Meet the dedicated individuals who guide Erie County Community Foundation, working tirelessly to strengthen our community and support its future growth.
Officers
Ron Parthemore
Chair
Ron Parthemore is the Board Chair of Erie County Community Foundation. He brings extensive experience from his role as President of Strategic Planning Solutions and Business Manager for Buderer Drug Company. With degrees from Bowling Green State University and post-graduate studies in Organizational Development, Ron is committed to community leadership.
Abbey Bemis
Vice Chair/Governance Chair
As Chief Operating Officer of Payne, Nickles & Company, Abbey Bemis drives growth and efficiency in the firm's operations. With a background in economics and international studies from Denison University and an MBA from Duke University, Abbey combines academic rigor with practical business expertise to serve as Vice Chair and Governance Chair.
Daniel J. Moncher
Treasurer/Finance Chair
Daniel J. Moncher retired as Executive Vice President and CFO of Firelands Regional Health System after a distinguished 25-year career. With a BS in Business from Miami University and an MBA from Tiffin University, Dan’s financial acumen and leadership enhance the Community Foundation's financial stewardship.
Mary Jane Hill
Secretary
Mary Jane Hill, an attorney with Flynn, Py & Kruse, brings legal expertise in estate planning and probate administration; charitable organizations; real estate; and corporate and business law to the Community Foundation as Secretary. Her commitment to community service extends to leadership roles in organizations including Erie County Economic Development Corporation and Firelands Regional Medical Center.
Committee Chairs
Debralee Divers
Scholarship Chair
Debralee Divers, a member of the Erie County Community Foundation board since 2017, brings a wealth of experience from her tenure as Director of Enrollment Management at Bowling Green State University. With degrees from Heidelberg University and The University of Toledo, Deb is dedicated to fostering educational opportunities for the community's youth.
Julie Barnes Foster
Development & Marketing Chair
Julie Barnes-Foster's journey with Barnes Nursery, her family’s business, began in Junior High School. After later earning her BS in Agriculture from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management, Julie has become a pivotal figure in Barnes Nursery’s growth and success. Julie brings invaluable expertise to Erie County Community Foundation. Her dedication to community development extends beyond her professional endeavors, as seen in her roles with The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Erie County and the Erie County Board of Health.
Jim Murray
Grants Chair
Jim Murray, an attorney with Murray & Murray Trial Lawyers in Sandusky, is a member of the Erie County Bar Association, where he is a Board of Trustees member; the Ohio State Bar Association; the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers; the Erie County Central Committee, Democratic Party, where he is vice-chair; and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality/Legal Aid of Western Ohio, where he serves as Board of Trustees member and was vice president 2011-2014.
Jim earned his BA from Boston College and his JD from Case Western Reserve University Law School in Cleveland. He is also active as a board member for Huron Baseball and Softball programs and serves as a youth baseball and basketball coach.
Thomas Wolf
Investment Advisor
Tom Wolf is a retired Investment Manager, who began his career as a Retail Broker for Bache & Co., where he also served as an Institutional Broker. He also worked for Society National Bank as a Portfolio Manager and Head of Personal Trust Portfolio Management, before moving to Corning Advisors, where he eventually retired as a Portfolio Manager.
Tom currently serves as the Portfolio Co-Manager for Hanna Perkins School in Cleveland. He is also currently a Board Member, Chair of the Investment Committee and Board Secretary for Firelands Regional Health System. Tom is a Board Member and Board Treasurer for Stein Hospice Service and serves as the Chair of the Investment Committee and Member of the Executive Committee here at Erie County Community Foundation.
Tom earned his BS from Dartmouth College, and his master’s degree in Investment Management from Purdue University’s Krannert School.
Board Members
Lee Alexakos
Lee Alexakos serves as Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Erie County Community Foundation. With over 40 years of experience at Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Lee brings extensive expertise in community relations. A lifelong resident of Sandusky, Lee's dedication extends to various boards, reflecting her commitment to the community's well-being.
