The Conestoga Program

Dr. Kirk Halliday

Kirk W. Halliday, Ph. D., currently serves as the Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties. In previous positions, he has been in charge of Community Development and Economic Development programs with Portage County, The City of Cleveland Heights, and the City of Wilmington, Ohio. He has also served as AA-EEO officer in several jurisdictions, as well as Secretary of the Fair Housing Board of Wilmington, Ohio. He received his Masters and Doctorate Degrees from Kent State University in Political Science and Public Administration, with a Cognate area in Psychology.

Cindy Gunderson, CKG Consulting

Cindy is the managing partner of a Consulting firm, CKG Consulting. We specialize in working with nonprofit collaborations and projects, such as multi-tenant nonprofit facilities and neighborhood stabilization.

Christine Galvin

Over the years I have Played many roles:

• Director, United Way in Ottawa County 1993 – present
• Community Relations Coordinator, St. Vincent Medical Center 1986-1993
• Executive Director, Sandusky County Alcohol/Drug Program 1983-1986
• Community volunteer while SAH Mom

Using my strengths – Activator, adaptability, ideation, strategic and achiever to help others discover their own strengths to make our communities the best they can be. I thrive when I am facilitating group process and watching ideas emerge. My favorite words are family, serendipity, procrastination and inspired serenity. I believe in the Girl Scout Law, the Apostle’s Creed and the power of one. My dream job is to be a member of an idea incubator.

Linda Hartlaub

Linda is the Executive Director of the Ottawa County Transitional Housing, Inc. and Ruth Ann’s House. Additionally, Linda is the Port Clinton City Council President.

Dave Mehl

My name is Dave Mehl and I am the Conestoga Program Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator. I joined United Way of Ottawa County in October of 2007, working for Director Chris Galvin, to work with the people in the neighborhood to help them form an “association” to deal with the various issues confronting the area. These include: abandoned homes, deteriorating infrastructure, and several junk cars in the neighborhood to name a few.

In addition, working with the Conestoga Core Planning Team, with the help of the City of Port Clinton, obtaining grant money, working with area banks, social agencies, etc., the goal is to help the neighborhood rebound with an influx of new residents and improve the financial stability of existing residents.

My background comes from a work career mostly in the private sector working with people to help bring about change. In addition, I have consulted with many companies in the areas of team building, change, and leadership development.