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Board of Director Candidates
For 2022-2024 Term
Sunder Bhatla
Company & Position: SLB Consulting; Owner
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I have been on the Board of Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce since March 2020, and member since April 2019. I have learned a lot of the functioning of the Chamber whether it is through open houses, ribbon cutting, soliciting new membership, helping members through this difficult Covid-19 period, working with other board members to improve the functioning, improve financial situation, improve board and members at large mutual relationship keeping in view the members' interest all the time. I am a professional engineer with over 50 years experience of which the last 33 years was working at Wright- Patterson AFB in managerial position. I consider myself a valuable asset to the Chamber.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I currently serve on the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce board. I serve on the City of Beavercreek Zoning Board for the past three years. Before that served on the environmental advisory board, and investment advisory board; Serve on the Habitat for Humanity Operational board; Ombudsman for long-term care facilities.
Erik Christiansen
Company & Position: Kettering Health - Soin Medical Center/Greene Memorial Hospital; Manager of Operational Excellence
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I am a resident of Beavercreek, Ohio; Senior Leader at Soin Medical Center/Greene Memorial Hospital; Oversee may of the Kettering Health’s partnerships with WPAFB; Family roots in Beavercreek and am familiar with corporate governance and operational management systems.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I have served on The Partnership for Excellence Board of Examiners. I am also a retired Marine Corps Officer and Leadership and process consultant to Fortune 500 companies.
Debbie Hartley
Company & Position: Tru by Hilton; Regional Director of Sales
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I am first honored to be considered to be a board member with the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce. Not being familiar with Greene County very much, my previous position as Director of Sales of the Homewood Suites Dayton South for over 20 years I had kept my account base more south of Dayton. My first interaction with the Chamber is when I was positioned at the Tru. I reached out to the Beavercreek Chamber and was so gracious for their warm welcome, and eagerness to help us get settled into our new business place in the county. They assisted us with offering the community meeting room to conduct interviews, and training for two weeks. We had many opportunities to interact with the staff, and I then felt this is one of the best chambers that I have worked with that is so willing to help a new business prepare to succeed. The events that is conducted through the Chamber is always so well attended, and the guests are so familiar with one another and always offering to support one another. I want to be amongst a group of professionals that love their community and only want it to continue to grow and prosper. With my many years in the hospitality industry, I will always support bringing in new members when the opportunity occurs with my client base. Being on the board will also be a bonus for me, because it puts me in position of more networking opportunities and referrals from other board members and chamber members.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I was on the board of the KMO Chamber for one year, (2018) after leaving my previous position at the Homewood Suites. Served on the Fairborn board for 1 year during Covid, and during the transition of the chamber. I have since resigned due to extra responsibilities at each hotel due to staffing furloughs and the chamber not being active.
Adam Horseman
Company & Position: Robert K. Jones Insurance; Producer
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I have lived in Beavercreek a majority of my life. I am an alum of BHS, I have two children currently in Beavercreek Schools. My parents both work in the transportation department for Beavercreek Schools and my wife is a 5th generation Beavercreek grad and local small business owner. We embrace all that this community has to offer, and the proof is that we CHOSE to live, worship, and do business here. I am proud of my Beavercreek upbringing and I see this an opportunity to serve and guide the community that I love.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
During my time as an Assistant Athletic Director at Wright State, I served on several university committees and had two elected terms on the Unclassified Staff Advisory Council, serving as the Chair for both USAC and the Staff Senate. During this time, I helped navigate a tenuous time of faculty upheaval and the transition of administrative teams, as well as restructuring of the reporting hierarchy. I was also the lead planner and organizer for the Horizon League Sports Medicine Symposium, a collection of sports medicine professionals that were brought together for education, to discuss leagues specific issues, to establish best practices, and fellowship. I am also actively involved in my church, Be Hope, and serve on several "teams", both public facing and in pastoral support. In the past, I was a volunteer for a re-election campaign for a local political candidate, serving as the sign and volunteer coordinator. I believe this wide range of experience helps to provide a wealth of knowledge and skills in organizing and working with people from various backgrounds and with differing goals.
Michael Howard
Company & Position: U.S. Bank; Vice President, Relationship Manager
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
As a new(er) resident and Commercial Banker here in Beavercreek, I believe I can bring fresh lens to the mission of the Chamber. My professionals and community background aligns well with the goal of our local Chamber. I am also a Wright State University graduate (2011), who is all-in on Beavercreek and the greater Dayton as a region. My goal for joining the Chamber would be to bring my personal/professional background to support our small business community the best of my ability. Also, as a member, I believe my professional network across the markets could prove valuable as the Chamber sets upon a new vision withy this new leadership and board members.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I currently serve on the Intercommunity Justice & Peace Center; Board Leader & Finance Committee (3/3 year term); Wright State University Alumni Association, Finance Committee (no term).
