Dean Spangler Elected Chairman at Sauder Village

The Board of Trustees of Sauder Village recently selected Dean Spangler as the organization’s first ‘non-family’ chairman. Dean follows Maynard Sauder who will continue to serve as a member of the board of trustees and as ‘Chairman Emeritus’ at Sauder Village reflecting his long service to the living-history museum founded  through the vision of his father, Erie Sauder in 1976.

Mr. Sauder noted that he and his wife, Carolyn, Executive Director Emeritus, were so pleased with Dean’s enthusiasm to serve. “Dean Spangler has a lot of energy and passion for Sauder Village and has already made a difference in its operations and plans. Our family is excited that another ‘family business’ leader that shares and understands Erie’s vision is willing to participate in leadership.”

Mr. Spangler stepped down from the CEO position at Spangler Candy Company in July 2011, where he continues to serve as Chairman. “To be asked by the Sauder family to serve as Sauder Village Chairman is the pinnacle of my career and my greatest honor,” Dean shared. “The village was created by the Sauder family’s amazing philanthropy over the past 35 years.  Today it belongs to all of us in Northwestern Ohio and is our collective responsibility to help sustain it for generations to come.”

Dean added, “I believe that Sauder Village is an extremely important cultural and economic asset of Northwest Ohio.  Erie Sauder wanted to make sure that all of us understood and remembered the hard work of our ancestors who settled this part of Ohio in the 1830s, drained the Great Black Swamp and established the foundation of one of the greatest agricultural economic systems in our nation’s history.  Erie believed that history was best learned by experiencing it and that is what a living history village like Sauder Village is all about.”                           

Debbie Sauder David, Sauder Village Executive Director, is also looking forward to Dean’s increased involvement at Sauder Village. “Dean brings a wealth of experience in business development, strategic planning and leadership to our Sauder Village Board,” Debbie shared. “Even more important, however, is Dean’s passion for our mission.”

Other members of the Sauder Village Board of Trustees include Dick Anderson, The Andersons, Inc.; Julie Brotje Higgins, Ph.D., CFA, The Trust Company of Toledo; Marcia Sloan Latta, DePauw University; Ed Nofziger, Haas Door Company; Harold Plassman, Plassman, Rupp, Short & Hagans; Carolyn Sauder, Executive Director Emeritus, Sauder Village; Myrl Sauder, Chairman, Sauder Woodworking Co.; Maynard Sauder, Chairman Emeritus, Sauder Woodworking Co. and Sauder Village; Shirley Short, Founding Board Member and Rick Yocum, Yocum Consulting Associates, Inc.

Board members also elected to serve in leadership roles for 2012 include Myrl Sauder as Vice-Chair, Rick Yocum as Treasurer and Harold Plassman as Secretary.

The Sauder Village mission is to provide guests with experiences rich in history, hospitality, creativity, and fun.  Since opening in 1976, Sauder Village has grown to a 235-acre complex with more than 450 employees and 400 adult and 200 youth volunteers.  As Ohio’s largest living history destination, Sauder Village includes the award winning Historic Village, the 98-room Sauder Heritage Inn, a 48-site campground, the 350-seat Barn Restaurant, the Doughbox Bakery, and banquet seating for 750 in Founders Hall.  The Historic Village preserves more than 75 historic structures and nearly 50,000 artifacts where history is brought to life through the stories, demonstrations, and programs that impact nearly 100,000 guests of all ages each season.  Proceeds from the retail and hospitality areas, along with admissions, memberships, and donations, contribute to the financial support for this 501(c)(3) organization.