As a native of Mansfield, I grew up in a very busy home with loving parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Someone was always getting into trouble at home; so as you can imagine, my parents were excited when we were old enough to become members of Friendly House. At the age of six I became a member and remained a member throughout high school. I have many great memories of playing shuffle board, ping pong, basketball and wood working. I even remember ice skating on the playground before the swimming pool was built. Other fond memories were going on small trips to the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast, going to the roller skating rink, and trips to see the Cleveland Browns and Harlem Globetrotters. The highlight of my summers was spending a week at Hidden Hollow Camp. In high school, I was employed at Friendly House as lifeguard and swimming instructor and spent every summer at Hidden Hollow as a counselor.
After graduating from Mansfield Senior High, I began working full time as the Aquatic Director at the Friendly House Community Center and Program Director at Hidden Hollow. Over the past 41 years I advanced into the Assistant Director at the Community Center and Camp Director at Hidden Hollow; and, in 2007 was appointed Executive Director. I’m married to Cheryl Conard, my wonderful, caring, and supportive wife since 1984. We have two wonderful children Tera and Travis Conard and three granddaughters and are expecting our fourth grandchild this summer.