Growing up in a small Texas town with parents who both loved history, historic buildings as well as spending much of his childhood in the family’s historic feed store, propelled Marcus into Historic Preservation. Marcus attended Baylor University in Waco, TX, where he earned a BBA degree in real estate, then he went on to earn a Master Historic Preservation degree from the University of Georgia. Marcus has since served as historic preservation officer in Plano, TX, as senior planner in Dallas, TX, and as the state Certified Local Governments coordinator at the Texas Historical Commission in Austin, as well as managing his family’s ranch land. Now, Marcus is excited to be in Columbus and part of the German Village Society! he is looking forward to helping villagers with decisions regarding the preservation of their houses and assisting in navigating the German Village Commission’s approval process.
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Rachel moved to Columbus the summer 2021 with her husband and two daughters, after almost 20 years of calling Los Angeles home. In LA she worked for a noted botanical garden in Education and Public Programming as a coordinator and educator. Rachel and her family are enjoying discovering the city and all it has to share. Rachel has been an admirer of the village since her parents put down roots here 20 years ago. "German Village has such a sense of place and an energy that is contagious." Ms. Lewellen is thrilled to begin her journey in the Columbus community as a part of the GVS team. Rachel is enjoying getting to know the GV residents and how her experiences can help enhance the organization.
Chris Hune returned to the Board in 2019 diving in to serve as Vice President, chair Development committee and the 2020 Haus und Garten Committee. Chris is no stranger to the Haus und Garten Tour, having chaired the event in the past and served on the committee for several years. She was also the co-chair of 1st annual Monster Bash and has since served as a stop for the event throughout the years. Other committees Chris has lent her time and talents to include Civic Relations and Historic Preservation. Chris can be found supporting most German Village Society and German Village partner organization events as a guest or volunteer. She is also very active in the central Ohio community volunteering and serving on other nonprofit boards.
Anne McGee has lived in German Village since August, 2017. Having spent most of her life in Huntington, WV. Anne and her husband, Bill, moved to Columbus for his job at Encova Insurance. They have three sons who are partially launched and living in Chicago, Washington DC and Huntington, WV. Anne, a graduate of Boston College and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, briefly practiced law in WV with a primary focus on commercial litigation. Over the years Anne has volunteered in many capacities and served on multiple community nonprofit boards. As a former director and founder of a community coalition, Anne has experience in communications, grant writing, organizing and facilitating community outreach and strategic planning. Since moving to Columbus, Anne has volunteered weekly in the visitor center and performs the house history research for the GVS plaque project.
Darci Congrove has lived in German Village since 1993 and has been actively involved with the German Village Society for the last fifteen years. She and her husband, John Pribble, got involved with the German Village Business Community group when they opened their bed & breakfast, the German Village Guest House, in 2005. The German Village Guest House is home to the event that Darci and John created. TEA 43206 raises money for the Fund for Historic Preservation, also established by Darci and John, which provides funding for historic preservation programs and projects. Since established, the Fund for Historic Preservation has launched The Brickline, an interpretive trail of historic story-telling signs, as well as an historic house plaque program. As a previous GVS board member, Darci found the work to be deeply satisfying and has returned for another term. She is committed to bringing whatever skills and knowledge she can provide to assist the GVS and the neighborhood in continuing the course to thrive for the next 60 years. This would be in addition to her previous service including: serving on the Haus und Garten committee since 2010, hosting 14 PreTour dinners, and service on various other GVS committees and events. During Darci’s pervious term on German Village Society’s Board, she served as Treasurer, Vice President and President. Darci is primarily interested in bringing her skills and experience in the area of member, stakeholder and community engagement to the GVS this time around. She believes her knowledge of the organization’s history and operations, along with her relationships with a variety of members and stakeholders, can be useful as the GVS charts its path forward at this time in its history.
Bill Curlis has lived in German Village since 1990 and has been embedded in the neighborhood since. He has served the German Village Society in various capacities including Haus und Garten Tour and PreTour, Oktoberfest, Civic Relations, Historic Preservation Committee, Organizational Development Committee, Board of Trustees President and Secretary (where he is once again serving). Bill is also a regular weekend volunteer in the Meeting Haus Visitor’s Center.
Tim Bibler has lived in German Village since 1998 and also has been active with the German Village Society. Tim has served as a Board member, Board Executive Committee member, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, Parking Committee Chair, Streetscape Committee Chair, Preservation Committee member and ODC Committee member. Additionally, He has been a Home Tour volunteer for 20 years and has volunteered to work other events over the years including co-hosting PreTour dinners. In addition to an educational background that includes an MBA, Tim's work experience for over 25 years involved working with organizations that consisted of all-volunteer membership. Tim hopes to use both my work experience and my GVS experience, to continue advancing the organization’s efforts in preserving the historic character of German Village.
