Trustees
A trustee brings to the Clear Fork Valley Foundation his or her own unique skills and abilities, which diversify and broaden the board as a whole. As a volunteer board member, each trustee is a vital and significant part of an active, energized working team committed to encouraging academic achievement and promoting excellence in education for students of all levels and abilities.
The Clear Fork Valley Foundation trustees are:
Andy Miller, a lifelong resident of Bellville and graduate of Clear Fork, has served on the Foundation Board since 2020. Throughout his academic and professional career, Andy has been employed by AAA in Worthington, Ohio since 2001, where he has held multiple leadership positions. He currently serves as the Vice President of Business Transformation.
Andy and his wife, Shera, a teacher in the Clear Fork School District, are the proud parents of two sons who are actively involved in football, track, skiing, and 4-H. In his personal time, Andy enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and attending concerts.
When asked about his commitment to the Foundation, Andy stated, “I was raised in the Valley, and giving back makes for a better community not only today, but for tomorrow.”
I am a lifelong resident of the Clear Fork Valley. A 1983 graduate of Clear Fork High School, I went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio Northern University and a Master’s in Education from The Ohio State University.
The heart of my longstanding career in education has been teaching English at Clear Fork, where I have also served as a track and volleyball coach, class advisor, and held many other supplemental roles over the years. I currently teach ELA 12 and Mythology and also work in the Guidance Office.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, working around our farm, and reading. My husband and I are grateful that our three adult children live nearby, and we treasure the time we spend together. I raise Bernese Mountain Dogs, and our farm is home to four horses and more than a few cats. I feel truly fortunate and blessed to live and work in the Clear Fork Valley.
Having spent most of my life here, I am proud to call Richland County home. After graduating from St. Peter’s, I attended John Carroll University, where I received a BSBA in Finance. Following graduation, I began work as a tax consultant with Ernst & Young LLP. While at E&Y, I completed my MBA at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, spent eight months in The Netherlands on a work rotation, and got married to D.J. Daniels, a native of Westlake, Ohio. While we loved our little life in Bay Village, we felt a call to return “home” and moved with our young daughter to Bellville. Another daughter, house, and dog later, we’ve enjoyed our nearly 17 years in the Valley.
I have been with Mechanics Bank since 2007, currently serving as VP Administration. I am a former chair of The Women’s Fund at Richland County Foundation, serve as a board member of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, participate in the Tuition Assistance Committee at the Richland Academy of the Arts, and serve on an Allocations Committee for United Way. I am a member of Resurrection Parish, where I volunteer as part of the Money Counting Committee.
D.J. and I are proud parents of two Clear Fork Colts (Zoe, 2024 and Kit, 2027). We are active supporters of all things Clear fork, having participated in a variety of sporting events, band concerts, PTO meetings, athletic booster fundraisers, cheer competitions, and book fairs. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, and making food for our family and numerous teenagers.
Bryan McClelland is a 1967 Clear Fork graduate and retired teacher with 36 years teaching experience in the Ontario School District.
He and his wife, Ruth, own and operate Luftberg Farm Bed & Breakfast out of their home on Bunkerhill South Road outside of Butler.
Both Bryan and his wife were part of the original founders of the Clear Fork Valley Foundation in the early 1990s. Bryan has also served as a member of the Clear Fork Board of Education. They have three children, all of whom graduated from Clear Fork High School. They remain strong supporters of the Clear Fork schools and the Foundation.
Even though I grew up in Avon Lake, I have been proud to call “The Valley” my home. I attended Ashland University, where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. While pursuing my Master’s degree in Administration, I met and married my husband, Brian, who is a lifelong Clear Fork resident. I moved to “The Valley” in 1998. I am proud to say that all three of my children are CFHS graduates.
I began my teaching career at Shreve Elementary, where I spent six wonderful years. After marrying Brian and starting a family, I had the opportunity to work at Bellville Elementary, where I have continued to teach a wide variety of grade levels. I have spent over 25 years in education, since I was fortunate enough to take five years off to spend with my own children when they were little. I have taught everything from preschool to fifth grade – except first grade – including being a Dean of Students, teaching Title I Math, and teaching Talented & Gifted students. I currently teach fourth grade Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies. I feel very blessed with the many opportunities that have been put in my path!
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, traveling, and I am happiest when I am by water! The lake or the beach are my favorite places to be. Our three children, Hayley, Alex, and Aaron, mean the world to me, and we spend as much time together as possible. I am actively involved in my church, and this is my ninth year serving on the Clear Fork Valley Foundation Board. It is such an honor to present former students with scholarships to help them begin their future endeavors!
