Chris Singerling was hired as the Executive Director in July 2020. In 2007, he worked for the Associated Builders and Contractors as Senior Director of Political Affairs in Washington, DC. While working for ABC, he directed a $4 million political operation of 21,000-member trade association, was the liaison to two national committees consisting of construction executives from across the country, and developed and implemented TV, radio, and digital advocacy campaigns. To be closer to his family, Chris moved to Ohio from Virginia. In June 2019, he worked as the Operations Manager for the Orchard Bar & Table in Catawba Island. Chris possesses a strong background in strategic planning, public policy, and has a passion for economic development. He has been at the crossroads of economic development for 20 years developing partnerships, establishing programs at national and local levels, representing employers of all sizes and proven success in leading collaborative initiatives. He focuses on new business development, retention and expansion efforts, along with working with area partners to develop new strategies on how strengthen and grow Ottawa County. Chris currently sits on the Global Leadership Summit Task Force, the Cultural Arts Center Steering Committee, Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands Board, and the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council.

During his personal time, Chris enjoys playing golf, boating on Lake Erie and enjoying all that Ottawa County has to offer. He is an avid yogi and runner. He is a Michigander and resides in Catawba Island with his wife, Jessica, and their miniature labradoodle, Penny.

1: Random Fact: I was Bat Boy for the Chicago White Sox on August 1, 1983 against the New York Yankees

2: First Job: Grounds maintenance crew for golf course

3: Favorite Place to Visit: British Virgin Islands (a little warmer in January and limited cell phone service)

Jessica Grzechowiak is the Manager of Communications and Programs. She was originally hired as the Administrative Assistant in September 2011 and was promoted to Program & Office Coordinator in June 2014. Throughout the years, she has moved up from just handling daily administrative tasks and fiscal responsibilities to coordinating all internal and external marketing and communications, event planning and web design. Jessica has been instrumental in effective social media and communication strategies to improve brand awareness and enhance the organization’s online presence. In 2017, she revamped OCIC’s website to make it mobile-friendly and appealing to the business community, and continues to make improvements to the website as needed. Under the Business Advisory Council, she has assisted with a number of activities and projects including video testimonials from students, implementing online submission forms and communication efforts with the schools to promote BAC initiatives. Since October 2013, Jessica has served as the Safety Council Manager for the Ottawa County Safety Council. She recently took on the new Ottawa County RISE Program and works with Ottawa County small businesses to help support their needs. Jessica is a graduate of Owens Community College with a Degree of Applied Business.

During her personal time, Jessica enjoys nature trails, kayaking and playing video games with her husband. While raised in a Cleveland Browns household, she is a Dallas Cowboys fan. She loves Caramel Frappés and visiting Put-in-Bay. She is an Ottawa County native and resides in Woodville with her husband, Brandon.

1: First Job: Cameo Pizza as a Pizza Cook

2: Favorite Dessert: Lover of all things chocolate but my “sit back and relax” dessert would have to be brownies

3: Random Fact: I broke my pinky finger in P.E. class during my Freshman year of high school (and it’s never been the same since then)

Monica Metcalf was hired as the Employment Resources Associate for OhioMeansJobs Ottawa County in December 2020, eventually moving into the role of Manager of Employment Resources in 2022. In 2009, Monica started working at Country Hair Creations as a receptionist working in the office one day a week. In 2011, when her youngest child started school, she went to work part-time. Over the years she moved up from simply making reservations to Salon Manager and handling every day-to-day aspect of running the salon. As a Salon Manager, Monica understood the aspects of running a business – especially the workforce needs. Prior to working at Country Hair Creations, Monica was a stay-at-home mom focused on raising her 3 young children. She has perfected her customer service skills as well as her ability to create a comfortable environment for customers. She conducts job searches to assist job seekers, posts and updates job postings provided by employers, assists customers with writing resumes, designs promotional flyers for employers and recently started making business visits to inform employers of the services here at the Ottawa County OhioMeansJobs center. Monica is also the Office Administrator for the OCIC, handling financials and payroll, organizing filing systems and other clerical tasks.

During her personal time, Monica likes to crochet gifts for family, sometimes donating her gifts to charities. She is an avid reader and leads a monthly book club. As her children have grown, she has developed a love of traveling and enjoys creating scrapbooks of her travels.  She is an Ottawa County native and mother to three children, and one daughter-in-law. Monica resides in Genoa with her husband, Calvin, and her youngest children.

1: Favorite Place to Visit: Gatlinburg Tennessee (something about the mountain air makes me feel at peace)

2: Hidden Talent: Making people feel comfortable and accepted.

3: First Job: Drown’s Dairy in Oak Harbor

Katherine Adams was hired as the Employment Resources Associate for OhioMeansJobs Ottawa County in August 2022. Katherine began her career in customer service in 1989 as a tour guide on the Bay Area Trolley Tours, from there she spent multiple years in retail starting as a front-line clerk and eventually moved into managing a retail outlet. Over the years, Katherine has honed her skills as a small business owner focused on hiring and training amazing employees while delivering superior customer service to shoppers. As a single parent, she has experience navigating a variety of systems and is able to help clients navigate everything from unemployment to education and resume building. Katherine is very community oriented, serving on the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, being a part of the Oak Harbor Apple Festival Planning Team and previously served as the Chairwoman for the Battle of Fort Stephenson Bicentennial Festival in Fremont, Ohio.

During her personal time, Katherine enjoys spending as many weekends as she can with her husband at their camper. She is active on the Board of Trustees for the campground and currently serves as treasurer. She enjoys hunting, reading, gardening, crafting or refinishing a variety of furniture and decorations and creating “spaces” where guests can put their feet up and enjoy the farm.

1: Favorite Place to Visit: Taking an inside passage cruise through Alaska

2: Hidden Talent: I clog (as in old school country tap dancing)

3: Random Fact: I was once a singing waitress at Mickey Gilly’s club in Nashville

Ashley Spangler was hired to work as a Career Exploration and Development staff member in December 2021. Ashley grew up with a love for the water so she followed in her sister’s footsteps and started working at the Jet Express.  As an opportunist, Ashley took it one step farther and became a Captain.  After graduation, Ashley taught at Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic for several years and did much work in the non-profit world.  She decided to explore more avenues and became the Regional Sales Manager of Automation Components for Ohio and Pennsylvania. Working in this field for a number of years, she excelled in sales through the robotics division and became a Robotics Specialist, but due to COVID-19, the robotics division closed. Ashley has a passion to help people understand all of the career opportunities available and to help support them in obtaining those careers. She focuses on supporting the employment needs of job seekers, along with high school youth in need of career assistance and training opportunities. Ashley is a graduate of Ashland University with a Degree in Education. While she majored in education, Ashley was always more impressed with opportunities and career paths.  

During her personal time, Ashley loves spending time with her family, coaching sports, and vacationing. Her and her family try to spend as much time as they can on Lake Erie. She resides in Oak Harbor with her husband, Tim and their children.

1: Favorite Dessert: Any Pie à la Mode

2: First Job: Frank’s Ice Cream as a Sundae Artist

3: Favorite Place to Visit: The Bahamas