ArtsOhio Blog

Governor DeWine Appoints Rita Mansour of Toledo to OAC Board

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 17:36:50 GMT

Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Rita Mansour of Toledo to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) board for a term expiring July 1, 2024.

Ms. Mansour is the senior managing director of Mansour Wealth Management. Named by Barron’s Investment News Magazine as one of the Top 100 Female Advisors in the United States, she advises clients in the U.S. and around the world. She has been consistently recognized as a member of the Forbes/Shook Best in State Wealth Advisor Ranking, which ranks the top advisors in America and gives awards to advisors based on assets under management, ethical and moral standards, and client satisfaction.

She has received many awards, including her alma mater Notre Dame Academy’s Hall of Fame Award, Toledo’s 20 Under 40 Award, and Arab American of the Year. She also was named Outstanding Alumni of the Year of the University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation and received the prestigious YWCA Milestone Award for Business. Recently, she received the Jefferson Award for public service.

A Toledo native, Ms. Mansour earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo, where she developed and maintained a successful promotional products company. The company’s success, largely due to her marketing and business acumen, led the University of Toledo’s College of Business to ultimately award her the Edwin R. Hodge Memorial Entrepreneurship Award as a student in college.

Ms. Mansour passionately believes that giving back to her community is an important responsibility. She is actively involved in many civic and philanthropic organizations and serves as a board member of the Toledo Museum of Art, Lourdes University, and the Advisory Council of the Sisters of Notre Dame. She is also on the grants committee of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation; currently serves as the co-chair of Momentum Toledo; and is an honorary board member of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.

“We are so pleased to welcome Rita to the Ohio Arts Council board,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “Her financial expertise, strong community engagement, and natural sense of philanthropy will be a great asset on our board as we invest public funding for the arts in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.”

All appointments remain subject to the advice and consent of the Ohio Senate.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.

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Article by Justin Nigro, Operations and Public Affairs Director

Governor DeWine Announces Three Appointments to OAC Board

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 14:29:19 GMT

Governor Mike DeWine has announced three appointments to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) board, including the reappointment of two board members, Tina Husted of Upper Arlington and Tom Johnson of Somerset, and the appointment of Beth Waldren of Galena. All three board members will serve terms expiring July 1, 2025.

“We’re thrilled to continue working with Tina and Tom, and we extend our warmest welcome to Beth as she joins a phenomemal group of leaders in the arts,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “The Ohio Arts Council is fortunate to have a board equipped with talent, experience, and, above all, a shared passion for strengthening and supporting the arts and culture in our state.”

Bios for the appointed board members follow.

Ohio Second Lady Tina Husted

Tina Husted is the wife of Jon Husted, who is in his first term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, and the mother of two daughters, Katie and Kylie. She is an entrepreneur and has begun and managed three businesses on her own—as a real estate broker (Street Sotheby’s International Realty), a personal coach and ART therapist (A.R.T. Squared), and an artist (Tina’s Pastels). She is a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, where singing with the agape choir and contemporary praise groups gives her great joy. She also serves on the Staff Parish Committee, where she assists in church staff issues. Most recently, she was able to obtain a national license for a nonprofit called The Open Table (a mentoring group for those who are homeless or in poverty) and serves as the Mission Leader. She considers her faith in Christ the most central part of who she is and whose light she intends to shine into the world as much as possible.

Tina served as a board member of Franklin County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and is currently a member of the CASA Ohio State board. In 2007, she graduated as a class member of the Jo Ann Davidson of Ohio Women’s Leadership Group. She is an originator of Dan’s Fund—a brain cancer endowment fund her family started in honor of her late father, Dan Zwayer. She was born in Bucyrus.

Mayor Thomas Johnson

After retiring from a career in international banking, Mayor Thomas Johnson returned to his roots and has helped to drive investment to Perry County and Ohio’s Appalachian region. Since his election in 2009, Somerset has received more than $7 million in public and private grants, impacting civic infrastructure, economic development, arts and culture programming, and historic and nature preservation. Mayor Johnson also served on the 2014 Arts and Culture Capital Bill Committee, which recommended $3.4 million in funding for 18 Appalachian arts projects. In addition to serving as mayor, Johnson was also named executive in residence at Ohio University in 2017, where he is responsible for helping the university strategically support regional collaborations that improve quality of life in Appalachian Ohio. As part of the Ohio University’s Rural Revitalization Partnership Initiative, he identifies and helps to address the significant disparities that exist between Appalachian Ohio and the rest of the state and nation. He currently serves as a board member of the Greater Ohio Policy Center, as founding director of the Community Foundation for Perry County, and as co-chair of the Perry County Access to Healthcare Working Group. He previously served as chairman of the board for Hocking Technical College and has been appointed to the Association of Ohio Commodores.

Beth Waldren

Beth Waldren brings more than 25 years of public policy, nonprofit fundraising, and special event planning experience to the OAC. She worked in the Office of Governor George V. Voinovich from 1991 until 1999. After her tenure there, she began working as a public affairs consultant and then as the director of development for the Columbus affiliate of Susan G. Komen. In 2015, Beth formed her own firm–The Waldren Group–and she continues to work in the public affairs arena as a consultant, event planner, and fundraiser.

All appointments remain subject to the advice and consent of the Ohio Senate.

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Governor DeWine Reappoints Susan Allan Block, Juan Cespedes, and William B. White to OAC Board

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:09:10 GMT

On Sept. 17, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reappointed Susan Allan Block of Toledo, Juan Cespedes of Columbus, and William B. White of Marietta to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) board for terms ending July 1, 2024.

