College Leadership

The Board of Trustees will exercise its statutory authority to assure that James A. Rhodes State College fulfills its mission by serving as the area’s primary provider of regionally responsive and globally current technical training, education, and consulting. Furthermore, the Board will provide visionary leadership and governance in maintaining the values of lifelong learning and professional growth and development as the guiding principles of the College.

The legal authority for James A. Rhodes State College resides in its Board of Trustees. The board is composed of seven* Allen County residents, five of whom are appointed to the board by a caucus of the city, county, and exempted village boards of education of Allen County, and two are appointed by the Governor. Full terms of appointment are for three years. The Board of Trustees of James A. Rhodes State College has legal, statutory, and fiduciary authority and responsibility for the college as defined in Chapter 3357 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Board of Trustees 

Jane Krites, Chair

Ms. Krites community involvement has included serving on the boards of St. Rita's Medical Center, United Ways of Greater Lima and also Auglaize Counties, Handley House and numerous community committees. She has been recipient of the Athena Award and Allen County Visionary Award. Currently she is operating Krites Consulting focusing on assisting small and non-profit businesses in the establishment of their strategic plans. She also serves as Trustee and liaison to the Foundation Board of the College.

Douglass Degen, Vice Chair

Appointed to the Board in 2013, Mr. Degen earned an Associate of Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Lima Technical College (Rhodes State); Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, Certificate in Environmental Management, and Masters of Science in Environmental, Safety and Health Management and holds numerous Certifications in the Fields of Engineering, Environmental Studies, Management, and Computer Generated Structural Design. Mr. Degen retired from the Allen County Engineers Office after a 34-year career as a Bridge Engineer and Drainage Engineer. Mr. Degen is a full-time faculty member at Ohio Northern University in the Department of Technological Studies. Mr. Degen contributes to the community through his volunteer service such as workforce, social service agencies, philanthropists, public officials, and government entities. He has pledged as a component of his own professional growth is to ensure the growth of current and future students through articulation agreements with Colleges and Universities in our region.

Wilfred J.G. Ellis, M.D.

Dr. Wilfred J.G. Ellis has served since 1996. He is the CEO of Infectious Diseases, Inc., Chair of Infection Control, Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Lima Memorial Health Systems and Medical Director of Superior Home Healthcare, LLC. Dr. Ellis received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Biology from the University of Dayton. He supports the mission of the College through the Dr. Wilfred Ellis Multicultural Scholarship. In 2007, Dr. Ellis was inducted into the Hall of Honor at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington D.C. and was awarded the Minority Businessman of the Year by the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce in 2006.

Ann Pohl, DNP, RN

Dr. Ann Pohl was appointed to the Board in 2022. She brings 20+ years of progressive leadership and diverse experience with strategic planning. Dr. Pohl has spent the past 11 years serving as the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Lima Memorial Health Center, where she provides operational and strategic leadership to several departments. Her community involvement includes serving on the board for the American Heart Association of Allen County and the Northwest Ohio Literacy Council, acting as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau (Zeta Theta Chapter), serving as a Cardiac Care Associate to the American College of Cardiology, and much more. Prior to serving on the Board for Rhodes State, Dr. Pohl was a member of the College’s Foundation Board.  

Everett "Butch" Kirk III

Mr. Kirk was appointed to the Rhodes State College Board of Trustees in 2009. In 1977 he and his grandfather, Everett S. Kirk, Sr. founded the International Tank Service, Inc. As President, he focuses on developing new business and marketing. Mr. Kirk grew up in the Lima area, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, and is deeply involved in many community organizations including: Allen Lima Leadership, Boy Scouts of America, Lima Community Foundation, Lima Rotary Club, Lima Rotary Foundation, and the YMCA.

Sam Bassitt

Former Allen County Commissioner, Sam Bassitt was appointed by Governor Kasich in 2013. Mr. Bassitt served as the College’s first Vice President of Academic Affairs. He was elected six times as a Bath Twp. Trustee serving over 20 years. Prior to his term as county commissioner, he was Director of College Tech Prep for the West Central Ohio Tech Prep Consortium housed at Rhodes State College. Mr. Bassitt received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University, Master of Arts degree at The Ohio State University, and has done graduate study at several other institutions. He has been involved in a number of local public service initiatives including Ottawa River Coalition, Allen County Healthy People 2000 and 2010, Allen County Health Advisory Council and Cheryl Allen Southside Center.