FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2007
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
OHIO CULTURAL FACILITIES COMMISSION EXPANDS STAFF, PROMOTES ANALYST
Columbus, Ohio –The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission hired three new staff members and promoted one employee in an expansion effort aimed at managing a record-high 250 cultural and sports facilities projects around the state.
"The December 2006 capital bill assigned 100 cultural and sports facilities projects to our Commission for oversight, the highest number ever in a single capital bill," said Commission Executive Director Kathleen M. Fox. "We are grateful to the Legislature and Governor for restoring our operating budget to fiscal year 2004-2005 levels, which will enable us to better meet the needs of our local partners. Our new team members come to us with a wealth of experience and will each play a critical role in our agency’s contributions to the expansion and improvement of Ohio’s cultural facilities.”
Barbara Witt has joined the Commission as Manager of Project Services, and is responsible for oversight of the Commission’s three project management teams. Ms. Witt has 25 years of diverse experience in information technology project management, construction management, real estate sales and development, and staff leadership. Ms. Witt holds a B.A. in Economics from Wright State University, an M.A. in Management from the McGregor School of Antioch University, and is a licensed real estate agent. Ms. Witt has a special interest in historic preservation and has renovated a number of historic homes; she resides in Dayton.
Bernard Cason of Columbus, has been hired as a Project Analyst, and will provide financial analysis and reporting as a project management team member. Mr. Cason holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and English, and an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University. His professional experience includes financial analysis and retail management, and he is currently a volunteer mentor in the 5/3 Bank Young Bankers Club, teaching financial literacy to 5th graders, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Keith Wiley has joined the Commission staff as Management Information Coordinator. The newly created position will support the Commission’s increasingly complex database systems and IT needs. Mr. Wiley has over eight years of experience in database management and reporting, web site management, and user training. Mr. Wiley holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Otterbein College and resides in Columbus.
LeeAnne Woods has been promoted to Project Manager. Ms. Woods joined the Commission as a Project Analyst, and has quickly gained a command of the project services arena. She will be responsible for oversight of Commission-funded projects in 30 counties in central and northwestern Ohio. Ms. Woods holds an M.B.A. from Florida International University as well as a law degree from Case Western Reserve. Ms. Woods resides in Columbus.About the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed nearly $400 million of capital funds appropriated by the legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at non-profit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with non-profit groups and local governments on nearly 250 projects in 65 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov
