Presenting the 5 finalists of the 2026 James B. Recchie Design Award!

The Building Arts Studio at Fort Hayes recently wrapped up a highly successful ninth semester! Around 25 masonry and carpentry students gained hands-on experience—mastering historic mortar blending, rebuilding failed window units, and constructing secure, brick-facade window wells. Special thanks to local preservationists Dorrie Steinhoff and Joe Kuspan for their generous tool donations this term.

Need help with your own historic property? Our Home Preservation Program (HPP) is here for you! We assist Columbus-area property owners with identifying structural issues, prioritizing repairs, and connecting with specialized historic contractors. To make things even easier, we’ve launched a brand-new booking system to streamline site visits.

Don’t wait to get your questions answered—schedule your HPP appointment today!

– Nathan Bevil, Preservation Services Director

Dear Valued Members,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new CEO of The Columbus Landmarks Foundation. It is an immense honor to lead this distinguished group of passionate preservationists—you, our dedicated members. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to Toni Bell, our immediate past president of the board, who served as interim CEO and has provided invaluable mentorship during my transition. And I look forward to working with Holly Dray, our incoming board president and the entire board of trustees. They have made me feel so welcome in this role. 

The coming year marks an incredibly exciting time for us as we journey toward our 50th Anniversary in 2027. Over the past few weeks, I’ve immersed myself in CLF’s rich history, learning about the foundational programs and events that our membership has long enjoyed and supported. My commitment is twofold: to not only continue these beloved programs but also to proactively seek new and innovative opportunities to strengthen our preservation advocacy and educational efforts. I look forward to connecting with you frequently through social media, on our website, and via direct email updates.

As we look toward our landmark 50th Anniversary, the support of our membership is more vital than ever. If you haven’t yet renewed, now is the crucial moment to rejoin our mission. Your membership is the bedrock of everything we do—it ensures you remain at the core of our celebratory year, grants you exclusive opportunities to engage directly with the preservation and advocacy work that defines Columbus, and allows us to honor our past while building a stronger, more impactful future together.

I hope to meet you all personally at upcoming events.  Please keep checking our website: ColumbusLandmarks.org for updates.

Chris Hune

Over the past year, Columbus Landmarks has continued important work to strengthen the organization, deepen community relationships, and position itself for long-term growth and impact. This progress would not have been possible without the dedication of our interim CEO, members, volunteers, board leadership, community partners, founders, and past leaders whose passion and stewardship have shaped Columbus Landmarks for generations.

Today, we are pleased to share a leadership transition that reflects both confidence in our future and excitement for what lies ahead.

A Message from Toni Bell, Outgoing Interim CEO and Board Chair

Serving Columbus Landmarks during this important period has been a tremendous privilege. Together, we have worked to strengthen the organization’s foundation, reinforce our mission, and position Columbus Landmarks for a bright future.

This progress reflects the commitment of so many people — our members, volunteers, staff, board leadership, and supporters across the community. Their passion for protecting the character and history of Columbus continues to inspire this work every day.

As I transition from this role, I do so with deep gratitude and tremendous confidence in the future of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation. The organization is entering this next chapter from a position of strength and momentum, and I am excited for what lies ahead as we approach the milestone of our 50th anniversary in 2027.

I am especially pleased to welcome Chris Hune as the organization’s new CEO. Chris brings exceptional leadership experience, deep community involvement, and a strong passion for preservation. I know the organization will continue to grow and thrive under her leadership.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this important chapter in Columbus Landmarks’ history.

A Message from Chris Hune, Incoming CEO

I am honored and excited to join Columbus Landmarks at such a meaningful moment in the organization’s history.

For nearly 50 years, Columbus Landmarks has played an essential role in preserving the places, architecture, and stories that help define our community. The organization’s impact is visible not only in the buildings and neighborhoods it has helped protect, but also in the civic pride and community connections it has fostered throughout Columbus.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about community-building, collaboration, and preserving the character of the places that matter most to people. I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the strong foundation created by the organization’s founders, leaders, volunteers, and supporters.

As we look ahead, I see tremendous opportunity to expand awareness of our mission, deepen community engagement, strengthen partnerships, and continue building an organization that honors its legacy while evolving for the future. I look forward to working alongside our members, board, volunteers, and community partners as we continue this important work together.

