The Shelby Foundation has announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Christopher Vogt, Carli Bailey, and Heather Gies. Their appointments were officially confirmed on June 18, bringing the total number of board members to 14.
“When we look at talent around the table, we select board members who are representative of our community,” said Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation. “Different backgrounds, ages, schools of thought — so we can be as diverse as possible when we look at driving the Foundation forward.”
According to the Foundation’s bylaws, the board can seat up to 15 members. The executive committee maintains a regularly updated list of prospective candidates as part of a long-term succession strategy.
“Our organization is only as strong as our board, so we take that very seriously to make sure we’re bringing on the right candidates at the right time to help build and guide our strategic plan,” Kemerer added.
Meet the New Trustees
Carli Bailey is a sixth-generation owner of Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory and a lifelong Shelby resident. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and certified crematory operator. Bailey is the daughter of longtime Foundation board member Lesli Barkdull-Neal, and says she is honored to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She has been involved with numerous community organizations including the Shelby YMCA, Shelby United Lions Club, Shelby Kiwanis, and the 100+ Women for Shelby Steering Committee. Carli and her husband Kyle have three children — Slayter, Roman, and Stevi — and enjoy spending time as a family in the Shelby area.
Heather Gies is a director in Gannett’s Enterprise Project Management Office, where she oversees strategic projects across national media brands including USA Today. Originally from Michigan, Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1993 and moved to Shelby with her husband Joe shortly thereafter. She’s served the Shelby community through St. Mary’s PTO, the Shelby Academic Boosters, and is a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Project Management International, and 100+ Women of Shelby. Heather and Joe are the proud parents of two grown children: Andy, a physical therapist in Hilliard, and Allie, a project engineer in Findlay.
Christopher Vogt is the plant manager for Phillips Tube Group and has been with the company his entire career. He has served in multiple roles over the years, including machinist, supervisor, quality manager, and now plant manager. Vogt lives just south of Shelby with his wife Christine. They’ve been married 31 years and have two grown daughters. In addition to his professional background, Vogt is active in the community, having served on his church’s school and parish councils and frequently volunteers for nonprofit fundraisers and service projects. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities.
A Board Built for Impact
Board members at The Shelby Foundation are selected not only for their leadership but for their values.
“When we evaluate candidates, we ask: Are they active and well-respected in our community? Do they live or work here? Are they willing to share their time, talent, and treasure?” said Kemerer. “We look at what’s missing around the table and compare it to our list of potential candidates to find the right people.”
The Foundation continues to focus on its mission of enriching the greater Shelby area through charitable giving, strategic community investment, and collaborative leadership. With a diverse and dedicated board in place, that mission remains in strong hands.