency, has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in strategic communications planning, social media strategy and crisis management. Before co-founding the company in 2002 with former ESPN Anchor Betsy Ross, Jackie worked in healthcare at The Christ Hospital and as director of marketing at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Jackie is an adjunct professor at Xavier University where she teaches event management in the sports administration graduate program. She is also active in the community serving on boards of the following: Camp Joy, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Mt. Saint Joseph University, Ohio University Foundation Board, Reds Community Fund and YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. Jackie earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and a master's in sports administration at Ohio University. She has also studied at the Harvard Business School earning a certificate in Non-Profit Management and at Northwestern University earning a certificate in Digital Marketing and Artificial Intelligence. She holds a Master Certificate in Sports Gambling Education from Ohio University. Jackie has been instrumental in Cincinnati's pursuit of being a host site for World Cup 2026, and is a member of the Local Organizing Committee for the World Cup Bid.

Jamie currently is the Publisher/Market President of the Cincinnati Business Courier and has held that position since February 2011. He was previously Director of Advertising with the Courier since 2003. Jamie has over 35 years of media experience. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in marketing he was an account executive for The Recorder Newspapers of Northern Kentucky and spent 11 years in sales management with The Cincinnati Enquirer. Jamie moved to the Clifton Heights 9 years ago after living 27 years in the Northern Kentucky neighborhood of Fort Thomas. He has three children: Michael 33 – doctor in Louisville, KY; Tyler 30– an architect in New York City and Mackenzie 25– an occupational therapist in Brooklyn, NY. He has two grandsons. Jamie serves on the board of directors for the Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon serving on the executive board. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and sits on the board of advisors for the Redi Cincinnati. Jamie was a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Development program sponsored by the Courier's parent company “American City Business Journals” and a 2013 graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 36 sponsored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Tom Gelehrter is the President & Founder of 4th Floor Creative. For the past six seasons, Tom has led the FC Cincinnati broadcast team, bringing 21 years of experience to the booth. Gelehrter served as the “Voice of FC Cincinnati” throughout the USL era and has extensive experience on both television and radio, having called games for ESPNU, ESPN3, FOX Sports Ohio and 700-WLW. Before founding his Cincinnati-based production house, 4th Floor Creative, he spent nine years as the Senior Director of New Media and Broadcasting at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, Gelehrter called soccer on the collegiate level at both the University of Akron and the University of Cincinnati and hosted the weekly television shows for Bearcats football and basketball for seven years. He is a 2002 graduate of Syracuse University. Tom and his wife Marissa reside in Cincinnati with their two sons.

Chris Bujnak joins us for our second annual "Holiday Episode" of Building Ideas. Chris is an Architect and Principal at MSA Design. A proud native of the Cleveland suburb of Parma Heights, he is a 2002 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning. During his nearly two decades with the firm he has been involved in some of their most significant and consequential works including many in the MSA Sport division of the practice. These include projects for the Houston Astros, Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Reds, Mt St Joseph University, The Ohio State University, St Xavier High School, and the Factory 52 Redevelopment. An avid sports fan, he is always following the progress of his beloved "North Coast" Ohio Teams (Browns, Cavaliers, and Guardians) as well as local favorite FC Cincinnati and the Southampton Saints of the English Premier League. He and his wife Jamie (also an architect) are currently restoring a 1930's home in Cincinnati's Clifton Gaslight area.

Annie Angueira is President of A2 Project Services, a North-Carolina based Owners Representation and Construction Consulting Practice. She was raised in Miami and is a first generation American born to parents who fled the Cuban Communist revolution. Annie graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida and began her career working on government infrastructure projects with a large international contracting firm. She transitioned into Collegiate Facilities and Planning Administration where she served at the Vice President level at multiple higher education institutions in the Eastern US. Annie is passionate about the importance of campus planning and integration into the design and construction process, and is currently serving as Owners Construction Reprentative for Centre College on their $50 million Initiative for Wellness and Athletic Excellence - the most significant project in the 200+ year history of the College. A2 Project Services - (315) 825-1578

Andy Farfsing is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Purcell Marian High School, located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. He and his team have led a transformative turnaround of this historic inner-city Catholic High School that counts business leaders, community leaders, and professional athletes among the list of famous alumni - including Dallas Cowboys NFL star, business leader, and philanthropist Roger Staubach. Andy has spent his entire career in Catholic secondary education; 10 years as a teacher and then 10 years as a principal. As a proud Purcell Marian alumnus (Class of 1995) he passionately believes that Marianist education is not only important to our students but to the human spirit. “Through Marianist education, we are helping our students discover their God-given talents and creating the next generation of justice seekers, servant leaders, and peacekeepers who can adapt to changing world.” He says that being at Purcell Marian feels like the “family business” to him and has little time for hobbies, choosing to put his energy into all things Purcell Marian, instead. He has been married to his wife, Lindsay (also a PM '95 graduate and staff member) for 17 years and has two children, Olivia and Rachel. The Farfsings love to travel in their RV and discover a beautiful country. Andy's favorite place they've visited so far is Kennebunkport, Maine.

Tricia Gargari is an Associate and Project Architect at MSA Design. This Northern Kentucky native is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she majored in Architecture. During her career she has been involved in multiple commercial, retail, institutional, civic, and sports projects across the Midwest. Since joining MSA Design, she has been promoted to Associate in the firm and been instrumental on many recent high profile projects including the Xavier University Health United Building, FC Cincinnati Mercy Health Training Center, Mariemont High School, and the Centre College Initiative for Wellness and Athletic Excellence. A graduate of the AIA Cincinnati Vision Program, she believes it critical to have diverse voices and viewpoints involved in every architecture project. Tricia resides in Greater Cincinnati with her husband and two children.

Gary Vance is a national leader in the planning, design and construction industry and specializes in health and wellness initiatives and projects. As a forty-four year seasoned professional architect, he is an advocate for the architectural profession and related professions. This advocacy takes a variety of forms including mentoring the next generation of architects, improving the collaboration of all architectural industry components, and providing strategic Insights to firm leaders. Gary's accomplished career has been highly recognized with many awards and honors from the planning and construction industry, his peers, and his alma mater. He has been elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects and the College of Fellows of the American College of Healthcare Architects. He has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Architecture & Planning at Ball State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture. Gary was awarded the highest professional service award from AIA Indiana, the Edward D. Pierre Award. Gary thrives in his role as a professional mentor for future, young and seasoned professional architects and individuals in the related professions. In addition, he serves the design profession as a mentor for design firms, companies who work with architects and those companies who provide services and products to the architectural industry. He serves his alma mater on the Executive Advisory Board of the College of Architecture & Planning and the Ball State University alumni council. He and his family have created an acclaimed children's book series; “Kid Architect“ about architecture with the expressed goal of introducing architecture and design to young people in grades K thru 12.

Jeremy Barker is a Senior Project Architect and Associate at MSA Design. A native of the small Ohio city of Findlay, his journey as an Architect began at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning. After working for several firms and freelancing on his own, he joined MSA in 2004 and has risen through the ranks to become a leading Sports Designer, Architect, and Master Planner for the firm. Some of his key commissions involve work with Major League Baseball franchises, higher education institutions, as well as civic governments. In his personal time, he is the Owner and rider of the #137 Yamaha Motorcycle Privateer Roadracing Program. 2017 WERA National Champion in Lightweight Twins SS Novice and Formula 2 Novice. Currently competing in B-Class and National 600 Superstock and Superbike Novice. His awards and achievements as a racer include: -WERA National Challenge Series - Lightweight Twins Superstock Novice - 2017 Champion -WERA National Challenge Series - Formula 2 Novice - 2017 Champion -WERA Sportsman North Central Region - 2017 North-Central Formula 2 Novice Champion

Madeline "Maddie" Williams is the Director of Preservation and Historic Rehabilitation at MSA Design. Maddie leads the Historic Preservation practice firm-wide for MSA and serves as a resource to building owners, contractors, architects, and agencies on strategies to renovate and redevelop historic structures. This includes advising on historic building assessments, grant applications, historic tax credits, and developing strategies to rehabilitate historic buildings. A native of Connecticut, her junior ice hockey career led to a scholarship at Lake Forest College in Chicago. While at Lake Forest, she was named captain of the Forester Varsity Women's Ice Hockey Team. Her interest in Preservation was sparked while surrounded by the architecture of Chicago and led her to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Architectural History. She then went on to earn a Masters in Historic Preservation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A self-proclaimed "Liberal Preservationist", Maddie believes that historic buildings should 'tell their story', but also be free to be adapted for modern uses. Maddie, her husband, and two daughters reside in a small, historic town on the east side of Greater Cincinnati.

