Ellen Heinz, M.Ed., OhioCED
President & CEO
Ellen Heinz serves as the President & CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, leading the organization with a wealth of experience in economic development, collaboration, and community engagement.
Ellen was born in Saginaw, Michigan, and her mother and father started their excavating and contracting business out of their home when she was an infant. She grew up with great memories of her family’s focus on pouring their hearts and souls into growing the company and supporting their employees.
Moving to Ohio in 2001, Ellen has been a catalyst for significant achievements. As the Ohio Economic Development Representative for Ohio and recently added Indiana at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Ellen earned two national awards in 2023 for her pivotal role in supporting communities and exceptional customer service. Ellen worked with applicants nationwide to help them apply for millions of dollars in public works projects. Before joining EDA, she also received Innovation and Pushing the Envelope awards.
Ellen’s background includes time in the public, non-profit, and private sectors, focusing on economic development, workforce development, and human resources. Most recent non-profit and public positions in addition to EDA include Executive Director for Norwalk Economic Development Corporation and Safety Service Director for the City of Norwalk, overseeing four departments.
Ellen earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Ashland University and was the Workforce Development Director at North Central State College. She was also a teacher in the public school system and in Japan.
Roles in the private sector include Vice President of Corporate Development, HR Manager for U.S. operations, and Vice President of Human Resources at manufacturing companies in Ohio.
Ellen’s extensive experience showcases her ability to drive success across multiple sectors and in diverse capacities.
Ellen enjoys traveling, bowling, attending Dave Matthew’s concerts, pickleball, community service, wallyball, teambuilding, golf, soccer, and video creation. Her diverse interests reflect her well-rounded approach to life and her commitment to fostering a positive and engaging work environment at Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.
Angie Cirone, CCLP
Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation Director
Angie Cirone serves as the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation Director. She facilitates Leadership Unlimited, Engage Richland, Young Leaders Institute, and other events to meet the needs of our growing region. She enjoys building relationships with leaders and forming partnerships with organizations.
As a Certified Community Leadership Practitioner, Angie guides community members toward meaningful connection, collaboration, and engagement with one another and the broader community. Her designations as a Wiley Trained LPI® Coach and Certified Practitioner of The Leadership Challenge® enable her to provide deeper insights to leadership program participants. Angie is Microsoft TechSpark Fellow, empower her to develop digital skilling programs for youth and adults.
Before joining the Chamber in 2022, Angie worked in revenue-generating leadership roles at Richland Source and Source Brand Solutions. She also worked for Ashland Theological Seminary, Cleveland State University, and John Carroll University in fundraising, sales, and programming roles. Angie graduated from John Carroll University (M.A) and Muskingum University (B.A.)
Originally from the Cleveland area, Angie moved to north central Ohio in 2014. She serves on the board of directors for the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, United Way of Ashland County, and Friends of Ashland Seminary.
Angie lives in Ashland with her husband and twin children. They enjoy visiting the many area attractions and outdoor recreation spaces.
Donnie Clark
Economic Development Project Manager
Donnie Clark serves the area as the Economic Development Project Manager for the Richland Community Development Group. He is a proud repatriate, moving back to the area after a national public relations career focusing on clients in the motorsports, financial and healthcare industries.
Donnie has helmed several successful startups, most notably the award-winning Elzy Milling & Trade and Elzy Farms. Civic involvement has included Board of Director positions with Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Idea Works, Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain and Clear Fork Band Boosters. He is also a Richland County Regional Planning Commission member and assists with various other economic development initiatives.
A graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Donnie was born in Shelby and raised in the Clear Fork Valley where he now lives with wife Jamie and their children Maddie and Cael. In fact, both Donnie and Jamie graduated from Ohio U. in 1998, and both kids are currently attending!
When he’s not serving customers from the historic eight-building, two-block Elzy retail and manufacturing campus in downtown Bellville or working countywide with area officials on RCDG economic projects, he’s likely to be found fly fishing the Clear Fork River or questioning his love of the Cleveland Browns.
