Courtney Thraen stepped into the Executive Director position at GVS in March 2025. Hailing from Coal City, Illinois, Courtney participated in the Navy ROTC program at The Ohio State University, where she received her commission into the U.S. Navy. Courtney鈥檚 active-duty service extended for seven years, including two overseas deployments as Ship鈥檚 Navigator aboard the USS MOMSEN (DDG 92) and as an instructor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Courtney supported fellow veterans as a disability claims processor at the Boston VA Regional Office, where she was named the employee of the year. She later served as a program coordinator within the City Planning division at Boston University, and she earned her city planning certification through the American Planning Association in 2021. For over four years, Courtney was Executive Director of Downtown Framingham, Inc., a non-profit Main Streets organization that demonstrated continued, measured success in placemaking, forging productive partnerships, demonstrating best practices for business attraction and retention, and amplifying area marketing. In this role, Thraen received numerous awards and citations, including the Emerging Leader Award from the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and the Woman Making History Now Award from Framingham State University. Courtney has also served as the Economic Development Manager at the City of Gahanna. Courtney most recently was the Director of Sector Partnerships at Aspyr (The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio), where she facilitated the Healthcare Career Collaborative of Central Ohio that won Ohio鈥檚 best workforce project in September 2024. Courtney holds a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Journalism from The Ohio State University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts 鈥� Dartmouth, a Master of City Planning from Boston University, a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and she is on track to earn an Executive MBA from the Fisher College of Business in April 2025.
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Rachel moved to Columbus in the summer of 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. 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. "帝王会所 has such a sense of place and an energy that is contagious." She 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.
Crystal worked as the Assistant Director of Education for the Virginia War Memorial before coming to Columbus to work as the Historic Preservationist & Civic Relations Manager at the 帝王会所. Prior to working in Virginia, Crystal received her master鈥檚 degree in public history from West Virginia University, where she worked closely with local communities to preserve and present their histories. She is very excited to connect with the community here at 帝王会所 and help to preserve the story of such a unique neighborhood. She is looking forward to learning more about Columbus and getting the opportunity to work in such a beautiful place.
Anthony Meyer 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 wants to champion the rich history of our architecture and the efforts of our preservationists. Anthony participated on the team and led the '20, '21, & '22 Holiday Lights Competition app. Anthony and his husband Tyler had their home at 626 S 5th on the Haus und Garten Tour in '19. Anthony served as a member of the '17 Monster Bash committee and the winning stop in '18 & '22. 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 2022 Haus und Garten Tour and co-chair with his husband Tyler the 2023 Haus und Garten PreTour.
Anne McGee has lived in 帝王会所 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, facilitating community outreach, and strategic planning. Since moving to Columbus, Anne has volunteered weekly in the visitor center and has performs house history research for the GVS plaque project.
Cynthia Watson 鈥淥hio roots, Buckeye heart and Family soul.鈥� Personally, she enjoys shopping, travel, cooking, working out and spending time with family and friends. Cynthia loves to garden, and she and her husband Jeff are in their 4th home in the 帝王会所 area. She is a fan of all things GV: events, volunteer opportunities, local businesses, historic preservation and interesting walking experiences. Professionally, Cynthia is a retailer thru and thru. She studied fashion merchandising at THE Ohio State University and has worked in the Ohio area at several major retail companies! Look for her around the Village!
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 someday 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 帝王会所, 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.
Tim Bibler has lived in 帝王会所 since 1998 and also has been active with the 帝王会所. 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 Haus und Garten Tour volunteer for 20+ years and has volunteered to work on 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 his work experience and GVS experience, to continue advancing the organization鈥檚 efforts in preserving the historic character of 帝王会所.
Robert Caplin is a seasoned editorial and commercial photographer who has called 帝王会所 home since 2019. Balancing his career between 帝王会所 and Manhattan where he previously lived since 2005, Robert serves a diverse clientele, including prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, and National Geographic, among many others. His client list features high-profile names such as Justin Bieber, Tiki Barber, and Barry Manilow, as well as institutions like The International Emmys, Mount Sinai Health System, Abercrombie & Fitch, WWE, Aramco, and American Electric Power. His long-term documentary was prominently featured in Justin Bieber's bestselling visual autobiography, First Step 2 Forever, which has sold over a million copies worldwide and was a New York Times Bestseller. His behind-the-scenes footage from Bieber鈥檚 inaugural tour was the backbone for his first motion picture, Never Say Never, produced by Paramount in 2010. Robert's diverse travels have taken him around the globe, documenting the rich tapestry of people and cultures. In addition to his professional achievements, Robert is actively engaged in his local community, capturing the essence of 帝王会所 for his Instagram account, @germanvillagers, covering local assignments for 帝王会所 Magazine, and managing social media for Friends of Schiller Park. He served on the GVS Board Election Committee and on the planning committee for the Society鈥檚 inaugural Maifest event. He volunteers for the 帝王会所 Garten Club and is also a player on the 帝王会所 9 鈥淗obnobbers" Vintage Base Ball team. As a dedicated husband and father of two young boys who attend Saint Mary School, Robert is committed to making a positive impact in his historic neighborhood.
Quality of Life Co-Chair Michael Cornelis is a GVS Past President, board member emeritus, and co-chair of the Quality of Life committee. He is a founding member of Maifest, a member of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee (PPSC), Maifest Committee, Lazellepooloza Committee, chairperson of Village Lights, and player/manager of the 帝王会所 Hobnobbers vintage baseball club. Michael and his wife, Susan Riley, served as Co-Chairs of the 2001 Haus und Garten tour, and have lived in 帝王会所 for 32 years.
