Stephanie Blanchard
Local Search Strategist, RevLocal
Associate’s Degree in Digital Media Arts, North Central State College
Over 14 years of Marketing and Advertising experience
Community Involvement: United Way of Richland County’s Power of the Purse, Big Red Bookshelf, Habitat for Humanity, First Friday Shop Hop Events, and various community-related events throughout Richland County
Bio: I was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio and graduated from Madison Comprehensive High School. My husband and I love to take our son to the Buckeye Imagination Museum every chance we get. He loves pretending to be a fireman and making mommy dinner at the McDonald’s. I’m excited to see how the museum evolves and how it will continue to be a beacon of childhood development in Richland County and beyond.
Steve Cummins, Vice Chair
Vice President, Mansfield Engineered Components
Bachelor of Science in Religion, Kenyon College
Community Involvement: I currently serve voluntary roles as a board member with the Richland Community Development Group, Regional Manufacturing Coalition, and the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum.
Bio: I was born and raised in Mansfield. I often joke that I spent my first 20 years hoping to leave Mansfield and the last 35+ years glad that I never did! It’s had its ups and downs – like any place – but I love my hometown and am excited to see so many good things happening here. There are many hardworking, dedicated people striving to make our town a great place to live and raise a family. I have two older kids who have flown the nest and two younger kids who, with my wife and I, live in rural Mansfield with a menagerie of animals. I’m part of a third-generation family business where we design, engineer, and manufacture specialty hinges for the major appliance industry.
Ann Downs
CEO/Owner, MHS Industrial Supply (local distributor since 1940)
Community Involvement: Chairperson, The Shelby Foundation; member, Regional Manufacturing Coalition; member, United Way Power of the Purse Committee
Bio: I was born and raised in Shelby and am married to Phil. I have three children and two grandchildren. I am a second-generation owner and our son (third generation) is currently President. I brought my grandchildren to the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum and saw how much they enjoyed their experience. I became interested in the museum after meeting their Executive Director, Fred Boll, during the Imagination District fundraising. I am very excited to see how Richland county has changed over the past several years and am looking forward to the future for our area.
Scott Heimann
Vice President & Trust Officer, Park National Bank
Bachelor’s Degree, Ashland University
Master’s Degree, Kent State University
Community Involvement: Richland Young Professionals Board Chair, Richland Academy of the Arts Board Member, Mansfield Area YMCA Board Member
Bio: I live in Ontario with my wife, Kayla, who is Assistant Principal at Galion Primary School, and our two boys, Lincoln and Jefferson. I saw the positive impact play and imagination at the museum has had on my two sons and bought in immediately. Any chance I have to support or spread the word, I do.
Susan Martin, Secretary
Step Up to Quality and Training Coordinator, YWCA Child Care Resource & Referral
Bachelor of Science – Intervention Specialist K-12, Bowling Green University
Infant Class certified, Ohio-Approved Level 3 Trainer, Certified Trainer of several parenting programs (Positive Parenting Program, Love & Logic, Act: Raising Safe Children)
Community Involvement: Richland County Child Care Committee, Marion County Child Care Committee, Marion County EC3, Citizen Circle, Richland County Reentry Coalition
Bio: I was born in Mansfield and primarily raised in Bellville. I have two children attending Madison Schools.
The YWCA CCR&R is a state-funded child care resource and referral agency, serving 20 counties in Northwest Ohio from three regional offices, located in Toledo, Lima, and Mansfield. As SUTQ and Training Coordinator, I oversee the SUTQ work in 12 counties of central Ohio (Lima to Mansfield). I assist providers with achieving their desired star rating, while working to improve the quality of education provided and improve the business practices of the program.
Contact info: smartin@ywcanwo.org
Nyasha Oden, LSW
Open Tables Coordinator & Community Organizer, North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Wright State University
Master of Science and Social Administration in Social Work/Children, Youth & Families, Case Western Reserve University
Community Involvement: Mansfield City Schools, Harmony House, Catholic Charities of Mansfield, Hesed Agape Ministries
Bio: I have always found joy in working with children and serving the community since a young girl. Whether it is through my role as youth advisor, mentor, or program coordinator, I am always looking to work with older youth and keep them involved. I am beyond excited to serve on the board of Buckeye Imagination Museum as it begins to incorporate learning through play for older children.