Bob Fregolle was born in Detroit, Michigan and has been married to his Michigan sweetheart, Lori, for +41 years (married really young!) with two grown children and two grandchildren. Bob graduated with a BBA in 1979 from The Michigan Business School. Bob spent the next 35 years with Procter & Gamble, eighteen of those years abroad on seven international assignments across Europe and Asia and retired as the company's Chief Sales Officer in 2014. Today, he's Co-owner and Operating Partner of the Daytona Tortugas Professional Baseball Team, the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds playing out of historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. He sits on the University of Michigan's Ross School Dean's Advisory Board, is a member of his Parish Council, is Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Museum Center, and Co-chair of the Tortugas Care Foundation. Bob's hobbies include cycling, scuba diving (instructor), snow skiing, hunting/fishing, travel and anything that has to do with the University of Michigan!

Mr. Tom Burton, superintendent of Princeton City Schools, is a proven and dynamic school educator, well known and praised for his leadership. He believes that creating a collaborative environment with all stakeholders will help ensure that each child's needs are met. Serving as an educator since 1987 and at Princeton City Schools since 2015, Tom lives out the Princeton mission to empower each student for college, career, and life success. By being flexible, collaborative, and open to new learning, Tom feels we can truly inspire our students to be prepared for the real world and ensure that they make the world better than it is now. The Northwest Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce recently bestowed Tom the Community Champion Award for 2021. Tom credits his colleagues and teammates for being recognized as Business Person of the Year by the Sharonville Chamber of Commerce, winner of NASSP/MetLife Ohio Middle School Principal of the Year, Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Slippery Rock University, recipient of the Gordon Vars Lifetime Achievement Award, and Ohio Educator of the Year by the Ohio Middle-Level Association. He was inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame and John Carroll University Athletic Hall of Fame (coach). A published author and contributor to educational columns, Tom is currently working on two books. He is a sought-after speaker with recent engagements at the American Association of School Administrators, Institute for Education Innovation, National Superintendent's Forum, Harvard University, and others. Tom currently serves as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Educational Advisory Council, the Northern Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and Sharonville Cultural Arts Center boards.

Chelsea Sanders is the Director of Graphic Design and an Associate at MSA Design, a national architecture, interior design, graphic design, and historic preservation firm headquartered in Cincinnati with offices in Columbus and Atlanta. Chelsea is a Cincinnati native, spending her early childhood in the City's Pleasant Ridge neighborhood and her teenage years in the northeast suburb of Loveland. She is a graduate of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. She leads a multi-talented team that is responsible for award winning installations in a variety of project types. Before her time at MSA, had previous experiences working in the fields of web design, advertising, and branding before joining the team and specializing in experiential graphic design. She is an avid traveler and reader with a passion for googly eyes and cats wearing wigs.

