MANSFIELD — Tim Bowersock said in his 25 years of working in economic development, he “never heard anyone say no” to helping out.
“Sometimes I’d call someone on Monday asking for a meeting on Tuesday, and everyone was always willing to help,” he said.
“I appreciate all the help and my time with the city. Kudos to Jodie (Perry) who got about 10 more months out of me than I was planning on staying. I really appreciate it and thank you all.”
Bowersock served as Mansfield’s economic development director for 25 years and retired at the end of 2024. On Feb. 12, he was honored with a lifetime achievement economic excellence award.
The Richland Community Development Group created the economic excellence awards in 2014 to celebrate positive economic movement. The chamber has honored 45 different businesses and people since then.
Barrett Thomas, the chamber’s economic development director, presented Bowersock’s award Wednesday.
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Tim for 16 years and working alongside him in economic development for nine of those,” Thomas said.
“I learned a lot from Tim, not just incentives in the development process and how to approach business visits as conversations, but also to navigate the complex network of relationships that make up our community.”
Bowersock was previously the CEO of Braintree Business Development Center and worked at the Small Business Development Center at Ashland University.
He helped develop the Mansfield Industrial Park, which now includes more than 100 companies and an estimated 5,000 jobs, Thomas said.
“He has incredible insight, wisdom that comes from a lot of years of commitment and dedication,” Thomas said. “Tim, your career has touched so many lives and transformed this community in ways that will be felt for generations.”
The Chamber announced the 2025 economic excellence award winners before Wednesday’s event, while the Chairman’s Award, ATHENA Award and Ambassador of the Year award were presented as surprises.
The chamber also recognized outgoing board members Bethany Cuthbertson, Donnie Clark, Barbara Woodman, Walt Bonham and Deanna West-Torrence.
This year’s economic excellence honorees also included ArelorMittal, IDEAL Electric and Amy Wood — who serves as the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center’s director of grants and special projects.
ArcelorMittal
“As one of the world’s most innovative and respected companies, ArcelorMittal has always been committed to more than just industry leadership,” said Jessica Gribben, economic development manager for northern Richland County.
“It has demonstrated a profound dedication to the communities where it operates.”
ArcelorMittal sponsored the arch above Shelby’s Main Street this summer, and the Louis Beach skate park renovations.
“ArcelorMittal is a steadfast partner in our community’s growth and success,” Gribben said.
“Their investment in Shelby’s future is a testament to the company’s values and its belief in making a difference where it matters most.”
Plant manager Rick Gruver said the company is marking 135 years operating in Shelby this year.
“We’re blessed to work for a company that allows us to be a community partner,” Gruver said. “We’re happy to celebrate the work and team that helps us support the community.”
IDEAL Electric
Barrett Thomas presented IDEAL Electric’s economic excellence award at Wednesday’s ceremony.
IDEAL Electric is headquartered in Mansfield, but operates around the world, with leadership also stationed in Houston, Texas. The Ohio Works plant on First Street was constructed in 1920.
Owner and president Jim Petersen bought IDEAL from Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2017.
“Under the leadership of Jim Petersen and Nic Phillips, IDEAL embodies what this award is all about — turning challenges into opportunities and driving economic growth in our community,” Thomas said.
“They have transformed this company into rehiring long-term employees and diversifying new revenue streams after buying this from essentially revenue that had gone to zero with just a handful of employees.
“Now, thriving with nearly 70 employees and exciting new prospects, IDEAL is the only large motor manufacturer of its kind in the U.S. that is not owned by a foreign multinational corporation.”
IDEAL Vice President Nic Phillips thanked the chamber and IDEAL’s employees.
We have machines in over 106 countries and we’re going to keep going strong,” Phillips said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this community and look forward to continuing to contribute for the next century.”
Amy Wood
Clint Knight, workforce development director for the Richland Area Chamber, highlighted Amy Wood’s additions to the Mid-Ohio ESC’s projects since she joined the organization.
The MOESC serves 16 school districts across Richland, Morrow and Crawford counties. The ESC has recently started teacher bootcamps, pre-apprenticeships, a high school speech-language pathology (SLP) mentorship program and a TurboCert Crawford County pilot program.
“Under her leadership, the council has forged powerful connections between education and industry, ensuring that educators receive critical insights into the skills needed for in-demand careers,” Knight said.
“Amy partnered with the lieutenant governor’s office and Ashland University to create teacher bootcamps — giving educators the opportunities to spend time with and inside local industry and then develop curriculum to be used in their classrooms.”
Wood attributed the ESC’s growth and success to business collaborators.
“The work is impossible without our partnership-forward mentality,” she said. “It’s our business exports, our community partners and stakeholders and of course, our editors in schools that make this kind of work possible.”
Chamber recorded record event attendance, membership in 2024
Ellen Heinz, Richland Area Chamber president and CEO, ended the evening with a status update on the chamber’s membership and accomplishments in 2024.
She thanked the chamber’s staff and former interim CEO Greg Timberlake, who led the organization for about three months before she started her position.
Last year, the chamber hosted a record 5,040 attendees at events and now has more than 1,080 chamber members.
Heinz also highlighted the launch of the Engage Richland professional development program, Adena’s second spec building in development, Aviation Career Day and the BrandRichland campaign that earned a marketing excellence award from the Ohio Economic Development Association.
Sandy Messner also attended South By Southwest in 2024 with seven other local community leaders.
“That cohort is getting ready to release some community-wide projects they’ll be supporting,” Heinz said.
“A couple more highlights for 2025 — we’ll be enhancing membership value with increased focus on advocacy, talent attraction, business and economic development support.”
Stay up-to-date with Chamber events on the organization’s website, LinkedIn and Facebook pages.