Beth Burson has been a volunteer and advocate of the German Village Society for many years. Returning to Columbus in 2012 after living down south for several years, she was eager to dive back into her involvement in German Village. Beth organizes and run a neighborhood group called Prost, that meets once a month somewhere local to encourage neighbors to get to know one another and share opportunities of involvement in our community. Ms. Burson was on the New Membership Committee under Susan Sutherland, helping to welcome new members to the village as they arrive with a gift basket of goodies from local businesses. She has been a longtime volunteer with the German Village Haus Und Garten Tour, serving as House Captain for the past 5 years. Beth has also served on the planning committee for the Art Crawl, Monster Bash and Village Lights. Most recently, she helped to organize a Village Moms Group, so that new moms can connect and find ways to introduce their little ones as well get to know one another. Beth is a longtime volunteer in Frank Fetch Park, serving on the watering team to keep the park always looking its best. She is an active German Village Garten Club member. Advocating for the German Village community has been a long-time passion of Her's, and she look forward to finding new ways to promote growth and opportunity. Outside of German Village activities, Beth has actively served on the board for AAF Columbus, to cultivate professional growth and networking amongst other agency and marketing professionals in Columbus. She works downtown for a local advertising agency as a Media Buyer and Planner and loves her job along with the creative avenues it has provided. She also participates in a local book club with a few village ladies, Beth says, "Although in all honestly, we mostly just enjoy a good bottle of wine and each other’s company." Beth is honored to be a part of the German Village Society and to see what exciting new opportunities are to come!
Mike Cornelis is a former GVS board member and board member emeritus who is returning to the board after an 11-year pause. Mike is currently a member of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee (PPSC), chairperson of the GV FUN Committee, and player / manager of the German Village 9 vintage baseball club. Mike and his wife, Susan Riley, served as Co-Chairs of the 2001 Haus und Garten tour, and have lived in German Village for 28 years.
"I love German Village and a huge part of that is the community," Andrea Ford Andrea believes that the German Village Society is an integral to that. She is looking forward to being involved more regularly. Ms. Ford chaired the 2019 Monster Bash and co-chaired 2021 Monster Bash with Natalie Brehm. She had the honor of being a stop in the 2017 Haus and Garten Tour. Andrea's past experiences include, serving in AmeriCorps as a Community Outreach coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Lee County Florida. Andrea is hopeful her skills and experience will help bring GVS involvement to newer German Village residents. She would love to see 100% involvement from our neighbors in the future.
Nelson Genshaft joined the Board in October 2018, after serving as Chair of the Civic Relations Committee since 2011. Civic Relations is responsible for dealing with government agencies, and Nelson and staff worked on the plan for extensive capital improvements to S. Third St, running from Livingston to Reinhard. Civic Relations also planned the use of over $1 million in funds allocated by the City from its Urban Infrastructure Renewal Fund, which were used to fix brick streets. While the Third St. project did not get funded by the City of Columbus, Nelson hopes it will come back to life some day and he can use his planning experience to move it forward. Nelson is a lawyer and practices at the Strip Hoppers firm, located across the street from the Meeting Haus. He has lived in the Village since 2007, after raising 3 kids in Bexley. He and his wife Carole, a Curator at the Columbus Museum of Art, and a large red Goldendoodle named Oliver live near Schiller Park and enjoy walks there and in all the Metro Parks. Nelson tries to play golf, although badly and the family enjoys skiing in Colorado, where their children and grandchildren live. Carole serves on the Arts Committee of the German Village Society, and their home on E Whittier has been on the tour two times. Nelson will try to bring his problem solving skills and experience from other volunteer boards (Columbus Bar Association, where he was President in 2007-08, and the Jewish Community Center where he chairs the Aquatics Committee) to look at local issues.
Jessica Kapusta is from Cleveland, lived in Cincinnati, and landed in German Village 3 years ago. She has a strong record of volunteer activities and, just like everywhere she’s been, jumped into giving back as soon as she arrived in Columbus. She immediately recognized German Village was a special place and started by supporting events such as Monster Bash, The Haus & Garten Tour, and even creating her own fundraiser. Personally, Jessica is a small business owner and consultant. She has been creating content for natural food brands’ websites, social media, and print for 5 years. In that time she has managed to master online communication and built solid technological skills. This is her first time serving on the board of a non-profit and she is excited to lend her skills to this vibrant community. Jessica currently serves as the chair of the German Village Business Community.
