The Daily Standard
Story Archive
Greater Grand Lake Region Visitors Bureau Executive Director Donna Grube poses in front of Grand Lake in St. Marys in this file photo.
CELINA - Greater Grand Lake Visitors Region Executive Director Donna Grube is retiring today, ending a 20-plus year run at the nonprofit agency that promotes tourism in Mercer and Auglaize counties.
Mercer County native Matt Staugler, who has worked in tourism for over a decade, has been selected to succeed Grube.
Grube started at the office in 2003 and during her tenure got to travel to New York to promote the 50th anniversary of Wapakoneta native Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon in 1969.
"They always took someone from Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland because they always had big things going on," she said. "Well, in 2019, they said, 'Donna, why don't you come and promote the Armstrong (Air and Space Museum)?' It was very exciting. We go into these meetings and everybody wanted to talk about the anniversary of those first steps on the moon. I just felt kind of good because the big cities couldn't offer what our little two-county area could. We also did land a full page promotion in Food Network Magazine for one of the local restaurants."
As director, Grube sought to achieve the strategic objectives set by a 19-member board of directors and worked hand-in-hand with tourism partners to market the region as a tourism destination.
She also managed all operations and activities, provided direction to staff and ensured proper fiscal and operational management.
Another highlight of her time with the agency was witnessing Grand Lake's resurgence, she said.
"I think just the turnaround at the lake, to see it coming from a bad situation with the algae issue, to look at it now, with Boardwalk Village and all the cool things happening, bringing people from all over to enjoy that," Grube said. "It's just been really great to see that appreciation for what we have grow. I feel really good about turning the reins over to Matt with the things going on at the fairgrounds. I just think it's a good time."
The Mercer County Fairgrounds is in the midst of developing the $12.5 million Grand Event Center and Market Hall for a wide range of big events such as livestock shows, concerts, indoor tractor pulls and large trade shows.
Staugler worked in tourism for over a decade, including a stint as executive director of the Darke County Visitors Bureau from 2015-2020 and more recently at Great Lakes Publishing, which prints Ohio Magazine, per a news release.
A Celina High School graduate, Staugler said he is excited to return home.
"I couldn't be more excited to come back home and promote our area," he said in a statement. "The growth in the region the last few years has been incredible, between the renewed health of the lake, exciting developments in the downtown areas in Auglaize and Mercer Counties, and continued expansion in hospitality businesses in the area."
Staugler currently lives in Wapakoneta with his wife, Jennifer, a St. Marys Memorial High School graduate, and their two children, Amelia and William.
"I grew up on the south side of the lake," he said. "I saw the algae and the bad times. I don't think anybody could have ever imagined what the lake would turn into. So (I'm excited to) not only follow Donna, but then to promote my hometown. My wife is from Auglaize County, and so coming back home, I don't know that we ever expected to be back here. But it's sort of weird how fate works."
Mercer County Community Development Director and visitors center board president Jared Ebbing said the board is very pleased to have Staugler as the new director, calling him a natural fit.
"We have no doubt he'll be able to pick up the baton and build on all the great accomplishments Donna has achieved in her time as director," he said.
Grube is looking forward to traveling during her retirement, as well as spending time with her grandchildren and serving on the Mercer County Historical Society, Armstrong Air and Space Museum and the Maria Stein Shrine boards.
"You know, I promote tourism and travel is in my soul. I plan on doing some of that and seeing what other people are promoting and going to their places too," she said.
