General Information for DNA Members

Your DNA Officers are:

  • Bailey McCoy, President
  • Emily Gilliam, Vice President
  • Megan Ernest, Secretary
  • Bob Molter, Treasurer

The operations of the DNA are facilitated by six committees as described below.

Please contact the committee chair if you’d like to be involved.

Events Committee

Goal 1: Offer Chocolate Walk in September of each year; sell 200 tickets for 2024. lncrease business participation to 40; give an information sheet to vendors on how best to manage Chocolate Walk.

Goal 2: Offer three Final Friday events with 40 vendors per event.

Goal 3: Host at least one annual business development event for members (can be at a membership meeting).

Committee Members:

  • Jon Gilliam, Chair, OhioTrue and The Archive
  • Bailey McCoy – CMD
  • Maryann Crist – The Midland Theatre
  • Megan Ernest – The Midland Theatre
  • Jill Crowe – Licking County Arts Association
  • Jeri Good – Volunteer
  • Cathy Cramer – Goumas
  • Mary Beth Matthews – 2nd Presbyterian
  • Avalee Carver – Newark Ohio Pride Coalition

Communications Committee

Goal 1: Provide community updates at monthly meeting (Newark city, Chamber of Commerce, Newark Development Partners, Explore LC).

Goal 2: Ensure DNA newsletter is distributed monthly via handout, email, website & Facebook.

Goal 3: Ensure membership information is updated regularly.

Goal 4: Inform all downtown businesses of Final Friday events & invite their participation.

Committee Members:

  • Emily Gilliam, Chair – 2nd Street Market
  • Hunter Waddell – Newark Development Partners
  • Karen Markgraf – Markgraf Clayworks

Membership Committee

Goal 1: Develop comprehensive membership packet that outlines benefits.

Goal 2: Update website to include more information about each business.

Goal 3: Increase membership annually by 10%,

Goal 5: Increase monthly meeting attendance to no less than 50.

Goal 6: Offer monthly networking social events to membership.

  • Emily Gilliam – 2nd Street Market
  • Jon Gilliam – OhioTrue & The Archive
  • Jessica Bloebaum – Raymond James
  • John Wilson – Big Brothers Big Sisters

Partnership Committee

Goals:

  1. Sponsor and/or co-host 2–3 strategic community or business events in partnership with the Licking County Chamber of Commerce.
  2. Expand participation and strengthen regional relationships by inviting members of neighboring chambers, service organizations, and similar groups to attend quarterly DNA networking events.
  3. Increase community engagement by providing sponsored admission for 20 local college students to attend the DNA Chocolate Walk.
  4. Proactively connect with DNA nonprofit members to encourage applications for DNA grants or sponsorship opportunities that support community-focused initiatives.
  5. Support a minimum of 10 community projects through DNA grant and sponsorship efforts during the calendar year.
  6. Identify and pursue innovative and mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities between the DNA and its member organizations.

  • Bailey McCoy, Chair – Canal Market District
  • Mike Birkmeyer- Madison Collins Stephens Agency
  • Stephanie Crockett- The Dawes Arboretum
  • Juan Escalera- United Way of Licking County
  • Timothy Goetz- Central Ohio Technical College
  • Amelia Hitchens- Licking County Chamber of Commerce
  • Patrick Hofer- Morning Harvest Cafe
  • DJ Knight- Morning Harvest Cafe
  • Lanie Sipes- Second Presbyterian Church
  • Emily Vermillion- Denison University
  • Loreena Williams- The Dawes Arboretum

Steering Committee

  • Howard Long, Chair, Licking County Historical Society,

Finance Committee

  • Jessica Bloebaum, Chair
  • Bob Molter – Accounting & Tax Partners