Our Board of Directors

Brian Wollenberg

Founder and President

For me, the reason we are here is Love. We are here to love our fellow humans and do what we can to help them – without prejudice. I saw a real need around Thanksgiving to help individuals and families that are struggling. Everyone should get to enjoy a bountiful and happy Thanksgiving meal. I am very pleased with how we have been able to grow the effort to touch the lives of thousands.

Annette Neff

Vice President

Raised in Marion, Ohio, I was fortunate to witness my father’s active involvement in volunteer committee meetings, where his marketing expertise was utilized to promote events and festivals. The atmosphere was always filled with joy, as parents brought their children along, fostering a spirit of togetherness through volunteering. I was captivated by the camaraderie among the volunteers and the
shared sense of purpose and accomplishment.

My first experience volunteering with the Byron Saunders Foundation left a lasting impression on me. Witnessing kids, teenagers, and parents working together, enjoying themselves while making a positive impact, drew me in. I found myself consistently returning to contribute to the cause. After completing my studies at Ashland University, I found my calling in the nonprofit sector. I held various operational and administrative roles, gaining valuable experience at organizations such as MedFlight of Ohio and the American Association of Service Coordinators.

It was during this time that I discovered my passion for business process improvement, which led me to assume the virtual position of Director of Decision Support at NHE, Inc., a real estate management company specializing in
development and service coordination in Greenville, SC.

In 2019, leveraging my extensive background in operations, administration, and my unwavering desire to assist others in achieving their goals, I took a leap of faith and founded my own business, Let’s Work Virtual. As a Virtual Assistant (VA), I continue to utilize my skills and expertise to provide comprehensive support and make a positive impact in the lives of my clients.

I currently reside in the Powell area and enjoy gardening and traveling with my husband Kenny.

Aaron Bays

Treasurer

Aaron Bays is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Westerville, Ohio dedicated to tax and accounting solutions for small business owners, non-profits, and individuals. He is passionate about the creative problem-solving of accounting and applying those skills to improving the lives of the community members around him.

He was involved with non-profits at a young age due to their immense support for his family. His brother, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has been given several opportunities thanks to the work of local non-profits. This includes flying on a private jet to Nebraska to compete in the Track & Field Special Olympics USA Games.

Brian Wollenberg has been an important mentor in the short time Aaron has known him. Brian’s ability to create meaningful relationships by communicating with integrity and sincerity has inspired his outlook on networking. Due to those efforts, Byron Saunders Foundation has built a strong team dedicated to utilizing their resources to make an impact on families’ lives during Thanksgiving and beyond.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys attending every Columbus Crew game and traveling to National Parks with his wife, Morghann.

Jessica Li

Secretary

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” – Aesop

I met Brian Wollenberg, Founder and President, through professional networking nearly 10 years ago. I was immediately inspired to contribute.  I started small through participation in events. I then began to organize food drives, volunteer to pack meal boxes or help with events.  Over the years it became clear to me that I have a passion for helping others, and The Byron Saunders Foundation was the perfect way to fulfill that passion.

As a Professional in the Banking industry, I bring a balance of business acumen and people-oriented practice.  With a degree in Applied Psychology and a minor in Human Resources Management, I specialize in identifying the root cause in areas of opportunity and creating a path forward.  My diverse leadership background and well-rounded skill set allow me to bring compassion, skill, and knowledge to serve this amazing organization.  

In addition to my banking career, I serve clients as an Empowerment Coach & Life Strategist.  I live in Dublin, OH with my youngest daughter and my yorkie-poo Charley.  My oldest daughter is a University of Cincinnati Alum and former Bearcat Cheerleader, and my Son is a former Ohio University Student with a successful career in Logistics. I’m one proud mama!

I could not be more excited to serve our community by being a part of an organization that cares so much for our fellow humans and serves with love. The holidays are a meaningful time of the year, and what a better way to give back to our community than to ensure that Thanksgiving is a day that those facing food insecurity do not have to go without.   

One meal at a time, one volunteer at a time. 

Chaz Freutel 

External Relations

Chaz Freutel is a visionary with a heart for serving and connecting people with their God-given purpose. Chaz has been blessed to serve many wonderful organizations and has a passion to bring people together to reach mutually beneficial outcomes. Chaz started his first “both-feet-in” business, Get-U-Connected LLC, in 2009 to connect small business owners with the products, services, and people they need to succeed. One of his early clients was the City of Dublin’s new Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC). The facility is the largest entrepreneurial center in the US, serving over 125 small businesses, primarily start-ups. Chaz also has the honor to manage the Marysville Entrepreneurial Center “MEC” for the Union County CIC, and is on the Governing Board of the Ohio Christian University Business Innovation Center “OCUBIC.” 

