The Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award
The Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is presented to those individuals that have demonstrated a stead fast dedication to the CDC and its core values. The award is named after Mr. Tipple, who served as a council member for the Village of Byesville and as a founding member and past board of directors president of the CDC . Individuals nominated for this award have shown a desire to improve the quality of life for Guernsey County residents while volunteering and/or donating to the CDC.
2012 Recipient Dave Gombeda
The Guernsey County Community Development Corporation presented the 2012 Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award to Dave Gombeda (pictured here with his wife Kim). Dave is a founding member of the CDC and served on the board of directors for over 10 years. He is also a longtime Jackson Township trustee, having served for over 30 years. Dave also previously served as Guernsey County Commissioner where he took interests in veteran’s affairs and the local dog pound.
2013 Recipients Dave and Gail Bartholow
The Guernsey County Community Development Corporation proudly presented the 2013 Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award to Dave and Gail Bartholow and family. The Bartholow’s have been longtime financial contributors to the CDC and its many programs. In addition Dave and Gail are small business owners and active in a variety of local causes and organizations.
2014 Recipient Sharon Carpenter
The Guernsey County Community Development Corporation proudly presented the 2014 Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award to Sharon Carpenter of Lore City. Sharon is a former board member of the CDC and served as a past president of our board of directors. In addition to her service to the CDC she has held office as the fiscal officer of Lore City for over a decade. Sharon was also instrumental in developing the Great Guernsey Trail and helped raise funds for its maintenance by holding the annual Great Guernsey Trail Banquet.
2015 Award Recipients Lloyd and Brenda Mcgilton
Executive Director Ron Gombeda of The Guernsey County Community Development Corporation proudly presents the 2015 Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award to Lloyd and Brenda Mcgilton and family. The McGilton’s are longtime financial supporters of the CDC, the Great Guernsey Trail and are active in a variety of organizations throughout the county and are also small business owners.
2016 Recipient Mark Grafton
The 2016 recipient of the Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is Lore City resident Mark Grafton. Mark has been a long time supporter of the CDC and has donated to multiple programs and projects including the Great Guernsey Trail Banquet, the Outdoor Eco Expo & Sportsman’s Bash, and Guernsey County Fish Camp and so much more. In addition to his philanthropy, he is a successful small business owner having owned and operated Mark Grafton Roofing for over 25 years. The CDC is privileged to count Mark among it’s many supporters and is thankful for his continued generosity. Mark Grafton (L) receives the 2016 award from Executive Director Ronald D. Gombeda
2017 Recipient Scott J. Brown
The 2017 recipient is Scott J. Brown. Mr. Brown is the owner and operator of Local Net Plus, a technology company specializing in video security, computer sales and service as well as general technology consulting and he also serves as the Chairman of the Guernsey County friends of the NRA. During the course of the past two years Scott has been an active and dedicated supporter of the CDC and has been instrumental in the growth of our Guernsey County Sportsman’s Bash. He frequently sponsors many of our events such as the Great Guernsey Trail Banquet, our Great Guernsey Trail Signage Revitalization Project and is an annual donor to our Military Veterans Transportation Service. The CDC is extremely grateful for all that Scott does for our organization and we are thrilled to honor him with this year’s award!
2018 Recipient Mick Balogh
Mick is a retired Air Force veteran and is active in a number of local organizations, events and projects. During the past several years Mick has been an active and dedicated supporter of the CDC. He frequently donates to the CDC and supports many of our events such as the Great Guernsey Trail Banquet, our Guernsey County Sportsman’s Bash and has donated dozens of bicycles to our yearly toy collection for Secret Santa. He was also a supporter of our 2018 Lids for Kids Bicycle Helmet Giveaway.
2019 Recipient Michael Port
During our 11th Annual Winter Banquet, we presented the 2019 Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award to Michael Port for his guidance and Management of the CDC’s 2019 Gus Macker Basketball Tournament. The Tipple Memorial Award is presented to those individuals that have shown a steadfast dedication and unwavering support for the CDC and our core commitment of improving our community’s quality of life. Mr. Port is an army veteran, committed community volunteer and activist, newly elected councilman for the Village of Byesville, director of a non-profit and a dedicated and loving husband and father. Thanks to individuals like Mike, Guernsey County has a bright and promising future. Pictured here presenting the award to Mr. Port is our Executive Director Ron Gombeda.
2020 Recipient Jason Graham
The 2020 recipient of the Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is local businessman Jason Graham. Mr. Graham is the owner and operator of Graham Excavating. During the course of the past three years Jason has been an active and dedicated supporter of the CDC and has been instrumental in providing services for a number of CDC projects. Just this past spring he arranged for multiple excavating and trucking companies to volunteer their services to expand the parking area at the Miners Park little league fields. He frequently sponsors many of our events such as the Great Guernsey Trail Banquet, our races on The Great Guernsey Trail and the Trailside Skatepark. The CDC is extremely grateful for all that Jason does for our organization and our community. We are thrilled to honor him with this year’s award! The Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is presented to those individuals that have demonstrated a stead fast dedication to the CDC and its core values. The award is named after Mr. Tipple, who served as a council member for the Village of Byesville and was a founding member and past board of directors president of the CDC. Individuals nominated for this award have shown a desire to improve the quality of life for Guernsey County residents while volunteering and/or donating to the CDC. Pictured here is Jason Graham (R) receiving the award from our Executive Director Ron Gombeda!
2021 Recipients Tom and Michelle Lehotay
The 2020 recipient of the Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is local businessman Tom Lehotay and his wife Michelle. Both Tom and Michelle have been longtime supporters of the CDC and have sponsored a number of our events, our banquet and our races on the trail. Tom and Michelle own and operate Lehotay Trucking and Excavating and are lifelong residents of Cambridge.
2022 Recipient Allen Hunter
Allen Hunter is the 2022 recipient of the Willard Tipple Memorial Award and owner of our local State Farm Insurance branch.
Allen is a lifelong area resident of Cambridge. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Cambridge Lions’ Club, and a board member for the Dickens Victorian Village and has been a strong supporter of the CDC, our community and its residents.
2023 Recipient Judith Mueser
The 2023 recipient of the Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award Judith Mueser. Judy, as she prefers to be called, has graciously donated money over the years for the upkeep and maintenance of the trail.
2024 Recipient Ron Guthrie
The 2024 recipient of the Willard R. Tipple Memorial Award is Ron Guthrie. Ron is an icon in our local community, a successful business owner, a supporter of many different organizations and community events.
Guthrie has served as president of the Cambridge Lions Club, an organization to which he has belonged for more than five decades
Guthrie served as president during his time on the Cambridge City School District’s Board of Education, was a member of the Cambridge Park Board and served 15 years (five as president) on the Cambridge Municipal Court Airport Authority as well as the Cambridge Zoning and Planning Commission.