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Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Seth Baker to head County Foundation

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

For the first time in 17 years, The Van Wert County Foundation will be getting a new executive secretary, as Board President Thad Lichtensteiger announced Wednesday that Van Wert native Seth Baker was chosen to replace Larry Wendel, effective January 1, 2014.

Seth Baker
Seth Baker

Baker, who grew up on a farm in Liberty Township – and still assists with the farming operation there — earned an associate’s degree in horticulture from The Ohio State University’s Technical Institute in 2002, a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from OSU’s Knowlton School of Architecture in 2006, and an MBA from Wright State University, with a concentration in management, innovation and change, this year.

Baker, who is currently assistant director of the Wapakoneta Economic Development Council, was a landscape designer in Florida from 2006 to 2009 and served as program manager for the Main Street Van Wert downtown development organization from 2009-2011. He also served as interim director of Wassenberg Art Center from November 2011 through February 2012.

Baker has been involved in a number of community organizations as well, including Van Wert Rotary Club, Junior Achievement, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Wassenberg Art Center, the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Van Wert County Economic Development Advisory Group.

He and his wife, the former Anna Battle, reside in Van Wert and are members of First Presbyterian Church, where Baker currently serves on the church’s Board of Trustees.

Wendel, who will retire effective December 31, has been executive secretary of the Foundation since he replaced former secretary Robert Games in 1996, and has been a member of its Board of Trustees since 1979.

POSTED: 11/14/13 at 8:45 am. FILED UNDER: News