America 250-Ohio:

An ideal opportunity to amplify the stories of Ohio's contributions to the U.S. for the past 250+ years.

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio.

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America 250-Ohio:

An ideal opportunity to amplify the stories of Ohio's contributions to the U.S. for the past 250+ years

About the America 250-Ohio Commission

The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (also referred to as America 250-Ohio) was formed through the OH. Rev. Code § 149.309 and announced on March 1, 2022, on Ohio's Statehood Day by Governor Mike DeWine. The 29 member commission is charged with preparing the state to participate in the United States of America's 250th anniversary which culminates on July 4, 2026.

America 250-Ohio is a multi-year commemoration where Ohioans from all 88 counties will be in the spotlight of the impact Ohio’s unique role in our nation’s story.

Ohio and Ohioans have contributed much to the United States from statesmen to artists, from actors to Nobel laureates, and so much more. We will tell the story of Ohio, from the Native Americans who were here before Europeans to people who call Ohio home today. Ohio is a content-rich environment for anyone who wants to commemorate and celebrate Ohio’s contributions to national stories.

Our Charge

“…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” —Ohio Revised Code (149.309)

Photo, Grant bicentennial fireworks

Plan

Ohio’s approach to commemorate/celebrate the U.S.A.’s 250th Anniversary in 2026.

Photo, Alaca Farm

Encourage

All of Ohio’s 88 counties to get involved and create local plans while joining other efforts in the region, across the state and throughout the nation.

Photo, Wright B Flyer, Miamisburg, OH

Develop

A public awareness campaign, a collaborative vision, and a strategic approach to creating and implementing local, regional, and statewide plans.

Photo, Salute to Am Rev veterans at Granville cemetery

Coordinate

Opportunities with partners, stakeholders, and others to create a collective approach to expand impact and share resources.

Mission, Vision, and Purpose

Image, American flag with fireworks in the background

Mission

To plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.

Mission

To plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.

Vision

To raise awareness, instill pride, and lead the strategic direction to showcase Ohio’s contribution to the nation.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, Ohio.

Vision

To raise awareness, instill pride, and lead the strategic direction to showcase Ohio’s contribution to the nation.

Rice Family Barn, Wayne County, Ohio, Artist: Scott Hagan, Photo: John Ondo

Purpose

To honor, recognize, celebrate, and highlight Ohio’s indispensable contributions to our nation’s past, present and future.

Purpose

To honor, recognize, celebrate, and highlight Ohio’s indispensable contributions to our nation’s past, present and future.

The word “Ohio” and so many of its local communities have place names reflecting the American Indian tribes with Ohio ties. Native people and their customs have a long history here in Ohio that has shaped who we are.

Commission

Co -Chairs

The Commision

Co-Chairs

Michael B. Coleman

Michael B. Coleman is the former mayor of Columbus, OH and now serves as a partner at Ice Miller LLC.

Douglas J. Preisse

Doug Preisse serves as a principal at Van Meter-Ashbrook & Associates.

Michael B. Coleman

Michael B. Coleman is the former mayor of Columbus, OH and now serves as a partner at Ice Miller LLC.

Douglas J. Preisse

Doug Preisse serves as a principal at Van Meter-Ashbrook & Associates.

Commission Members

Chris Abbuhl, Tuscarawas County Commissioner and President of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio

State Sen. Hearcel Craig, Ohio Senate

Michael B. Coleman, Commission Co-Chair, former Mayor of Columbus, OH and partner at Ice Miller LCC.

Christy Davis, immediate past president of the Ohio Local History Alliance, and curator of exhibitions of the Canton Museum of Art

Kathryn Dean-Dielman, board president of the Lorain County Historical Society

Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of the Western Reserve Historical Society

John Fleming, Ph.D., museum professional

Steve Hambley, Ph.D., Medina county commissioner

Thomas Hankins, Chapter President of the Sons of the American Revolution: Hocking Valley Chapter, and member of the Friends of Fort Laurens

Nancy Putnam Hollister, former governor, lieutenant governor, and legislator

State Rep. Adam Holmes, Ohio House of Representatives

Melinda Huntley, Executive Director of the Ohio Travel Association

Vincent Keeran, Clerk of the Ohio Senate

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, Supreme Court of Ohio

Megan Kvamme, Muskingum County entrepreneur

State Sen. George Lang, Ohio Senate

Adam Levine, Director of the Toledo Museum of Art

State Rep. Joe Miller, Ohio House of Representatives

Charley Moses, Board President of the Ohio History Connection

Kimberly Murnieks, Director of Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management

Paul Oyaski, Co-Chair, former Mayor of Euclid, and former Director of Cuyahoga County’s Department of Development

Elizabeth Pierce, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Museum Center

Doug Preisse, Commission Co-Chair, principal at Van Meter-Ashbrook & Associates.

