Grove City Mayor Richard (Ike) Stage Reappointed to Fourth Term of FCCFA Board

The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) has announced the reappointment of Grove City Mayor Richard (Ike) Stage to a fourth consecutive four-year term on its Board of Directors.

Nominated by the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association and appointed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to represent Franklin County’s suburban communities on the FCCFA board, Stage is one of the FCCFA’s longest-serving board members. Throughout his tenure, he has helped guide many of the FCCFA’s most significant initiatives, including the development and expansion of Hilton Columbus Downtown, now Ohio’s largest hotel, continued investment in the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the long-term stewardship of Nationwide Arena which strengthen central Ohio’s visitor economy.

Stage is serving his fifth consecutive term as mayor of Grove City after previously serving two terms from 1988 to 1995. Between his mayoral terms, he served as Grove City’s city administrator from 2000 to 2003 and previously served on Grove City Council. Under his leadership, Grove City has become one of central Ohio’s most vibrant and growing communities through strategic economic development, investment in parks, public safety and infrastructure, and a continued commitment to maintaining a high quality of life for residents and businesses.

“Communities throughout Franklin County benefit when our region succeeds together,” Stage said. “The facilities owned by the FCCFA bring visitors, sporting events, conventions and entertainment to central Ohio, creating jobs and economic opportunities that extend beyond downtown Columbus. I’m proud to represent suburban communities on the Board and look forward to continuing to help ensure these public assets remain strong for future generations.”

A retired executive vice president of Huntington National Bank, Stage brings decades of private-sector leadership to his public service. He also serves on the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and has long been active in regional leadership through the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association.

“Mayor Stage has been an invaluable member of the FCCFA Board,” said Ken Paul, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. “His thoughtful leadership, collaborative approach and decades of public service have helped shape many of the FCCFA’s most significant investments. We are grateful for his continued commitment and look forward to benefiting from his experience as we continue investing in the public assets that strengthen central Ohio’s visitor economy.”

The FCCFA is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, with six members appointed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, three by the mayor of Columbus and two by the suburban mayors of Franklin County.

About the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) is an independent public entity established to finance, develop, and manage world-class facilities that drive the region’s travel economy. The FCCFA owns and oversees the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hilton Columbus Downtown, Nationwide Arena and six parking facilities, and is the steward of $1.1 billion in public obligations. While the FCCFA operations are largely self-sustaining, public resources, including hotel tax receipts, are reinvested into maintaining, modernizing, and expanding facilities that bring our community together and keep Columbus competitive on the national stage. To learn more, visit meetusincolumbus.com.