Jason Hottle is the owner of Modern Ohio Realty and shares his love of residential real estate and keen insight into the city’s unique neighborhoods with buyers and sellers in Central Ohio.

Jason is a passionate devotee of modern architecture and an entrepreneur who believes in continuously finding better, more modern, ways to buy and sell real estate. He has lived in several homes and condos in Columbus’ urban neighborhoods and cares deeply about being an integral part of the communities in which he resides. As a business undergrad, he worked at architectural and design-build firms. He then earned an MBA and spent 22 years in Financial Services in roles including mortgage origination, servicing, risk, finance, and regulatory affairs. He started investing in rental properties in 2005, and made real estate a full-time career in 2015. Jason’s favorite landmark is The Christopher Inn, a lost landmark and reminder that we must protect our mid 20th century buildings.

Peter Krajnak is Design Principal at Rogers Krajnak Architects and has overseen approximately 500 commissions for worship, education, community, health care and residential clients.

Peter has a passion for historic buildings and a portfolio filled with numerous preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects. In addition to his role as Board President, he serves on the Endangered Properties Fund Committee. Peter is most proud of the James R. Recchie Design Awards his team received for the Broad Street UMC stone replacement project and the Lifeline of Ohio Expansion and Donor Memorial project. He and his wife Ann, live in a 105-year-old home in Bexley, where they raised their three sons and four beagles. His favorite Columbus Landmark is the Southern Theatre.

Toni Bell is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Phoenix Consulting Company, LLC, is a seasoned expert in blending social science with innovative design to deliver impactful learning experiences. Renowned for her experiential sessions, she inspires performance and drives timely change. With a proven track record, she has facilitated leadership academies for Fortune 500 companies and local non-profits like United Way of Central Ohio. Toni’s dedication extends to transformative projects such as The Heritage Projects, a non-profit she co-founded, which promotes experiential learning through historical tours. As a board member of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, she champions initiatives that preserve and celebrate the city’s architectural heritage, leveraging her expertise in organizational behavior to drive marked improvements in effectiveness. A Harvard University graduate with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Toni equips leaders at all levels with cutting-edge coaching and support, enhancing communication, driving process improvements, and advancing Organizational and Human Behavior initiatives with precision and impact.

Alison Circle served as the Chief Customer Experience Officer for Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML). Over the course of her eight-year tenure, she oversaw all library staff and branches, Marketing, Collection Services, IT, Security, Volunteers, Training and Development.

Alison led the staff through tremendous changes in library work and launched Customer First, a customer experience philosophy, which has become an industry standard. She led all design for CML’s 12-library building program. Three of those libraries won the James B. Recchie Design Award: Driving Park, Northside, Main Library. In 2017 she was selected by the Customer Experience Professional Association (CXPA) for the Global Impact Award and she earned a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) certification, the industry designation. She was elected to the CXPA board in 2018, which is a worldwide association. In 2021 she stepped away from the library; in 2022 she earned the Master Gardener certification from Ohio State. Alison has an extensive background in art and design, having received two National Endowment for the Arts grants, two Wisconsin State Arts grants, and inclusion in a show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Alison’s favorite landmark is the Main Library, of course!

Michael Douglas is a Senior Associate at Rockbridge, where he blends his love for urban development, the City of Columbus, and history with his financial insight to bring a unique perspective to Columbus Landmarks.

Michael has served in various leadership roles within ULI’s Columbus Chapter, including the Chair for the Young Leaders Group. He supports both the preservation of historic buildings and complementary new development, centered on the belief that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in our city’s identity, culture and wellbeing of those who interact with them.  Outside of work, Michael can be found walking with his wife and their dog, Doug, riding his bike on the city’s trail network, or enjoying a beer at any of Columbus’ many local breweries. Michael has a Bachelor of Business Administration with specializations in Finance, Real Estate and Urban Analysis from The Ohio State University.

Amy Long brings over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry and is proud to call Columbus her home. She remains dedicated to her career while also finding fulfillment in giving back to her community. Amy has served as an active member of the Short North Rotary for over a decade, contributing to various philanthropic endeavors, including Polio Plus, Rafiki AIDS orphanage, and local causes such as Ready for Kids Foundation. She previously held a role as a board member of the Columbus Mortgage Bankers, furthering her commitment to community service. Currently, Amy serves as a board member and tour director of the MidTown Area Real Estate Association and Secretary/Membership Chair for the Bexley/Eastmoor/Berwick Realtor Association. She values the opportunity to engage with her real estate industry peers and stay informed about the latest industry trends. Her dedication to her profession and community involvement are attributes she holds dear. Outside of work, Amy and her partner Collins, love being with his two wonderful teenagers. The kids are involved in sports year around and they also like to travel to visit different parts of the country. Amy’s genuine passion for real estate and her desire to positively impact Columbus are guiding forces in her role at Columbus Landmarks, and she feels deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the community.