Lisa Duckworth
Program & Events Director
Lisa Duckworth is the Program & Events Director for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. If you attended one of the over 50 events we hosted last year, you might have met Lisa! She says, “I love planning and attending to all of the details that make events special and watching the event unfold from an idea to completion.”
Lisa is a Mansfield native and has lived here most of her life. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Wildlife Management. She lives on a hobby farm in Richland County with her husband and two children. Lisa and her daughter breed and raise registered pygmy goats and travel all over the country showing them.
An employee with the Chamber since 2016, Lisa is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Unlimited, and an active member of the Mansfield Chapter of Altrusa International.
Angie Fanello
Member Engagement & Special Projects Coordinator
Angie Fanello serves as the Member Services & Special Projects Coordinator at the Richland AreaChamber & Economic Development, where she plays a vital role in supporting members and drivingcommunity engagement. Her responsibilities include assisting members with promoting their businesseson the Chamber website, overseeing the creation of the annual Community Guide, coordinating eventplanning efforts, and supporting the RCDG Community Sectors. Having been with the Chamber since2007, Angie is our longest-serving staff member.
A graduate of Shelby High School, Angie began her academic journey at The Ohio State University –Mansfield, earning an Associate of Arts in Business. She then transferred to Virginia Wesleyan Collegein Norfolk/Virginia Beach, where she completed her degree in Business. Angie is also a 2017 graduateof Leadership Unlimited.
Outside of work, Angie is married and has two daughters, both of whom completed the College Nowprogram at NC State and recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati. She also has a belovedrescue Doberman. A passionate Cleveland Indians fan and Ohio State Buckeyes enthusiast, Angieenjoys cheering on her teams—Go Tribe! O-H!
Kathy Fox
Front Office & Sectors Coordinator
Born and raised in Shelby, Kathy began her career at Shelby Insurance Company in various positions including Liability Claims Representative and Commercial Lines Underwriting Technician acquiring several insurance designations. When Shelby Insurance closed its doors, she was hired at the Chamber as Office Manager working almost 14 years before retiring. Kathy missed Chamber life, especially interacting with people, so she jumped at the chance to return to the Chamber to work part time as Front Office Coordinator. Kathy answers the phone, greets visitors, and assists Ashley Meyer and fellow workers with various projects. Kathy has volunteered and served on several committees supporting the Richland County community. She is a member of the Shelby Foundation 100 Women.
Kathy is married to her high school sweetheart, Leonard, a bee keeper and retired farmer. They have two married daughters and four grandsons. Besides enjoying nature from their deck, working on projects, traveling (made it to Alaska twice since retired), they like spending time with their family and friends at their lake house and farm.
Jessica Gribben
Economic & Community Development Director
Jessica Gribben, OhioCED, is the Economic and Community Development Director with the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. With a background in real estate sales and banking, Jessica has thoroughly enjoyed transitioning these areas of expertise into economic and community development work in the City of Shelby and Richland County.
Jessica is driven by her desire to create positive changes in the community and create an eco-system that supports the growth of high-wage, high-skill jobs to create lasting impact. Jessica is a holistic economic development practitioner that looks at every opportunity from Main Street to large-scale industrial growth and attraction, to finding ways to create opportunities to support workforce housing development.
As a state-Certified Economic Developer, Jessica is inspired by leaving the world better than she found it for the two boys who call her mom, which is her favorite title.
Clint Knight
Workforce Development Director
Clint J. Knight is the Workforce Development Director at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. With over 15 years in Management, Recruiting, and Staffing, Clint has a passion for Employee Development and Education as a Pipeline for the Workforce of the Future.
With a degree in Music, Clint has a unique perspective on identifying resources to obtain the necessary skills to be successful in a variety of settings. As a Recruiter and Human Resources Professional in the Software Development, Retail, and Restaurant realms, he has helped employees navigate their careers in a variety of settings. Clint is one of “Richland County’s top 10 Under 40” and a current participant in the U.S. Chamber’s Business Leads Cohort.