Jarvis Cole-Caston
Jarvis Cole-Caston, a Sandusky High School graduate, exemplifies resilience and dedication. With experience in both corporate and educational sectors, Jarvis now serves as the Firelands Forward Program Manager for Greater Sandusky Partnership, facilitating workforce development programming across the Sandusky Bay Region. A graduate of Wilberforce University, the first private Historical Black College and University (HBCU), Jarvis’s commitment to minority empowerment is evident in his co-chair role at the Minority Business Empowerment Team.
Matthew Ehrhardt
Matthew Ehrhardt, co-owner of T3 Academy & Esports, is passionate about fostering growth and development in young athletes. As a former educator and school administrator, Matthew's focus on student success and innovation is evident in his career. His dedication to educational excellence earned him the Innovator of the Year Award by Battelle / Ohio STEM Learning Network in 2018.
Rich Finneran
Rich Finneran brings over three decades of banking experience to Erie County Community Foundation. As a Senior Vice President/Regional Market Executive at Civista Bank, Rich's commitment to financial stewardship aligns with his passion for community service. His involvement in various organizations reflects his dedication to the well-being of Erie County residents.
Sue Forthofer
Susan E. Forthofer's lifelong commitment to education and community service is evident in her extensive career and volunteer work. From teaching elementary school for 35 years to serving on multiple boards and volunteering for various organizations, Sue's impact on the community is profound. Her dedication to education and philanthropy enriches the lives of many.
Dawson Foster
Dawson Foster, a third-generation business owner, is deeply rooted in the Sandusky community. As a board member of the Sydney Frohman Foundation, Dawson continues his family's legacy of philanthropy. His commitment to community welfare is evident in his involvement with various organizations, reflecting his passion for making a positive difference.
Stacey Hartley
Stacey Hartley is an experienced professional who advances the mission of higher education institutions through strategic partnerships with individuals, business, industry, and government agencies. In Business Development with BGSU Firelands, Stacey facilitates partnerships with regional businesses and agencies to strengthen student outcomes. She serves on workforce development initiatives as well and supports university students who are parents.
Gene Kidwell
Gene Kidwell dedicated 54 years to Ohio's public schools, serving as a Science teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and coach at Sandusky High School. He was also on the Sandusky Board of Education (1994-1998). Later, he coordinated for Perkins Local Schools for 11 years and directed curriculum for Kelleys Island and Put-In-Bay Schools until retiring in 2016. Gene holds an MEd in Secondary Administration from Bowling Green State University. In retirement, he enjoys time with his grandchildren, golfing, boating, fishing, community activities, and gardening with his wife, Mary Ann
Eric Muehlhauser
Eric Muehlhauser is a Shareholder/Attorney at Flynn, Py, & Kruse in Sandusky, OH, specializing in estate planning, trusts, tax law, charitable organizations, real estate law, and business law. He earned his BS from Bowling Green State University and his JD from Capital University. Admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1993, he is a member of the Erie County and Ohio State Bar Associations. Eric is actively involved in the Huron Lions Club, Huron River Fest, Inc., and the Saunders/Foss Memorial Scholarship Fund. He is a native of Huron, OH.
Alexa Murray
Alexa Murray, a Sandusky native, is a Certified Nurse Practitioner at Family Health Services. With a background at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Columbus Free Clinic, she is dedicated to community wellness.
Alexa serves on the board of the Murray & Murray Charitable Foundation, is Treasurer for The Assembly, and volunteers as a Region Coordinator for Mortar Board, the National Senior Class Honorary. She holds a Bachelor's in Neuroscience and a Master's in Nursing from The Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys boating and renovating her historic home in Downtown Sandusky with her husband.
Dr. Swathi Ravichandran
Swathi Ravichandran, a board member since 2020, is a professor and director of the Cedar Fair resort and attraction management program at Bowling Green State University. She previously taught at Kent State University and has secured $1.6 million in grants to enhance student access to education.
Honored as a distinguished educator by the Professional Convention Management Association in 2014 and named one of “Ohio’s finest educators” in 2015, her research focuses on human resources and marketing in hospitality. She also serves on the boards of the Greater Sandusky Partnership and Shores and Islands. Swathi holds a doctorate and an MBA from Iowa State University.