A Message from Holly Dray, Board President

As the newly elected Board President of Columbus Landmarks, I could not be more excited about this moment for the organization and its future.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Toni Bell for her leadership and dedication during an important period for Columbus Landmarks. We are also thrilled to welcome Chris Hune as our new CEO. Chris brings exceptional leadership experience, deep community involvement, and a genuine passion for preservation, and the Board is fully committed to supporting her vision for the organization’s future.

Personally, this role is especially meaningful to me because I deeply believe in the mission of Columbus Landmarks. As a lifelong lover of history, a proud mom of an architecture student, and a Columbus native, this organization speaks to me on many levels. It has connected me to new places and stories throughout Columbus, but also to pieces of my own family’s history and the shared stories that shape our community.

As we approach our 50th anniversary, I am filled with optimism for what lies ahead. Together, we will continue honoring our legacy while building a strong and exciting future for Columbus Landmarks.

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Join us in protecting the places and stories that give Columbus its character. This is a hands-on leadership role where your voice will turn passion for preservation and enduring design into public momentum as the region continues to experience dynamic growth.

Position Overview

Columbus Landmarks Foundation seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization to its next phase of preservation impact, financial sustainability, and organizational growth.

The CEO serves as CLF’s principal executive and external representative, partnering with an engaged Board to advance historic preservation, strengthen revenue, and build internal capacity.

About Columbus Landmarks Foundation: Since 1977, Columbus Landmarks (CLF) has served as the region’s leading advocate for the preservation of our built environment and architectural heritage. We believe that historic places are not just relics of the past, but vital assets for a sustainable, vibrant, and economically diverse future. Through advocacy, education, and our Endangered Properties list, we empower the community to save the places that define Columbus’s unique identity.

Preferred Skills

• Leadership: Well-developed leadership skills and the ability to work independently during significant change in the organization’s trajectory, specifically as the Endangered Properties Program and the Home Preservation Loan Fund are growing rapidly.
• Fundraising: Strong background in fundraising with an emphasis on fund development and donor relations.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication and advocacy skills with knowledge of local, state, and national funders.
• Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of preservation, architecture, design, city planning, and history.
• Strategy: Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to pursue and communicate a broadening vision.
• Experience: Seven years of experience in leadership and preservation.
• Education: MA or MS preferred or similar experience

Key Responsibilities

1. Chief Development Executive

Estimated percentage of total efforts: 50%

• Develop and implement fund development strategies to support Columbus Landmarks’ advocacy and program efforts.
• Develop and implement a donor relations plan to include identifying, cultivating, and engaging individual, corporate, and institutional funders.
• Serve as Staff Liaison with the Development Committee.
• Oversee the work of the Special Projects Coordinator on fundraising events.
• Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of donor and membership records.
• Assist the special event fundraising committees in event activities related to fundraising and sponsorship, and ensure the effective execution of major events.
• Identify sources of grant funding and draft grant proposals and grant reports.
• Develop a marketing plan to assist in achieving maximum income potential.

2. Community Advocate

Estimated percentage of total efforts: 30%

• Serve as an advocate for the organization and preservation in the community.
• Oversees all marketing, communication, and outreach efforts.
• Set direction for all advocacy efforts.

3. Chief Operations Officer

Estimated percentage of total efforts: 20%

• Develop and maintain processes for the effective management of the organization and its programs.
• Recommend appropriate policies and course of action to the Board of Trustees and implement Board directives.
• Develop, with the Board Finance Committee, an annual budget and ensure that monthly financial reports are prepared.
• Serve as staff liaison to Advocacy, Partnership, Executive, and Personnel Committees.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise all paid positions.
• Ensure that all administrative management functions are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepare materials for full Board meetings.
• Assist in organizing the annual meeting of the organization.
• Oversees Endangered Properties Fund, Preservation Services, Educational Outreach and Programs, administrative and bookkeeping, and all associated volunteers and staff members.

Compensation & Benefits

This position operates on a hybrid model with a flexible schedule. As the organization’s executive leader, the CEO has the autonomy to manage their own schedule, balancing remote administrative focus with the essential need to be visible and active within the Columbus community.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $95,000

Benefits: Includes a healthcare stipend of $7,000 annually in lieu of traditional healthcare benefits. We offer a comprehensive paid time off package.

Application

Send a cover letter and résumé to outreach@columbuslandmarks.org.