Stephen Metz is the President of SMBH Engineering and has been with SMBH since 1998. He progressed through the organization from project engineer, project manager, to principal.

Stephen has over 25 years’ experience designing and managing a diverse portfolio of structural systems, is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited, and professionally licensed in 16 states. The knowledge and broad-based experience Stephen gained over his tenure have made him the visionary behind SMBH’s strategic plan and business development efforts. Under his leadership, the firm has enjoyed significant growth and remains at the forefront of structural engineering. Stephen is the author of several articles and has presented at numerous industry events.

Cole Moffatt has been involved with Columbus Landmarks since 2020. Initially a member of the Advocacy Committee—he’s assisted with organizing the annual Most Endangered Sites List, hosted various workshops, made presentations for local neighborhood meetings, and served on the selection committee for the Recchie Awards. He eventually joined the board in 2022. Cole also serves as Chair of the Preservation Services Committee. Cole owns and operates a stained glass studio, Steelton Glass Co., located on the South Side of Columbus. His studio’s work varies from private commissions to large-scale restorations and can be seen across Central Ohio. He was recently featured on a national television series, A Home Away, on the Magnolia Network. Cole resides in a historic pink house on the South Side with his wife, Lauren, and their two children, Henry and Frances. When he’s not in the studio, you can likely find Cole at a Blue Jackets game, fishing a creek in one of Columbus’ beautiful Metro Parks, or enjoying a book and a pint at Jackie O’s.

Hello, I am a public practice attorney in natural resource and environmental conservation. I attended the University of Dayton and OSU (Moritz) College of Law. I served 9 years as a member of the Columbus Historic Resources Commission and currently serve on the Columbus Board of Commission Appeals. I have served on CL’s Partnership, James B. Recchie Design Award, and Ed Lentz Prize committees and am chair of the Preservation Loan Fund committee. I am interested in seeing neighborhoods and places reborn, preserved, renewed, and revitalized. In my spare time I am active in my parish (St. Dominic) and enjoy spending time with family and friends and cycling.

Dr. Zayd Abukar is a higher education professional who currently serves as the Director of Academic Services for The Ohio State University’s Department of Teaching and Learning. A first-generation college graduate, Zayd is passionate about education as a tool for mitigating social inequities and broadening opportunities for marginalized groups. He has written and presented about this topic in several publication and conference outlets including, but not limited to, the Columbus-Dayton African American News Journal, the Ohio College Personnel Association (OCPA), the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Zayd also serves on the editorial board of the national peer-reviewed Journal of First-generation Student Success. Zayd holds a B.A. in Communication with a minor in Sociology from the University of Louisville, an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs with a graduate minor in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Jasmine, and their miniature schnauzer mix, Rico. Zayd is a lifelong basketball fan and player and has recently picked up long-distance running. He also enjoys customizing sneakers in his spare time.

Kalpa Baghasingh is a Principal and COO at Schooley Caldwell, a historic preservation focused architectural firm with a storied history of 80 years. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a dual master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning. With this background, she provides a holistic and contextual approach to design, whether it is interior renovation, master planning or both. She has worked on a variety of building types, and manages complex projects with a keen sense of attention to detail. Many of Kalpa’s projects involve in-depth historical research, historic preservation tax credits, accessibility and code issues, and feasibility and space planning. Some of her better-known projects include the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus City Hall, Open Air School, Cristo Rey Columbus High School, and the Perry County Courthouse. Kalpa is passionate about protection of cultural heritage places, and has actively participated in local preservation communities. She is a founding board member of the non-profit group Young Ohio Preservationists, dedicated to bringing awareness and outreach to the younger generation and providing a network for emerging professionals. When she lived in Seattle, she served on the Board of Directors of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, a state-wide non-profit dedicated to saving the places that matter in Washington State and to promoting sustainable and economically viable communities through historic preservation. She calls herself an “accidental artist” and is a budding children’s book illustrator. She loves to travel to lesser-known places and adores handwritten letters.

Don Leonard is an Assistant Professor of Practice at The Ohio State University in the Knowlton School’s City and Regional Planning section. He holds a doctorate in Government from Cornell University, and has been a consultant to projects funded by the UK Department for International Development and the Inter-American Development Bank. His research, teaching, and practice focuses primarily on the causes of economic inequality and its consequences for cities and regions.

