BOARD OF DIRECTORS / ADVISORY PANEL
President - Corey Ann Ringle (2024) has served on FoCH's board since 2010 and as president since 2013. She became familiar with the park as a Girl Scout and first camped there in 1990. In 1997 Corey and other members of her Girl Scout troop built the permanent orienteering courses in the park. The historic buildings on the property piqued her interest in historic architecture and informed her career direction. She holds a master’s degree in architecture from Kent State University, is a registered architect, currently working at RDL Architects. In addition to serving as president, Corey leads the Historic Home Stabilization Task Force who has investigated and reported on the condition of Amity, North, and Kirby. The task force works with volunteers to complete the recommendations, including the work done to stabilize Amity House's floor joists and southeast porch.
Corey was the 2019 winner of the prestigious Mark Ferguson award for classical architecture.
ICAA article
Vice President - Karen Smik (2022) writes news articles and assists with special events for FoCH. She is co-chair of the Winter Wonders fundraiser/friendraiser and a member of several FoCH committees including Bylaws, Fundraising, Marketing and Membership. Karen is a very active volunteer and is also involved with a number of community and school-related organizations. She has a son/daughter-in-law, daughter/son-in-law and 3 granddaughters. While she has lived in Richfield most of her adult life, she had never been to what is now known as Richfield Heritage Preserve until 2014 when Richfield residents were invited to tour the property. She ended up serving as treasurer of the committee that campaigned to save the property, formerly known as Camp Crowel Hilaka, and to persuade the residents of Richfield to purchase it. Karen is now a passionate fan of this anspiring and historically significant place.
Secretary - Lynn Scholle Richardson (2023) is the co-founder of FoCH, along with her husband Rob. She currently serves as the FoCH historian, tracking down stories of the Preserve and sharing them as a speaker (available upon request) and as the author of Crowell Hilaka and the Richfield Heritage Preserve, published by Acadia in 2021. A past president of FoCH, Lynn serves as chair of the Board Development Committee and is the event coordinator for Kirby Day. She is an RN currently working in the hemodialysis unit at University Hospitals of Cleveland, main campus.
Treasurer - Donna Spiegler (2022) currently serves as the treasurer of FoCH, and has
been a member of the organization since 2009. She has a master’s degree in non-profit
management and works in communications at a large historic house museum. Donna is
always delighted when she can spend time at Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Rob Richardson (2024) is the founder of FoCH. He is responsible for maintaining FoCH's Code of Regulations and proposing updates when necessary. Rob is a software developer, a musician, a photographer and a railfan, combining as many of them as possible, wherever possible. By Laws Committee coordinator
Elizabeth Csontos (2022) has lived in Richfield most of her life. Richfield Heritage Preserve has been like a home to her for almost 5 years, where she happily serves as Secretary. Elizabeth was the project coordinator for the installation of the Wayfinding Signs at the park, served on the RJRD Park Operations Committee, and chaired the FoCH Organized Hike Committee for 3 years. Volunteering has always been a passion of hers. When she encountered RHP for the first time, you could not take her away! Nothing brings her greater joy than volunteering for a project to help the park and the people of this park thrive. When she is not at the park you can find her nannying for two children or studying. By 2024, she will have achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Malone University.
Beth Sanderson (2024). With her 25 years of experience in sales, Beth manages FoCH’s marketing/fundraising. She has served on the RJRD Governance Committee for two terms and researches partnership opportunities for both groups. She serves as Coordinator of Native Plant Restoration and Invasive Species Management for Richfield Heritage Preserve. She is a trained habitat steward with the National Wildlife Federation, an instructor for Landscape for Life, an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and a volunteer with the Ohio Natural Preserves Association ( ONAPA) . Beth camped on the property as a child and it is now her favorite place to connect with nature and local history. Her favorite thing to do at RHP is hike to with friends and take photos of the beautiful natural landscape among the interesting historic structures. She always sees something new or in a different way which is a reminder that this place is like no other. Her dream is to someday grow native plants on-site to restore native habitat.
Cynthia McWilliams (2023) has been a member of FoCH and served on the advisory board for many years. She is a member of the Invasive Plant Management Task Force and a member of the Ohio Horseman’s Council. Her interest in preservation led her to renovate the 1840’s stone cottage where she lives and from which she operates a landscape design and maintenance firm, a dog boarding kennel and a horse boarding and training stable. Her interest in RHP began the minute she drove down the drive during one of the FoCH Open Houses in 2014. “It aligned my fondest memories of decades spent at summer camps (as a camper and riding instructor) with igniting the future possibilities for RHP.” Her contributions to RHP include providing seasonal floral displays, helping to coordinate successful fundraising events such as Derby Day and Winter Wonders. Whenever her schedule allows, she loves to ride the bridle trails at RHP and hike with two and four legged friends.
Fundraising/ Marketing Committee
Fundraising/ Marketing Committee
Barb Starr (2023) When she first set foot on the property, she knew it was special. Barb appreciates the taxpayers of Richfield taking on this financial burden to save this land and is willing to do whatever she can to bring in outside resources to lessen that burden. She is a firm believer in the adage that you are never too old to learn, and has dedicated herself to learning the back office tasks needed to keep an organization running smoothly. Membership Committee Coordinator.
Social media team
Chris Naizer
Rachel Oppenheimer
Advisory Panel
Jenny Austin - tech support, website
Molly Eastwood - Ohio Horseman Council liaison
Clive Fetzer - Park Patrol; TLC, corresponding secretary Assistant
Joanie Gottschling - Crowell Hilaka Memories project
Nancy Kanik - Park Patrol; TLC
Debbie Kazar - marketing/fundraising committee
Rob Kazar- videographer, Mr. Kirby Tribute
Cheryl Lace - Design expert
Heather Liccardi - liason to Rocky River Watershed council
Amy Murphy - marketing/ fundraising committee, Friday Funday activities
Chris Naizer - Facebook coordinator
Pat Norris - Historic Home Stabilization Task Force
Sandy Norris - Park Patrol; TLC coordinator. Merchandise Committee Coordinator
Rachel Oppenheimer - twitter & other social media
Bill Smith - logistics
Betty Vandermeer - Hospitality; TLC
Ralph Waszak, Jr. - Logistics
Jenny Austin - tech support, website
Molly Eastwood - Ohio Horseman Council liaison
Clive Fetzer - Park Patrol; TLC, corresponding secretary Assistant
Joanie Gottschling - Crowell Hilaka Memories project
Nancy Kanik - Park Patrol; TLC
Debbie Kazar - marketing/fundraising committee
Rob Kazar- videographer, Mr. Kirby Tribute
Cheryl Lace - Design expert
Heather Liccardi - liason to Rocky River Watershed council
Amy Murphy - marketing/ fundraising committee, Friday Funday activities
Chris Naizer - Facebook coordinator
Pat Norris - Historic Home Stabilization Task Force
Sandy Norris - Park Patrol; TLC coordinator. Merchandise Committee Coordinator
Rachel Oppenheimer - twitter & other social media
Bill Smith - logistics
Betty Vandermeer - Hospitality; TLC
Ralph Waszak, Jr. - Logistics
