2025 Clinton County Community Champions

In late 2020, the Wilmington-Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau created the Clinton County Community Champions Award (C4) to celebrate Clinton County's "resilience, strength, and unity."

This year, the chamber and visitors bureau received 88 nominations for 56 individual nominees representing: Business, Citizen, Education, Government/Public Service, Healthcare, Non-Profit, and Youth categories. Nominees had to exemplify: exceptional commitment to the community by helping with a special project and/or ongoing activities; unselfish leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in the service to others; and inspiration to others as a role model.

The chamber and visitors bureau awarded 25 recipients, chosen by a panel of judges who serve on the organizations' boards. Since 2020, they have received over 400 nominations and presented 142 awards.

Learn more about the C4 Awards at wccchamber.com.

Brad Heys, Kava Haus, Trail Haus, Southridge Brewing (Business)

"Brad is committed to supporting downtown revitalization and enhancing the small businesses in Wilmington. Through each of his businesses, he aims to provide meaningful experiences for members of the community and visitors while contributing to community growth... You will not meet a more selfless person than Brad. He is always willing to help anyone around him..."

Marcus Harris, Donatos, DJMH, Harris3D Printing, Killem' All Beard Oil (Business)

"[He] is a leader who wears many hats—all with excellence, passion, and purpose... He is more than a boss; he is a mentor, motivator, and role model who leads by example, sees potential in others, and helps young people build confidence, life skills, and brighter futures... [He] believes that success means nothing unless you’re helping others rise with you."

Tom Daskalakis, TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital (Business)

"[He] has provided steady leadership during a critical transition, bringing stability, vision, and renewed purpose after... Through a collaborative, service-focused approach, he has rebuilt trust, strengthened culture, and improved associate and physician engagement by emphasizing transparency, recognition, and shared accountability."

Eric Guindon, Clinton County Youth Council (Citizen)

"Eric sees the good in each and every youth person who enters his life. He has grown CCYC from more than just an after-school program to a year-round outlet for not only his ‘kids’ but for the entire community. He goes out of his way every chance he can to help spread positive news about youth and what they do. He has started several community-wide and CCYC initiatives that are free."

Jeff & Janelle Smart, Clinton County Community Action (Citizen)

"Jeff and Janelle have been a tremendous help to the Aging Up Center...Both Jeff and Janelle support [the center] in multiple ways...They both work hours, coming in before staff, to prepare for the twice-monthly salad bar at the Senior Center, among other meal preparations..If they know of someone in need, they attempt to assist when and where they are able.”

Karen Quairry, Clinton County Community Action (Citizen)

"One perfect example of her kind heart is a local senior was in need of transportation out of state for a family wedding... [She] volunteered to drive the individual, that she didn't know, so that they could attend the event... This was in Tennessee when the flood occurred and they were stranded for days ... Karen was a constant support for the senior.”

Latasha Ruddle, Wilmington Church of God (Citizen)

"She impacts... children each week through the EPIC Kids Program by ensuring every child feels loved, valued, and supported—providing weekly meals, summer lunch packs, mentoring families, and sharing the gospel. She also serves foster, adoptive, and kinship families through food distribution, support groups, and personal mentoring... As a mom of 9 kids..., [she] understands the importance of... healthy family environment."

Rebecca Thompson- Waits (Citizen)

"Through her signature initiative, Bags of Hope...Becky has created a year-round tradition of giving, providing backpacks, stockings, care bags, meals, and gifts that carry comfort, love, and hope to hundreds each year. She personally organizes and funds these efforts, supporting children in crisis, residents of the county homeless shelter, and seniors throughout local care facilities."

Ann Compton (Education)

"For 30 years... She has guided thousands of youth into careers in health care... cares deeply for her students beyond the classroom and finds joy in their successes years after they leave …She is retiring this year, and I believe she deserves this award as recognition of an outstanding career."

Steve & Tammy Reed (Education)

"[They] have always gone above and beyond for the Wilmington community by being involved in so many different organizations and initiatives at Wilmington City Schools. Recently, they have become the leaders in the community in bringing foreign exchange students to our community, county, and region...”

Teresa Borden, Clinton County Community Action (Education)

"[She dedicated] countless hours beyond her normal work schedule to strengthen the Head Start Program and... the Clinton County Early Learning Center, placing the wellbeing of children and families first. She works tirelessly to improve classroom environments, maintain high- quality staff, and support her team..."