Kathleen Kaufman has been participating in events with GVS (German Village Society) since 2018, she helped host Monster Bash 2018, and recently joined the GVS finance committee. She is passionate about German Village, and believes it is a special, unique community, and is looking forward to participating and contributing to furthering GVS’s mission. Kathleen has about 9 years of public accounting experience, all with Ernst & Young’s Columbus office, in the audit practice. In addition to Finance committee related contributions through my accounting background, she also enjoys being creative and executing events. At EY, Kathleen is the Professional Women’s Network Chair, which involves an element of event planning and creativity, as well as encouraging participation and involvement from our local office.
In 1977 Jim purchased his home in German Village and has been active in the community since then. He quickly gained an appreciation for the GVS (German Village Society) mission, especially historic preservation, and the many community activities. Jim Nichols and Tammi Hall were the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 German Village Garten Tour. Jim has volunteered for over 30 years for the Haus und Garten Tour, mostly in tickets and cash management with several years in operations. Tammi and Jim’s home was on the 2016 H&G Tour, and they hosted H&G Pre-Tour dinners. He also volunteered 20 years for Octoberfest, mostly as Chair of the Volunteer Check-In Committee (10 years) and Chair of the Tickets and Cash Management Committee (8 years). Jim is one of the founding Board members and sponsors of Village Connections. As well as supporter and sponsor for GV Garden Club, Tea 43206, Friends of Schiller, GVS H&G Tour and Village Connections. Art Crawl volunteer. Tammi and Jim have provided items for GV organizations silent actions. He is a past and current GVS Board member, GVS Finance Committee (29 years), GVS Long Range Planning Committee (20 years), GVS Meeting Haus Maintenance Committee (1 year) and GVS H&G Planning Committee (1 year). Long time Chair of the GVS Elections Committee. Graduate of The Ohio State University with a major in Finance from the College of Business. Jim retired from a long career in finance and management and currently does consulting for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Jim is currently and, in the past, has served on several Central Ohio non-profit Boards and for-profit corporate Boards. Through the years he has acquired an in-depth knowledge about the GVS and the GV community. Mr. Nichols states, “I strongly believe in maintaining/increasing property values, increasing community safety, improving our infrastructure and quality services for the GVS members in addition to continuing GVS fiscal integrity and transparency.” Jim hopes to continue to promote GVS members and community engagement while serving on the board.
Anthony has been a proud renter, landlord and owner in the village for over a decade. He seeks ways to foster friendship comradery and community with all neighbors. Mr. Meyer want to champion the rich history of our architecture and efforts of our preservationists. He is currently a member of the Civic Relations Committee. Anthony participated on team and led the '20 & '21 Holiday Lights Competition app. Anthony and his husband Tyler had their home at 626 S 5th on Haus und Garten Tour in '19. Anthony served as members of the '17 Monster Bash committee and the winning stop in '18. As Director, Global Logistics Operations at Cardinal Health Anthony has honed leadership skills and program/project management tools and techniques necessary to execute on time and within budget. He completed 5 years as Chair of PROUD ERG where he developed teams and strategies. Anthony most recently chaired the 61st Haus und Garten Tour!
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Tim moved with with his family to German Village in 1978 and never left. Tim received a degree in journalism and a Masters in Business Administration from The Ohio State University while working at his family's business. In the early 90's he took over as president and worked there until 2017 when his family sold the company and he took an unexpectedly early retirement. Tim is married to Giancarlo Miranda and they have a dog, Bruno. Tim is also a docent at the Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art. Because Tim has lived in the neighborhood for most of his life, his involvement with the German Village Society has ranged from a previous five-year stint on the Board of Trustees to involvement in many events and committees. Tim has chaired the Haus und Garten Tour, Pre-Tour, Village Valuables and was previously on the Organizational Development Committee among others. You can find Tim Monday mornings volunteering in the Visitors' Center at the Meeting Haus.
Jim Penikas first came to Columbus as an OSU student in 2005 and has lived in German Village for more than 7 years. He began volunteering at the Haus und Garten tour, Meeting Haus Tailgate series events and a Sidewalk Repair, Bricks 102 Workshop. This led to him joining the Long Range Planning Committee and Monster Bash Planning Committee. Jim currently serves on the Organizational Development Committee, the Vision Task Force and as co-chair for German Village’s annual Monster Bash along with his wife, Sarah. Jim is a process engineer in the chemical industry where he works on continuous improvement efforts. He takes that same approach with his community involvement, always looking for ways to increase the charm of German Village to both residents and visitors for many years to come.
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