Equality Welcomes New Leaders and Says Goodbye to a Founder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 19, 2008

Contact: Melanie Falls
Board Chair
Equality Ohio Education Fund
mlnfalls@hotmail.com
440.346.2108

Columbus, OH - Change is afoot for Ohio’s only statewide pro-equality organization. During its July 19 meeting, the Equality Ohio Board of Directors welcomed a new board chair while saying a very fond farewell to one of the organization’s founders. The board changes come at the same time the organization welcomes its first Deputy Director.

Effective at the end of the 7/19 meeting the previous chair, Tom Grote of Columbus, stepped off of Equality Ohio’s board. As one of EO’s founders, for nearly 4 years Grote lent his considerable talents to creating a strong, sustainable organization. He leaves the organization to focus more time on his growing family and exciting new business venture.

“Although I will miss the day-to-day involvement with Equality Ohio, it is time for me to move on to the next phase of my life”, said Grote. “Equality Ohio has come so far in just three years and I am very proud of the work the staff, our boards and the statewide community are doing to create an Ohio where everyone can feel at home. Together we have created a strong organization for the future; Equality Ohio is in good hands.”

“Tom has given so much of himself to Equality Ohio during his tenure. He has given the organization a strong foundation of leadership and sound business principles from which to operate. Fortunately, we have strong people who can fill those voids”, said Melanie Falls of Cleveland, Chair of Equality Ohio Education Fund. “What we will truly miss the most about Tom is the sense of passion and commitment he brought to the vision and mission of our organization.”

With Grote’s departure, the board of Directors welcomed the Rev. Dr. Michael Castle as its new Chair. Castle, of Centerville near Dayton, is Pastor of Cross Creek Community Church, United Church of Christ, in Dayton. He has been involved with the organization since October 2005 and is excited about his new role.

“As the founder of a progressive and justice-seeking church, I understand the power the grassroots voice brings to advocacy work “, said Castle. “My partner Dan and I look forward to the day when our relationship to each other and to our son will be fully recognized by the state of Ohio. I believe that giving my time to Equality Ohio as its Board Chair will help make the day we can all feel at home come faster.”

Castle will join Falls in shared leadership of Equality Ohio and Equality Ohio Education Fund.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to partner with Mike to lead Equality Ohio forward, “said Falls. “This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for our organizations as we expand our staff, grow our non-traditional outreach program, work to elect fair-minded officials and pass Ohio’s first pro-equality piece of legislation.”

In other business, the Equality Ohio board welcomed Debra Anne Johnson of Cincinnati, as a new member. The Equality Ohio Education Fund board also welcomed Paul Feeney, immediate past President of Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus Board of Directors, to its board.

The changes on the boards of Equality Ohio and the Education Fund occur at a time when the staff of the organization is growing as well. On July 1, the team welcomed Peter Caborn as the organization’s first Deputy Director. Caborn, a native of Columbus, returns home to Ohio after most recently serving as Director of Major Gifts & Membership for GLAAD (the third largest national LGBT civil rights organization). His involvement with Equality Ohio dates back to November 2004, when the organization was just an idea shared by a small group of people.

“After having a hand in the beginnings of Equality Ohio just a few years ago, I am thrilled to return to Ohio to work professionally for this strong, strategic organization”, said Caborn. “There is so much opportunity in Ohio. I’m honored to be able to add my knowledge and experience to the great team of people who strive to make equality in Ohio a reality everyday.”

In the role of Deputy Director, Caborn will assume responsibility for oversight of the administrative operations and fiscal development work of the organization. His addition will free up Executive Director Lynne Bowman to focus more on EO’s programmatic, legislative and political work.

Statewide outreach will be a significant portion of Caborn’s job, though he will be based in the Central Ohio office. He joins the existing team of Equality Ohio as its sixth full-time member.

“The addition of a Deputy Director brings Equality Ohio to an exciting new stage in our existence”, said Bowman. “Peter’s background truly makes him the right person to help us grow the organization in order to more fully do the work necessary across the state to create an Ohio where everyone can feel at home.”