Get to Know Us

  • Sara Butz is the director of Performance Improvement at Knox Community Hospital and moved into Mount Vernon in the fall of 2015. The hospital’s tag line; “In the community, for the community.” fits in with Main Street Mount Vernon’s vision in both supporting economic growth and maintaining a positive community in our downtown.
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  • A native of Mount Vernon, Lisa Lloyd has always loved the community and generosity of the people of Knox County. Lisa is the Program Director at the Knox County Foundation where she oversees their grant and scholarship programs. In addition to being the Treasurer for Main Street Mount Vernon since 2015, Lisa also serves as Treasurer for the United Way of Knox County, Chair of the United Way Community Investment Committee, and is the Vice-President of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon.
  • Vicki Coleman has lived in Mount Vernon for 40 years with her husband and four children. Nine years ago, they opened the Coleman Gallery to show their family's art including: her husband and 2 sons’ glass work, another son’s wood creations, daughter’s, photography and Vicki’s own mixed media work. The Galerie Suite opened six years ago above the Gallery. It includes two bedrooms, bathroom , sitting room, and a small kitchen. It is a delight to meet people from all over the world.
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  • Chef Navin Ajodhya is the owner and mastermind behind the creations of Half Baked Cafe and Catering. In the short time that this cafe style bakery has been operational at their downtown Mount Vernon location, opening in April of 2019, Chef, "Boss Lady" and the rest of the Half Baked staff have made an impact. Partnering and collaborating with partners in and out of the Central Business District,
  • Nick Burson is a Mount Vernon native. A graduate of the Knox County Career Center and a 2008 graduate of DeVry University with a major in Finance, Nick serves as a Financial Advisor for Lincoln Douglas Investments where he helps Mount Vernon residents achieve their financial goals. As a financial advisor, Mount Vernon resident and father, Nick understands the importance of a thriving local economy and a strong community. In addition to serving as a board member for Main Street Mount Vernon, Nick is also a member of the Mount Vernon Toastmasters club. Nick resides in Mt. Vernon with his wife and two young daughters.
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  • Jeff has lived in Mount Vernon for most of his life and considers it his hometown. After being away a few years for college, deployments in the military, and work, he was excited to return to teach at his alma mater, Mount Vernon High School. After 12 years at MVHS, he left teaching to become the Vice President of the Area Development Foundation. This non-profit organization’s mission is to develop Knox County’s economy by attracting and maintaining good paying jobs, strengthening the workforce and creating a livable community. He believes that Mount Vernon provides a tremendous quality of life to its residents through its close-knit relationships, first-class amenities, and great schools. He is proud and excited to represent the ADF on the board and to support its mission of keeping Mount Vernon one of Ohio’s best hometowns. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Carol Grubaugh is the Executive Director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Institute for Organization Management. Carol has a passion for her Chamber work and serves on several advisory committees and boards; is a member of the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon; and enjoys volunteer work in the community.
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  • A native of Mount Vernon and a Kenyon alumna, Alyssa Gomez Lawrence returned to her hometown to start a family and join Kenyon College's Office for Community Partnerships, whose goal is to foster collaboration between Kenyon and the Knox County community for purposeful and positive engagement. Alyssa's work focuses on the curricular with community-engaged learning courses and research, as well as the Kenyon Community Internship Program. She also participates on several local boards and committees and loves to see the community coming together to move the city forward!
    Contact Alyssa
  • Jen Odenweller is director of The Ariel Foundation, prior to her work at The Foundation, Odenweller worked for the Office for Community Partnerships at Kenyon College. She also worked for 15 years as executive director of United Way of Knox County. A native of Knox County, she holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and resides in Mount Vernon.
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  • Olivia Toth is a Knox County native. She became the Marketing Manager at the Knox County Convention and Visitor's Bureau November of 2020.
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  • Anthony McNeal

    Anthony McNeal

    Anthony McNeal, although a new-comer to Mount Vernon, has worked at the Knox County Chamber of Commerce since 2018. His experiences and the knowledge and connections he gained from working at the Chamber has give Anthony the drive and desire to help support the building of a thriving place that others would want to live. Upon graduating from Logan High School and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from The University of Rio Grand and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Anthony worked for several small businesses before accepting the position with the Chamber of Commerce. Named Downtown Manager in February of 2020, Anthony looks to bring new and exciting initiatives to the downtown Mount Vernon experience. A graduate of the 2020 Leadership Knox Class, Anthony sits on several committees and is looking to build on the idea of the shop local ideology..
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Mount Vernon Strong

Main Street Mount Vernon Marketing Committee announces

Mount Vernon Strong Campaign!