Sandy Messner
Marketing & Communications Director
Sandy Messner is the Marketing & Communications Director at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. Sandy oversees the marketing and communications efforts at the Chamber, including branding, social media, strategy, advertising, digital marketing, and communications.
Having worked previously as the Marketing Analyst for Gorman-Rupp Pumps, and as Marketing Director for Mad-Fit and Budokai Martial Arts, Sandy is excited to bring her digital marketing love and experience to our team. Sandy earned both her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Master of Business Administration from Franklin University.
Originally from Colorado, Sandy moved to Mansfield in her early 20s, where she fell in love with the area’s history and growth story. When not working, Sandy enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two sons, and three “bonus” daughters. Sandy’s hobbies include hiking, traveling, martial arts, and working out at Mad-Fit, the local fitness center she and her husband own.
Barrett Thomas
Senior Director of Economic Development
Barrett is an experienced communicator, project manager, and strategist. Driven by a passion to improve his community, he takes pride in leveraging the best resources available for local businesses. His goals include seeing local companies grow, attracting new businesses to the area, and actively supporting community projects with significant economic impact.
Barrett has been with RCDG & the Chamber since 2016, has over 8 years of experience in economic development in the areas of entrepreneurship and small business lending programs, and has a variety of international experience. Barrett is an Ohio Certified Economic Developer, is listed on the 2019 top 50 Economic Developers in North America by Consultant Connect, holds an MBA, and a BS in Business Systems from Taylor University.
He lives in Mansfield with his wife and two children.
Evan Stuart
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Evan Stuart is the Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. In this role, he helps members promote their businesses through sponsored email blasts, as well as other digital marketing, under the mentorship of Marketing & Communications Director Sandy Messner.
Evan was raised on a generational farm in northern Richland County and graduated from Crestview High School. He is working towards his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration-Marketing from North Central State College. After graduating in the spring of 2025, Evan plans to seek a Bachelor’s degree.
Tom Vanderhorst
Financial Specialist
Tom Vanderhorst brings more than 25 years of public-sector leadership experience to his role, with a focus on financial stewardship, strategic planning, and collaborative community development. Before joining our team, Tom served as the Executive Director of External Services and Finance Director for the City of Hamilton, Ohio, where he led transformational efforts that helped reinvent a legacy city through innovation, fiscal transparency, and major redevelopment projects, including the $150 million Spooky Nook sports complex.
He has held key financial leadership roles in cities across Ohio and Georgia, building a reputation for streamlining operations, leveraging economic development tools, and negotiating high-impact public-private partnerships. Tom has also taught public budgeting at the graduate level and served on numerous boards, including the Hamilton Parks Conservancy, the Community Improvement Corporation, and the Hamilton Community Foundation’s Investment Advisory Committee.
Tom earned both his Master of Public Administration and his BS in Financial Services from Wright State University. Outside the office, he is a legendary master of delivering dad jokes, enjoys cooking, gardening, all things finance, and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Corey and Kelsey.
Jennifer Wagner
Director of Member Engagement, Retention & Services
Jennifer Wagner is the Director of Member Engagement, Retention and Services at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. She leads the Chamber’s membership program and serves as the primary liaison for both prospective and existing members. She oversees member services, engagement initiatives, and retention programs to ensure a thriving and active membership base. Key responsibilities include fostering meaningful connections, addressing member needs, and delivering value-driven programs that support business growth and community involvement.
Jennifer is a TWIN (Tribute to Women & Industry) honoree and serves on the Board of Directors for the Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, as well as the Advisory Board for the Madison Adult Career Center. She is also a 2024 graduate of Leadership Unlimited. An active member of the First Congregational Church, Jennifer finds great joy and fulfillment in volunteering with individuals with disabilities. She currently dedicates her time at Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, where she was honored as the 2015 Volunteer of the Year.
Jennifer was born and raised in Mansfield and currently resides in Ontario. She and her husband, Blake, have three grown sons, and she treasures spending time with family and friends, traveling adventures, shopping, playing pinball, and cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes.