get to know our board members!

Mr. Greg Kessen

Perry Township Representative

 Mr. Kessen was recently appointed to the Board in April of 2018. He is a graduate of Perry High School and was a member of the Laborers Local Union 329 from 1978-1982. He was also a member of Local 776 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union from 1982-2020. Mr. Kessen is recently retired with 40+ years of experience in the construction industry. He is currently a Perry Township Trustee and has served in that capacity for the past 15+ years  He resides in Perry Township with his wife, Laura. where they raised their two children.  

Mr. Merle Miller

American Township Representative

Mr. Miller received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Adrian College.  He is currently retired and brings to the Board his valuable work experience from his career in sales and his time as a small business owner.  He served as the District's Treasurer for several years.  Mr. Miller also serves on the Allen County Land Bank and is Chairman of American Township Zoning Board.  He is also past president of the Lima Allen County Crime Stoppers as well as LACRPC.  Mr. Miller also served as an American Township Trustee for 16 years and is dedicated to serving the public. 

Mr. Kurt Neeper 

Allen County Representative

Mr. Neeper was born and raised in Lima, Ohio and earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University and his MBA from Tiffin University.  He is currently the President of Superior Financial Solutions, LLC, and a licensed real estate broker.  Mr. Neeper serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and is a member of the Lima Rotary Club.  Mr. Neeper resides in Jackson Township with his wife and their two boys.  He enjoys golf and Ohio State Football.

Mr. Dustin Ingle

Bath Township Representative

Mr. Ingle is a graduate of Elida High School.   He currently serves as Vice President and COO of a local second-generation, family owned company that has been serving Northwest Ohio for more than 65 years.   Mr. Ingle brings a wealth of construction/project experience to the Board.  In addition to serving the District as Secretary and Project Chair, he also serves on the Bath Township Zoning Commission.  Mr. Ingle currently resides in Bath Township and in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and sprint car racing.   

Mr. John Gosnell

Shawnee Township Representative

Mr. Gosnell has served as a Trustee on the Board since 2016. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and obtained his Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gosnell brings a wealth of business experience to the Board from his time as President and CEO of Wapakoneta Machine Company (1970-1996). He also brings with him knowledge from his time as Zoning Inspector for Shawnee Township where he served from 2009-2012. 

Mr. Mike Leis

Allen County Representative

Mr. Leis is a graduate of Elida High School  and studied at Defiance College as well as Lima Technical College.  He holds a Class III Operator's License in Water and Wastewater and has run over 50 public water systems during his career.  

Mr. Leis is also a local business owner and has been in operation for over 25 years.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Mrs. Tara Joyce

Allen County Representative

Mrs. Joyce is a graduate of Shawnee High School and attended the Ohio State University.  She is married with 2 adult children who reside in Allen County.  Since 2000, Mrs. Joyce and her husband have worked/owned her husband's family business, a motorcycle dealership, and recently sold the business in 2024.  She enjoys spending time with family and traveling in the Caribbean.  She has also served on the Board of Carter's Crusade and worked in fundraising with the Melanoma Research Foundation, The Lima Locos and the James Cancer Center Melanoma Research Department.

Mr. Chris Colasanti

Member-at-Large

Mr. Colasanti is a longtime Allen County resident with more than 30 years of experience in water supply and treatment. He held a Class III certification and spent nearly 15 years teaching basic operator training. His background also includes management experience with a focus on system reliability, public health, fire protection, and supporting economic and community development.

Now retired, Mr. Colasanti lives in American Township with his wife. He volunteers with the Salvation Army, teaches fishing to local City School children, and enjoys golf, hunting, and fishing.

Nelson Bear

Allen County Representative

Mr. Bear was born and raised in Allen County and brings a diverse professional background in construction, excavation, municipal water and wastewater operations, and accounting.  He holds Class I Water and Class III Wastewater Operator licenses and is also a local business owner alongside his two brothers.

Outside of work, Mr. Bear enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and staying active in his church community.  His family enjoys playing ball and gathering around a campfire — especially when there’s something cooking over it.