John Cunningham has proven to be the perfect fit for the Bearcats, packing win after win into his time on Clifton Heights since taking the helm at the University of Cincinnati in December 2019. In his first few months on campus, Cunningham led the Bearcats' response to the COVID-19 pandemic and created the Next Level Success Fund to provide the necessary resources to achieve competitive success and crucial support for UC's student-athletes. In 2021, Cunningham spearheaded Cincinnati's charge to obtain an invitation to join the Big 12 and launched the $100 million Day One Ready Campaign initiative. The Day One Ready Campaign will raise money in the areas of student-athlete wellness, signature facilities and operational resources to compete for championships in its new conference, which Cincinnati will join July 1, 2023. The construction of a new indoor practice and performance facility, with architects Gensler and MSA Sport on board, on campus will serve as the anchor project of the campaign. Cunningham restructured his leadership team to provide a new focus on internal and external operations and tapped Wes Miller to lead the men's basketball program. The Bearcats' football program found unprecedented success in 2021, winning a school-record 13 games and a second consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship en route to becoming the first non-“Power Five” team to take part in the College Football Playoff. Cunningham has focused attention and resources on student-athlete-centric initiatives such as hiring the department's first ever Directors of Sports Psychology and Sports Nutrition, while prioritizing student-athlete mental health and wellness and revamping the athletics department One Team DEI Committee. In the spring of 2021, Bearcats student-athletes achieved a GPA of 3.369, marking the ninth-straight semester with a collective GPA of 3.3 or higher. Six student-athletes collected Academic All-America accolades for the 2021-22 school year, as well. Before joining the Bearcats, Cunningham oversaw the external operations at three NCAA Division I institutions, Boise State, Syracuse and Minnesota and served as a sport administrator for bowl teams, conference-championship teams and NCAA Tournament teams. Cunningham started his career in collegiate athletics as the compliance coordinator at the University of Maryland. A 2001 TCU graduate, Cunningham received a law degree from the University of Nebraska's College of Law in 2005. He and his wife, Caitlin, have twin sons, Gus and Hank.

Keith Hall is Principal of the Columbus Studio and Owner at MSA Design, a national award-winning architecture, interior design, graphic design, and historic preservation firm. Throughout the nearly 40 year history of MSA Design, the firm has received 100+ design awards and been awarded the AIA Ohio "Gold Medal Firm" Award. Keith is a Southwest Ohio / Northern Kentucky native, spending his childhood in and around Greater Cincinnati. He is a graduate of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati. Keith began his tenure at MSA Design immediately after graduation and has risen through the ranks of the firm to become an Owner. In his 30+ years at MSA he has been involved in some of the most consequential clients and projects in firm history including the Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark, City of Blue Ash Summit Park, Houston Astros Minute Maid Park Renovations, John Glenn International Airport, and the Upper Arlington Community Center. He and the leadership team in MSA's Central Ohio office are currently involved in the design of some of the most significant civic and community-based projects in the region. Keith is an avid runner (having completed over 50 marathons) and earned the title of a Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon "Streaker" - where he has run every year since the race's inception. He and his wife Jessica are raising two daughters and live in the Columbus suburb of Bexley.

Bill Connelly began his life in the sports business as an Athletic Trainer for the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association and wrapped it up as a Special Projects Manager for FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer. However, the majority of his storied career was spent with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League - where he retired in 2017 as the team's Director of Operations. This St. Clairsville, Ohio native was inspired to pursue the sports business after the brutality of a full team "pile on tackle" in High School inspired him to switch his focus to become an Athletic Trainer (versus a full-contact Athlete). While a student at The Ohio State University, he had the opportunity to learn his craft under the staff of Coach Woody Hayes, which led to an introduction to the Bengals founder and legendary icon of football - Paul Brown. Over his 41-year career with the Bengals, Bill rose from Assistant Trainer to eventually becoming the Director of Operations for the team. He was described by the Bengals during his retirement celebration as the "Churchill of the Stadium" - doing any and all jobs to assure Bengals success, both on and off the field. After retiring from the Bengals, Bill assumed the role of Special Projects Manager for FC Cincinnati, successfully working with the startup soccer Club to design and operate TQL Stadium and the Mercy Health Training Center - both heralded as the finest Soccer Stadium and Training Centers in North America. Bill is well known throughout the NFL and MLS communities as a team player, problem solver, mentor, advocate, and friend to all. He is a proud father, husband, and grandfather. He and his wife Terri reside in Cincinnati and Norris Lake, Tennessee.

