Administration
Director
Jannah Wilson
Park District of Ottawa County Executive Director
Throughout her career, Executive Director Jannah Wilson has found that preserving green space starts with connecting people to nature through recreation and education. In the words of conservationist Aldo Leopold,
“When we see land as a community in which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Jannah holds a BS degree from Central Michigan University with a Major in Outdoor Recreation and a Minor in Natural Resources. She began her career as a seasonal Interpretive Ranger at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. She went on to work as a seasonal Interpretive Naturalist at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park - Michigan, Pokagon State Park - Indiana, and DeGraaf Nature Center - Michigan. In 2006 she moved to Ohio to continue her career as a full-time Naturalist with Lorain County Metro Parks. She continued her employment with Lorain County Metro Parks for fifteen years and served as Outdoor Experiences Manager for the Metro Parks from 2019-2021.
In 2022 Jannah assumed the role of Executive Director for the Park District of Ottawa County. As a resident of Ottawa County, this was a chance of the lifetime. She is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to develop a Park District at its roots, and to work with a dedicated Board of Park Commissioners.
Jannah is an active member of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, a certified Kayak Instructor through the American Canoe Association, a certified Canoe Instructor through United States Canoe Association, an Ohio Boater Education Course Instructor, and serves as Troop Leader for Danbury Girl Scout Troop #1125. Jannah enjoys spending time with her family, trips to Michigan, fishing, camping, backpacking, and kayaking.
Board Members
Mike Shadoan
Park District of Ottawa County Board Member
Michael (Mike) J. Shadoan, of Oak Harbor, was sworn in to the Board of Park Commissioners on Dec. 4, 2018. A strong advocate for service to others, Mike takes immense pride in knowing that the Board’s efforts and projects are for
the betterment of the larger community and will forever improve the lives of citizens and visitors.
Mike holds two degrees from the University of Toledo, a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, and an associate’s degree in design technology. He is the president/owner of Radiant Windows, Radiant Remodeling, Radiant Investments, Radiant Holdings, and Central Colony Apartments. He has served as the chairman of the Oak Harbor Development Group since 2012 and has been a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor since 1997.
Throughout his life, Mike has lived in several other cities and states, and has always appreciated and noticed the connectedness between outdoor activities and pedestrian trails. The desire to foster such initiatives here prompted him to pursue a seat on the Park Board.
“Here in Ottawa County, we are blessed to have more than 9,000 acres managed by the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, but we really don’t have many pedestrian trails connecting points of interest. Outdoor enthusiasts, such as myself, desire a better quality of life in nature and prefer to enjoy it from the viewpoint of being on a bike or on foot or maybe in a kayak or canoe,” Mike reflected. “Being close to nature is the best way to be at peace, relax, and
decompress; letting your thoughts wonder, your spirit be replenished, and having the ability to experience the outdoors either with friends and loved ones, or in solitude.”
He and his wife, Shawna, have two children and are a family of outdoor enthusiasts and strong faith, always striving to improve themselves and serve the region.
Jack Madison
Park District of Ottawa County Board Member
Jack Madison, of Catawba Island, has served on the Board of Park Commissioners for four years. A longtime employee of the Catawba Island Club, and trustee for the Lake Erie Marine Trade Association, Jack helped start the Friends of Ottawa County Parks and the Catawba Islander Trail and Greenway Advisory Group.
A 40-year resident of Catawba Island Township, Jack is excited to be part of an organization that value making a positive impact on today’s residents and visitors, and the many generations to come. Seeing the lack of safe biking and connected walking paths throughout the county prompted him to pursue a seat on the Park Board.
He is most energized by being part of a larger mission and observing the positive changes that have come to fruition.
“Seeing the progress of trails in Ottawa County and the encouragement of fellow residents for the need to connect our county communities together is what I enjoy the most,” Jack said of his service. “It’s amazing how many people thank us for our efforts. It is a slow process working with government, but we continue to make a positive impact on our community.”
Jack grew up in Alliance, Ohio, spending ample time outdoors boating, hiking and biking. He earned Eagle Scout designation and attended Mount Union College with a bachelor’s degree in education, becoming a teacher and head freshman football and baseball coach. Two years later, Jack started at Catawba Island Marina and worked his way up to Marina General Manager. Jack and his wife, Linda, have two grown children, Elliot and Ellen. In his spare time, he enjoys power boating and racing Triumph sports cars.
Judy Indorf
Park District of Ottawa County Board Member
Judy Indorf has been a Commissioner on the Park District Board since February 2020. She has lived in the Marblehead area since the age of 3 and has seen firsthand the immense changes in the area over the past 60 years. Running, hiking, biking, and just being outdoors, are an important part of her life. Coupling this with her desire to help ensure areas are maintained accessible and available for outdoor activities for everyone, makes being a member of the Park District Board a very rewarding endeavor
Judy has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and worked in the oil refining business for 40 years, 38 of those years with BP.
While always maintaining their permanent home in Marblehead, Judy spent half of her career at BP’s Toledo Refinery and the other half at various offices in Cleveland, Los Angeles, London and Chicago, offering great experiences for her and her family.
Upon her retirement in August 2019, Judy learned that the Park District of Ottawa County was looking to begin implementation of the Ottawa County Active Transportation Plan and was immediately interested. Judy is also the treasurer for the Danbury Twp, Unit of the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau and a trustee of the Father Schaefer Endowment at St. Joseph’s Church in Marblehead.
Judy is married to her husband, Larry, who taught and coached at Danbury Schools for 35 years and in London for two years, also serving as athletic director at Danbury for eight years. They have two grown sons, one in Erie, PA, and one in Brecksville, OH, along with one grandson and two granddaughters.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Slotnick
Park District of Ottawa County Board Member
Elizabeth (Betsy) Slotnick, of Genoa, was sworn in to the Board of Park Commissioners in June 2022. She served on the Genoa Town Council for more than 18 years and was Chairman for the Ad Hoc Committee which oversees the parks. Betsy also served on the Regional Planning Commission for Ottawa County. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education and taught in school settings before moving to Ohio from Michigan with her husband of 43 years, Dennis, a retired biology and environmental science teacher who also worked at Yellowstone National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for four seasons as an interpretive naturalist.
Currently, Betsy performs in-home child care and enjoys traveling to national parks in her spare time. She and her husband have two grown daughters who reside in Florida and Wisconsin. A passionate advocate for parks and recreational greenspace, Betsy is honored to be a member of the Board of Park Commissioners making it their mission to connect, enhance and protect the natural, scenic, environmental and cultural resources of Ottawa County.
Trish McCartney
Park District of Ottawa County Board Member
Trish McCartney, of Port Clinton, was sworn in to the Board of Park Commissioners in June 2023. A graduate of Heidelberg University, studying German and International Studies, Trish started her career with State Farm Insurance in 1987.
A State Farm Insurance Agent/Owner in Port Clinton since 1998, Trish manages three full-time employees and is active in several volunteer capacities including the Bittersweet Autism Foundation and initiatives at Lakeview Park. She has served as President for the Kiwanis Club of Port Clinton, Ottawa Residential Services, Inc., and the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center.
Trish has lived in Port Clinton for 25 years and has two children, CJ and Logan, and two cats. Her hobbies include community theater with Playmakers Civic Theater and Short Attention Theater, an independent adult comedy and murder mystery group, visiting new restaurants and cooking. A passionate advocate for nature and its many mental health benefits, Trish is a supporter of walkable cities and connected greenspaces, and believes parks greatly enhance quality of life for all.