“Susan, Juan, and Bill have worked tirelessly to promote innovation and investment in Ohio’s creative sector. Their efforts have helped us to achieve a record-setting level of grantmaking, resulting in improved access to the arts in all 88 counties, particularly among counties in Southeast Ohio, Northwest Ohio, and diverse communities in between,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “I am thrilled that they have been asked to extend their commitment to public service. We are so fortunate to have a board full of leaders in the arts.”

SUSAN ALLAN BLOCK
Originally from Massachusetts, Ms. Block earned a Bachelor of Science from Wagner College and studied art history at Hunter College. After 25 years in New York City working in pharmaceutical sales, wholesale fashion, and as an assistant to C-Suite executives in banking, insurance, finance, and real estate, she followed her dream to Paris, where she studied and worked in the culinary arts for two years. From 2014-2017, Ms. Block owned and operated Vendome Pastry, located in Toledo. She serves on the board of directors for Block Communications Inc., a privately owned and operated national media and telecommunications company, as a founding member of the Ohio Advisory Group which supports the National Museum for Women in the Arts (NMWA), and as a member of the National Advisory Board to NMWA. She is a former trustee for Lourdes University, the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Children’s Hospital Foundation, and YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo, where she served on the executive committee. Ms. Block maintains a close working relationship with the Toledo Area Humane Society and with H.O.O.V.E.S. - Healing Of Our Veterans Equine Service, which treats veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.

JUAN CESPEDES
Mr. Cespedes is a consultant with The Oxley Group, where he works in business development and government relations. With a background in financial services, he represents a diverse group of clients by promoting their interests to both state and federal government. After receiving a degree in finance from the Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, Mr. Cespedes worked as an investment officer with the Ohio Treasurer of State's office. He also currently sits on the Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

WILLIAM B. WHITE
A native of Marietta and a graduate of Marietta College with a degree in economics, Mr. White served four years in the United States Marine Corps and is a Vietnam veteran with the 1st Marine Division. In 1985, Mr. White co-founded Offenberger & White, Inc., a Marietta-based marketing consulting firm that works with national and international clients in design, development, application, and marketing of applied technologies employed by the biomedical, life science, and industrial laboratory community. In 2007 Mr. White was appointed a charter member of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Foundation for Music Education and served as president until February 2016. He is a member of the Board of Directors, Vanguard Paints and Finishes, Inc., and the Ely Chapman Education Foundation. A practicing musician, Mr. White plays keyboards and performs with several area acoustic and rock bands. He also enjoys playing the air calliope in local parades and festivals.

All appointments remain subject to the advice and consent of the Ohio Senate.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL'S BOARD
The OAC Board is composed of 15 voting members appointed by the governor, and four non-voting members—two each from the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives. The Council Board is responsible for final approval of funding requests. The Board meets four times during a calendar year and all meetings are open to the public.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.

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Article by Justin Nigro, Operations and Public Affairs Director

Governor DeWine Appoints Tina Husted to OAC Board

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:08:06 GMT

Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Second Lady of Ohio Tina Husted to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) Board for a term ending July 1, 2020.

“We’re very excited to welcome Mrs. Husted to the OAC board,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “Her experience as an artist, dedication to giving back to the community, and commitment to holistic well-being through athletic and artistic practice undoubtedly inspires others to pursue their passions in meaningful and creative ways. We look forward to working with Mrs. Husted to further the OAC’s mission of strengthening Ohio communities through artistic engagement and meaningful arts experiences.”

Mrs. Husted is a real estate broker, personal coach and ART (active release techniques) therapist, business owner, entrepreneur, and artist. Born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Mrs. Husted earned the titles of All-Ohio Honorable Mention Basketball Point Guard and multi-year State Champion in track and field while a student at Colonel Crawford High School. She furthered her athletic career at Ohio University (OU), where she majored in physical therapy with a minor in psychology while continuing to run track. At OU, Mrs. Husted also volunteered at the student health center’s physical therapy department and with the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

Mrs. Husted’s interests in health, wellness, and mentoring extended to her post-graduate involvement in a variety of causes and organizations. An avid supporter of organ donation, Mrs. Husted is an originator of Dan’s Fund, a brain cancer endowment fund started in honor of her late father, Dan Zwayer. Mrs. Husted has served as a board member of Franklin County’s CASA (court appointed special advocates) and now serves as a member of the CASA state board. In 2007, she graduated as a class member of the Jo Ann Davidson of Ohio Women’s Leadership group.

A member of Riverside United Methodist Church, Mrs. Husted sings with the agape choir and contemporary praise groups. She also continues her devotion to service through the Staff Parish Committee. Recently, Mrs. Husted was able to obtain a national liscense for the Open Table, a nonprofit mentoring group for homeless individuals and those living in poverty, an organization for which she also serves as the mission leader.

In her free time, Mrs. Husted enjoys creating original artworks with pastel chalk, her preferred medium, as well as pencil, watercolor, and acrylics. She has also returned to her running roots, participating in several marathons, 50Ks, and 50 mile races and earning the title of one of the country’s “Top 15 Master Female Runners” in 2014 as determined by Runner’s World Magazine. Mrs. Husted has also shared her expertise as a coach with Worthington Kilbourne’s track and cross county teams.

Mrs. Husted and her husband, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio Jon Husted, have two daughters, Katie, 9, and Kylie, 7.

All appointments remain subject to the advice and consent of the Ohio Senate.

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Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist
Featured photo courtesy of Tina Husted