HCEF Staff

HCEF Trustees and Team Members

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Our Trustees

HCEF Trustees

Garrett M. Roach
Garrett M. Roach serves as President of the Board of Trustees and is an attorney with Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd. With nearly 30 years of experience, Mr. Roach has developed a practice that specializes in complex business matters, estate and business succession planning, real estate development, and oil and gas. Garrett is a Holmes County native and has a keen understanding of the unique local community and the needs and values of his clients. A majority of his practice involves business entity formation, corporate governance, business contracts, and mergers and acquisitions. His specialization also includes the development of sophisticated estate and business succession plans for multi-generational families. Garrett has been actively involved in real estate development and transactions. He has also developed a depth of experience with issues related to mineral titles. He and his wife Nikki have three children and live near Millersburg. He enjoys spending time outdoors and in the wilderness. Hunting, fly-fishing, hiking, kayaking, and bee keeping are among his favorites.
Michael Taylor
Michael K. Taylor is the Vice President of the Board of Trustees. He is a graduate of West Holmes High School and Bowling Green State University. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Upon graduation from College he returned to Millersburg and joined the accounting firm Rea & Associates. He was a CPA and partner in the firm and was instrumental in building Rea from a small firm to one of the top 100 firms in the United States. He retired in 2017 after 47 years with the firm. During his tenure he served the firm in various management capacities including office manager and Vice President of Operations. He has a passion for leadership and consulting and spent most of his career as a business advisor to closely held business owners. He was and is active in many community organizations. Post retirement he continues to consult with a few clients and has been involved in several large mergers and acquisitions. Mike’s hobbies include hunting and camping. He loves spending time at the family farm. One of his favorite quotes is “A lack of leadership is the result of a lack of leadership”.
Matthew W. Campbell
Matthew W. Campbell is the Treasurer and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. He is a Financial Advisor with Investment Partners, LTD. Matt is a former HCEF scholarship recipient who obtained his degree in Business Administration/Finance from Ohio University. Matt stated, "A formal education and career training is vital to the future progress of any community. I have received a tremendous return on the investment into my own education, and would like to see others receive this same opportunity." He stays very active in the community and has been involved in the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, West Holmes Athletic Boosters, Millersburg Baseball Association, West Holmes Soccer Club, HCEF Advisory Board, and Millersburg Faith Lutheran Church. Matt resides in Millersburg with his wife and they have three sons. In his spare time, he enjoys time with family, traveling, and attending concerts and sporting events.
Roger Proper
Roger Proper, a Holmes County native, is a member of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd., and chairs the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. He has over 25 years of experience in estate planning and is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Roger works with individuals, families, and business owners on estate and succession planning, charitable giving, asset protection, and trust and estate administration. He also advises clients on business formation, transactions, and strategic planning. An active community leader, Roger serves as Board Secretary for the Wayne County Community Foundation and as Board President of the West Holmes Athletic Booster Club and the Wayne County Bar Association. He is a past Board President of the Viola Startzman Clinic, Main Street Wooster, Wooster Noon Lions Club, and Wooster Young Professionals.
John R. Waltman
John R. Waltman has been with Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston LTD for over 30 years and is a lifetime resident of Holmes County. He is a member of the Holmes County, Ohio and American Bar Associations, Fellowship with the Ohio State Bar Association, and is a Director of the Commercial and Savings Bank. As such, he is "totally dedicated to the people of Holmes County and the assistance the Education Foundation may provide to enhance their lives."
Shasta M. Mast
Shasta M. Mast is Manager of the Hardwood Furniture Guild, Board Member of the Killbuck Savings Bank and former Director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. Shasta earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Otterbein College. Shasta is an active community member; having served on the HCEF Advisory Committee, Harvest Ridge Board, Holmes County Economic Development Council, Millersburg Rotary Club, Amish Country Farmers’ Market, Ohio Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and is a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Of the Foundation’s return on investment, Shasta states, “I’ve always believed in the power of lifelong education. The Foundation provides resources for traditional and non-traditional students to pursue their career paths. These folks go on to contribute to the success of our businesses and community.” Shasta resides near Benton with her husband Jim. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and boating.
Judge Thomas C. Lee
Judge Lee has served as Judge of the Holmes County Probate and Juvenile Courts since 1997. He graduated from Hiland High School in 1977, Taylor University with a B.A. in Psychology in 1982, earned his J.D. at Capital University Law School in 1986 and was in private practice in Holmes County from 1987 to 1997. He has been involved in many community activities and currently serves on the boards of Love, INC and Habitat for Humanity. He and Dawn have been married for 39 years and raised three boys, all of whom are now married. He is a partner at NewPointe Community Church and enjoys doting on his five grandchildren, reading, walking, and pickleball.
Craig E. Hershberger
Craig E. Hershberger began his career in Holmes County as an educator in both West and East Holmes schools and most recently retired as school counselor from Hiland High and Middle School after 37 years in education. He earned a BS degree in Education and a master’s degree in Counseling from Malone College and a master’s degree in School Administration from Ashland University. He’s been active with the Hiland Academic Booster Club, Holmes County Fair Board, Holmes County 4-H Advisor and member of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church. Craig has been a vital partner of the Holmes County Education Foundation since inception and states, “I have seen the benefits received by area students and the doors that have been opened for them…We need to continue to support our young people and give them the opportunity to continue their education and possibly return to the workforce in Holmes County.” Craig is married to Deb and they have two daughters and sons-in-law. Craig enjoys farming, time with family and watching sports.
Our Staff

HCEF Team

Holley C. Johnson
Executive Director
Holley Johnson moved to Holmes County with her husband and children in 2008. Having grown up in an Air Force family, she knew the importance of serving others, but it was Holmes County that taught her about the value of community. Her experience of living in 11 different states and 1 other country helps her to see Holmes County from a unique perspective and she truly feels that this is "the last best place on earth". Holley has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet from the University of Utah. After college, she spent several years as a professional ballerina with the Atlanta Ballet and Lexington Ballet. She has since found great joy in spreading her love for the art of ballet by teaching hundreds of students over the last 25 years. In 2015, Holley formed Holmes Center for the Arts with a group of community leaders with the purpose of providing more opportunities in the arts to the people of Holmes County. She spent a decade as the executive director, raising over $3 million for the arts in Holmes County, organizing hundreds of classes and performances, and constructing a new multi-purpose arts center for everyone to enjoy. Mrs. Johnson is excited to continue the legacy of the Holmes County Education & Community Foundation by providing scholarships for students seeking higher education and by expanding the community grant aspect of the foundation. She, her husband Matt (a structural engineer), and her three children live in Winesburg. Holley is also a member of the Rotary Club of Millersburg, the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Zion Reformed Church.
Ashley R. Doty
Scholarship Program Manager
Ashley is a 2003 graduate of West Holmes High School who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Ashland University. Since 2011, she gained purchasing and business experience with Schaeffler (Formerly LuK USA, LLC). While living in Wooster for the past nine years, Ashley has been involved with the Wooster Young Professionals, Lamplighters Civic & Social Club, and St. Mary’s Young Adult Group. Ashley values education and has a passion for helping others. During her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, seeing concerts, and cooking. Ashley is grateful to be back in Holmes County, and looks forward to serving the Holmes County Education Foundation for many years!