Geotrac sends students around the world

Editor's note: This story appeared in the 2026 Huron County Guide. NORWALK — A local foundation that sends young people to educational trips around the world is expanding its programs, the group's new executive director said. Samantha Wilhelm has a long relationship with the Geotrac Foundation, having served as a trustee and secretary since 2013. In late November, she became the foundation's first executive director. Wilhelm, also a member of the Norwalk city council, explained that as the private family foundation expands the area that it serves and adds programs, it makes sense to add an executive to manage relationships, money and paperwork. "We have phenomenal trustees," Wilhelm said. "It's hard to ask people to be volunteering their time to do the tasks at hand. We decided to invest right now as we grow." The Geotrac Foundation was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur Daniel J. White. White, who is the CEO of Norwalk Furniture, was formerly the president of Geotrac, a flood zone mapping company. Fidelity National Financial bought Geotrac in 2004. Funds generated by that sale helped establish the foundation. White, who graduated from St. Paul High School in Norwalk, has bachelor's and master's degrees in geography from Bowling Green State University. He spent a summer backpacking in Europe and became passionate about learning overseas, Wilhelm said. "He just has a very generous heart because of the opportunities he had," Wilhelm said. Describing Geotrac's signature program, Wilhelm said ten students — two from five local schools — are sent to Glasgow, Scotland for ten days during the summer to hear from refugees from places such as Afghanistan, Ukraine and Lebanon. The trip also includes cultural excursions in the afternoon to museums and other points of interest and trips to various restaurants. The students came from Norwalk High School, Norwalk Catholic School, Willard High School, EHOVE and Edison High School. As the foundation expands its programs, it is reaching deeper into Erie County to provide opportunities, Wilhelm said. For example, three students from Huron, one from Sandusky, one from Perkins and one from Norwalk will be sent to a networking event in London, England, hearing speakers from all over the world talk about contemporary issues, philosophy and religion. Explaining the foundation's focus, its website explains, "A student in our Global Scholars program doesn't read about glaciology in a textbook. They stand on the Juneau ice field, collecting climate data alongside active researchers. "Another doesn't study refugee policy in isolation. They sit in dialogue with individuals who've navigated displacement, hearing firsthand stories of resilience and belonging." The foundation has spent $3.6 million on grants and programs since its founding. Wilhelm, a Norwalk High School graduate, has a bachelor's degree in international business and economics from Ohio Northern University. She has worked at her family's manufacturing business, Ditz Designs by the Hen House, Inc., and has been a member of the Norwalk City Council since 2012. She and her husband, Ethan Wilhelm, have two children.