Mike McGaughey
Company & Position: Aflac; Benefits Advisor
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I have strong personal and professional interests in being actively engaged with the Beavercreek business community. My wife and I moved to the area five years ago to be closer to our daughter and her family, who live in Beavercreek. Professionally, I successfully launched and built a new business centered around Beavercreek and the greater Dayton region. My Aflac insurance agency is also highly focused on understanding the key business challenges and building relationships with small and medium sized business owners. I typically meet with over 100 business owners and executives in the Dayton area every month, with Beavercreek being my primary focus, and have a deep understanding of the issues they face. I have been a very active member of the Board for the past three years, and been involved in almost all of the networking and ribbon cutting events. I have also launched and grown several successful small businesses myself, and understand the value of networking. And I have prior experience working for and collaborating with other Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Boards in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, Japan, Italy and Germany. I serve as an independent advisor to new business start-ups.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
Currently ending my first term as a Beavercreek Chamber board member.
Jason Merritt
Company & Position: Premier Physician Network; Vice President
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I have grown up in Greene County and currently live in the community. I am excited about the current future growth for business and services in the area. Professionally, I have worked in health care for over 20 years. In my career I have experience working in and across complex organizations. I spent 12 years working in the emergency departments across Premier Health. This provided me the to work directly with our community EMS providers to coordinate care both in the hospital and pre-hospital setting. This collaboration gave me an insight into the challenges facing our community partners as they navigate the challenging times. In my current role as an executive with Premier Physician Network, I coordinate the recruitment, hiring and practice operations of our physicians. In recruiting providers, we spend a significant amount of time “selling” prospective physicians to our various communities. This has given me an additional insight into the local housing, recreation, school, and business landscape. The physicians in my practice areas also provide sports medicine coverage for both Beavercreek Schools and Wright State University.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I am currently a member of the Samaritan Behavioral Health Inc board. I have 3 years remaining on my initial term and am eligible to serve an additional 4 year term. I am also currently serving on the WSU-Premier Health Neuroscience Institute committee. In this role we coordinate the implementation of the strategic plan that involves growing neuroscience resident education, research, and patient care advancement for the Dayton area. In my work in the Emergency department, I have served on the Dayton Airshow medical response planning team. We coordinated the staff and protocols for medical care at this community event. I have served on several Greater Dayton Hospital Association community disaster committees. In these committees we developed community wide plans for potential and actual community wide disaster scenarios. I participated on a committee with WPAFB to develop a documentary video on resident education opportunities available through the base and Premier Health. The resulting video was and is being used nationwide as a recruitment tool for the air force medical team.
Ashley Runk
Company & Position: Day Air Credit Union; Business Development Specialist
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
In 2019, I started my career at Day Air Credit Union, as a Business Development Specialist. Since then, I have participated in Kettering Leadership Academy and Kettering Rotary. I have been the liaison for our underwriting team and the local car dealerships. I have successfully onboarded Dealerships in the Cincinnati and Dayton market expanding our reach. I’ve had the privilege of teaching over 2000 adults and students Financial Education. Another of my large roles with the credit union is sponsoring and attending events and networking. With all of my community involvement, I think I would make a strong candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber Board of Directors.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I do not serve on any boards currently, but in the past I was a council committee member for Kettering Health Network Sycamore ER. I was chosen by the staff and doctors to work together to make decisions on workflow, patient care, supplies and staffing.
Jhazlyn Sanders
Company & Position: Wick Therapy Candle; Owner
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
I have been a member of Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce for a little over a year. I have benefited from the resources and community that the Chamber provides. I would like to bring my invaluable skills and passionate to the fore front to be more active in fostering relations and activities.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
Active Vice-President for Not-for-Profit City Feed; Active Board Member Sizije Foundation. I have held various leadership roles over the past 10+ years of my Corporate career. A successful entrepreneur and advocate of partnership and collaboration. I am drawn to being a part of a team and used as an instrument in driving change. My career includes various roles in the consumer packaged goods industry including Category Sales Leader, Account Manager, and Senior Retail Operations Leader. I have worked across various marketing and sales platforms.
Shirlene Vonderheide
Company & Position: Wright Patt Credit Union; Relationship Manager/Member Business Services
Why do you think you would make a good candidate for the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors?
Currently, I am a Business Relationship Manager at WPCU and bring over twenty years of business lending experience and have the passion to help businesses grow and prosper. My extensive background is small business lending which will allow me to assist members with the mission of the Beavercreek Chamber.
Do you currently serve on any other boards? If so, please note position and term.
I currently serve on the Board of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber as current Secretary and past Treasurer; Day of Caring 365, as Fundraising Advisor (Fall 2020 to present).