Gerika Logan is a native of Columbus and currently resides in West Columbus. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Ohio University, she decided to learn more about different fields that could connect her love of place and people at The Ohio State University where she received her master’s degree in City and Regional Planning. During her time in this program, she was introduced to historic preservation and the need to preserve not only physical spaces and structures but the stories they hold. By day, Gerika connects with communities across the state as a Program Administrator for the Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program at the Ohio Rail Development Commission. In this role, she is able to connect communities around the state to funding for grade separation planning studies and projects. In her previous role with the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA) at The Ohio State University, Gerika worked closely with Columbus Landmarks on the Ghost Neighborhoods of Columbus project that was created to visualize Columbus Neighborhoods before urban renewal. While working on this project, she was able to interview multiple current and former residents of Poindexter Village and Hanford Village and invite experts to present on similar efforts in other communities through webinar presentations. During her free time, she enjoys capturing the beauty of new and old places through digital and film cameras and sharing a meal with the people she loves.

Kelly Lombardo Matthews works as Program Manager for Greater Columbus Sister Cities, International, and volunteers with Columbus nonprofit Hope Hollow. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton (B.A. in Communications and Journalism) and The Ohio State University (M.A. in Italian Studies).

Lance Strong has been helping families achieve the dream of home ownership since February of 2002. He is relentless in doing the right thing for his customers and ensuring a smooth process. He’s passionate about diversity and it’s important to him that every person who wants help gets the attention and care that they deserve.

Lance specializes in residential lending including but not limited to down payment assistance, 100% financing, first time home buyer programs, FHA and VA. He also has a wide variety of products to help medical professionals and those in need of refinance or new construction.  He spent three years building homes for a large production home builder and understands the process well.

Lance looks forward to each opportunity to help families feel valued and to make their home buying experience excellent and believes the key to achieving this is first class communication and responsiveness. Lance is committed to creating home-buying experiences that will delight his customers.

I was born and raised on the shores of Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio, but have been a Central Ohio resident for almost two decades. After graduating from Ohio State in 2008 and spending wonderful post-college years in Italian Village, German Village, Downtown, and the Short North, my spouse and I recently put down roots in Grandview Heights, where we live with our twin daughters (Maya and Avani (Of-nee), age 6), son (Siddhartha (Sid), age 2), and dog (Perry, age 7). Each neighborhood along the way has taught me that our city’s story matters, and that it is worth fighting for. After college I worked in Democratic campaign politics and then attended law school at Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law. For the past six years I have practiced commercial real estate law, and have spent the four most recent years at the national law firm Dinsmore & Shohl. I am honored to serve as the chair of my office’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, as well as the co-chair of Ohio Promote The Vote, which is a volunteer group of Democratic lawyers interested in voting rights. When we aren’t at work, my spouse and I are having a ball raising our kids together. Our favorite activities include family walks and bike rides, weekend trips to Grandview’s Pierce Field, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Franklin Park Conservatory, and pointing out LeVeque Tower whenever it’s in sight.

Janica Pierce Tucker is the Partner in Charge of Taft’s Columbus office where she oversees the strategy, growth, and client service of the firm. She serves in several leadership capacities at Taft and in the community, including as a Member of Taft’s Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and Board Member of RAPID 5, Columbus Landmarks, and Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation. In her practice, Janica advises educational institutions and employers on all aspects of employment and labor law. She also works closely with executives regarding compensation and other employment-related issues. She also represents employers in employment claims such as sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wrongful discharge matters. As a litigator, Janica is active in other aspects of civil trial, appellate litigation and commercial litigation. As a Title IX certified attorney, she provides Title IX training, and conducts investigations that include Title IX, the Clery Act, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). She also works with boards and provides advice regarding governance, particularly CEO evaluation and performance, board training, and conducts investigations at the discretion of the board. She has been recognized with numerous accolades including YWCA’s Women of Achievement Award, Ohio Women’s Bar Association Leading the Way Award, Columbus CEO’s Top Lawyer, and Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Presidential Award. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, entertaining, traveling, and spending time with family.

Susanne A. Wilson is a versatile legal professional with expertise in intellectual property and corporate law. Currently serving as Assistant General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at Battelle Memorial Institute, Susanne oversees the strategic management of IP portfolios and provides strategic counsel to executive leadership and the board of directors. Prior to her role at Battelle, Susanne held senior positions at SharkNinja and Schneider Electric. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Susanne holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law, a Master of Science in Engineering from Kettering University, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University. Her commitment to professional excellence is further evidenced by her certifications as a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US). Beyond her professional endeavors, Susanne is actively engaged in her community. Her multifaceted background, leadership acumen, and dedication to advancing innovation make her a valuable asset in both legal and corporate landscapes.