Candidate’s Biographical Sketch

Ian MacConnell
238 E. Patterson Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43202
District: #2

Length of time living in the University Area: 19 years

Number of years as a resident or years involved with the neighborhood: 13 years

Occupation: Creative Director, Ohio Supercomputer Center

Commissioner Statement –

In my near six years on the University Area Commission (UAC) I have served to make the UAC an important, accessible and recognized element of our neighborhood. In my first year on the Commission I directed and implemented the UAC website so that area residents could voice concerns and provide input on our community. Shortly thereafter I served as Chair of the Community Relations Committee and effectively advocated for the Columbus Police Department to provide monthly reports to the UAC to better inform Commissioners and area residents around issues of safety. I have also served as Corresponding Secretary, chair of the Elections Committee, and currently serve as President of the UAC.

Under my leadership the UAC has:

• advocated for a city-wide recycling program created the city’s first neighborhood sustainability guide “The University District Neighborhood Green Guide”

• worked with area carry-outs and bars to enter into “Good Neighbor Agreements” resulting in graffiti free buildings with video cameras to assist the CPD
• advocated for LEED certified energy efficient buildings
• supported the City Department of Refuse through promotion of the 311 Call Center through a University District dumpster stenciling project
• engaged University District Civic Associations and local businesses to tackle the ongoing graffiti issues in our community

I have served to make the UAC an important, accessible and recognized element of our neighborhood. In my first year on the Commission I directed and implemented the UAC website so that area residents could voice concerns and provide input on our community. Shortly thereafter I served as Chair of the Community Relations Committee and effectively advocated for the Columbus Police Department to provide monthly reports to the UAC to better inform Commissioners and area residents around issues of safety. I have also served as Corresponding Secretary, chair of the Elections Committee, and currently serve as President of the UAC.

UAC Committees/Positions –

• UAC President (2006 - current)

• UAC Corresponding Secretary
• Chair, UAC Community Relations Committee
• Chair, 2005 UAC Elections Committee
• Served on: UAC Code & Environment Committee, Governance Committee and Community Relations Committee

Community Involvement/Education/Occupation

• 2010 Business First 40 Under 40 Award Recipient
• Elected in top 10 Civic Leaders by Columbus Underground readers in 2009
• Project Lead, University Area Enrichment Association's Graffiti Abatement Project
• Member, Area Commission/Civic Association Work Group
• Member, University Area Safety Committee
• Bachelors Degree in Communications, Purdue University Calumet
• Owned and/or managed several University Area businesses
• 8 years working for Ohio Supercomputer Center