Advisor to the Board
Howard taught biology and earth science at Loudonville High School and then spent 30 years at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, as a regional naturalist and planning section administrator. Howard is an avid birder and participates in wild bird research, including breeding bird surveys, point counts and Christmas bird counts with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Audubon Society. A resident of Knox County since 1980, Howard is very interested in the conservation of farmlands, open spaces, waterways, wetlands and natural areas throughout the county.
Advisor to the Board
Ray first arrived in Knox County in 1964, where he still resides with his wife, Pat. He enjoys visiting and photographing Knox County’s natural areas. Ray is a Professor Emeritus of Biology and Environmental Studies at Kenyon College; a co-founder of the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College; a co-founder of the Environmental Studies Program at Kenyon College; and a Board member of the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association.
Advisor to the Board
Mark is a lifelong resident of Mount Vernon. He started his banking career after graduating from Kenyon College, and retired from his position as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at First-Knox National Bank in 2015. He is a member of the Board for "Diversified Products and Services" at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center and past Co-Chair of the United Way Campaign (2009). He retired from the YMCA board after 25 years of service. Mark is an avid fisherman and kayaker who has spent much of his life exploring and fishing the Kokosing Valley. He became a grandfather for the first time in January 2015.
Advisor to the Board
Sally is a self-described "recovering CPA" who retired from the accounting life after the 2016 tax season. She volunteers for Food for the Hungry and the Schnormeier Gardens Foundation; is a past chair and treasurer of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce; past president and treasurer of the United Way of Knox County and Psi Iota Xi; past Board Member of the Knox County Foundation; and a past member of the Rotary Club and Foundation.
Advisor to the Board
Gordy is the retired past president of the First-Knox National Bank in Mount Vernon. He served as Chairman of the First-Knox Board for ten years and was a member of the Farmers and Savings Bank Board in Loudonville for thirty years. Prior to joining First-Knox in 1978, he was employed for seven years by the public accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand in Columbus. Gordy has volunteered his time and talent with numerous organizations, including: Knox Community Hospital, Trustee and Board Chairman; Area Development Foundation of Knox County, Trustee and Board Chairman; Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Board Member; Mount Vernon and Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member; Mount Vernon Rotary Club and Foundation, Club President and Foundation Chairman; Central Ohio Technical College, Mount Vernon Campus Advisory Board, Trustee and Board Chairman; United Way of Knox County, 24-year Treasurer; Village Network/Knox County Children's Resource Center, Advisory Board Member; Mount Vernon City Income Tax Appeals Board, Board Chairman, and Salvation Army, Board Member. Gordy holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Ohio University and was a certified public accountant. He and his wife, Fran, live in Mount Vernon and are the proud parents of Jennifer and Justin.