RPAC provides recommendations and advice to City Council and City Staff on a variety of topics, including development of existing parkland; recreational facilities; trails and bikeways; health, wellness, and recreational programming; and updates to strategic plans.
The Committee consists of ten volunteer members who are Hilliard residents and includes a representative from Hilliard City Schools, each of the three high schools, and two Council representatives.
Commission member since 2023
Term ends 2025
Background
Anderson has a degree in government administration from Christopher Newport University. She started her career in higher education administration roles at Virginia Tech and Texas A&M University. She moved to Ohio in 2011 and worked for 10 years in talent management and diversity. She currently is a manager in diversity, equity, and inclusion at Cardinal Health.
Personal
She lives in Hilliard with her husband and their two active boys, who love to spend time exploring Hilliard parks and playing sports.
Commission member since 2022
Term ends February 2026
Background
Coyle served for more than 40 years in public administration leadership positions. His experience includes parks and recreation director in Milford, Delaware, and as parks, recreation and properties director in Cleveland. He was also an athletic specialist in the US Air Force. He holds a master’s degree in public recreation administration from Temple University.
Hilliard community service
Coyle has been an RPAC member since May 2022.
Personal
He and his wife, Peggy, moved to Hilliard in April 2012. They are both retired.
Panel member since 2023
Term ends 2026
Background
Gara is a stream and wetland mitigation coordinator with the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy (TNC), specializing in the study of native wetland plants and the use of geographic information systems technology to enhance the quantity and quality of Ohio’s aquatic resources. Before joining TNC, he was employed as a wetland ecologist with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. While there, Gara worked on numerous research projects to better understand these important aquatic habitats. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art and biology from Bluffton College in 1985, a master’s degree in botany from Ohio University in 1987, and a doctorate from The Ohio State University in environmental science 1995. As a long-time Hilliard resident, he is passionate about increasing green space protection within the sensitive Darby Watershed.
Hilliard community service
Gara and his family moved to Hilliard in 1999 and have enjoyed watching it develop into a vibrant community that embraces diversity. He and his wife are members of the Hilliard Area Garden Club, which is responsible for maintaining the beautiful gardens at Veteran’s Park and the VFW outpost on Avery Road. The club has also worked with the Recreation and Parks Department to control invasive species and establish designated walking paths through the Municipal Park woodlot so residents can learn about and enjoy Ohio’s native spring wildflowers.
Personal
He and his wife have two grown daughters. They live in the Hampton Oaks subdivision and love visiting downtown to enjoy the many fun, family-friendly events the city has to offer.
Commission member since 2021
Background
McDonough is the deputy superintendent for Hilliard City Schools. He maintains support systems for all phases of the district in the areas of development and implementation of business management, operations data and informational services, maintenance, buildings, and grounds, along with transportation. He oversees all district athletic and extracurricular activities.
Hilliard community service
He has worked for Hilliard City Schools since August 2008, serving as an assistant principal at Darby High School for three years, the director of secondary education for four years, and in his current role since August 2015. Before serving on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee, he served on the Hilliard Sports Commission.
Personal
He and his wife, Kristin, have lived in Hilliard since 2000. They have two daughters. Madelyn, 19, is a sophomore at The Ohio State University. Maya, 17, is a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School.
Commission member since 2022
Term ends March 2024
Background
Richardson is the president and CEO of Richardson Marketing Group, a marketing firm specifically designed to enhance the customer acquisition efforts of insurance agents. He also is a partner and chief operating officer of Freedom Direct Life Insurance Services, a published author, and speaker. A former teacher, Richardson also volunteers his time as the president of the Hilliard Optimist Club and acts as the director of basketball operations. He is a graduate of Ohio Dominican University.
Hilliard community service
Richardson has been active in community service in Hilliard for more than a decade. He has served on several boards and committees including Portrait of a Graduate, Hilliard by Design, RPAC, and the Hilliard Optimist Youth Club.
Personal
He has a passion for entrepreneurship and has dedicated countless hours helping young and aspiring entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground. In his spare time, he loves to play golf and hang out with his family. He and his wife, Desiree, have four children and three grandchildren. All four children are Hilliard Davidson high school graduates.