In 2015 Chaz was approached by Union County to explore a national franchise program known as Young Entrepreneurs Academy “YEA!,” to help middle and high school entrepreneurs launch real businesses. In 2022, Chaz decided to take much of the curriculum and structure of the YEA! program and develop a new program, NOBLE Academy. NOBLE Academy (NA) is a Christian faith-based approach to entrepreneurship, bringing faith and business together. NA now includes adults and continues to provide a pitch competition and awards significant start-up money to graduates.

Chaz, and partner Rob Kopp, grabbed an initiative created by Oasis City Church, in Westerville, Ohio, known as a Network of Owners Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs “NOBLE” and turned that into a nationally/internationally growing 501c3 enterprise to serve The Kingdom of God thru business ownership. The NOBLE Vision is to Develop 1000 leaders with a clear Purpose and Vision for themselves, their families, their business, and their community within two years.

Chaz met a young college student at a DEC networking event that has turned into three new entities in the auto business, including a used car dealership, wholesale, and exotic rental operations. The mission of the wholesale company, We Buy Cars America, is to bless our investors and the communities we serve.

In his spare time, he loves to spend time with family, especially his new grandson, Callum. He competes in non-typical sports, including roller, figure and dance skating, racquetball, and showing dogs. He also loves attending OSU football games and watching movies.

Andy Gaggin 

Operations

Andy Gaggin has been in the real estate/mortgage industry for over 17 years and is currently a Sr. Loan Officer for Movement Mortgage.  Early in his career he started to work with self-employed clients and has gained a particular strength and love for sorting through complex personal and corporate tax returns. He has used this unique knowledge to aid both small and large business owners to qualify for financing for which they might otherwise be denied. He also has decades of experience in investment property and rehab financing, but his true passion is to help first-time homebuyers navigate the home-buying process so they can officially have a home they can call their own! In addition, he also greatly enjoys teaching other industry professionals and currently teaches courses at the Hondros College of Real Estate.

In 2022, he joined the Byron Saunders Foundation (BSF) and stepped in as the Operations Director for the organization. He has a love for building solid and efficient business systems, so he was tasked with redesigning the entire annual Thanksgiving operations process for the BSF so that we would be able to bless many more families for years to come.

Brian Wollenberg is a personal hero of Andy’s and inspires him every day. He met Brian in early 2022 and found him to be a man of integrity and honor.  Decades ago, due to health concerns, he easily could have chosen to sit back and do nothing with his life, but he refused. Instead, Brian desired to do something to show the love of Christ to those in need in our community.  Being a man of his word, he started the Byron Saunders Foundation and the rest is history.

In his spare time, he enjoys practicing Martial Arts, which was his first love from when he was 10.  Over the last 35 years, he has enjoyed studying Judo, Aikido, Shotokan, Muay Thai, and Boxing. He is currently getting beat up as I learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He was also a high school drama teacher for a decade. 

Niels Hansen

Marketing Committee Chair

Niels Hansen is the founder of Hansen Creative Services in Columbus, Ohio – a firm providing digital and print design for non-profits and commercial companies. He brings over 30 years of marketing and design experience to our board working for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits in Central Ohio and New York City. His specific insights bring creativity and a seasoned perspective on branding that he hopes will serve the Byron Saunders Foundation well in the near future. 

He has a BS in Visual Communication from the Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College in NYC. He has supported the Byron Saunders Foundation as a volunteer since 2015.

Feeding the hungry is important and personal for Niels. He has experienced food insecurity firsthand, Some years ago he had to abandon a cart of groceries at the store because he didn’t have enough in his bank account to cover it. He has strived ever since to make it his mission to ensure everyone has food on their plates. This mission has brought him to the board of directors of the Byron Saunders Foundation to support the amazing work done by Brian and his team every year.

In his spare time, Niels enjoys building complex LEGO sets, solving puzzles, cooking homemade meals, and spending time with wife Mary, their two basset hounds, and their three cats. 

Katy Tombaugh

Volunteer Coordinator

I believe that life is about the people you meet and what you create with them.

I initially became involved with Bryon Saunders about two years ago upon meet its founder, Brian, and learning about the mission. It’s easy to get to “yes” when the mission is making certain that every family has the food they need for Thanksgiving.

Being in the health and wellness industry, I know that part of my well-being is satisfied by being active in the community and making a difference. My business was founded on the values of people first, positive impact and live your passion. The mission and people at Byron Saunders align perfectly with these values and I can’t wait to see what’s possible in the years ahead!

Families. Food. Philanthropy. I’m all in!