"What excites me most is that any Hamilton resident can apply for one of these micro-grants," said Board President Mitchell Willis. "We as a board are humbled by the thought of the positives that can come of the $50,000 budgeted to this effort."

The Advisory Board follows a structure meant to be inclusive of all Hamilton neighborhoods. The board consists of nine voting members and three, non-voting alternate members. Appointees were selected based upon neighborhood type, by the involved members of City Council. The involved members of Council have included three non-voting appointees to be an additional voice for the community and vote in the absence of an appointed advisory board member.

The Advisory Board is supported by three members of City Council, Kathy Klink, Tim Naab, and Carla Fiehrer and three members of the City administration, Brandon Saurber, Boyce Swift, and Karen Wittmer.

"It's just wonderful the mix of new and lifelong Hamiltonians," said City Councilmember and Chairperson Kathy Klink. "They also bring points-of-view from across many different areas of our city."

The roles of the 17Strong Advisory Board members are to develop, promote, assess and make recommendations relative to the upcoming neighborhood micro-grant program; make recommendations to further engagement and trust between neighborhoods, within neighborhoods and between the City and neighborhoods; and bring their personal perspective from their respective neighborhoods with the intention of serving for the good of all Hamilton neighborhoods.

"I'm very heartened by how this group of residents is bringing perspective without bringing an agenda," said Assistant to the City Manager Boyce Swift. "They established early on that they intend to work very hard to support and lift efforts in all Hamilton neighborhoods, not simply their own."

The Advisory Board members will serve terms that run concurrently with the City Council member that appointed them, with the exception of those initial appointees who would be scheduled to serve less than 2 years based on the remainder of the appointing Council member's term. Meetings are open to the public and will be posted on the City of Hamilton's website (www.hamilton-oh.gov ). If you have any questions, email 17strong@hamilton-oh.gov.

Introducing the City of Hamilton's 17Strong Advisory Board members:

Mitchell Willis

ROLE: Board President

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Urban - German Village

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Newport Beach, CA

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 2

OCCUPATION: Director of Development at Shared Harvest Foodbank.

EDUCATION: B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and his M.A. in Public Administration/Non Profit Management from Yale

BIO: Mitchell has worked in Hamilton for 6 years and he and his partner bought their Historic Home in German Village 2 years ago. Considered a veteran fundraiser with more than 23 years of experience and a thoroughly tested track record, Mitchell Willis's career includes high performance at several respected organizations and institutions in the public and non-profit sectors. Willis understands the entire organization - from key management and operational functions to the delivery of services to beneficiaries. "My heart and soul are truly about Community no matter what an individual's socio economic background is. At the end of the day, we should all break bread together and be grateful," Willis said. "My excitement for the Renaissance our city is experiencing began about 3 years ago when I knew I was home!"

Don Garrett

ROLE: Board Vice President

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Suburban - New London

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: Lifelong

OCCUPATION: Police Sergeant at City of Fairfield, Ohio

EDUCATION: A 1980 graduate of Taft Sr. High School he has also attended Coastal Carolina Community College. A graduate of The Police Executive Leadership College, he is currently attending the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program

BIO: Don has resided in the New London Neighborhood since 2012. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he has worked for the City of Fairfield Police Department since 1986. He is currently a Police Sergeant and assigned as a Patrol Supervisor. Don has attended advanced leadership, community relations and executive training courses. He is a current member of The City of Sculpture Board. He has participated in the Sense of Place Committee for the past two years and other civic groups in the past. Don believes that being involved in improving our community and building relationships are the keys to the success of our neighborhoods. He supports building trust and communication within the city to spark redevelopment, community pride and a healthy city to live in. When not working, Don enjoys volunteering in the community, working on his home with his wife Betsy Hope, traveling and spending with his children and grandchildren.

Scott Chadwell

ROLE: Board Member & Social Media Officer

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Suburban - Taft Place/Governor's Hill

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Born in Hamilton, OH, raised in San Diego, CA

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 1
OCCUPATION: Technology officer for ad agency and co-owner of a software company

BIO: "[I] moved back to Hamilton to raise my daughter and want to be a part of the community and be of service in Hamilton in whatever capacity I can," said Chadwell.

Frank Downie

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Traditional - Lindenwald

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Born in Middletown, OH, raised in Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 61

OCCUPATION: Retired/Volunteer

EDUCATION: St. Ann; Hamilton Catholic/Badin High School; BS Psychology - University of Dayton; some graduate work University of Indiana, Terre Haute

BIO: Having been born in Middletown, Ohio, Frank has been a Hamilton resident in the Lindenwald neighborhood since he was 5 years old, and has spent the past 40 years in the same home on Brough Ave.

Representing Lindenwald, but committed to all 17. I recall when our neighborhoods were distinct entities; rich with small businesses, front porches, pools, parks and residents who knew each other and interaction was high. "The willingness of City of Hamilton Administration and City Council to encourage and sanction The 17Strong Initiative resonates with me and I want in on the ground floor," Downie said. "Helping engage citizens to become stakeholders in their community. establishing efforts and ideas that enhance the quality of life in Lindenwald and Hamilton in general. The time is now!"

Alfred Hall

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Urban - Downtown/Central Business District (CBD)

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/17

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

OCCUPATION: Urban Farmer at Hamilton Urban Garden Systems (HUGS)

BIO: After a 40 year absence, Hall has been back in Hamilton for 7 years. He has served as a corporate executive, management consultant and is now an urban farmer. "We are citizens not consumers," Hall said. "We have an obligation to make our city a better place to live, work, learn and play."

