BOARD OF DIRECTORS / ADVISORY PANEL
President - Corey Ann Ringle (2021) 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. Corey is a registered architect, currently working at RDL Architects.
Corey was the 2019 winner of the prestigious Mark Ferguson award for classical architecture.
ICAA article
Vice President - Beth Sanderson (2021). With her 25 years of experience in sales, Beth manages FoCH’s marketing. She serves on the RJRD Governance Committee 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. Her favorite thing to do at RHP is hike to with friends and take photos of the natural landscape among the historic structures. She always sees something new or in a different way. Her dream is to someday grow native plants on-site to improve the grounds.
Secretary - Elizabeth Csontos (2022) has lived in Richfield most of her life. Richfield Heritage Preserve has been like a home to her for almost 2 years, where she happily serves as Chair of the FoCH Organized Hike Commitee. Elizabeth was the project coordinator for the installation of the Wayfinding Signs at the park and served on the RJRD Park Operations Committee. 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 then 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 2022, she will achieve an online Bachelors degree of Science in Psychology at Malone University
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 (2021) 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 rail fan, combining as many of them as possible, wherever possible.whenever possible.
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). She hopes to write a book about the history of the park. A past president of FoCH, Lynn updates the organization’s website and is the Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Restoration of Kirby's Mill. A (mostly) retired RN, she maintains a street garden in Bedford and plays with her grandchildren. Richfield Heritage Preserve is her favorite place in the whole world.
Karen Smik (2022) handles publicity and loves to work on special events for FoCH. She has a son/daughter-in-law, daughter/son-in-law and 2 precious granddaughters. Karen considers herself a "professional" volunteer and is involved with a number of community and school-related organizations. Oddly enough, she really likes to organize activities/functions and do paperwork. To say she's an avid reader is putting it mildly! Karen also enjoys going out to eat with friends (especially with fellow FoCH members) -- sometimes discussing topics of great consequence and sometimes just shooting the breeze. While she has lived in Richfield most of her adult life, she had never stepped foot onto Richfield Heritage Preserve until 2014 when Richfield residents were invited to tour the property. Karen is now a very passionate fan of this beautiful place.
Cynthia McWilliams (2023) has been a member of FoCH and served on the advisory board for many years. She currently sits on the RJRD Governance and Fundraising committees, is a member of the Invasive Plant Management Task Force and a member of the Ohio Horseman’s Council who is also a RHP partner. 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.
Barb Starr (2023) Having first set foot on the property in the late 1990’s as a Girl Scout troop leader, Barbara thought she had found heaven on Earth. Barb is a founding member of FoCH, and is ecstatic that the property was saved by the residents of Richfield. Barb retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 37 years, of which 27 years were spent delivering mail to the northeast section of Richfield Township. Barbara is responsible for many tasks related to FoCH membership. She regularly attends RJRD meetings regularly and gladly helps with FoCH events and needs. She’s been married for 43 years, has two children and three grandsons.She likes to spend time hiking on the property and will gladly stop and talk, and answer any questions and, more importantly, listen to any stories hikers and guests at RHP might have about their experiences.
Advisory Panel
Molly Eastwood - Ohio Horseman Council liaison
Clive Fetzer - Park Patrol; corresponding secretary Assistant
Joanie Gottschling - Crowell Hilaka Memories project
Nancy Kanik - Park Patrol
Debbie Kazar
Rob Kazar
Cheryl Lace - Design expert
Heather Liccardi - liason to Rocky River Watershed council
Amy Murphy
Chris Naizer - Facebook
Sandy Norris - Park Patrol; Trash & Latrine Logistics manager
Rachel Oppenheimer - twitter & other social media
Bill Smith
Betty Vandermeer - Hospitality
Ralph Waszak, Jr. - Logistics