Tim Riesterer
Tim Riesterer has been an active board member of Erie County Community Foundation since 2020. A retired Captain of the Sandusky Fire Department with 35 years of service, he has also been a Township Trustee for 28 years, Past President of the Erie County Township Association, and a former board member of the Erie County Economic Development Corporation. Additionally, he has been a member of the Castalia Lions Club for 30 years and is a Melvin Jones Fellow.
Committed to improving Erie County, Tim and his wife Martha have been married for 46 years and have two adult children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Lonny J. Rivera
Dr. Lonny Rivera serves as the Superintendent of Perkins Local School District. Dr. Rivera previously served as the Director of Innovation for North Point Educational Service Center in Sandusky.
Lonny began his career as an elementary special education teacher in Toledo Public Schools. Over the course of his career, he has served as principal at Sherman Elementary, Coy Elementary, and Wayne Trail Intermediate, and held administrative roles including chief of staff for Toledo Public Schools and superintendent of Oregon City School District. He also worked as associate state superintendent for the Ohio Department of Education and Interim State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In 2016, he joined North Point ESC as Director of Innovation.
Lonny earned a BA in special education from Cleveland State University and both a master’s and doctorate in education from the University of Toledo.
Betsy Wakefield
Elizabeth “Betsy” Petersen Wakefield has served on the Erie County Community Foundation board for over 5 years. She retired after a diverse career in arts, healthcare, law, and municipal government.
Starting at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wakefield also worked at Gilford Instrument Laboratories in Oberlin, and as Director of the Medical Library at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain, OH. She later practiced law at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff in Cleveland and privately in Vermilion before becoming Vermilion Municipal Court Judge.
Wakefield holds a BA from Beloit College, an MSLS from Case Western Reserve University, and a JD from Cleveland State University. Currently on the Vermilion Community Services Board, she has served on Vermilion Parks and Recreation, Main Street Vermilion, and Historic Vermilion boards. She resides in Vermilion with her husband, Theodore D. Wakefield II.
Board Emeritus
John O. Bacon
John O. Bacon's enduring dedication to Sandusky and Erie County shines through his philanthropic endeavors and community leadership. As a founding member of Erie County Community Foundation, Bacon's impact has been profound, leaving a legacy of service and compassion that continues to enrich the lives of residents.
Laurence Bettcher
Larry Bettcher's profound commitment to both business and community service has left an indelible mark on Erie County Community Foundation. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in advancing the foundation's mission, fostering growth, and driving positive change throughout Erie County.
Eileen Bulan
Eileen Bulan's longstanding dedication to Erie County Community Foundation and her unwavering commitment to community service have been a source of inspiration. Her invaluable contributions as a board member and her active involvement in various community organizations have made a lasting impact on Erie County.
Faith Denslow
Marcia Goff
Judith Kinzel
Roger Gundlach
Roger Gundlach's steadfast leadership and tireless dedication to community service have been instrumental in shaping Erie County Community Foundation. His involvement in numerous organizations and his passion for making a difference continue to inspire and uplift the community.
Carole Kuns
Carl E. McGookey
Carl McGookey, a lifelong resident of Sandusky, OH, is tirelessly active in his community. In addition to serving as Immediate Past Chair of Erie County Community Foundation, Carl has served as Past Treasurer of Serving Our Seniors, Inc., Chair of the Bayfront Corridor Committee for the City of Sandusky, and Past Treasurer of the Sandusky Area Maritime Museum. He and his wife, Ann, have been married for 46 years.
Charles Rainger
Chuck Rainger's visionary leadership and deep-rooted commitment to Erie County Community Foundation have been transformative. As a founding member and Director Emeritus, his contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation's mission and impact, leaving a legacy of generosity and service.
Paula Rengel
Paula Rengel's deep-rooted connection to Sandusky and her unwavering dedication to community service have made her a driving force behind Erie County Community Foundation's success. Her leadership and philanthropic initiatives have had a profound impact on addressing the needs of Erie County residents and fostering positive change in the community.