Linda Sampson
Supervisor – Assitant Secretary Treasurer, Mechanics Bank
Over 20 years of banking experience and many more in customer service related positions
Community Involvement: Mansfield Area Beautification Committee, Habitat for Humanity, Toy Time, United Way, board member of Downtown Mansfield Inc., volunteer for Final Fridays at the Brickyard
Bio: All my life, I have lived in the Richland County area, and I graduated from Clear Fork High School. I have raised three children and have been blessed with four grandchildren who all love to go to the museum with their parents or me. After visiting many times and seeing how much enjoyment my grandchildren receive every time they visit, I am very excited by the opportunity of serving on the board of the museum.
I am really looking forward to watching and participating in the growth and future of the Buckeye Imagination Museum in Mansfield!
Jodie Snavely
Project Specialist, Destination Mansfield-Richland County
Graduate of North Central State College
Graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management
Bio: I have been employed with Destination Mansfield-Richland County since I graduated from North Central State College in 1988. My professional achievements include graduating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management and being a Certified Travel Industry Specialist from the American Business Association. I’m also a 1994 Leadership Unlimited graduate. I have organized and implemented Shawshank events, including the 2013 20-year reunion, 2014 20th anniversary, and 2019 25th anniversary. I also maintain Destination Mansfield’s website and calendar of events, as well as The Shawshank Trail and Haunted Mansfield websites. I’m proud to work with our team, marketing our region to travelers and to Richland County residents. In my free time, I am always training for half marathons and races. In 2014, I started my own company, Dazzle Hound Collars, creating custom-made leather dog collars.
Matthew Stanfield
Principal Architect, Field9: Architecture
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Kent State University
Master of Architecture, The Ohio State University
Community Involvement: Mansfield Art Center, Friends of North Lake Park, Richland Moves!, Citizens for Mansfield Backyard Chickens, Mankind Murals Inc., Richland Community Development Group, Richland Area Beekeepers Association, Mosaic Mansfield, Habitat for Humanity
Bio: While I was born and raised in Ashland, I have lived most of my adult life in Mansfield and have come to think of it as home. My wife and I are raising our seven children here and, as such, have a vested interest in the success of the community. I am very excited about the developments I am seeing in the community, and I believe that Buckeye Imagination Museum is a big part of that. I am proud to be counted among those who have worked diligently to make the museum what it is today.
Brad Strong
5th Grade Math & Science Teacher, Mansfield City Schools
Associates in Early/Middle Childhood Education, The Ohio State University at Mansfield
Bachelor of Science in Early/Middle Childhood Education, The Ohio State University at Mansfield
Community Involvement: MSEA, Treasurer of Southwest Little League, Senior Vice President of VFW
Bio: I have served on the board of the museum on two occasions. When my daughter begged to stay and return, I knew that the museum was a great place. I saw parents and children interacting through imagination play and knew there was something amazing about this place.
Margie Tasseff
Market President, iHeart Media Ashland/Mansfield/Marion
Graduate of Ashland University
Community Involvement: Member of Mansfield Rising Committee 2018, TWIN organization
Bio: I began my career as Account Executive in 1987 with WMAN an Y105. I was promoted to Sales Manager in 1994, then became Market President in 2011 for Ashland/Mansfield. In 2021, I became Market President for Marion, in addition to current market. I oversee ten radio stations and digital platforms in Mansfield and Marion, Ohio – stations include Y105, WMAN, WNCO-FM/AM, WSWR, WFXN, and WXXF in the Mansfield area.
I am married to Lee Tasseff and have two adult children, Natalie and Grant. Both children had very rewarding internships at Little Buckeye Children’s Museum during their college education. In addition, iHeart Media sponsors the Red Carpet Photo Booth Exhibit at the Museum.
Barrett Thomas, Treasurer
Director of Economic Development, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development
Bachelor of Science in Business Systems, Taylor University
Master of Business Administration, Taylor University
Community Involvement: Richland Community Development Group, Destination Mansfield Richland County, Mosaic Mansfield, Friends of Sterkel Park, Richland County Growth Corporation
Bio: My wife and I moved to Mansfield for a job during the worst of the 2008 recession, and we weren’t sure how long we would be living in the area. More than ten years and two children later, the quality of life in Richland County has made me a believer in all that our community has to offer. I spend my days working toward creating more economic opportunities in our community and my evenings and weekends living the high life with my wife and two amazing kids. We regularly enjoy local gems like Final Friday concerts at the Brickyard, The Renaissance Theater, Mansfield Motor Speedway, The Ohio Bird Sanctuary, the Richland Carousel, Apple Hill Orchard, pontooning on the local reservoirs, and, of course, the Buckeye Imagination Museum. I wanted to join the board primarily because my kids love the museum, and secondly because I’m impressed with its commitment to play.