Jess grew up in Canton, Ohio, and moved to Columbus in 2006 to attend graduate school at The Ohio State University. She progressively moved south and landed in 帝王会所 in 2014. She loves everything about this neighborhood, including the beautiful homes and gardens, the access to amazing coffee shops and restaurants, and most importantly the people. The ease in which to make friends and to be able to walk to their homes is such a perk of living in 帝王会所. As a board member, Jess wants to promote community involvement and connectivity within 帝王会所 because she believes this is what makes this neighborhood so special. She and her partner Josh co-chaired the 2023 Haus und Garten Tour and enjoyed engaging with friends and neighbors to benefit the 帝王会所. Jess is an avid runner and biker and has also taken up playing squash at the Athletic Club of Columbus. At the Athletic Club, she also serves on the Membership Committee and considers the club her home away from home. She has worked as a cancer researcher at The James Cancer Center for a little over a decade and is passionate about developing personalized therapies for cancer patients.
"I love 帝王会所 and a huge part of that is the community," says Andrea Ford. Andrea believes that the 帝王会所 is integral to that. She is looking forward to being involved more regularly. Ms. Ford chaired the 2019 Monster Bash and co-chaired the 2021 & 2022 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 帝王会所 residents. She would love to see 100% involvement from our neighbors in the future.
Scott & his wife Kristy moved to 帝王会所 in 2021 after raising their family in Upper Arlington. They鈥檝e enjoyed participating in 鈥淰illage life鈥� through GVS events, Prost!, and neighborhood gatherings. Scott serves on both the Finance and Organizational Development Committees. Scott joined LBrands in 1994 after starting his career in consumer products at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati. He was the Chief Financial Officer at Lane Bryant for many years, and he now works with smaller, privately-owned businesses and private equity firms as a consulting CFO. Scott graduated from Miami University with degrees in economics, French, and international studies and has been a guest lecturer at Miami鈥檚 Farmer School of Business. Philanthropy and community involvement are a top priority for Scott. He was a long-time board member and Treasurer of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus and a member and President of Miami University鈥檚 Alumni Board of Directors. He currently sits on the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland鈥檚 Business Advisory Council, and he has been very engaged with Pelotonia as both a rider and a team captain. He and Kristy attend First Community Church and have two grown children (Jacob, 27 in Columbus, and Kate, 23 in New York City). He enjoys cycling, golf, theater, travel, and reading.
Jonathan has been a proud resident of 帝王会所 for five years, captivated by the area's historic charm and strong sense of community. After relocating to Columbus, he and his partner Tommy, along with their pugs, immediately knew they wanted to be part of the village. As Chair of the Membership Committee, he and the committee are dedicated to enhancing the value of and fostering the connections that membership in the 帝王会所 provides. Some of his other village involvement is reflected in his yearly participation in the Haus und Garten Tour, where he has volunteered, served as a house captain, and opened their home for the 2022 tour. Jonathan is a practicing architect who has collaborated with both the 帝王会所 and the 帝王会所 Commission in his professional work, as well as during the ongoing renovation of their home. Outside of the village, Jonathan is active in several professional organizations focused on design, mentorship, and the arts.
A resident of 帝王会所 for 5+ years, but a recent addition to the board, Jeff's love of 帝王会所 began decades ago with his love of Actors' Theatre of Columbus, the group that puts on "Shakespeare in the Park" in Schiller Park every summer. He still makes a point of seeing at least one performance of each of the four shows they put on every summer. Jeff's home is often a stop for Monster Bash ("The Pirate House" and "The Moulin Rouge House"). He is actively involved in many of the technology initiatives of 帝王会所; chairing the Technology Task Force before joining the board, joining efforts to refresh the website, and creating the package system (which he wrote the computer programming for). Jeff is an active member and supporter of Germania, the Athletic Club of Columbus, and Actors Theatre of Columbus. Professionally, Jeff is the Chief Technology Officer of DOmedia, a software company headquartered here in Columbus.
In 1977 Jim purchased his home in 帝王会所 and has been active in the community since then. He quickly gained an appreciation for the GVS (帝王会所) mission, especially historic preservation, and the many community activities. Jim Nichols and Tammi Hall were the Presenting Sponsors for the 2021 帝王会所 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鈥檚 home was on the 2016 H&G Tour, and they hosted H&G Pre-Tour dinners. He also volunteered for 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 the 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, 鈥淚 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.鈥� Jim hopes to continue to promote GVS members and community engagement while serving on the board.
Helen Speiser has over 15 years鈥� experience in strategy and marketing, with extensive knowledge in digital. She founded Third Street Digital, an all-women digital strategy agency, in 2021. In 2022 the company was named one of Central Ohio鈥檚 Top Startups and Innovators by Columbus Business First and achieved 220% of its revenue goals. Helen takes pride in Third Street Digital鈥檚 people first culture and leads with clarity, empathy, and intention. Helen has a passion for community stewardship. As part of her commitment to the community, she developed the Pixie Partner Program, which provides $10,000 in pro bono strategy work each quarter. The initiative supports non-profits, small businesses, and entrepreneurs with aligned values to further their digital strategy. Helen is a 2019 Leadership Columbus graduate. She was first introduced to Star House through their Leadership Columbus Community Impact Project. She played an integral role in helping create the CbusSeeUs campaign and secured an anonymous $75,000 donation for a CbusSeeUs paid media campaign that included out-of-home, broadcast television, and digital. She joined the Star House Development Committee in 2020. Helen is actively involved with YES Columbus (a support non-profit for Dress for Success), the American Advertising Federation of Columbus, and Women鈥檚 Powerhouse Group. She is a five-time Pelotonia rider and "High Roller" fundraiser. She received a B.A. in Communications and Spanish from Lake Forest College and lives in 帝王会所 with her husband, J.C., and rescue dog, Junior
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