Kent Wellington has a diverse practice with an emphasis in litigation and labor/employment law, and advising start-ups, having run his own family foundation for the past 16 years. Kent has tried cases to favorable jury verdicts in all the local state and federal courts, but prides himself on avoiding litigation and getting cases resolved quickly and cost effectively. Kent is a former member of the Firm's Executive Committee, past chair of the Litigation Group, and currently serves as Cincinnati Market Leader. Professionally, he is most proud of the strong client relationships and client friendships he has developed over the years. Kent was described by the GM/CEO of one large publicly traded client as follows: “What has always impressed me about Kent is his emotional intelligence. He exudes a great deal of confidence and he is aggressive in his pursuit of any issue, yet he is compassionate and caring in the process. He is able to make all kinds of people feel very comfortable around him.” Based on client comments like this and the grading and comments of his peers, Kent is recognized with an AV Rating, the highest rating given to lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell. Since 2005, Kent has been recognized every year as a “Super Lawyer” (or “Rising Star”). Only 2.5 percent of Ohio lawyers receive this honor. In 2004, the Cincinnati “Business Courier” named Kent (along with his late wife, Karen) two of Cincinnati's top “Forty under 40.” Kent also has received awards from the American (1997), Ohio (2000) and Cincinnati (2008) Bar Associations, The Ohio State University College of Law (2001), the Cincinnatus Society (2002), the Cincinnati Park Board (2015). Kent has two primary passions outside of work: mentoring vulnerable kids (for the past 30 years) and putting some FUN on the calendars of families LIVING with cancer (for the past 16 years). The leader of our Bricker Graydon on Main Office, Kent also spends a significant amount of time in our downtown OTR neighborhood through Saturday Hoops, Dribblethon, CYC mentoring, and other not-for-profit, entrepreneurial, and faith-based groups. On September 26, 2006, President George W. Bush presented Kent with the President's Volunteer Service Award. Kent also received leadership and advocacy awards in 2004 from both The Arc-Hamilton County (MR/DD) and W.E.B. DuBois Academy (OTR), from St. Aloysius Orphanage (in 2011), the “Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration and Hope” (with his two children) from the Breast Cancer Alliance in 2013, and the "Clement L. Buenger Award for Leadership" from the United Way in 2018. Kent is also a graduate of the United Way BOLD program, the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (“CALL), and Leadership Cincinnati (Class 39), and gave the keynote address at Beechacres Parenting Center's 170th anniversary (in 2019) and a TedX talk in 2020. Several years ago, Kent relocated to Covington, KY with his wife Alexia, and his son Robby and daughter Angeline live nearby. Kent also enjoys biking, running, swimming and coaching basketball. He has competed in triathlons since the early 1990's, including three Escape from Alcatraz triathlons and several 1/2 Ironman's.

On this weeks' episode, we are joined by two senior officers of a university, as well as by MSA Design's Director of Preservation and Historic Rehabilitation to discuss a mid-century modern national landmark - the Mater Dei Chapel in Cincinnati.  Learn more about the Chapel by clicking this link: https://www.msj.edu/about/facilities/mater-dei-chapel/index.html Jeffrey Briggs is the Chief Financial Officer of Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio.   Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, Accountancy, and Management Information Systems from Miami University, an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.  After a career in public accounting with EY, Jeff has worked in Higher Education finance roles for nearly 20 years.  He has been in his current role at the Mount since 2017.  Jeff has served several not-for-profit Board of Trustees and finance committees.   In his spare time, he can usually be found at the Westside Brewery on Tuesday nights for trivia with his fellow dad-bros on "Team Bad Dad Joke."  He resides in Green Township, Ohio with his wife Judith and their two college-aged daughters.   Sister Karen Elliott is the Chief Mission Officer of Mount Saint Joseph University.   A native of Dayton, Ohio, Sister Karen attended Julienne High School prior to attending Wright State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in education with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders.  During these years she earned eight varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and softball.  In 1980 Karen entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Her graduate studies include a master's degree in theology from St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont received in 1993, and a Doctor of Ministry degree with a concentration in Sacred Scripture from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 2004.   Sister Karen has ministered as a teacher, Director of Religious Education, a youth minister, an athletic director, campus minister, as well as collegiate positions as chair of religious studies and full professor. Sister Karen has served as a faculty presenter on Sacred Scripture in the Lay Ministry Formation Program and a homiletics assessor for the Permanent Diaconate Program in the Diocese of Toledo. Sister Karen was a visiting professor Mumbai, India and was a presenter for the Australian Catholic University's Campus Ministry Team in Melbourne.  She authored the book, Women in Ministry and the Writings of Paul, published in 2010 by Anselm Academic.    In a non-theological aspect of her life, Sister Karen was inducted into the Dayton Amateur Softball Commission's Hall of Fame in September 2006 in recognition of her softball career.   Madeline "Maddie" Williams is the Director of Preservation and Historic Rehabilitation at MSA Design. Maddie leads the Historic Preservation practice firm wide for MSA and serves as a resource to building owners, contractors, architects, and agencies on strategies to renovate and redevelop historic structures.  This includes advising on historic building assessments, grant applications, historic tax credits, and developing strategies to rehabilitate historic buildings.   A native of Connecticut, her junior ice hockey career led to a scholarship at Lake Forest College in Chicago.   While at Lake Forest, she was named captain of the Forester Varsity Women's Ice Hockey Team.   Her interest in Preservation was sparked while surrounded by the architecture of Chicago and led her to complete a bachelor's degree in architectural history.   She then went on to earn a Master's in Historic Preservation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.       A self-proclaimed "Liberal Preservationist", Maddie believes that historic buildings should 'tell their story', but also be free to be adapted for modern uses.   Maddie, her husband, and two daughters reside in a small, historic town on the east side of Greater Cincinnati. 

