Prior - WDB Board outreach
Ann Block, Chairman
Having a lifelong fondness for ice cream, it was only natural for Ann Block to be a partner/owner of The Woodsfield Grill and Chill Dairy Queen! In addition to managing the financial operations of this 10 year old business, Ann is in her third elected term as the Monroe County Recorder.
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She is a member of the Ohio Area 15 Workforce Development Board, the Ohio Recorders’ Association, the Ohio Women’s Caucus and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and she is currently serving as the Chairman of the Area 15 WDB and as past president of the Ohio Recorders’ Association. She also serves as Treasurer of the Ohio State Women’s Caucus.
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Before her election as County Recorder, Ann represented the Office of the Ohio Secretary of State in 11 Southeastern Counties as a Regional Liaison. Besides working with County Boards of Elections as a resource, her primary focus was to promote community partnerships and facilitate stronger working relationships between the key stakeholders throughout her region by marketing the services and programs offered by the Secretary of State’s office. Interestingly, all of the Area 15 WDB counties are also counties she served for the Secretary of State’s office.
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Prior to that Ann worked as the Deputy Director of the Monroe County Board of Elections for 11 years. In addition, her many years of experience as a small business owner, office manager and staff supervisor provide Ann with a unique perspective for high quality customer service. During her administration Ann initiated a detailed Customer Service Standard policy for the County Recorder’s office.
Ann studied at Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City and Eastland Community College, Columbus and completed several certification courses with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office and the Ohio Recorders’ Association.
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Ann has called Monroe County home for more than 40 years. She is strongly committed to her community and supports every effort working for its improvement. She has two adult children that also make their homes in Southeastern Ohio. Her pride and joy are her four grandchildren.
Pamela Lankford, Vice Chair
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Pamela Lankford is the Building Bridges to Careers Director of Logistics and Epicenter – providing incubation, makerspace and career development services. Helping youth bridge the gap between education and employment, especially through exploring entrepreneurship, is paramount in all facets of her work.
Previously she served with the Ohio Small Business Development Center in Marietta for 26 years. Her passion is helping entrepreneurs, all of all ages, realize their dreams.
She is a magna cum laude graduate of Marietta College where she double majored in Entrepreneurship and Spanish. She received her MBA from Ohio University. She was named Innovator of the Year for the Ohio SBDC Network and was twice named Director of the Year as well as Ohio’s SBDC State Star. She has also been an adjunct faculty member at Marietta College, teaching marketing classes, as well as Small Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Business Consulting. She has also been actively involved in two small family-owned businesses.
She has been a Rotarian for 25 years, is a Past-President of Marietta Morning Rotary President and also served as Assistant Governor for District 6690.
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