Leadership
LEADERSHIP
Staff
Jesse Rothacher
Park Manager
Jesse Rothacher has been the Park Manager at the Tuscarawas County Park Department since 2019. Prior to this, he volunteered for TuscParks, the Friends of Tusc Parks, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition to develop recreational trails and green space in Tuscarawas County. He has a BS in Conservation Biology from Kent State University.
Marsha Freeland
Programming/Education Manager
Marsha Freeland has been affiliated with the Norma Johnson Center since February of 2005. In November of 2021, she became the Programming/Education Manager for the Tuscarawas County Park Department. For the last several years she has spearheaded programs and events that continually involves the community at the NJC. Marsha has degrees in education from The Ohio State University and Walden University.
Craig Howell
Maintenance Manager
Craig Howell was hired by the Tuscarawas County Park Department in 2021 as Maintenance Manager. He is well versed in heavy equipment operation, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and landscaping. Craig has an Associates from Hocking Technical College in Recreation and Wildlife Management/Natural Resources and has worked as a Backcountry Ranger at Glacier National Park.
Governing Board members
Tuscarawas County Commissioners
Mitch Pace; Greg Ress; Kristin Zemis
Partnering Organizations
Norma Johnson Conservation Center Foundation Board Members
Francis Brogan, Chairman; Marsha Freeland, Vice Chairman; Trevor Renz, Treasurer; Mary Jo Hanlon, Secretary; Howard Wise; Shirley Everhart; Dan Donato; Hannah Haga; Trista Recchiuti
We are currently looking for Foundation Board members. To be a board member your volunteer duties would be to serve on committees and actively be involved in projects at the Norma Johnson Center. These duties could include manual labor, fundraising, presentations, grant writing to name a few. Other responsibilities would include volunteering at various events at the NJC. Attend a monthly board meetings which falls on the fourth Wednesday of each Month at 5PM. Meeting will be held at the Norma Johnson Center or at the TuscParks office located at the Brandywine Center on Old SR 39.
Interested in joining the board? Click the button below!
Contributions
Fundraising efforts are handled by the Tuscarawas County Parks Department and the Norma Johnson Center Foundation Board to support the NJC mission.
Staff
Marsha Freeland
Director
Marsha Freeland joined the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District staff as the Norma Johnson Director in February of 2005. For the last several years she has spearheaded programs that continually involves the community at the NJC. Marsha has degrees in education from The Ohio State University and Walden University. She has worked as Project Reach Director at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum and as a teacher in the Harrison Hills School District. Marsha and her family live near Gnadenhutten, Ohio.
Kris Kahler
Grounds
When you visit the Norma Johnson Center you may see a man riding around on a mower, the Kawasaki Mule or fishing at the ponds on his day off. His name is Kris Kahler and he is the maintenance man and groundskeeper. Kris is busy keeping the trails mowed and the property looking its best. His daughter Brooklyn is usually working beside him during the summer months volunteering at the NJC. If you see him during your visit stop and say Hi. We are honored to have Kris on our staff.
Governing Board members
Tuscawaras County SWCD Board Members
Melvin Lahmers; Matt Leggett; Bob Demuth, Treasurer; Eric Quillin; Lee Finley.
Norma Johnson Center Board Members
Mary Jane John; Renee Clark; Kip Brady; Bob Demuth; Shirley Everhart; Marissa Lautzenheiser; Cody Kiser; Jesse Kandel; Howard Wise; Penny Triplett; Het Sabo.
Tuscarawas County Commissioners
Chris Abbuhl; Al Landis; Joe Sciarretti.
All fundraising efforts are handled by the NJC foundation board and support the NJC mission.
Interested in joining the board? Click the button below!