Meet the Visit Wabash County Board
Jan Roland | Board President | Community Volunteer
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I serve on the board because I love working with the VWC team to showcase all Wabash County has to offer. I love interacting with the other Board members, working together on our projects, and making Wabash County an even better place to live, work, and play.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? My favorite thing about Wabash is the people and the sense of community that we have in this county. People are so willing to help each other, and the positive atmosphere is just outstanding.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? My go-to favorite thing to eat is the Breaded Tenderloin and Kettle Chips at Harry’s Old Kettle Pub & Grill. (Don’t tell my doctor)
Beth Gillespie | Vice President | Lagro Canal Foundation
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? VWC is an integral part of Wabash County’s success. They promote the entire county. I believe in their philosophy and enjoy being a part of their accomplishments.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? Wabash County has a myriad of natural amenities and they educate and encourage the communities to utilize them.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? While there are many fun and unique places that I could mention, I would be remiss if I didn’t confess that I enjoy the lip-smacking smoked wings at the 50 Speakeasy on Monday evenings.
Howard Kaler | Treasurer | Charley Creek Inn
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I serve on the VWC Board of Directors because we, including the entire VWC Team, strive for excellence in everything we do, for mediocrity has no place in the pursuit of success. Secondly, we as a Board, make no attempt to micromanage the organization.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? My favorite thing about Wabash County is the diversified natural landscape – the lakes, nature preserves, waterfalls, trails, and gardens.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? That would be the Beef Medallions at restaurant TWENTY in Charley Creek Inn!
Nate Fansher | Secretary | Crossroads Bank
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? VWC’s impact on the communities in Wabash County is so visible that saying “yes” to the call to be part of the Board was an easy decision.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? I was “imported” to Wabash County originally to attend Manchester University (my diploma says “College” because I’m old), and I was taken by the natural and manmade assets that Wabash County has compared to other counties of similar size and geography. The County was welcoming and allowed me to get involved early.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? My daughters will disown me if I don’t pick something from the Mi Pueblo menu, but it’s hard to beat a Pizza King pizza or any of the Market Street Grill burgers. There’s a decent chance you’ll find me in the Charley Creek Inn’s Wine & Cheese Shoppe for a bourbon pour or Partners in Crime for a cocktail before dinner, though.
Adam Stakeman | Director | J.M. Reynolds Oil Company
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? Giving back to the community in which I live is important to me. Doing so by serving on the VWC board and volunteering in other capacities within the organization has been a rewarding experience.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? I love the small communities that make up our county. They are each unique in their own ways, however, yet work together for the benefit of the county as a whole.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? A Butterfinger Cannonball from White Rock Recreation or an Apple Fritter from Mike & Roxy’s Donut Shop 😜
Jennifer Bailey | Director | The Sanctuary, Geronimo & Carriage House
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I serve on the VWC Board because of my huge respect for Christine Flohr, our Executive Director AND all of the great work she and her team do here in Wabash County! I’m also on the board because I believe in the vision VWC has for our community! I have several businesses that rely heavily on tourism and like many small business owners, I have had lots of questions over the years that I didn’t have answers to! It doesn’t matter which employee you contact at VWC, they will all drop everything to help business owners, tourists, and normal everyday people from our community! Being a small part of the VWC inner workings is gratifying! This dynamic team truly wants the best for all of us and for the wonderful town of Wabash that we call home! Working with these ladies at Visit Wabash County from a board member standpoint to a local business owner standpoint has really brought my thought process full circle regarding how best to continue the growth of Wabash County. Each board meeting is perfectly curated to be efficient, organized, and thorough which makes for an overall great experience from a board member standpoint.
Brittany Rager | Director | Brandt’s Harley-Davidson
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I enjoy being able to play a small part in growing our county tourism and I love the chance to work alongside our amazing board and VWC team!
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? The people in our community.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? It’s a tie between BK Rootbeer dogs and root beer and Harry’s Old Kettle Pub & Grill Pastor Brad burger.
Keli Cordill | Director | Tri Oaks Realty
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I volunteer to make a difference! Our community is only as strong as the business leaders’ involvement in it.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? The rivers and the reservoirs
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? Chicken Salad Panini at Travel Bee Coffee House in North Manchester.
Deb Conner | Director | Hopewell Barn & Hopewell House
Why do you serve on the VWC Board? I like the energy and enthusiasm Visit Wabash County brings to the promotion of tourism to Wabash County. Without VWC’s efforts, Wabash County would be a much less interesting place to live.
What is your favorite thing about Wabash County? My favorite thing about Wabash County is the community’s vision and involvement in preserving the history and structures for future enjoyment.
What is your go-to dish at a local eatery in Wabash County? My favorite go-to dish is the tossed salad and potato skins from Goodfella’s Pizza.