Amy Kibby

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Traditional - East End

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/17

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 40

OCCUPATION: Business Operations Analyst at Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software

EDUCATION: B.S. Fashion Merchandising, Miami University

BIO: Amy was born and raised in Hamilton, and is a graduate of Badin High School and Miami University. Amy has worked in several industries with a strong focus in sales and customer service and is currently a Business Operations Analyst for Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software. Amy is proud to be on the 17Strong Advisory Board and hopes to create balance and harmony among our 17 neighborhoods. "I would like to develop opportunities that will celebrate our diverse cultures to strengthen and unify our great city."

Chris Roehl

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Traditional - Armondale

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN:Montpelier, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 18

OCCUPATION: IT Network Field Engineer

EDUCATION: B.A. in Architecture, Miami University

BIO: Chris worked as a designer full time for 10 Years, and now works as an IT Network Field Engineer as well as a freelance designer providing 3D visualization and graphic design service. "I want to provide added support in any way I can to the city that has really done a lot for me over the past 18 years," said Roehl. "I'd love to see a strengthening of community within all of the neighborhoods and hope to use the skills in my toolbox to help achieve that."

Lauren Smallwood

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Suburban - Washington

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/17

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: Lifelong

OCCUPATION: Graduate Research Assistant

EDUCATION: Hamilton High School graduate, BA in Early Childhood Education, MEd in Elementary Education, MS in School Psychology and current Ph.D. student in School Psychology at Miami University

BIO: Lauren Smallwood lives in the Washington neighborhood and is a lifelong Hamilton resident. She is a Graduate Research Assistant for Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs at Miami University, doctoral student in School Psychology. "The mission of 17Strong truly promotes citizen engagement and the betterment of our community at large," said Smallwood. "As an advocate of Hamilton, I believe this opportunity will further the efforts to highlight all aspects of our city. Now is a great time to be a Hamiltonian!"

Joanne Wallisch

ROLE: Board Member

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Urban - Rossville

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 54

OCCUPATION: Owner/Designer at Piraino Interiors

EDUCATION: Graduate of Western College for Women

BIO: Aside from an 11-year stint in Denver, Joanne is a committed 5th generation Hamiltonian. She is a Professional Member of Interior Design Society (IDS-CQRID) and has practiced Interior Design for 38 years, with 17 of those as the owner of Piraino Interiors, located in Hamilton. Joanne has volunteered in the Sense of Place/ 17Strong effort for the last 3 1/2 years primarily in the North End neighborhood. "It is my belief that the stronger and healthier our neighborhoods are, the stronger the city is," said Wallisch. "I believe this group can facilitate major changes in our landscape."

Kathy Christen

ROLE: Alternate

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Urban - Rossville

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Hamilton, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 50

OCCUPATION: English teacher in the Hamilton City Schools for almost 30 years and an adjunct professor in education at the University of Cincinnati

EDUCATION: Graduate of Hamilton High School---'82; B.S. Degree in English Education from Miami University--'86; Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Miami University---'89; Doctorate in Educational Foundations from the University of Cincinnati---'05; School Superintendent's Licensure (30 hours) from the University of Cincinnati--'08

BIO: Winston Churchill said,"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Giving has always been a part of Kathy's life. Her parents (Dr. Jim and Anne Carr) were fervent believers of giving back to the community and they raised her brothers and her with these ideals of giving and selflessness. In recent years, Kathy had taken a hiatus from many community service projects in order to raise her children, but now that they are school age, she is ready to begin giving back again. "I am a true believer in 'hometown pride' and I am beyond thrilled at the progress that Hamilton has been making in the last few years to create a fabulous urban city and a cultural mecca." Kathy's mother was on the committee responsible for putting the exclamation point in between Hamilton and Ohio, and she feels it's time for a reboot. "Today we need to bring that exclamation point back because Hamilton is a city about which to exclaim excitement," said Kathy. "I feel privileged to be a part of the excitement. Hamilton! Ohio.......the excitement is contagious!"

Kathy has lived in three Hamilton neighborhoods after growing up in Fairway Hills and also living in Dayton Lane prior to her current home in Rossville.

Michele Simmons

ROLE: Alternate

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Traditional - Highland Park

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Kingston, TN

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 13

OCCUPATION: Associate Professor at Miami University

EDUCATION: PhD in Composition and Rhetoric, Purdue University; MA in Professional Communication, Clemson University; BA in Technical Writing, University of Tennessee

BIO: Michele Simmons has resided in Hamilton's Highland Park neighborhood since 2003. She is an associate professor at Miami University where she teaches civic engagement, technical writing, grant writing, environmental communication, and research methods. She has a long-term interest in urban revitalization and is excited by the opportunity that 17Strong provides to work with communities in a citizen-led initiative to not only engage residents within their own neighborhoods but also to build productive connections across and among all the neighborhoods in Hamilton.

Robert Stewart

ROLE: Alternate

NEIGHBORHOOD REP: Suburban - New London

TERM EXPIRATION: 12/31/19

HOMETOWN: Springdale, OH

YRS AS HAMILTONIAN: 6

OCCUPATION: Supply Chain Manager at Fischer Process Industries

EDUCATION: Graduated From Princeton High School 1992, Attended University of Cincinnati 1992 - 1997

BIO: "I wanted to be involved with the advisory board, as a sense of just volunteering my time to the community. I had been wanting to get involved for a long time, and when I saw this opportunity it just seemed to be a fit for me," said Stewart.

Front row left to right: Scott Chadwell, Lauren Smallwood, Mitchell Willis  Back row left to right: Frank Downie, Joanne Wallisch, Michele Simmons, Kathy Christen, Don Garrett, Alfred Hall, Rob Stewart, Chris Roehl