Mayor Nan Whaley

Mayor Nan Whaley To Recieve ORA Outstanding Public Official Award

January 29, 2020 By Lisa Grigsby

On February 23, 2020, the Ohio Restaurant Association is hosting it’s annual awards celebration spotlighting the hard work, dedication and outstanding professional & community services of their members. They will recognize extraordinary contributions and innovative ideas: use of technology, charitable contributions, transformative products, and dedication to education.

Through a lifetime of passion and leadership, these champions of the Ohio restaurant, foodservice & hospitality industry exemplify what it means to be the best. The ceremony will take place on at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, with the cocktail hour starting at 5:15pm, followed by dinner and awards.

Honorees will be honored in the following categories:

The Claude F. Morton, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: The ORA’s highest award given to one restaurateur for exceptional lifetime service to the restaurant industry and his/her community. Nominees must have been an ORA member for 10+ years.

Outstanding Restaurateur Award: A restaurateur(s) recognized for his/her extraordinary contributions to the restaurant industry – a leader that implements innovative ideas, demonstrates passion for the industry and their community. One winner selected from the following regions: Northern Ohio, Central Ohio and Southern Ohio.

Outstanding Vendor Award: A company recognized for its exceptional service to the restaurant community.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley has been named the Outstanding Public Official Award: This award honors public officials who fight for the best interest of small business owners and the restaurant community.

Outstanding Industry Educator: This award honors an educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement of the Ohio foodservice industry.

Industry Innovator: This award is presented to an individual or company that has applied a new product or creative approach, resulting in the growth or transformation of their business.

Sparkle Award: This award honors a restaurant or company with an outstanding cleanliness and food safety record.

Tech Titan: Recognizing an individual or organization for their use of technology to enhance their business or impact the foodservice industry.

Rising Star: Honors an emerging leader in the foodservice industry – one whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.

Nourishing the Community: Recognizing an individual or organization for their outstanding contributions through community service or charitable involvement.

Front of House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent customer service and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.

Back of House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent attention to detail and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.

Hall of Fame: The ORA’s Hall of Fame was founded in 2018 with a purpose of recognizing the best and brightest leaders in the industry who have served with distinction and align with the ORA’s core values. To be nominated and considered for this prestigious designation, an individual or entity must have operated in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality business in Ohio for at least 25 years and be an ORA member.

Ohio Restaurant Association Industry Awards Celebration

Sunday, February 23, 2020 5:15 PM – 9:30 PM EST

George Bellowes Ballroom
401 N High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Located in the George Bellows Ballroom on the lower level of the Hilton Columbus, Downtown

Cocktail Hour: 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Awards: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tickets run $125 for an individual or $950 for a table of eight. For information about sponsoring a table for the event, please contact Melissa DeGraw; 614-246-0130 or [email protected]

City, City, Bang! Bang! Dayton’s Amazing Recovery!

April 13, 2016 By Joshua Stucky

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For so many Daytonians, a dream is being realized…a vital, vibrant and vivid city! The amazing turnaround is all most too much to believe, but cities everywhere are taking notice. “You have to go back to the 90’s and the formation of the Downtown Dayton Partnership to really see a beginning in all of this,” says Mayor Nan Whaley, beaming as she speaks of the turnaround town. “Their vision along with 2010 Greater Downtown Plan really got things rolling.” The plan was set up to make Dayton a LWP (live.work.play.) city. “I feel that people are discovering that Dayton is a authentic town, a genuine place where people are now believing in their city. We came off of 10 truly rough years, and we have developed a plan to maintain growth for the next 20. Through this vision, and a hard-working city commission, we have seen a boost in small business and housing.”

Housing is what so many Daytonians are impressed by. Builders are finding it hard to keep up with demand. You cannot visit downtown without seeing new housing, apartments, and lofts. “Our Water Street project is the fastest leasing project we have ever had.” said Jamie Moore of Crawford-Hoying Development. “Dayton is alive and on-fire!” And the developer said, ‘there is more to come…’ but remained hush-hush about details. “It’s exciting, really exciting!” he teased.

What are other Daytonians hoping for? “People want shopping, a grocery, and more local restaurants.” Whaley added, “As people move downtown, the demand increases and businesses follow. The Dragons Ballpark was instrumental in the riverfront growth. So many people investing in the community over time has paid off. It caused the city to get more aggressive about customer service and communication. The city’s reputation has been buoyed by the change in the level of services.”

Looking around you see what the mayor speaks about. Just about every month, new businesses are making their mark downtown. Restaurants like Arepas and Corner Kitchen; breweries like Dayton Beer Company and Barrel House; and shopping like Confetti and Eclectic Essentials now dot the urban landscape. Services are on the rise as well. “The Cannery will be at retail capacity for the first time in it’s history.” says Chrissie Jacobs, the leasing agent for the project. “Our property will play host to yoga, video production, printing services, a florist, a theatrical company, a photographer and a salon.” Great news for the newcomers to the city. “Our residential component is at 97% as well.”

Mayor Whaley sees a strong, successful future. “We have changed out tune from ‘we can’t do anything about it’ to ‘let’s get these problems fixed and continue to improve our city.” What does she see in the near future? “The kayak park is a game-changer. Having more recreation on-and-around the river benefits everyone. The talk of a resurrected Arcade has people so excited, and we are all cautiously optimistic, but that process will be slow and phased in as developers see fit. Of course, the housing boom will continue with more retail on ground floors and residents living in all kinds of unique living spaces.”

