Board
 Adam Coatney :: Chair After being born and raised in the Dayton area, Adam attended the Ohio State University and received a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2003. Since that time, he has been living in downtown Dayton and practicing medicine in Centerville. Adam became involved in updayton after attending the first annual Summit and becoming the chair of one of the four projects—the Wayne Avenue Corridor. He is proud of the work accomplished with the Wayne Avenue group and is excited to help lead updayton to new heights. |
 Erin Gillespie :: Vice-ChairErin is a Dayton transplant who brings community and economic development knowledge to updayton. She works at the Downtown Dayton Partnership and helps facilitate the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan Implementation projects. Before moving to Dayton, she completed her Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning in May 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Erin became involved in updayton after joining the neighborhoods team at the 2010 Summit. She hopes to help make the Dayton region a thriving place where everyone can succeed. |
 Carolyn Teter :: Treasurer Carolyn is a recent Dayton resident upon her graduation from the University of Dayton in 2011 with a degree in Environmental Biology. Carolyn is currently in the process of earning her Masters degree in Public Administration and is working as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving at Wright State University. With a passion for philanthropy and fundraising, Carolyn is excited to be a part of updayton as it continues to be a catalyst for growth in the Dayton region. |
 Val Hunt Beerbower :: Secretary Val Hunt Beerbower has been a Dayton resident since 2009. The Ohio University graduate is currently the public relations specialist at Five Rivers MetroParks and is active in other community organizations, such as Culture Works, the Dayton Creative Syndicate, Generation Dayton and CultureMASH. Her work in updayton initiatives includes Activated Spaces and the internship committee installed at the 2011 Summit. |
 Scott Murphy :: Immediate Past ChairScott is one of the original DaytonCREATE catalysts who helped found updayton. He moved to the Dayton region to attend college at the University of Dayton and stuck around after graduation when he secured a job at Wright-Patterson AFB. Scott has organized volunteers for numerous community efforts and is a graduate of Leadership Ohio. He also serves on the Marketing Committee at the Dayton Foundation and the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan Community Leadership Council. |
 Ashley Appleman :: SOCHE RepresentativeAs the SOCHE Representative for updayton, Ashley helps to maintain relations between the organizations and pitches in with administrative tasks. Ashley moved to the Dayton Region to pursue a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Wright State University. She enjoyed the area so much that she became a permanent resident upon graduation! She hopes that updayton can encourage other students do the same. Ashley loves exploring and learning about the great things Dayton has to offer (like running trails and local food)! |
 Duante Beddingfield :: At-Large Board Member Duante became involved with updayton after participating in the third annual Summit and now chairs the entertainment/nightlife committee formed at that event. A Dayton native and a graduate of Stivers School for the Arts, Duante is passionate about community involvement and works with several local organizations. He works as a copywriter for a local marketing firm, and also as an entertainment/lifestyle journalist for the local newspaper. |
 Megan Cooper :: At-Large Board Member Megan became involved in updayton as the organization’s first communication and public relations lead. Professionally, Megan is the Executive Director of FilmDayton. Dayton has been a second home to Megan since she moved from Indiana to attend the University of Dayton – where she received her B.A. in Theatre and M.A. in Communication. |
 Amy Forsthoefel :: At-Large Board Member Amy has been living, working and playing in every square inch of Dayton since moving to the region after college. She has a devout passion for appreciating history while focusing forward and inspiring regional pride in our residents. She digs local food, fancies the arts, and hankers for playing outside. |
 Maria Norman :: Communication Chair A native of the Dayton region, Maria has always appreciated the good food, music, and people in the area. She graduated from Wright State University with an Integrated Language Arts degree and has been working in the creative industry since. Currently, she is a copywriter/editor for Real Art Design Group. Knowing the power of clear communications, Maria is looking forward to helping updayton make an impact. |
 Shanon Potts:: Advocacy Committee ChairShanon is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dayton. She is a past chairwoman of Generation Dayton and was honored to serve a contemporaneous one-year term on the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees. Shanon is presently serving on the Board of Advisors at the Dayton Racquet Club where she leads the Emerging Executives Committee. She is also on the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan Community Council and an active member of Grace United Methodist Church. Shanon was named a 2010 “Watchable” by Women in Business Networking. She is also a 2009 recipient of the 40 Under 40 Award. |
 Philip Roestamadji :: Marketing ChairPhilip is a proud Dayton resident and Wright State alumni with a degree in Management Information Systems. Since graduating, Philip has found his niche within the field of marketing, and has been working with WorkflowOne in downtown Dayton as a Technical Marketing Specialist. Throughout his college and professional career, he has always been active in local groups and the eternal hunt for Dayton’s best kept secrets. This passion for the Gem City led him to updayton, where he continues to try and make an impact on his community and its people. |
 Ryan Shapiro :: At-Large Board Member As an updayton team member since the beginning, Ryan absolutely loves the Dayton region. When not being a clinical researcher or grad student, you will find Ryan enjoying Dayton’s awesome theater scene or out running or cycling in one of our great Metro Parks and trails. |
 Sherri Wierzba :: At-Large Board Member Sherri is business development manager of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. A graduate of the University of Dayton, Sherri returned to the area in 2009 after a career in advertising in New York City. She serves on the City of Dayton’s Bike Walk Committee and is a participant in the City’s Welcome Dayton plan. In her personal time, she enjoys travel, flamenco dance and any opportunity to practice her Spanish language skills. |
 Andy Williamson :: At-Large Board Member Andy is a transplant to Dayton who brings lots of energy and passion to any group. As an outdoor professional he strives to encourage all ages to get outside and enjoy the amazing recreation assets in the Miami Valley. In addition to updayton, Andy is an active bicycle advocate, historic home remodeler, music lover, overall outdoor enthusiast and family man. |
Organizational Partners
 SOCHE :: Organizational SupportThe Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education is the organization that administered DaytonCREATE – the initiative from which updayton was spawned. Since then SOCHE has been a great supporter of updayton. Through collaboration with SOCHE, updayton was able to hire an Executive Director in the Jan. of 2011. |
 CreativeFuse Initiative :: Graphic Design The CreativeFuse Initiative provides graphic design expertise to updayton. Their experience and expertise is invaluable for developing the marketing material and artwork required for the annual Young Creatives Summit. |
 The Dayton Development Coalition :: Summit Resource FairEach year the Dayton Development Coalition has organized the Resource Fair for the annual Young Creatives Summit. The Fair is a great opportunity for attendees to connect with the many amenities available in the Dayton community. |
 The Dayton Foundation :: Fiscal Management Since our inception The Dayton Foundation has provided fiscal management support to updayton. TDF’s generous help has enabled updayton to operate without non-profit status, but still receive charitable donations in support of the annual Summit and action plan projects. |
 The Fitz Center for Leadership :: Graduate Student Support Beginning in 2009 updayton formed a partnership with the Fitz Center for Leadership to provide University of Dayton graduate student support to updayton. The Administrative Coordinator is hired by the Fitz Center and coordinates the day to day operations of updayton. The Fitz Center also provides a home to our group: the Rubicon House at 1056 Brown St. |
 WSU Center for Urban & Public Affairs :: Summit Planning The WSU Center for Urban & Public Affairs has been a integral partner for the planning & execution of the annual Young Creatives Summit. CUPA provides the needed expertise to facilitate the Summit breakout sessions and post-Summit action plan launch. |
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