Taylor Haught is a 2011 Clear Fork graduate who continued her academic and athletic career at Ohio Dominican University, where she played softball and earned her degree in education in 2015. She later advanced her expertise by completing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.
Taylor served as an intervention specialist for five years, dedicating herself to supporting students with diverse learning needs. In 2019, she embraced her entrepreneurial spirit and opened Versa Clothing Company, a size-inclusive boutique focused on quality, confidence, and community. In 2020, Taylor made the decision to stay home full-time, allowing her to invest more deeply in her family while continuing to grow her business.
Grounded in education, driven by creativity, and passionate about serving her community, Taylor continues to make a meaningful impact both personally and professionally.
Michael Johnson serves as the Associate Director of Information Services (IS) Clinical Applications at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a Master of Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University.
Michael and his wife, Nikki, have two children, Collin and Alyssa. Collin is a 2024 graduate of Clear Fork High School and currently attends Cedarville University, while Alyssa is a student at Clear Fork High School. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael enjoys spending time with his family and supporting his children in their academic, athletic, and extracurricular pursuits throughout the Clear Fork Valley and beyond.
Committed to serving his community, Michael previously served on the Ashland Christian School Board and currently serves on the Board of the Clear Fork Music Boosters. His connection to the Clear Fork Valley Foundation began when his son received a Foundation scholarship during his senior year of high school.
Michael is passionate about supporting students, educators, and families in the Clear Fork community. He believes that investing in the success of young people strengthens the entire community and helps create opportunities for future generations to thrive.
Kelly, a resident of the Clear Fork Valley for ten years, joined the Foundation Board to deepen her engagement and give back to the local community. Originally from New Riegel, Ohio, she attended Ashland University for her bachelor’s degree, where she met her husband, Ryan, a Clear Fork native. Today, She and Ryan reside in the district with their son.
Throughout her educational career, she has served as a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Shelby High School through Pioneer Career and Technical Center for eight years. She previously taught at Plymouth High School, worked with the Ohio Department of Education, and currently serves on the OATFACS Board.
Driven by a strong passion for nonprofit work, Kelly values the opportunity to serve the community that she now calls home. When asked about her commitment to the Foundation, she stated, “Serving on the Foundation allows me to channel my passion for nonprofit work to give back to our local youth and invest in the future of this great community.”
Lara Newman is a proud wife, mother of three, photographer, and community advocate who is passionate about investing in the future of the Clear Fork Valley. In 2020, Lara and her family made the decision to move to the Valley in search of a more fulfilling way of life and a place to raise their children. What they found was a close-knit community they believe is one of the best places to live, learn, and grow.
Together, Lara and her family enjoy life on their homestead, where they spend their days gardening, baking, homeschooling, caring for their chickens, two Great Pyrenees dogs, and five cats, and embracing the simple joys of country living. Their oldest daughter attends Clear Fork Middle School as a hybrid student, further strengthening the family’s connection to the district and community.
Lara serves as Secretary of the Rubies Women’s Group Board of Directors and has volunteered with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations throughout Richland County. As Director of the Mid-Ohio Pageant; a preliminary for the Ohio America Pageant system she is passionate about strengthening families, supporting youth, and creating opportunities that help individuals thrive. Whether coaching Clear Fork soccer, organizing community initiatives, or serving local nonprofits, Lara believes meaningful change begins with people who are willing to invest in their neighbors.
As a member of the Clear Fork Valley Foundation Board, Lara is honored to support programs and scholarships that enrich the lives of local students. One of her greatest joys is watching the young people of the Valley grow into confident, capable adults while receiving the encouragement and support of a community that truly cares about their success. She is committed to helping ensure future generations have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to flourish right here in Clear Fork Valley.
Cassie Swisher is a lifelong Bellville resident and an attendee of Clear Fork Schools. After graduating college with a degree in Biology, she returned to the Valley, where she became a local small business owner, allowing her to create many meaningful connections in the Richland County area. Cassie is a dedicated real estate agent who loves meeting new people, building relationships, and helping others achieve their goals.
Cassie and her husband, Vic, have two children who attend Clear Fork Schools and are active in sports and the performing arts. Outside of her professional work, Cassie enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling with her family. She also serves on the board of the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center. Cassie is honored to serve as a CFVF Trustee and is committed to supporting the students and staff of the Clear Fork Valley as they pursue educational excellence.