Robert A. Bedinghaus (Bob) currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Federal and its holding company, Cincinnati Bancorp, Inc. He is a former Hamilton County Commissioner (1996-2001) and served as Director, Business Development, for the Cincinnati Bengals, from 2004 until 2019. Additionally, he currently serves on the board of trustees for Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC), a not-for-profit organization that focuses on providing extracurricular activities for students in the Cincinnati Public Schools. He has served as an advisory member of the Kenton County Airport Board, Vice President of the Hamilton County Township Association, and President of the Hamilton County Family and Children First Council.

Dr. David Lawrence was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and is a 1984 graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. He has more than 27 years of experience in public education, having served in a variety of roles throughout his career. Dr. Lawrence has taught at Edwin Joel Brown Middle School, Meadowdale High School, has served as Assistant Principal at Stivers School for the Arts, and Principal at Thurgood Marshall STEAM High School. He has also served as the Chief Academic Officer for the Dayton Regional STEM School, Chief of School Innovation for Dayton Public Schools, and Principal of Northmoor Elementary School. In September 2022, he returned to Dayton Public Schools to serve as Business Manager, and in July 2023 was selected to serve as Interim Superintendent. As Interim Superintendent, Dr. Lawrence immediately implemented new guiding principles for staff in an effort to improve culture and morale. These principles, known as the “5 C's,” include culture, commitment, communication, competence, and collaboration.

Michele A. O'Rourke - CEO of O'Rourke Wrecking Company Michele A. O'Rourke is the visionary CEO of O'Rourke Wrecking Company, a leading name in the demolition and environmental industry. Since taking the helm in 2019, O'ROURKE has consistently ranked among the Top 15 largest demolition contractors in the United States according to ENR Magazine. What began as a small excavation firm in 1962 has evolved into a nationwide powerhouse specializing in demolition, environmental remediation, and recycling. Michele's illustrious journey at O'ROURKE spans nearly three decades, encompassing diverse roles, from Accounting and Bid Coordination to Project Management, Operations, Business Development, and ultimately the prestigious CEO position. Her unwavering dedication and tenacity have propelled O'ROURKE to undertake iconic projects, including the IRS site, Millennium Hotel, US Playing Card World Headquarters, FC Cincinnati, and many more. In 2021, Michele was honored as the "Construction Woman of the Year" by Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), a recognition that underscores her trailblazing accomplishments in the male-dominated construction industry. Beyond her corporate duties, she actively contributes to organizations like the Spirit of Construction Foundation, Ohio Valley Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Allied Construction Industries (ACI), National Demolition Association (NDA), Mercy Health Foundation, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee (CRBC), American Heart Association- Hardhats with Hearts, and has previously served on the SPCA Cincinnati Board of Directors. Michele's commitment to community and industry growth is truly exceptional, as she tirelessly challenges industry perceptions and passionately advocates for the construction sector. Mike O'Rourke - President of O'Rourke Wrecking Company For over two and a half decades, Mike O'Rourke has served as the President of O'Rourke Wrecking Company, a pioneering force in the demolition and environmental remediation industry. Founded in 1962, O'ROURKE's journey has seen it evolve from a small excavation company into a multifaceted firm, offering services ranging from demolition and sitework to abatement, environmental remediation, and recycling. In its remarkable 60-year history, O'ROURKE has demolished over 20,000 structures, encompassing a wide array of projects, from professional sports stadiums and multi-story buildings in major metropolitan areas to airports and shopping malls. Mike's hands-on experience began at the tender age of 12, starting as a Laborer, and during his high school and college years, he dedicated his weekends and summers to working on various jobsites. He attended the University of Cincinnati and successfully graduated with a BS in Business Management and Real Estate in 1990, all while working full-time. In 1994, Mike took on the role of President after the untimely passing of his father at the age of 52. By 1998, he gained controlling interest in the company, leading to a name change to O'Rourke Wrecking Company, more accurately reflecting the firm's core business. Since then, O'ROURKE has continued to flourish, taking on demolition projects nationwide, including notable implosions and conventional demolitions of iconic structures. Mike's dedication to the field of demolition has been unwavering, and his leadership has played a pivotal role in the company's ongoing growth and success.

