Board of Trustees
Ohio History Connection is governed by an independent volunteer Board of Trustees who ensure the organization manages its operations, finances and programs to further its mission and strategic goals by providing dedicated leadership and support.
The Board of Trustees meets four times per year, with most meetings held at the Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio. To obtain meeting minutes, attend or to reach a Trustee, please contact the Executive Director’s Office:
Ohio History Connection
800 E. 17th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
Tel: 614.297.2350 or
Visit our "Contact Us" page and select "General Inquiries" from the drop-down menu.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, September 22 at Johnston Farm & Indian Agency (9845 N Hardin Rd, Piqua, OH 45356).
For more information on our open meetings policy and previous meeting minutes, please refer to our board resources.
Board Officers
President - Charley Moses, Ohio Telecom Association
Dublin, OH
Governor Appointed Trustee
2nd Term
Term ends 2025
Vice President - Ann Bair, Nationwide Financial Marketing
Columbus, OH
Member Elected Trustee
1st Term
Term ends 2024
Vice President - Betty Weibel, Yopko Penhallurick LLC
Chagrin Falls, OH
Governor Appointed Trustee
3rd Term
Term ends 2024
Treasurer - Melody Young, Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors
Laurelville, OH
Member Elected Trustee
1st Term
Term ends 2023
Secretary - Alex Hastie, Hastie Legal LLC
Grandview Heights, OH
Member Elected Trustee
2nd Term
Term ends 2024
Governor Appointed Trustees
Jon T. Elsasser
Zoar, OH
Reappointed for 3-year term
James B. Hadden, Murray, Murphy, Moul & Basil LLP
Columbus, OH
Serving 1st term
Term ends 2023
Richard F. Hillis, RH Resources
Powell, OH
Reappointed for 3-year term
Term ends 2024
Robert M. Roach, Northwestern Mutual
Upper Arlington, OH
2nd Term
Term ends 2023
Heidi M. Samuel, Capitol Integrity
Columbus, OH
Serving 2nd term
Term ends 2025
Gregory H. Simpson, Key Transportation Services
Milford, OH
2nd Term
Term ends 2024
Member Elected Trustees
Thomas V. Chema, Gateway Group Ohio
Westlake, OH
3rd Term
Term ends 2023
Chief Billy W. Friend, Wyandotte Nation
Wyandotte, OK
2nd term
Term ends 2025
Suhas Kakde, US Aeroteam
Dayton, OH
3rd Term
Term ends 2024
Jen Miller, League of Women Voters of Ohio
Columbus, OH
1st Term
Term ends 2023
Guadalupe Velasquez, Welcoming City
Columbus, OH
1st Term
Term ends 2024
Board Elected Trustees
R. Anthony Joseph, White Castle Management Co.
Bexley, OH
1st Term
Term ends 2024
Steve Coon, Coon Restoration and Sealant
Louisville, OH
1st Term
Term ends 2025
Ex-Officios
Mike DeWine, Governor, State of Ohio
Designee: Jennifer Brown, Deputy Director of Boards & Commissions
Senator Matt Huffman, President of Ohio Senate
Designee: Senator Andrew Brenner
Senator Kenny Yuko, Minority Leader, Ohio Senate
Representative Robert L Cupp, Speaker, Ohio House of Representatives
Designee: Representative Laura Lanese
Representative Allison Russo, Minority Leader, Ohio House of Representatives
Designee: Representative Joe Miller
Leslie Wagner, President, Ohio Local History Alliance
Dr. David Staley, President, Ohio Academy of History
Randy Gardner, Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education
Designee: Gary Cates, Senior Vice Chancellor
Michael Woytek, President, Ohio Academy of Science
Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio Department of Development
Designee: Matthew MacLaren, Director, TourismOhio