Three honored for vision, creativity & community involvement
SHELBY — The North Central Ohio Hall of Excellence benefitting the North Central State College Foundation will be held Friday night at the James W. Kehoe Center 175 Mansfield, Ave.
This invitation-only event will honor three north central Ohio residents whose vision, creativity, and community involvement exemplify excellence in our region.
The 2022 honorees are: Brigitte Coles, Doug Leuthold and Dan Seckel.
The keynote Speaker is Tina Husted. The event will also feature Miss Ohio Lora Current and local media personality, Chelley Kemper.
Cross section of community
The three honorees represent a wonderful cross-section of our community and how they have supported their neighbors through servant leadership, according to the college.
Seckel is principal partner, The Seckel Group.
Seckel is considered one of the leading architects in Ohio. He excels at providing up-to-date spaces while honoring and preserving the history of the architecture, according to his the college.
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His love for the community is evidenced by his involvement, participation, and leadership of dozens of organizations and initiatives throughout the area. He has been the architect for many of the gems which serve as attractions for Mansfield and the surrounding area: Kingwood Center and Gardens, The Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio State Reformatory, and of course the Carrousel, and much of the revitalization of Mansfield (including the Brickyard).
He also provided leadership to the renovation of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, a project of personal importance as a graduate of St. Peter’s school.
Seckel still involved in projects
Though semi-retired, Dan continues to be involved in projects throughout the area.
Dan and his wife, Shelley, continue to call Mansfield home.
Doug Leuthold, founder, Advanced Fiber Technology, Bucyrus
Leuthold is a pioneer in recycled fiber solutions across a host of industries. He served as president of Advanced Fiber Technology during a period of tremendous growth, spearheading the company’s entrance into the cellulose insulation industry. This led to global opportunities in Finland, Germany, Japan, and the Czech Republic. Leuthold sold the company in 2018, however, he continues to provide operational support.
He is involved in countless organizations throughout Crawford County. He was an early proponent of the WAGE and Leader in Me programs for children attending area schools. The WAGE program encouraged students and area faculty to tour local companies, explore the types of careers available to residents, and discuss how to help prepare students to become future leaders in those industries.
He has served multiple leadership roles in the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association. Locally, he was integral in the development of the Bucyrus YMCA. In addition to serving on the YMCA Board, he serves as a board member for the Crawford County Community Foundation, the executive committee of the Crawford County Partnership, and is past president of the Crawford County Development Board.
He has received numerous industry and community recognitions throughout his career.
Doug resides in West Chester, Ohio, and enjoys extended stays in Sedona, Arizona.
Brigitte Coles, public information and community outreach specialist, Richland County Children Services
Coles is an award-winning TV broadcaster, author, inspirational speaker, and humanitarian. She worked as a well-loved personality on the local TV station, adding her voice to help amplify the message of countless companies and organizations working to improve north central Ohio.
A founding member of We ACT
As a community leader, she works tirelessly to improve communications between groups of individuals who come from different backgrounds and cultures. She is proud to be a founding member of We Act, a community organization created to address global and regional issues including community and police relations, systemic racism, poverty, and healthcare disparities, that responds to community needs … with love, peace, respect, and understanding.
In 2016, Coles was diagnosed with histoplasmosis. The public outpouring of support and love for Brigitte was continuous throughout her battle with cancer. Today, she is living life to the fullest using her experience to encourage others that they have the power to overcome life’s challenges and be courageous in the face of adversity.
Brigitte resides in Ontario with her husband Samuel.
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
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