Rico Grant is the founder of Paloozanoire, creator of Gallery At Gumbo - the inclusive barbershop art gallery collaboration in the heart of OTR which hosts the regional focused podcast Gumbo Talks. Rico also serves as Executive Director of SoCap Accelerate based out of Northern Kentucky University, is the creator behind the Emmy award winning Black & Brown Faces art exhibition previously on exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum,  and the new regionally focused youth awards program "17 Under Seventeen" in partnership with The University of Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati, CVG. and Duke Energy  Known as a connector throughout the city, Rico serves on several non-profit boards and advises for several startups and foundations around the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. In 2022 Rico launched Cinema, a premier bar & lounge dedicated to 90's R&B and Classic Black Filmmakers as well as Fundnoire, a $1.5M fund dedicated to launching 24 new black owned small businesses throughout the city. In 2023, Rico launched his second bar and lounge LoVe which is located on 4th street in the central business district.https://paloozanoire.com/https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/black-brown-faces-verified/https://www.loveonfourth.com/ 

Siobhan Taylor believes that transformational education changes not only students but also families and communities. She was named the second president of DePaul Cristo Rey High School (DPCR) in Cincinnati in August 2020. A Cincinnati native, Siobhan is a graduate of Ursuline Academy, Miami University and the University of Michigan. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and anthropology, a master's degree in social work social policy, and completed additional studies at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She has held several education leadership positions including at the Springer School and Center, and James N. Gamble Montessori High School. Prior to taking the leadership position at DPCR, she served as Head of High School at Marburn Academy in New Albany, Ohio. As President & CEO of DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Siobhan is passionate about providing opportunities for students to secure their futures, and is equally committed to fostering each student's spiritual development. DPCR serves students who aspire to go to college but whose families have limited financial means. As a Catholic, college preparatory high school with a unique Corporate Work Study Program, DPCR gives students the experience of working in businesses and organizations throughout their high school careers. Siobhan was named a member of Leadership Cincinnati Class 47 in 2023; as a Power 100 Rising Star in July 2023; as an Ohio Top 500 Leader in 2022 and 2023; and among Greater Cincinnati's Forty under 40 list of emerging leaders in September 2021. Her interests in and passion for education, female empowerment, and mental health advocacy have led her to make an impact through significant volunteer work that has an international reach. She serves on the Ambassador Council of the Eating Recovery Center and frequently serves on mental health panels with a particular interest in those that address mental health and spirituality issues in diverse communities. Siobhan is committed to support youth and women locally and globally through multiple organizations: Compassion International, where she sponsors religious life and education for four children in multiple countries; Montana de Luz, a Honduran orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS; Miami University Regionals Community Advisory Board; and Women in Christian Leadership, where she supports programming for Christian, women and business leaders. Drawing upon her love of young people and God, she also serves as the Founder of Conflicts of the Heart, a Christian women's small group ministry and blog. She is currently working on a devotional and other opportunities to share God's love with others.

