Title
To recognize the leadership and outreach of Columbus Young Professional Reese Neader as the Create Columbus Commission Visionary Award.
Body
WHEREAS, Reese was a 2001 graduate of Lancaster High School and co-captain of his senior class football team, graduated from Denison University with a major in political science; and
WHEREAS, Reese took an internship under Sen. Richard Lugar in Washington D.C. after graduation and he later served as the National Policy Director with the Roosevelt Institute in N.Y.; and
WHEREAS, Reese created an internship program for Granville-based Denison University that places 20 interns over the summer in government agencies, nonprofits and private businesses; and
WHEREAS, Reese founded Forge Columbus, a local organization that invests in entrepreneurs and small business owners. Forge provides businesses with access to capital and networking opportunities with a long-term goal of creating jobs and improving neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Reese led the efforts as a Kiva Fellow to designate Columbus as an official Kiva City back in July 2016. On the back of his leadership, he was able to rally community support to help raise $225,000 to fund future fellowships; and
WHEREAS, Reese passed away on December 14 2016 at Grant Hospital in Columbus at the age of 34 after complication brought on by diabetes. Columbus mourns the loss of such an inspirational, genuine, and charismatic figure whose leadership and energy will live on through the initiatives he started and the feats that he accomplished; and
WHEREAS, The Create Columbus Commission has unanimously chosen to honor Reese as an outstanding Columbus Young Profession for his efforts to stimulate the local economy of Columbus by giving opportunity and power back to small business owner of Columbus. He has created a system of growth and betterment for the community that will endure for years to come; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, That this Council does hearby declare the distinguished Reese Neader, be praised and recognized for his dedication to the economic growth and wellbeing of Columbus as well as his leadership in bettering the Columbus community.