05/29/2026
Still reflecting on yesterday’s OEDF 2026 Annual Meeting and feeling incredibly grateful for the people and organizations that continue showing up for this community.
A huge thank you to Industrial Power Systems for hosting and to our sponsors — Toledo Refining Company, Cenovus Energy, Jeffers Crane Service, Inc., Mannik & Smith Group, and Danny’s Café in Rossford — for helping make the day such a success.
Thank you as well to our Energy Panel speakers:
Scott Hayes, Hans Rosebrock, Heidi Hurst, Tom Susor, and Tommy Young for sharing your insight and perspective on the future of energy, infrastructure, and growth across Northwest Ohio.
We were also grateful to hear from Brody Walters, the City of Oregon’s new City Administrator, Jeff Straka, incoming Superintendent of Oregon City Schools, and Scott Sands from Auditor Keith Faber’s office. Having leaders from government, education, and regional organizations all part of the conversation is exactly what strengthens communities long-term.
Danny’s put together an amazing spread for the networking reception, and The Chocolate Cart added such thoughtful touches that made the evening feel even more special.
And to Lindsey, Nate, Ian, and Kyla at IPS — thank you for every detail, every conversation, and the care you put into making this event happen. Your support, professionalism, and belief in this organization never go unnoticed, and I’m forever grateful for all of you.
At a time where division can feel like the easier path, yesterday was a reminder that there are still people willing to sit at the same table, have real conversations, support each other’s work, and keep building anyway.
That’s what stood out most to me.
Not the stage.
Not the presentations.
Not the attendance numbers.
It was the feeling in the room.
A room full of people from different industries, backgrounds, organizations, and perspectives — all choosing to invest their time, energy, ideas, and belief into something bigger than themselves.
And honestly, communities do not move forward without that.