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 Resources

Board Officers

President - Charley Moses, Ohio Telecom Association

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Dublin, OH

Governor Appointed Trustee

2nd Term

Term ends 2025

Vice President - Ann Bair, Nationwide Financial Marketing

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Columbus, OH

Member Elected Trustee

1st Term

Term ends 2024

Vice President - Betty Weibel, Yopko Penhallurick LLC

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Chagrin Falls, OH

Governor Appointed Trustee

3rd Term

Term ends 2024

Treasurer - Melody Young, Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors

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Laurelville, OH

Member Elected Trustee

1st Term

Term ends 2023

Secretary - Alex Hastie, Hastie Legal LLC

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Grandview Heights, OH

Member Elected Trustee

2nd Term

Term ends 2024

Governor Appointed Trustees

Jon T. Elsasser

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Zoar, OH

Reappointed for 3-year term

James B. Hadden, Murray, Murphy, Moul & Basil LLP

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Columbus, OH

Serving 1st term

Term ends 2023

Richard F. Hillis, RH Resources

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Powell, OH

Reappointed for 3-year term

Term ends 2024

Robert M. Roach, Northwestern Mutual

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Upper Arlington, OH

2nd Term

Term ends 2023

Heidi M. Samuel, Capitol Integrity

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Columbus, OH

Serving 2nd term

Term ends 2025

Gregory H. Simpson, Key Transportation Services

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Milford, OH

2nd Term

Term ends 2024

Member Elected Trustees

Thomas V. Chema, Gateway Group Ohio

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Westlake, OH

3rd Term

Term ends 2023

Chief Billy W. Friend, Wyandotte Nation

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Wyandotte, OK

2nd term

Term ends 2025

Suhas Kakde, US Aeroteam

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Dayton, OH

3rd Term

Term ends 2024

Jen Miller, League of Women Voters of Ohio

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Columbus, OH

1st Term

Term ends 2023

Guadalupe Velasquez, Welcoming City

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Columbus, OH

1st Term

Term ends 2024

Board Elected Trustees

R. Anthony Joseph, White Castle Management Co.

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Bexley, OH

1st Term

Term ends 2024

Steve Coon, Coon Restoration and Sealant

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Louisville, OH

1st Term

Term ends 2025

Ex-Officios

Mike DeWine, Governor, State of Ohio

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Designee: Jennifer Brown, Deputy Director of Boards & Commissions

Senator Matt Huffman, President of Ohio Senate

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Designee: Senator Andrew Brenner

Senator Kenny Yuko, Minority Leader, Ohio Senate

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Representative Robert L Cupp, Speaker, Ohio House of Representatives

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Designee: Representative Laura Lanese

Representative Allison Russo, Minority Leader, Ohio House of Representatives

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Designee: Representative Joe Miller

Leslie Wagner, President, Ohio Local History Alliance

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Dr. David Staley, President, Ohio Academy of History

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Randy Gardner, Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education

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Designee: Gary Cates, Senior Vice Chancellor

Michael Woytek, President, Ohio Academy of Science

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Lydia Mihalik, Director, Ohio Department of Development

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Designee: Matthew MacLaren, Director, TourismOhio

Laura P. Battocletti, Director, Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board

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Melody Young, Chair, OHC Foundation Board

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Dr. Stephanie Siddens, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction

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