Our Mission
Visit Fairfield County is a non-profit destination marketing organization that promotes
exciting places to visit and fun things to do throughout Fairfield County, Ohio to
visitors and residents alike.
Meet the Team
Faith Saxton
Marketing Coordinator
Faith holds a degree from Central Ohio Technical College in graphic design with a background in copywriting, social media, email, and digital & print marketing.
Tia Dauterman
Information Specialist
Tia Dauterman is the Information Specialist at Visit Fairfield County. She is a resident of Lancaster and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.
Board Members
David Annecy
David and his husband Jason revived Gay Fad Studios in 2022 to preserve the legacy of glassware decoration in the heart of Downtown Lancaster. As a small business owner, David values partnerships that support local businesses and nonprofits in Fairfield County and is excited to serve on the VFC Board of Directors.
Karen Rotkis
Karen Rotkis is a licensed realtor in the State of Ohio and works for Key Realty. She has over 25 years of sales, marketing and business consulting experience in Central Ohio. As a homeowner, rental property owner and commercial building owner, Karen understands the benefits of real property investment as well as the many obstacles.
In addition to selling real estate, Karen is an officer in the US Army Reserves with 22 years of experience as an intelligence professional. Karen graduated from Wm. V. Fisher Catholic H.S. and Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Whenever possible, Karen enjoys hiking in the beautiful Lancaster City Parks, Columbus Metro Parks or nearby Hocking Hills, and spending time with her family.
As a former Director of Main Street Lancaster, Karen cares about community reinvestment and the benefits of walkable, vibrant neighborhoods. She is an enthusiastic supporter of these local organizations: Destination Downtown Lancaster, Friends of the Parks, Lancaster Alive, the Keller Market House and the Fairfield County Heritage Association.
Delainey McIlwain, President
Delainey serves the Southeast region of Ohio as a Community Relations Coordinator for Park National Bank. Outside of work, she is involved with numerous local non-profits in various roles, including the Destination Downtown Lancaster board, Young Professionals of Fairfield County, Ohio University Lancaster Women’s Leadership Summit, and the Fairfield County Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle.
Peggy Portier
Peggy volunteers her time for community organizations in the Pickerington and Lancaster area including the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society, Fairfield Heritage Trail Association, and the Pickerington Village Association where she helps organize several community events. Also, she serves on the Active Transportation Subcommittee of the Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission.
Chris Garner, Treasurer
A certified public accountant with 38 years of financial services experience. Previous community involvement includes Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in April, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, United Way Days of Caring, Blendon-Westerville Little League (treasurer).
Mike Fornataro
Central Ohio resident since the age of 3, graduated from Newark High but spent much of his teen years at the family cottage on Buckeye Lake. Worked in marketing & management for 15 years for Thompson (later Gannett) newspapers. Nationally syndicated writer for Gannett and Motor News Media for over 15 years. Became involved in the marketing and management of drag racing, first for the “Super Chevy Show” series of national drag race and car show events, then nearly 15 years for the National Hot Rod Association, culminating as General Manager of National Trail Raceway. Mike joined what was to become The Buckeye Lake Region Corporation in 2017 as their Executive Director. Volunteer history includes Licking County Foundation Scholarship Committee, longtime trustee for the Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair of Explore Licking County, Board of Visit Fairfield County and Founder of Buckeye Lake Winterfest.
Mike currently resides on the North Shore of Buckeye Lake with wife, Ann.
Terry Fischer
Terry Fischer has an MBA from Duke University, a Bachelor in Business degree from BW College and an Engineering degree from the UA. Terry started his career in technology as a technician on leading edge medical diagnostic equipment, and progressed into project management, program management and executive leadership roles with concentration in operations, marketing, information technology and finance. During the last 20 years of Terry’s career, he led the turnaround of a wide range of companies suffering from financial and market distress as COO, GM, President or CEO. Terry and his wife Vivian are avid cyclists and hikers who enjoy taking advantage of what the Buckeye Lake region and Central Ohio have to offer. Terry has served on the board of Jet Inc. as Chairman, and as President of nonprofits: Project Management Institute (PMI), NEO Chapter, and Independent Information Dealers Association (IIMDA).
Lynda Berge Disser
Lynda Berge Disser is the Community Development Director for the City of Lancaster. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Lynda moved to Lancaster in 2018 after reuniting with an old flame, Dennis, who she married in 2019. Lynda is a graduate of Kalamazoo College where she studied Political Science and Theatre. She has worked in both fields in Kalamazoo, Flint, Baltimore, Richmond, Virginia, and New York City. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Committee, Fairfield County Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization for women), Sherman Rotary, and the Fairfield County Antique Tractor Club and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and 4-H. Fun Fact: Lynda was once a guest on the Phil Donahue Show on the topic Best Friends and Rivals. Her favorite part of Lancaster is Mt. Pleasant even though it challenges her fear of heights.
Jeff Beard
Jeff Beard is Owner of Ladybug Cleaners, LLC, DBA Molly Maid of Columbus East, a residential cleaning franchise. Prior to Molly Maid, Jeff was President and CEO of SSNB, Inc. and its subsidiary Standing Stone Bank in Lancaster, Ohio. Jeff joined the bank in 2007 and served in the position of Vice President and CFO before becoming President and CEO in January 2013, serving in that role until the Bank sold in November 2021. Jeff also served on the Board for both SSNB, Inc. and Standing Stone Bank from 2011 to 2021. Jeff started his career as a financial institution auditor with Crowe LLP followed by a stint at Wendy’s as a manager of financial reporting prior to joining Standing Stone. Jeff was also briefly involved with a start-up bank in Central Ohio. Jeff earned his BBA from Tiffin University, his MBA from Capital University, is a CPA (inactive) and completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Jeff is currently on the Tiffin University Board of Trustees and the Fairfield County Foundation Board of Trustees. He has completed the Fairfield Leadership program, was a Lancaster Rotarian, and was the 2018 Fairfield County United Way Campaign Chair. He is a former member of the Route 33 Development Alliance Board, the Ohio Bankers League Board, Tiffin University Board of
Counselors, Tiffin University Alumni Board, the United Way Impact Council, Lancaster Rotary Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters Board and Ohio Bankers League Bank Services Board. Jeff resides in Pickerington, Ohio with his wife Michelle and their three boys. He coaches youth football and baseball.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
We want to hear them all – about Fairfield County, our website, or app, you name it!
Give us a call or send us an email with your questions or feedback.
Business Resources
Whether you’re a new business, a staple to our county’s tourism industry, or a short-term rental owner, find all you need to know and more with our business resources page. Here, you can request our different guides including the Visit Fairfield County Destination Guide, Food Guides, and the Covered Bridge Trail, submit an event your business/organization is having, subscribe to our Business Newsletter, learn how to start your Google Business account, and more!
Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau
Our Visitor Center is located in the heart of downtown Lancaster.
158 W. Wheeling Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 654-5929 or (800) 626-1296
HOURS: The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 9AM – 5PM and is closed on most major holidays.
Travel Planning Assistance
For assistance with travel plans, please contact Jonett Haberfield at director@VisitFairfieldCounty.org
Advertising & Media Inquiries
For assistance with advertising and media inquiries, please contact Jonett Haberfield at director@VisitFairfieldCounty.org