Dr. Genesis Downey is Honors Program Director and Professor of English at Owens Community College, where she has served students since 2002. A nationally recognized educator, she is known for creating engaging learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively and become thoughtful, civically engaged citizens.

In 2026, Dr. Downey received the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition, one of the nation's highest honors for community college faculty. The award recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, make a lasting difference in students' lives and are deeply committed to their colleges and communities. She also received Owens Community College's 2025 Presidential Teaching Award, the College's highest faculty honor, recognizing her quality and innovation in teaching, commendable service to the College and profession, and exceptional commitment to student success. Colleagues praised her strong connection to students, her ability to help them grow as critical thinkers and communicators, and her mentorship of fellow faculty. She is especially recognized for her creativity and collaboration in assessing student learning and academic programs, as well as her support of both new adjunct faculty and experienced instructors working with honors students.

Dr. Downey teaches courses in composition, literature, creative writing, fiction, popular culture and interdisciplinary studies. Throughout her career, she has been committed to fostering intellectual curiosity, encouraging meaningful dialogue and helping students discover the confidence to express their ideas through writing.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Philosophy in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University.

As an educator, mentor and academic leader, Dr. Downey exemplifies Owens Community College's mission of changing lives through the power of education and continues to inspire students and colleagues through her dedication to teaching, scholarship and service.

The Conversations podcast is revisiting a compilation of a few of our favorite conversations that bring a local perspective from the past year. Each guest brings a unique viewpoint, but together they tell a larger story about what makes northwest Ohio so special. They remind us that strong communities are built when institutions, leaders and people invest in one another. It's a belief that shapes so much of the work we do at Owens.

The lineup:

• Vince DiPofi, SSOE CEO (episode originally aired March 12, 2026)
• Neil MacKinnon, Rossford Mayor (episode originally aired February 12, 2026)
• Dr. Brian Treece, President and CEO, Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation (episode originally aired November 13, 2025)
• Dr. Veronica Motley, Retired Superintendent, Sylvania Schools (episode originally aired April 9, 2026)
• Jami Williamson, Owens Professor, Therapeutic Services (episode originally aired October 9, 2025)

Five years ago, Dr. Dione D. Somerville became president of Owens Community College. Since then, Owens has continued building on its long history of serving students, employers and communities across Northwest Ohio.

In this special episode of the award-winning Conversations podcast, 13abc Anchor Kristian Brown turns the tables, interviewing Dr. Somerville about the lessons she has learned during her first five years as president, the evolving role of community colleges and what lies ahead for Owens.

From workforce development and healthcare education to student success and community partnerships, this conversation reflects on the progress of the past five years - and the opportunities ahead.

Episode Guest: Dr. Dione D. Somerville, President, Owens Community College

Host: Kristian Brown, Anchor, 13abc

Owens Community College has celebrated 60 years of service to our students and our region during the 2025-26 academic year. As we wrap up our celebrations, we have brought together voices from across our institution and our community to share the Owens story. Listen for a reflection on the values that have guided Owens and continue to shape our future.

Guests in this episode:

• Randy Gardner, former Chancellor, State of Ohio
• Mary Beth Hammond, Vice Chair, Owens Community College Board of Trustees
• Dr. Denise Smith, Owens Community College Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Jeff Ganues, an Owens grad who is CFO and Vice President, Business Affairs
• Dr. Steve Culbertson, Owens Community College Professor, Humanities
• Jen Hazel, Owens Community College Professor, English
• Jim Welling, an Owens grad who is the former Owens Express men’s basketball coach and Hall of Famer
• Jennifer Strauss, an Owens grad who is Executive Director and Vice President, Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo

Dr. Veronica Motley is originally from northeast Ohio. She attended the University of Akron, where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and later her doctorate in educational administration. She has served students and their families for 35-plus years.

Dr. Motley has served in four culturally and economically diverse school districts, which has allowed her to hone her skills and expertise. She has also continued to educate and inspire future educational administrators by serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of Akron, Kent State University and the University of the Bahamas, and by earning the prestigious title of Professional Fellow at Ashland University. She has also presented for multiple local, state and national organizations.

Dr. Motley has stated on many occasions that she feels it is a privilege to serve as Superintendent of Sylvania Schools. She feels honored to lead a district that truly believes in "Excellence Through Opportunity as we continue the legacy of investing in our number one asset…our children."

As a seasoned educator, Veronica has devoted her career to public education and the sense of pride and tradition it creates for the community and future generations. Dr. Motley enjoys spending time with her partner, Johnny, and her furbaby, Cricket the Cavapoo.

Vince DiPofi, PE, is the Chief Executive Officer of SSOE Group, a nationally ranked architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. ENR ranks SSOE as one of the Top 5 firms in the country, in the design of Manufacturing, Automotive and Semiconductor facilities. In 2025, Fortune Magazine named SSOE as one of the Top 25 professional service organizations in the country.

With over 40 years of professional experience, Vince has built a career defined by strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to innovation. Under his leadership, SSOE has launched a technology-driven strategic plan that positions the firm as a thought leader in artificial intelligence and design automation.

Vince is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style and his focus on developing the next generation of leaders. He’s passionate about helping organizations navigate change, strengthen their culture, and connect their success to the communities they serve. Whether he’s talking about strategy, innovation or the power of great teams, Vince brings a grounded, real-world perspective shaped by decades of hands-on leadership experience.

A licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio and Michigan, Vince holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo, where he was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2019. He was honored as the Toledo Society of Professional Engineers’ Engineer of the Year in 2022 and received the Ernst & Young Regional Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2024.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Vince is deeply engaged in community service. As a survivor, he has been a passionate advocate for the American Heart Association, including serving as chair of the 2026 Toledo Heart Walk campaign. He is also a board member of the United Way of Greater Toledo, and ConnecToledo economic development organization.

Neil A. MacKinnon III is a lifelong Rossford resident, civic leader and business professional whose career reflects a deep commitment to community, service and thoughtful growth. A graduate of Rossford High School’s Class of 1986, MacKinnon went on to attend Defiance College, further shaping the values of leadership and service that have defined both his professional and public life. In 2024, he was honored with Rossford High School’s Award of Distinction for his meaningful contributions to society.

Professionally, MacKinnon serves as a project manager and new business development officer for his family’s company, Nordmann Roofing, a commercial roofing firm established in 1931. In this role, he combines operational leadership with a forward-looking approach to business development, helping guide a multi-generation company rooted in quality and longevity.

In public service, MacKinnon has made a lasting mark as Mayor of the City of Rossford, first elected in 2011, reelected in 2015 and 2019, and running unopposed in 2023. His tenure has been defined by steady leadership, community investment and an emphasis on safety, recreation and infrastructure. Under his administration, the city has expanded recreational opportunities through park upgrades, the addition of pickleball courts and the dedication of John Folcik Park. He has also overseen significant improvements to the Rossford Marina, including a dedicated kayak launch and a new facility providing concessions, restrooms and showers for boaters and visitors to Veterans Park along the river.

MacKinnon’s leadership has extended to practical, quality-of-life improvements across the city, including road, curb and sidewalk projects designed to enhance pedestrian safety and family-friendly connectivity. With a consistent focus on public safety and civic preparedness, he was instrumental in creating, renovating and dedicating the Mark G. Zuchowski Safety Planning and Zoning Annex, honoring a former mayor and longtime city servant while strengthening the city’s operational capacity.

Beyond his professional and elected roles, MacKinnon remains deeply engaged in the Rossford community. He is an active member of the Bulldog Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing student experiences through teacher grants and educational opportunities. He is also the proud father of two children, Neil and Nadia, both Rossford High School graduates, continuing a family legacy closely tied to the city he serves.

Ed Ewers is the Superintendent of Penta Career Center, a career-technical education institution serving more than 2,700 high school students and thousands of adult learners across five counties in Northwest Ohio. A lifelong educator and native of the region, Ed has spent over 25 years advancing student-centered, workforce-aligned education that connects learning to real-world opportunities.

Ed began his career as a social studies teacher and coach with Montpelier Exempted Village Schools. He later served as principal of Montpelier High School for more than a decade, leading efforts to strengthen academic rigor, expand student support and deepen community partnerships. In 2011, he became Superintendent of Edon Northwest Local Schools, where he continued to prioritize personalized learning and career readiness.

In 2015, Ed joined Penta Career Center as its first Assistant Superintendent, a role created to accelerate the school’s strategic growth and expand partnerships with K-12 districts, higher education institutions, and regional employers. He was appointed Superintendent in 2020.

Ed earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. He is an active member of the Ohio Association of Career and Technical Superintendents and other statewide workforce and education coalitions.

Dr. Tom Brady and Betsy Brady are entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders whose work has influenced business, education and the arts across northwest Ohio. As co-founders of Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI), they built a global leader in plastics packaging, while also dedicating decades of service to higher education and cultural institutions.

Tom earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering from the University of Michigan. In 1985, he founded PTI, which became internationally recognized for innovation in sustainable packaging and collaboration with global consumer brands. His career later included service as Interim Dean of the College of Education at the University of Toledo, where he applied his entrepreneurial expertise to advancing academic programs.

Betsy, a graduate of Smith College with a degree in English, guided PTI’s growth for more than 35 years as Vice President of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, and Corporate Affairs. She was responsible for the company’s organizational strength and culture, ensuring PTI’s success as both a business and an employer. In addition to her corporate leadership, Betsy has been a prominent civic leader, serving in key roles for organizations across the region. Most notably, she chaired the Board of Directors for the Toledo Museum of Art, championing the museum’s accessibility and community impact.

Together, Tom and Betsy have extended their leadership into philanthropy and education, with a focus on preparing the next generation of professionals. Their most recent initiative, the Brady Educator and Social Services Academy with Toledo Public Schools, will create pathways for students pursuing careers in teaching and social services. This reflects their shared belief in education as the foundation for community and economic growth.

The Bradys’ legacy is defined by innovation in business, leadership in education, and dedication to cultural and civic institutions. Their partnership has created a lasting impact across industries and communities, ensuring that future generations have opportunities to learn, lead and succeed.

Brian Treece is the president & CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. In this role, he provides leadership and direction to fulfill and advance the Foundation's mission. He is responsible for leading the Foundation in its achievement of its operational and strategic goals, including the success of the Foundation’s fund and donor development, fiscal management, grants and program operations, board relations, human capital management, community leadership and administrative matters.

Before this role, Brian served as program director for Community and Organizational Development and Evaluation at The Community Foundation. Before coming to the Foundation, he was the assistant dean of students at the University of Findlay for many years.

Brian has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. Brian has been recognized for his achievements locally and regionally and has served on a variety of nonprofit boards in the community.