Sharetta Smith, Mayor of Lima

Ted Strickland, former Governor of Ohio and former member of Congress

Samantha Turner, Youngstown Councilwoman

Ginger Warner, Board Chair of the Ohio Arts Council

Sarah Wickham, director of TourismOhio

Mackensie Wittmer, Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Area

Megan Wood, Executive Director of the Ohio History Connection, Ex-Officio, and Commission Secretary

America 250-Ohio Staff

Photo, Todd Kleismit

Todd Kleismit

Executive
Director

Photo, Chris Hurtubise

Chris Hurtubise

Communications
Director

Photo, Taylor Tamu

Taylor Tomu

Community Outreach
and Engagement Specialist

Photo, Todd Kleismit

Todd Kleismit

Executive Director

Photo, Chris Hurtubise

Chris Hurtubise

Communications Director

Photo, Taylor Tamu

Taylor Tomu

Community Outreach
and Engagement Specialist

Photo, Abby Reynolds

Abby Reynolds

Executive Assistant

Quanta Brown

Operations Director

Molly Kreuzman

Ohio Goes to the Movies
Program Director

Photo, Abby Reynolds

Abby Reynolds

Executive Assistant

Quanta Brown

Operations Director

Molly Kreuzman

Ohio Goes to the Movies
Program Director

Opportunities

Watch this space for postings about paid and volunteer opportunities.

Stay informed, follow us on social media and sign-up for our monthly e-newsletter.

Photo, Todd Kleismit

Todd Kleismit

Executive Director

Todd grew up in Dayton, Ohio, where some of his earliest memories were made during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. He was appointed to the role of executive director of the America 250-Ohio Commission on March 1, 2022 – the day the Commission was announced. Prior to that, Todd served as the director of community and government relations for the Ohio History Connection from 2005-2022. Previously, Todd worked for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, former U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce and he helped form the nonprofit now known as the Greater Ohio Policy Center. Todd is an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He lives in Columbus with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Grace.

Photo, Chris Hurtubise

Chris Hurtubise

Communications Director

Chris is an experienced senior marketing and communications leader with extensive experience that includes nonprofit museum marketing, professional services and consumer packaged goods. Chris is a native Ohioan from the Dayton area, a graduate of The Ohio State University and lives in Gahanna with her husband Larry and dog Maxi. Her two young adult children are pursuing their careers in healthcare and law. She enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and kayaking and is excited to help Ohio celebrate our contribution to the richness of America’s story in 2026.

Photo, Taylor Tamu

Taylor Tomu

Community Outreach

and Engagement Specialist

Taylor Tomu is the Engagement and Outreach Specialist at the America 250-Ohio Commission. She received her Masters degree in Anthropology in 2018 and has focused much of her career on addressing health disparities in the Black communities. As a certified community healthcare worker, she understands the importance of getting the full story and connecting people to the proper resources. She enjoys learning new facts about her chosen home of Ohio and is excited share more of Ohioans stories with the world.

Photo, Abby Reynolds

Abby Reynolds

Executive Assistant

Abby joined America 250-Ohio in August 2023 and spends her days supporting the team and the Commission’s many exciting projects and programs. Prior to her current role, Abby worked in the Ohio History Connection’s development department for seven years where she managed the annual fund, corporate sponsors relationships and gift processing. In her spare time, Abby enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, reading and drinking coffee.

Quanta Brown

Operations Director

Quanta is a seasoned professional with comprehensive experience in public sector leadership, process improvement, and business transformation. Throughout her career she has successfully managed budgets of over $20 million, implemented strategic initiatives, and improved operational efficiencies across many industries. Quanta is an avid runner and enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring the great outdoors including Ohio parks.

Molly Kreuzman

Ohio Goes to the Movies

Program Director

Molly has more than 23 years in the film industry and has served in many roles. Most recently she was the founding Director of the Cinema Columbus Film Festival in Ohio, previously she was a founding member and later a Board Member of the BendFilm Festival, the Executive Director of Film Southern Oregon, and both Director of Marketing and Director of Operations for the Ashland Independent Film Festival all three in Oregon. Molly was a Co-Producer of the film Phoenix, Oregon, as well as the Director and Producer of the internationally distributed documentary film Earth Seasoned…#GapYear. Currently she is co-producing the narrative feature Down To The Felt and producing the documentary The Forgotten Chord.