Executive Director
Pat Soller is the ViaQuest Foundation’s Executive Director
Pat has diverse industry experience in the private and public sector. This diverse experience enables him to quickly develop rapport with leaders in the retail, automotive and financial industries. His management consulting background allows him to influence the private sector to partner with The ViaQuest Foundation for services to returning veterans and people with disabilities.
Pat’s public service includes: membership on a municipal planning commission and eleven years as an officer in the Ohio Army National Guard. Before coming to The ViaQuest Foundation, he was successful in securing federal funds for the State of Ohio’s Early Learning Initiative to assist low income families.
Pat’s multi-industry experience allows him to develop unique and creative solutions to complex business cases. His contract experience, operations and marketing expertise makes him a well-rounded executive. Pat’s work experience includes: store operations supply management for Limited Brands and procurement consulting for Honda. Pat has also provided procurement consulting and training for Nationwide Insurance, Huntington Bank, PacifiCare, California Bank & Trust, Union Bank of California and All State Insurance.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for The ViaQuest Foundation’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. In program development and administration, the Executive Director will:
- Assure that the organization has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
- Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the board.
- Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.
In communications, the Executive Director will:
- See that the board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it.
- Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals.
- Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations.
- Represent the programs and point of view of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public.
ViaQuest Foundation Board Members
Rich Johnson – Chairman
Rich Johnson is the CEO and founder of ViaQuest. He spends most of his time setting the strategic vision for the organization and cultivating the fanatical passion for company culture. ViaQuest is all about people, so Rich feels his most important contribution is creating an organization based on sound values where the best people in the field come to work. He often refers to himself as the weakest link on the Executive team and is personally known for his sense of humor, unbridled energy, and passion for the company.
Prior to founding ViaQuest, Rich spent the early years of his career with a Regional CPA firm consulting in the health care industry and later joined a multi-state health care organization where he held various positions including Vice President of Development, Chief Financial Officer and President. Rich received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Capital University and is a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Julie Johnson-Secretary
Charles Freiburger, JD – Partner at Dinsmore and Shohl Law Firm
Chuck Freiburger is a Partner in the Corporate Department. He focuses his practice on acquisitions, venture financings, restructurings, joint ventures and offerings for private companies. Chuck also has significant experience in permitting and negotiating with the Ohio EPA and Region V in both technical and executive matters.
Memberships & Affiliations – Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, Corporate General Construction Company, Assistant Secretary and Director
Phillip Craig- President of The Craig Group
Philip A. Craig, has been president of The Craig Group, Inc, for almost 30 years. As principal consultant on projects and activities involving public relations, marketing, community relations, political campaigns and lobbying efforts, Mr. Craig has managed a multitude of successful political and private interest campaigns, building on a strong, significant reputation in diverse fields of expertise. Mr. Craig has served as the primary consultant and strategist for a wide variety of local, state, and national campaigns serving clients in the retail grocery industry, beverage producers and distributors, commercial developers, and health care affiliates among other industries.
Wade Kozich- CPA – Sr. Director at GBQ Partners
Wade joined GBQ in 1976 and became a Partner in the Firm in 1981. He became Managing Director of the firm in 1996 and served the firm in that role until 2010. Wade was named Senior Director in 2010 and Director of GBQ’s Transaction Advisory Services in 2011. Wade continues to provide the same passion and vision that helped GBQ become the largest independent accounting and consulting firm in Central Ohio with over 100 associates. Wade focuses on passionately serving our clients as well as concentrating on various practice development initiatives.
Throughout his career at GBQ, Wade has continuously maintained his role as a practice partner and provides business and financial advice to a number of clients, most notably in the areas of retail, wholesale, construction, service and manufacturing. As Director of Transaction Advisory Services, Wade coordinates a team of eight professionals, highly-skilled in various aspects of transactions. Business transactions represent some of the most important events in any business person’s career and Wade’s role is to tailor the right services for any situation. He has had experiences as a chief financial advisor on transactions, as well as experience with succession planning, corporate reorganizations, shareholder dispute resolutions, sourcing and coordination with investment bankers, corporate financing and restructuring, structuring and modeling liquidity options, helping clients prepare for liquidity events and dealing with troubled company situations.
Derek Kinzer– Past Executive Director
Derek is the past Executive Director of The ViaQuest Foundation. He initiated the partnership with the PGA and USGA to form the Life Skills through Golf program. This program was recognized by Med Mutual in 2012, when The ViaQuest Foundation was awarded the Pillar of Community Award. He also oversees the Paws with a Purpose program and serves as Client Advocate for the many people with disabilities that need assistance.