The Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce Staff

Ruthanne Wilkof

Ruthanne Wilkof
President/CEO

 

Ruthanne Mancini - Wilkof was named President & CEO of the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce in November 2001.  A seasoned professional, Wilkof brought with her 28 years of experience with a local financial institution, where she was private banking administrator.  Ruthanne was born and raised in Stark County and has lived in Jackson Township since 1993.  She and her husband Ron love living in Jackson and our very active in their community.  In addition to her many Chamber duties and accomplishments, Ruthanne continues to help improve the Jackson-Belden business and civic communities.  She serves on the Board of the Jackson Township Paul and Carol David YMCA, President of the Community Improvement Corporation of Jackson Township, served on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee for Jackson Township, and the Advisory Board for the Small Business Development Center at Kent State Stark Campus.

 

The prestigious Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio named Ruthanne Ohio’s Professional of The Year on July 21, 2005.  Wilkof is the first Stark County Chamber executive to receive this honor since 1996. 

 

Under her leadership, the Chamber has tripled in membership size with an average of 10 new members joining each month.  With the help of her staff, numerous volunteers, an actively involved Board of Directors, six networking TIP Club’s, and a 15 member Ambassador Committee, the Chamber has implemented a number of networking events and membership building functions that have helped to strengthen the organization as a whole.  Click on the link “About the Chamber” to learn about the many functions, events, services, and networking opportunities the Chamber has to offer in which to enable you to grow your business.    The Chamber continues to develop new ways to improve member programs and services.

 

The Chamber currently holds several annual events such as the Business Expo, Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet, an annual golf outing in which is a sell-out every year with approximately 160 golfers, DreamMakers Auction & Casino Night to benefit a local charity, and the Chamber’s major fundraising event, the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks.

 

The Chamber continues to develop new ways to improve member programs and services.  Ruthanne’s mission has stayed consistent with her members being the focus,  “our members come first”.

 

In addition to Ruthanne, the Jackson-Belden Chamber staff consists of Operations Manager, Jackie Palmer, Graphic Designer & Engineer, Chet Niewierski, Executive Assistant, Kelli Webster, and long time volunteer, Marilyn Jones. 

 

 

Jackie Palmer
Operations Manager

 

Jackie Palmer joined the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce staff in July 2007 bringing with her over 30 years of business experience.  Prior to joining the staff, Jackie was a member of the chamber for 9 years with her own business, Business Assistants, Inc.  From a military family, Jackie has lived all over the United States and overseas.  Jackie has been married to Mike for over 32 years and has three children and five grandchildren. 

 

Jackie wears many hats for the chamber, which includes Finance Manager, Office Manager and Safety Manager for the Western Stark County Safety Council.  Jackie helped initiate the Western Stark County Safety Council, which currently aids our members with safety education and the opportunity to qualify for Workers Compensation discounts.

 

Her responsibilities also include maintaining member benefits, such as Health Care Discounts and BWC Group ratings.

 

 

 

Kelli Webster
Executive Administrative Assistant

 

Upon graduating from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Kelli Webster was eager to get her feet wet in the business community.  Therefore, when the opportunity to work at the expanding Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce came up, she was ready for the challenge .

 

Kelli joined the JBCC in January of 2008 as the Administrative Assistant; answering the needs of the office and colleagues.  Being involved in such an active and community oriented organization like the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce has been an excellent transition from her part-time grocery store job and volunteerism. When anyone calls the chamber office, it is Kelli’s enthusiastic voice that greets him or her.  Kelli’s way with words can also be seen in the many articles that she writes for the monthly chamber newsletter The Communicator.

 

When Kelli is not “on-duty” at the Chamber she can be found spending quality time with her dog, Dixie, or working on her truck.

 

Marilyn (Mame) Jones
Volunteer Extraordinar

 

Mame is a retired Jackson Teacher.  I have lived in Jackson Township for 51 years.  Volunteer for Jackson-Belden Chamber, Safety Village for Jackson Township, HOF Queens Pageant Committee, HOF Appreciation Committee., as well as church groups.

 

I began when I first started teaching first grade with Lake Cable School.  I became a volunteer with the chamber back in the 70’s.  My love of the community had me volunteering left and right. 

 

Because of my love of the township and all that it has grown to become.  Unfortunately due to doctor’s orders I have had to start to back out of some of my many volunteer groups, otherwise I would be adding even more to my schedule.

 

One of my duties with the chamber is delivering membership plaques to the new members.  It gives me the opportunity to not only welcome and get to know them, but to also expand on what the community and the chamber has to offer.

 

Safety Village, Jackson Band Boosters, Jackson Speech and Debate.  Thru the years I have served on the various Jackson School Levy Committees, The Jackson Historical Society.

 

I absolutely love meeting new people as well as seeing the many friends that I have made thru the years living here in the best location in the nation.  I consider the individuals at the chamber my family as well as my friends.

 

 

Chet Niewierski

Graphics Engineer

Graphic Designer / Engineer, Chet Niewierski, came to the Jackson-Belden Chamber in July 2005 after retiring from the Timken Company.  He can be seen at many events behind a camera getting those great photo shots of Chamber members.  Chet is very active and heavily involved with the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks.  He spends long days in the sun setting all the posts for the fencing as well as assisting the Operations Committee on all other event tasks.  When asked if he could use some help, Chet replies: “No, this is my vacation from the office”.  To Chet, the task does not seem like work, and we will let him keep thinking that way.  At the office Chet designs and edits the monthly newsletter that is online and also ChamberMaster, the Chamber database.  It is a tedious job, but he finds satisfaction in all challenges.  There is no job too large or too small that Chet does not volunteer for as he “does it all”!

 

When not at work, he can be found all over the state in his coveted Corvette.  When it is raining (non-Corvette driving conditions), you can find him spending time with his family or just waxing the corvette.