The Library Foundationof Cincinnati and Hamilton County welcomes five new members to its board of directors. The Library Foundation Board of Directors is led by a group of volunteer leaders who share a deep passion for the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and the community it serves. The new Library Foundation directors are Robert D. Festenstein, Gina A. Hemenway, Patrick N. Longo, Todd S. Neumann, and Jacob G. Samad.
“These new board members bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and dedication to our mission of supporting the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library,” said Staci Dennison, the Thomas W. Jones Executive Director of The Library Foundation. “Together, we will continue to champion the Library’s role as an essential resource for learning, connection, and opportunity for all in our community.”
Robert D. Festenstein is the Executive Director of Independence Alliance. . He shares his talents by being involved in non-profit organizations as a board member of the Leadership Council for Non-Profits and the United States Selective Service System. Festenstein graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Science from Human Services Administration at Spertus College, among many other educational experiences. His favorite library branch is Deer Park as it’s a great example of universal design.
Gina A. Hemenway is Mercy Health’s Executive Director of Community Health. She is a board member of many organizations, including Little Fork Family Advocacy Center and Cradle Cincinnati. Hemenway graduated with a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Business Management from Wittenberg University. Her favorite library is Mariemont Branch because it’s cozy.
Patrick N. Longo is the President and CEO of Alloy Development Co. and has served as a board member for Cintrifuse and TechSolve. Throughout his career, he has been honored in the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 and awarded the 2008 SBA Financial Assistance Provider of the Year. Longo received a B.S.B.A degree in Finance from John Carroll University. He enjoys the Sharonville Branch and reading spy novels.
Todd S. Neumann is the Senior Reimbursement Specialist at UC Health. Neumann is a board member of Friends of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County along with many other organizations. He received his B.B.A in Accounting at the University of Cincinnati and is a Certified Public Accountant. Neumann loves the downtown Main Library and has been a proud user since elementary school.
Jacob G. Samad is a partner at Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker Law Firm. He has been a planning commissioner for the City of Cincinnati since 2019 and a board member of the Cincinnati Estate Planning Council, as well as served as a leadership volunteer for many organizations. He has received many awards, including the Cincinnati Bar Association John W. Warrington Community Service Award in 2022 and was honored in the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40, Class of 2017. Samad received a Master of Business Administration and a J.D. degree at the University of Pittsburgh. His favorite branch is in Walnut Hills for the historic renovation and the adaptive reuse of the building.
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