DCHA 2024-2024 Board of Directors
Kelsey Sommers Fox, President
United Way of Delaware County
Director of Housing & Community Solutions
Experience
Kelsey has spent her 14 year career working in non-profit and government agencies in the Central Ohio area, joining the United Way of Delaware County team in 2015. As Director of Housing & Community Solutions, she oversees the Delaware County Housing Alliance, Young Adult Transitional Living Program, Pathways to Hope rent and utility assistance program, and other affordable housing related projects. This includes managing federal and local grants, data collection and distribution, program implementation and outreach, and ongoing community partnerships.
Personal Information / Notes
Kelsey received a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Otterbein University. Kelsey, her husband, son, and three cats live in Delaware and enjoy hiking, kayaking, live music, and experiencing all the Delaware community has to offer.
Kassie Neff, Vice President
Delaware County Sheriff's Office
Criminal Justice Programs Manage
Experience
Kassie has spent her 10+ year career working in government focusing on criminal justice and mental health reform initiatives, joining the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in 2012. As Criminal Justice Programs Manager, she oversees inmate programming and mental health services in the jail. This includes managing federal and local grants, program development, data collection and distribution and community engagement. She is a Project Coordinator for Delaware County’s “Stepping Up Initiative”, modeled on a national program that reduces the number of offenders with mental illness in our jails and prisons while providing them with proper recovery treatment in a cost-effective manner.
Personal Information / Notes
Kassie received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ohio University. Kassie, her husband, three daughters and cat live in Delaware and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Nicholas Padavano, Secretary
Catalyst, Connector, & Change Agent
Experience
As a highly impactful retail store operations executive in the U.S. and Canada, Nick possesses a record of catalyzing business- critical transformations and growth for industry leaders, including Big Lots, Hudson's Bay Company, and Hills Department Stores. Nick spent almost a decade with Big Lots, most recently as EVP and Chief Stores Officer. Nick provided breakthrough thinking as the closeout operator moved to become more of a traditional low-cost retailer with a clear identity and thoughtfully curated assortments. As SVP of Store Operations with Hudson's Bay Company/Zellers, he fueled strong gains in profitability, loss prevention, store productivity, and customer engagement. Nick possesses a degree in retail management and a pedigree of professional development, including Gap International's renowned Executive Mastery and Executive Challenge/Breakthrough Thinking courses. We are pleased to add Nick’s experience to the Delaware County Housing Alliance, where he will play a key role in helping to overcome restrictive zoning and a lack of affordable housing in Delaware County.
Gina Grote, Treasurer
United Way of Delaware County
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Experience
In addition to the many volunteer positions she has held, her career as a CPA, tax advisor and business consultant for over 25 years has provided her with many opportunities to provide advisory services to nonprofit clients and donors. With this experience comes an excellent understanding of the unique governance, compliance, and financial issues that arise in nonprofit organizations. As a trusted advisor, Gina has worked with families and businesses to determine when and where to focus their charitable giving in line with their long-term goals and desired areas of impact.
Personal Information / Notes
Gina graduated from Kent State University with a bachelors of business administration. She and her husband, Bob, have called Delaware County "home" for 27 years. They have raised their three children here and have been actively engaged in the community, having spent many hours volunteering for various school, church, and fundraising organizations.
In 2011, she was asked to become a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). Through this involvement, Gina learned of the many needs and initiatives going on in her own back yard and cultivated some wonderful relationships in the community. She has been extremely involved with the United Way ever since and has accepted each challenge they have brought her way—from growing the WLN, to raising funds for Turning Point and, currently, raising awareness and funding for the Strengthening Families Center. She has experienced first-hand the unstoppable nature of a team connected with the common desire to help and make a positive impact.
John Bush
Evolved Global Logistics
President
Experience
Originally from Brookheaven Mississippi, John Bush is the product of hard work and determination. As an effort to give her family a better future John’s mother moved him and his sister from Mississippi to Ogden Utah. After growing up in Ogden and graduating from Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah, Bush signed a professional baseball contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a shortstop. John spent 3 years in the minor leagues 2 with the Dodgers and 1 with the Texas Rangers before an injury derailed his baseball path.
A broken wrist ended his baseball career however it opened the door to higher education and basketball. John spent the first two years of college at Weber State University as a walk on that made the basketball team. He transferred to Rocky Mountain College on full scholarship where he continued playing basketball and took his team to the national tournament and completed his college degree. Rocky Mountain College recognized John for his academic and athletic accomplishments by inducting him into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
While in college John worked nights at UPS unloading trailers on the night shift. It was John’s dedication and hard work that allowed him to matriculate through UPS. John spent 32 years at UPS and was successful in completing his Masters Degree in International Business that came in handy on his International rotation with UPS in Europe. After 32 years, countless promotions and numerous achievements, Bush retired from an Executive Leadership role in 2018.
