µÛÍõ»áËù

A view of the Hocking River and White's Mill on a foggy morning.
Community Partner Experts Directory

Community Partner Experts Directory

To recognize and celebrate the knowledge and expertise of our community members, the µÛÍõ»áËù Community Experts Directory serves as a resource through which OHIO faculty, staff and students can connect with subject-matter experts within our communities and review set compensation recommendations for their services. 

This directory is a counterpart to the Community Engaged Scholar's Directory, a resource that also highlights OHIO faculty and staff who demonstrate commitment to community engaged scholarship, pedagogy and partnership.

Want to join the Community Partner Experts Directory?

Community Partners Expert
Adam Kody

Food Enterprise Coordinator, The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet)

Adam Kody came to Athens as an undergraduate student at µÛÍõ»áËù, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism. Adam returned to his hometown, Cleveland, for several years before he returned to Athens in 2016. He now resides in Guysville, µÛÍõ»áËù, where he spends time experimenting in his test kitchen or strumming on his guitar.

Area of Expertise

Adam joined ACEnet in December 2016 as the Food Enterprise Coordinator. In his role, he manages ACEnet's shared-use kitchen incubator and assists with providing training and technical assistance to all of ACEnet's food and farm microenterprises. He serves as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Coordinator for the ACEnet Food & Farm Enterprise Center in Nelsonville, µÛÍõ»áËù, where small businesses produce artisanal, value-added, fully-inspected meat products. He works directly with entrepreneurs throughout the intake and assessment process, start-up and expansion stages. He has a wide-array of food safety certifications, including:

  • Better Process Controls – 6 years
  • HACCP-plan development and implementation – 5 years
  • Preventive Controls for Human Food – 6 years
  • Certified ServSafe instructor and proctor – 5 years
    • Adam has assisted many food service entrepreneurs and employees through successful completion of the State-required Food Protection Manager certification course

Services Offered

Speaking engagements, classroom presentations, consultation and research assistance

Delivery Method: In-Person, Virtual

Community Partners Expert
Weston Lombard

Director, Rising Appalachia and Solid Ground Farm

Weston is a farmer, environmentalist, community organizer and teacher with a passion for sustainable living and nature exploration. He was born and raised in Athens County, where he now runs a sustainable education and event center called . The farm also hosts RAW Summer Day Camp and a nature-based elementary school called Solid Ground School.

Weston currently directs Rising Appalachia, where he works to grow culture and community rooted in relationship with nature. Additionally, he is a father, fruit tree enthusiast and amateur philosopher.

Area of Expertise

Weston's areas of expertise are sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, permaculture and orchard design.

His expertise also includes:

  • managing his farm and event center – 15 years
  • teaching at Hocking College – 7 years
  • consulting – 3 years

Additional credentials, associations, memberships

  • Permaculture Design Certificate
  • Forest Garden Design Certificate
  • Certificate in Situational Leadership
  • BA Management and Strategic Leadership, µÛÍõ»áËù

Services Offered

Speaking engagements, classroom presentations, consultation, research assistance and orchard and forest garden design, installation and maintenance
Delivery Method: In-Person, Virtual
Fee Structure: $40/hr with $100 minimum per engagement
Community Partner Expert
Kristen Miller

President/CEO, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce

Kristin is a lifelong Athenian with a deep love for the area. She loves her job; she feels she has the privilege of working in a place she loves, surrounded by amazing business leaders, employees, elected officials and a one-of-a-kind community.

When she's not working, Kristin spends her time raising a hilarious tween son, playing in the woods or watching the Bobcats play.

Area of Expertise

Kristin Miller has more than 20 years of business and business development experience. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with business owners and principals on marketing, development, event planning and budgeting. Prior to her current role, Kristin has worked in the fields of real estate, media/marketing and tourism. In every role, she focuses on building lasting relationships and connecting people and businesses to the resources they need to excel.

In her current role as President of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, she works to strengthen the business community through collaboration, engagement and strategic partnerships. She focuses on making connections, solving problems and having fun doing it.

Services Offered

Speaking engagements, classroom presentations
Delivery Method: In-Person, Virtual