Perception has definitely changed. “Real estate downtown is red-hot.” Says Denise Swick, local realty expert. “People are buying properties in the city at a maddening pace. It’s hard to find real estate for buyers, a great problem to have!” Swick says it renews a faith in downtown living.

In all of this, probably most important is the pride Daytonians are gaining. “Citizens are betting on their city for the first time in a long time, ” says the Mayor. “They love Dayton, and Dayton Pride is alive and well!” You can truly feel the pride, the joy and excitement. Downtown Dayton….city, city BANG! BANG!

Mayor Whaley Honored by Million Women Mentors

September 22, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley was honored by Million Women Mentors (MWM) at its inaugural summit and gala in Washington, D.C., on September 21.

Mayor Whaley was presented with the organization’s first annual Mayor Award for her work and focus on education and workforce development through the City of Learners initiative.

MWM supports the engagement of one million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) mentors to increase the interest and confidence of girls and women to persist and succeed in STEM programs and careers.

“I am honored to be the first recipient of this award,” said Mayor Whaley. “I know that Dayton’s future growth is dependent on having a quality workforce and women and girls in STEM are a key part of that equation. As mayor, I am committed to working with our businesses and schools to ensure that Dayton can compete in the new global economy.”

MWM credited Mayor Whaley with her call to action to Ohio mayors to develop programming and opportunities for young girls and women in the area of STEM education.

MWM also highlighted the mayor’s work with the Women’s Leadership Collaborative of Greater Dayton, a community effort to cultivate and support women leaders in government, academia, nonprofit organizations and business, as well as developing and championing programs such as the Dayton Region Manufacturing Task Force, a regional effort committed to advocating for manufacturing and promoting a strong manufacturing workforce.

Mayor Giving Away Free Circus Tickets

February 2, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

The Antioch Shrine Circus is coming to town for big shows under the Big Top!

The office of Mayor Nan Whaley is giving away 400 tickets for the performance scheduled for Saturday, February 7, at noon. This family friendly event will be held at the University of Dayton Arena.

The tickets will be available at three City of Dayton recreation centers while supplies last:

* Greater Dayton Recreation Center, 2021 W. Third St.
* Lohrey Recreation Center, 2366 Glenarm Ave.
* Northwest Recreation Center, 1600 Princeton Ave.

Also available will be coupons allowing a free child’s ticket for every adult ticket purchased (tickets will not be sold at recreation centers).

For more information, visit antiochshrinecircus.com, or call 937-228-0052.

No clowning around! Enjoy the Antioch Shrine Circus in Dayton.

Mayor Whaley Reflects on First 100 Days in Office

April 16, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

During her first State of the City address, Mayor Nan Whaley outlined her vision for the future of Dayton as a vibrant, business friendly and educated community where residents can live, work, play and raise a family.

“Today marks my 100th day in office, and I am using this time to reflect and update the citizens of Dayton on the progress we have made” said Mayor Whaley. “Since January 6, I have hit the ground running. As Mayor, I have had to opportunity to meet with the business leaders of this community, as well as the citizens in their neighborhoods. We have discussed everything from the building permit process to snow removal. I truly appreciate their generous time and comments as we further define the priorities and activities of my administration.”

With two priority areas of helping businesses thrive as job creators and increasing the quality of education in the city, the Mayor has worked with the community in the following ways during her first 100 days in office.

Business

Completed six Mayor’s Business Roundtable meetings with 38 business owners, representing diverse industry groups including small businesses, real estate and development, manufacturing, and corporate services.
Held personal meetings with 10 of the top 25 CEOs in the region.
Gave presentations to a variety of committees and oversight boards to discuss the Mayor’s vision for the city and gather input for continued improvements.
Submitted an application for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership designation from the U.S. Economic Development Administration with Mayor John Cranley of Cincinnati, the Dayton Development Coalition and REDI Cincinnati to strengthen the aerospace industry in the region and promote and support the robust supply chain that feeds that industry.
Continued advocacy for the greater downtown through the announcement of Bike Share, the anchor tenant commitment for the Water Street development, the expansion of CareSource, and collaborative meetings with the arts community.
Continued work with the Dayton Regional Manufacturing Task Force including efforts to expand national partnerships.
Personally met with the President, Vice President, Governor, and other federal, state and local officials to discuss the City’s priorities for the coming four years.

Education

Kicked off the City of Learners Committee with over 60 community leaders. Completed four community listening sessions which have engaged citizens in discussing ways of increasing the quality of education in the city. Eleven community-based education programs have presented at Dayton City Commission meetings during the Education Moment. Eight more listening sessions and weekly Education Moments are planned for the future.
Positioned Dayton to be selected as a community partner with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Education to discuss strategies to advance learning, enhance student engagement and improve schools.

“I am thrilled with the support I have received from the business community and citizens alike as we have begun to move Dayton forward,” said Mayor Whaley. “As I look to the next few months, when we will be continuing our community outreach through the new citizen engagement strategy and our neighborhood front porch meetings, it has reminded me that although the work may be hard, Dayton has a resilient spirit that helps us overcome great obstacles, and we will again make Dayton a strong and prosperous city.”