Mount Vernon Strong is a mindset, a motivational concept, and a show of support all in one!
As we continue through COVID-19, we are entering year 2 of the pandemic. Along with the struggles our first responders and healthcare workers are facing everyday fighting the virus, students are burning out, teachers are frustrated, and small businesses face new challenges every day, but there is hope!
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
We just need to continue to support those who are facing difficulties, and come together as a community to be strong...
MOUNT VERNON STRONG!
To kick off the campaign, Main Street will be honoring those who have remained Mount Vernon Strong this past year with the first Mount Vernon Strong Gear!. Check our Facebook page to see who we've honored already.
Mount Vernon Strong  
Order your Mount Vernon Strong t-shirt and other apparel at
 
A portion of the proceeds will go to recognizing front line workers and first responders.

Get to Know Us

hbrayshawSara Butz is the director of Performance Improvement at Knox Community Hospital and moved into Mount Vernon in the fall of 2015.  The hospital’s tag line; “In the community, for the community.” fits in with Main Street Mount Vernon’s vision in both supporting economic growth and maintaining a positive community in our downtown. [email protected]

Butz

 
llloyd
  •  A native of Mount Vernon, Lisa Lloyd has always loved the community and generosity of the people of Knox County. Lisa is the Program Director at the Knox County Foundation where she oversees their grant and scholarship programs. In addition to being the Treasurer for Main Street Mount Vernon since 2015, Lisa also serves as Treasurer for the United Way of Knox County, Chair of the United Way Community Investment Committee, and is the Vice-President of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon. 
colemanVicki Coleman has lived in Mount Vernon for 40 years with her husband and four children.  Nine years ago, they opened the Coleman Gallery to show their family's art including:  her husband and 2 sons’ glass work, another son’s wood creations, daughter’s, photography and Vicki’s own mixed media work.  The Galerie Suite opened six years ago above the Gallery. It includes two bedrooms, bathroom , sitting room, and a small kitchen. It is a delight to meet people from all over the world.  [email protected]

cgrubaugh1Carol Grubaugh is the Executive Director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce.  She is a graduate of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Institute for Organization Management.  Carol has a passion for her Chamber work and serves on several advisory committees and boards; is a member of the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon; and enjoys volunteer work in the community. [email protected]

NickNick Burson is a Mount Vernon native. A graduate of the Knox County Career Center and a 2008 graduate of DeVry University with a major in Finance, Nick serves as a Financial Advisor for Lincoln Douglas Investments where he helps Mount Vernon residents achieve their financial goals.  As a financial advisor, Mount Vernon resident and father, Nick understands the importance of a thriving local economy and a strong community.  In addition to serving as a board member for Main Street Mount Vernon, Nick is also a member of the Mount Vernon Toastmasters club.  Nick resides in Mt. Vernon with his wife and two young daughters. [email protected]
 Alyssa LawrenceA native of Mount Vernon and a Kenyon alumna, Alyssa Gomez Lawrence returned to her hometown to start a family and join Kenyon College's Office for Community Partnerships, whose goal is to foster collaboration between Kenyon and the Knox County community for purposeful and positive engagement. Alyssa's work focuses on the curricular with community-engaged learning courses and research, as well as the Kenyon Community Internship Program. She also participates on several local boards and committees and loves to see the community coming together to move the city forward!
 Bill Pursel 1

zdimarco
jgottke1
  • Jeff has lived in Mount Vernon for most of his life and considers it his hometown. After being away a few years for college, deployments in the military, and work, he was excited to return to teach at his alma mater, Mount Vernon High School. After 12 years at MVHS, he left teaching to become the Vice President of the Area Development Foundation. This non-profit organization’s mission is to develop Knox County’s economy by attracting and maintaining good paying jobs, strengthening the workforce and creating a livable community. He believes that Mount Vernon provides a tremendous quality of life to its residents through its close-knit relationships, first-class amenities, and great schools. He is proud and excited to represent the ADF on the board and to support its mission of keeping Mount Vernon one of Ohio’s best hometowns. CONTACT JEFF
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jbauer

Olivia Toth is a Knox County native. She became the Marketing Manager at the Knox County Convention and Visitor's Bureau November of 2020
 

 

 

Bio Headshot JO

Jen Odenweller is director of The Ariel Foundation, prior to her work at The Foundation, Odenweller worked for the Office for Community Partnerships at Kenyon College. She also worked for 15 years as executive director of United Way of Knox County. A native of Knox County, she holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and resides in Mount Vernon. [email protected]

 
 

Profile Website AnthonyAnthony McNeal, although a new-comer to Mount Vernon, has worked at Anthony McNeal, although a new-comer to Mount Vernon, has worked at the Knox County Chamber of Commerce since 2018. His experiences and the knowledge and connections he gained from working at the Chamber has give Anthony the drive and desire to help support the building of a thriving place that others would want to live. Upon graduating from Logan High School and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from The University of Rio Grand and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Anthony worked for several small businesses before accepting the position with the Chamber of Commerce. Named Downtown Manager in February of 2020, Anthony looks to bring new and exciting initiatives to the downtown Mount Vernon experience. A graduate of the 2020 Leadership Knox Class, Anthony sits on several committees and is looking to build on the idea of the shop local ideology. [email protected]

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