Personal Information / Notes
John kept busy following retirement golfing and working with the United Way of Delaware County in Ohio as the Chairman of the board and to this date stays active as an executive on the United Way Board as well as an active member of The Delaware County Housing Alliance Board in Delaware Ohio.
Retirement did not last long as John accepted a job as the President of Evolve Global Logistics a third party logistics provider in Dublin Ohio where he still resides. John is married to Brenda, an incredible wife and mother to their two wonderful adult kids LaToya and Nicholas. In his spare time, John likes to golf, ride his motorcycle, and spend time with his family and grandkids.
Matthew Carter
University of Vermont Cancer Center
Quality Assurance Officer
Experience
Matthew Carter is a seasoned Quality Assurance Officer with over 23 years of experience in clinical trials and biomedical research support. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree, Matthew has developed a robust skill set in public speaking, health education, clinical research support, and auditing/monitoring. His expertise extends beyond his primary role, as demonstrated by his notable achievement as a TEDx speaker.
Currently, Matthew serves as the Quality Assurance Officer at the University of Vermont Cancer Center, where he ensures the highest standards in clinical research and supports critical advancements in cancer treatment. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to enhancing research quality and promoting health education.
Personal Information / Notes
Outside of his professional life, Matthew is an avid golfer and enjoys cooking. He values quality time with his family, balancing his career with personal passions and family life.
Matthew's extensive background and dedication to excellence make him a valuable asset to the Delaware County Housing Authority Board.
Kevin Curtis
Del-Mor Dwellings
Executive Director
Experience
Kevin Curtis is the Executive Director of Del-Mor Dwellings Corp., a distinguished nonprofit organization based in Delaware, Ohio, dedicated to providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with disabling mental illness. Under Kevin's leadership, Del-Mor Dwellings has continued its mission since 1990, offering high-quality, affordable housing and a range of supportive services aimed at fostering independent living skills and connecting residents with essential community resources, health care, and well-being programs.
Before joining Del-Mor Dwellings, Kevin gained valuable experience working with the Ohio Insurance Institute, Stand Together, and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Personal Information / Notes
A native of Central Ohio, Kevin attended the University of Kentucky before graduating from Bowling Green State University. He now resides in Hilliard, Ohio with his wife, Lora, and their four children: Emmett, Sutton, Shepard, and Marshall.
Jonathan Kabat
Delaware County
Economic Development Coordinator
Experience
Jonathan Kabat is the Economic Development Coordinator for Delaware County. He is originally from Willoughby, OH and graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in History. Jonathan then proceeded to work for Bowen National Research for several years, conducting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) feasibility studies all over the country. Following his time with Bowen he joined the team at Delaware County Economic Development and was responsible for publishing the county’s first ever Economic Development Housing Report. He believes that housing plays a key role in Economic Development and wants to find ways to collaborate with local organizations to marry the housing and Economic Development goals of the county.
Anna Kelsey
City of Delaware
Planning and Zoning Administrator
Experience
Anna Kelsey, AICP, is a Delaware native and serves as the Planning and Zoning Administrator for the City of Delaware. She serves the 45,000+ residents of the city by coordinating land development projects between private applicants and city Staff and assisting with long-range planning efforts. She is passionate about educating the public on the importance of planning issues and guiding responsible, equitable development. Anna has a B.S. In City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University and also serves as an at-large Board Member for the Central Ohio chapter of the American Planning Association.
Andy Volenik
Delaware County Transit
Executive Director
Experience
Andy has been a public servant since starting his career as a bus operator at the Central Ohio Transit Authority in 2009. During his public service career, transportation and transportation projects have coincided with development and growth of communities. Whether it was the City of Columbus densifying it's urban core through projects like the redevelopment of Franklinton, to COTA's Transit System Redesign, his role has always been how to support the movement of people to, from and within those spaces.
Transportation is often a top concern for citizens when we look at housing options - how are we going to get all of these new people through our community?
As the Executive Director of a transit agency, he brings perspective on how to best manage the growth and transportation concerns, and further, working directly in the Traffic Management section at the City of Columbus brings me even more perspectives to this conversation.
Personal Information / Notes
Andy's proudest achievement is raising his daughters, Camryn, Elaina, and Josephine in Delaware with his best friend and amazing partner of nearly 20 years, Amanda.