Rebecca Shultz, Wilmington Public Library (Education)

"[She] is a selfless and joyful leader [who]... has made a lasting impact ... She creates engaging programs that inspire a love of reading and learning through story times, crafts, school outreach, and inclusive events like Touch-A- Truck, Trunk-or-Treat, Easter activities..."

Dr. Hassan Issa, Clinton Regional Hospital (Healthcare)

"His leadership reflects a belief that healthcare is not only about treatment—it is also about giving patients a voice. One patient shared, ‘The best staff I’ve ever worked with… Dr. Issa is a great doctor. One of the best!’ This sentiment is echoed by many who value his empathy, patience, and dedication.”"

Dr. Rachel Lovano, Clinton Regional Hospital (Healthcare)

"Dr. Lovano has introduced innovative procedures—ensuring local patients receive world-class care without leaving the region... She actively mentors young physicians and fosters a culture of cooperation, modeling integrity and empathy in every interaction."

Dr. Tina Gabbard, Cincinnati Children's (Healthcare)

"[She] has cared for Clinton County families for more than 30 years. She lives here, worships here, and works here.[People] trust her... that trust showed up in steady, practical ways for parents and kids across the county [when she was] instrumental in the opening of Cincinnati Children’s Wilmington Primary Care."

Tracy Kelley, Kelley Primary Care (Healthcare)

"The dedication that she puts into caring for her patients as they are her own family is unmatched. She works full time as a nurse practitioner at CMH in neurology, and goes to her own practice on evenings and weekends where she provides personalized care for individuals with various needs."

Dave Sikorski, Habitat for Humanity Restore (Non-profit)

"[He is] working to serve the mission to build homes, communities, and hope by bringing people together to address the issues of poverty, housing and homelessness... [His] leadership stands out for his selfless approach, consistently prioritizing the needs of others..."

Jane Newkirk & Shane Breckel, Community Action (Non-profit)

"The [Aging Up Center], operated by Jane and Shane, serves a vital and growing need for older adults... the Center supports more than 760 individuals through essential services including congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation, and health and wellness programming..."

Stella Cramer, Clinton County Community Action (Non-profit)

"Stella has dedicated 40 years to Clinton County Community Action... Balancing her professional duties with college courses, raising a young child, and church and community volunteering, Stella’s commitment... is unwavering..."

Nancy Miller, Sugartree Ministries & Presbyterian Church of Wilmington (Non-profit)

"She goes far beyond...regularly spending hours distributing food, ordering and organizing pantry items, preventing waste, and ensuring leftover food is used to serve the community... She also created Sugartree’s successful blanket room."

Neil Rhonemous, BOX-14 Responder Unit (Non-profit)

"In just one year, he transformed a concept into a fully operational volunteer organization... BOX 14 has grown to 34 active members serving multiple fire districts, strengthened technological and logistical capabilities, secured critical resources, and raised more than $52,000..."

Wade Hall, Friends Caring for Cowan Lake & of Clarksville (Non-profit)

"[He] is truly an inspiration working for two non-profits, where he is the president of both... He secured funding for an ADA compliant handicap kayak and canoe launch facility for the park... He... secured a remodel for the old mayor's office, court, and jail at the historic Clarksville village."

Brian Smith, Clinton County Port Authority (Government)

"After 14 years on the Port Authority Board of Directors, [he] has become instrumental... in his knowledge of the organization, of the history, of projects attempted, of projects completed... Brian displayed an incredible commitment to Clinton County."

Carly Hayes, Great Oaks-Clinton Massie FCCLA (Youth)

"Through [her] role as VP of the Great Oaks-Clinton Massie FCCLA chapter, she has actively led planning, communication, and volunteer coordination, ensuring that projects ran smoothly and reached their full potential …Younger members of the chapter naturally look to her as a role model."

Eli Ruther, Scout Troop 155 (Youth)

"[He] exemplifies leadership, service, and community pride through his recent Eagle Scout project. Partnering with the Vernon Township Trustees, Eli took on the important task of documenting all veterans interred in the Clarksville Cemetery. Prior to his project, no official record existed... "

Mia Thirey (Youth)

"She has volunteered as an aid in the kindergarten classroom daily for the last two years [and is] also very actively involved in church... Mia plays varsity volleyball and varsity basketball for the school. She is a talented athlete, but more than that, she shows up, even on the days that she is the most exhausted, with a great attitude..."