Karl Kadon, a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, is an alumnus of Walnut Hills High School, Miami University, and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Since 2006, he has served as a Criminal Chief, a federal prosecutor, stationed at the Cincinnati branch office of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio.In his role, Kadon dedicated a significant portion of his federal career to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, focusing on pursuing major drug dealers and drug cartels. In 2019, he was appointed as the Deputy Criminal Chief overseeing the Task Force. Shortly thereafter, he assumed the position of Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office, where he took charge of all investigations and criminal cases. Over the past two decades, Kadon has either personally litigated or supervised some of the most notable federal prosecutions in the Southern District of Ohio, earning several awards and recognitions for his contributions.Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Kadon served as the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. Prior to that, he held the position of Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Cincinnati, where he was responsible for managing all civil litigation and criminal prosecution matters. In 1987, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, serving as a Judge Advocate ("JAG") in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps until his retirement in 2015 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military service included mobilization for Operation DESERT STORM, deployment as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Special Operations Component of U.S. Central Command during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, with assignments in the Gulf, Afghanistan, and other regions.Beyond his professional and military commitments, Kadon has actively participated in youth soccer and the Boy Scouts. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Dan Beard Council of the BSA and currently holds positions on the Board of Directors of the FC Cincinnati Foundation and the Miami University Alumni Association Advisory Board.

Roger David is president and CEO of Gold Star Chili, Inc., an iconic Cincinnati business with two well-known brands in its portfolio of companies – Gold Star and Tom & Chee. Roger leads a team of dedicated professionals working to continue to build the brand his father and uncles started more than 50 years ago. Since being named president and CEO, Roger has grown Gold Star Chili, Inc. to include Tom & Chee, the famous grilled cheese and soup restaurant chain that rocketed to stardom thanks to an appearance on ABC's “Shark Tank.”  Under his leadership, Gold Star has completed strategic updates to all areas of its business in order to drive success and growth for the next 50 years and beyond. A $30 million investment translated into a new restaurant look, menu and guest experience for its 70+ locations throughout Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Roger believes restaurant brands are built tableside and has advanced the companies training and development efforts. The company also made a deliberate investment into facility efficiencies in order to build environmentally-friendly restaurants, which pays off for its franchise owners who are realizing improvements in labor costs, energy usage and employee productivity. Gold Star is in the process of bringing those same strategies to the Tom & Chee brand in order to position it for success for years to come. Earlier in his career, Roger served as CEO of national sports restaurant franchise Buffalo Wings & Rings; director of brand strategy at Brandimage, a brand design and consultancy serving fortune 500 clients; and vice president of marketing at Gold Star. He has served a member of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation board, President of the Music Resource Center, Vice President of the Council on Child Abuse, and ArtWorks Big Pitch mentor and judge. Roger is currently in the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Leadership class 47.  Roger holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from Xavier University. He is married to Ceci and has three children: Liza, Alex and Margo.

Tianay Amat is the President & CEO of Cincinnati Works. She believes in the resiliency of the human spirit and is passionate about eliminating poverty through education and employment.Ms. Amat also has over two decades in public education.  She has served as an Interim Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Principal and Teacher in both urban and suburban school districts. Ms. Amat was recognized as the Administrator of the year by the Cincinnatus Association, Community Builder of the Year by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Council, and received Teacher of the Year by New York City Board of Education.Ms. Amat holds a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

Rob Zimmerman is in his third year as Head of School at his alma mater, Cincinnati Country Day School. He was born in Dallas, lived in Atlanta as a young child, and grew up in Cincinnati since the 3rd grade (residing in Indian Hill, literally across the street from CCDS, where his parents still live and host Sunday family dinners). He is a proud 1998 graduate of Country Day, attended Vanderbilt University for his undergraduate degree (BA, English), and continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati College of Law (JD).Rob practiced as a commercial litigator at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP for 16 years, handling a wide range of business disputes, including breach of contract, corporate governance, securities, intellectual property, and real estate matters. He served on the board of trustees at CCDS for a number of years and stepped in as Interim Head of School in 2021. Following a national search process, he was appointed as Head of School. To quote Rob, "I feel outrageously lucky to be able to do what I do every day."