05/18/2026
📰 THREE ELECTED TO OPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Two incumbents and one newcomer were elected by members to the OPRA Board of Directors for terms beginning July 1. All three have been actively involved in supporting OPRA as they have continued to grow in their own careers.
Amanda Gehres, Recreation Superintendent at Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation, was elected to a second three-year term. Gehres has been active for several years as a frequent speaker at Conference and as a leader of the Awards Committee and Student Conference Committee in addition to her service on the OPRA Board.
Bryana Ross, Deputy Director of the Grove City Parks and Recreation Department, was also re-elected to a three-year term. Ross has been extremely active in OPRA for more than a decade, serving in a variety of roles with OPRA, including as a chair of the Conference Education Committee which she still serves on. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the OPRA Board and is a co-chair of the Minority Networking Committee.
Jen Brandt, Recreation Programs Superintendent at Kettering Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts, was elected to her first term on the Board. Brandt has served as the OPRA programming chair and as an Awards judge while also being a frequent speaker at the OPRA Conference and other events.
“We have been so blessed with strong leadership on the OPRA Board,” said Executive Director Woody Woodward. “Amanda, Bryana, and Jen will ensure that that legacy of strong leadership continues. They have shown their commitment to the profession and to OPRA in many ways throughout the past several years.”
Eight members were candidates for the three Board seats. Woodward said, “It’s gratifying to see future leaders of our association from around the state.”
More than 300 members voted in the election. New Board members will be sworn in at the June 18 meeting of the Board at Spring Hollow Lodge in Westerville.
OPRA Board Info: https://www.opraonline.org/opra/OPRA_Board_of_Directors.asp
