VW Foundation honors retiring trustee

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert County Foundation’s Board of Trustees honored a retiring long-time trustee and selected a new board member at its December 2019 meeting.

Mike Zedaker retired from the Board of Trustees. Mr. Zedaker, who was elected to the board in 1986, served as a member of the board for 33 years. 

“We are grateful for his commitment to The Foundation and to our community,” said VWCF Executive Secretary Seth Baker. “During his time on the board, Mike oversaw various committees — notably the Investment Committee, and served as president of the Board from 1997-1999.”

The newly-elected trustee, Tom Turnwald, is owner of National Door & Trim Inc. and Teem Wholesale Inc. and a partner in the Landing at Dickinson Farms subdivision. He and his wife, Michelle, have three adult children. He is a board member of the Business Development Corporation, Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, and Van Wert Health. 

He enjoys many outdoor recreational activities and spending time at the lake. Turnwald and his wife are committed to helping to make Van Wert a community where young adults want to return after graduation to work and raise a family.

“We are excited to install Tom as trustee. He is a great fit for our organization and to help carry out the vision of creating a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for our community,” said Board President Andy Czajkowski. “I look forward to working with him on committees and upcoming projects.

Board of Trustee members for 2020 are Czajkowski (president), Chuck Koch (vice president),

Gary Clay (secretary), Tom Burenga, Larry Greve, Cindy Hurless, Bruce Kennedy, Thad Lichtensteiger, Randy Myers, Bill Purmort, Brian Renner, Gary Taylor, Turnwald, Mark White, and Eva Yarger.

The Van Wert County Foundation is a nonprofit community organization serving Van Wert County and surrounding areas by inspiring philanthropy and mobilizing resources to enrich lives and our community. VWCF is a permanent local resource that facilitated over $3 million in charitable giving in 2019. More information is available at www.vanwertcountyfoundation.org.