Commission member since 2021
Term ends February 2026
Background
For the last 16 years Schooley has worked within the Department of Recreational Sports at The Ohio State University, currently serving as the assistant director of satellite and outdoor facilities. Before that he was at the University of Kansas as their assistant director of sport programs for four years. He also officiates football and basketball at the high school level. His wide-ranging experience within the sports and recreation field from the collegiate side brings a unique perspective to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee. Before serving as the RPAC chair, he also served as a member of the Hilliard Sports Commission. He received his master’s degree in recreation and sports science from Ohio University and his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.
Hilliard community service
In addition to the Hilliard Sports Commission and the RPAC experience, he has been a volunteer assistant coach within the Hilliard Baseball Association and Hilliard Optimist leagues and the Hilliard Panthers baseball organization.
Personal
Originally from Bowling Green, Ohio, he is now married to Kara Schooley. They have three children, Amelia, Bennett, and Parker. They have lived in Hilliard since 2008.
After recently retiring from a career managing projects for a Central Ohio publishing company, Tina Cottone is now ready to help the City of Hilliard chart its course for the future in other ways as a member of Hilliard’s City Council.
Tina was elected to her first term as a member of City Council in November 2021, and says she is honored to have this opportunity to serve the Hilliard community and its wonderful citizens.
“As our city continues to grow, I will be a voice for the community to implement changes at the city level that reflect the wants and needs of all the people who live here,” she said.
Tina has been a regular volunteer at the Hilliard Food Pantry, delivering monthly grocery items to people in senior living communities. She is currently the secretary of her homeowners association, and frequently bakes casseroles and cakes for people who need help.
With her free time, she enjoys spending time outside walking, gardening and playing with her two Maltese dogs, Tank and Max. Tina is part of a book club that introduces her to books that are not mysteries. She loves public art and is a big fan of modern dance.
She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in English.
She and her husband, Rick Adams, have lived in Hilliard since 2010.
Tina’s four-year term runs through December 2025.
Not only is Peggy Hale the only board-certified emergency medical physician to have a seat among the members of Hilliard City Council, she also is the only officially trained ninja among the seven elected officials!
Peggy was elected to her first term on Council in November 2021 on a platform that included an emphasis on health and wellness – a natural fit, considering her experience as an ER physician, a former teacher in grades 6-9, and a mother of two young boys.
She also was a member of the Healthy Hilliard PAC, the community group that advocated for the passage of the 2021 Issue 22 income tax increase, which earmarked funds for recreation and parks – including the construction and operation of the City’s planned Community Center.
“As a doctor, I am a huge proponent of health and wellness. I will always support the health and wellness of our community,” Peggy said.
Peggy even competed to be on the TV show “American Ninja Warrior” in 2017, making her the only person to ever be both an elected City of Hilliard official and a ninja.
She is actively involved in the community, including serving as the Good Tidings Christmas Store Donation coordinator, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship E-learning director, UALC Community Garden volunteer, SON Ministry/FESTA Dinner Angel, and guest lecturer at English as a Second Language classes.
Peggy is a Hilliard City Schools lecturer for Just-in-Case (topic: anti-discrimination) and composting, volunteer at Hoffman Trails Elementary, and a volunteer doctor at Vineyard Free Clinic. She operates a pro-bono telemedicine clinic for the homeless, uninsured or underinsured individuals; is a food pantry volunteer; is a guest lecturer at Cross Sports at the Ohio State University; and is a Younglife/Wyldlife host.
She was named Chief Resident for 2009-2010, Resident of the Year in 2007-2009, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital Resident of the Year in 2010. She was a participant in the third annual Paul Ambrose Health Promotion Student Leadership Symposium, was a recipient of the Paul Ambrose Health Promotion Grant, and was a National Merit Scholar.
Peggy earned her bachelor’s degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from the Midwestern University of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona.
She and her husband, Matt, have two children. They have lived in Hilliard since 2012.
Peggy’s four-year term runs through December 2025.
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Commission member since 2023
RPAC meets on dates and times it deems necessary to fulfill its purpose and to meet deadlines as required by Hilliard City Council. All meetings are open to the public.
For further information or questions please contact Director of Recreation and Parks Ed Merritt.
City Hall and Admin
3800 Municipal Way
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-7361
Hilliard Mayor’s Court
5171 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 334-2348
Division of Police
5171 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
Police Assistance
(614) 876-7321
Police Records and General Assistance
(614) 876-2429
Norwich Township Fire
5181 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-7694
Hilliard Recreation & Parks
3800 Veterans Memorial Dr
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-5200
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