Staff & Board of Trustees

The Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau Board of Trustees announced the passing of Executive Director Jeff Hartnell on August 21, 2018.

Hartnell began his tenure with the WVCB as a board member in 2005 while running a successful marketing a communications firm in Westerville. He was named Executive Director in 2007 with the goal of growing the city he’d called home for 30 years.

Jeff facilitated the tremendous growth of the 4^th Friday festivals, brought the Certified Tourism Ambassador Program to Westerville to enhance visitor experience and skillfully expanded the WVCB’s mission from simply “reintroducing Westerville to itself” to marketing the city to a regional audience.

“Jeff brought new life to the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau and worked tirelessly to celebrate all that Westerville has to offer. All of us on the Board of Trustees are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Jeff while he was at the helm for the last eleven years. We will endeavor to continue his vision for which he has laid such a firm foundation,” said Elizabeth Saltzgiver, President of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees remains committed to the Westerville Visitor & Convention Bureau’s mission and is working to name an interim Director until a search for a permanent director is completed. All previously scheduled events and promotions will continue as planned.

On Friday, August 24^th, the Board of Trustees will distribute green ribbons at the 4^th Friday event in Uptown Westerville in remembrance of Jeff’s spirit and love of his community. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the office to pick up a ribbon and to sign a card for the Hartnell family.

The Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau, located at 20 W. Main St., strives to promote tourism and serves as a resource and catalyst for community groups. For more information about the Bureau and the services it provides, visit the website www.visitwesterville.org or call 614-794-0401.

Link to Jeff’s Obituary

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Jeff’s Staff Bio: Jeff Hartnell is the WVCB’s Executive Director. Jeff is originally from Michigan and played football for (no, not the Wolverines) Michigan State. Jeff has lived in Westerville since 1978 and over the years has been involved in WASA soccer, JBBL baseball, the Westerville Education Foundation, the WVCB Board of Trustees and is personally committed to supporting causes such as Breast Cancer research and Diabetes Awareness. He owned his own marketing and communications firm in Westerville for almost 20 years.

Glenda has been the WVCB’s Marketing Coordinator since 2003. She is a Zanesville native and a graduate of Ohio University and came to the Visitors Bureau after five years as news reporter “Glenda Carr” on WNKO/WHTH Radio in Newark. Glenda currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Inniswood Garden Society and stays active with her sons Joe and Anthony and husband Dave.

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