Wobser wins Distinguished Alumni Award

SANDUSKY — A local official who calls Sandusky home recently received a prestigious honor from a professional organization. Eric Wobser took home Leadership Ohio's Distinguished Alumni Award. A presentation occurred on Friday during Leadership Ohio's alumni homecoming and capstone dinner at Capital University's Schumacher Gallery at the Blackmore Library in Bexley near Columbus. Regarding: • Leadership Ohio, it's a statewide program that brings together diverse professionals from various industries to build leadership skills, foster cross-sector collaboration and strengthen civic engagement across the state • The Distinguished Alumni Award, it's Leadership Ohio's most comprehensive alumni honor; "It recognizes sustained leadership, professional accomplishment, service and an enduring commitment to creating a stronger Ohio," according to an award statement. The award took into account Wobser's professional career, which includes his former time as Sandusky city manager, from 2014 to 2022, and his current role as CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership. No matter the position, he's focused on improving the quality of life for locals along with anyone else who values Sandusky and the surrounding region, the program noted. He's done this through, among other ways, providing and overseeing comprehensive economic development services centered on enhancing the Sandusky Bay region's vibrancy. In his role at the partnership, a regional chamber, he leads economic and community development efforts. All told, he offers more than 20 years of experience in civic leadership, economic development and community revitalization efforts. "Eric does incredible work wherever he goes," according to his nomination. "He is the reason the Sandusky/north coast region is punching above its weight." The nomination called attention to projects he's quarterbacked in Sandusky. This would include Jackson Street's revitalization along with transformative funding agreements — such as one with Cedar Point and another with locals, via a 2014 voter-approved tax increase, known as Issue 8 — to provide better safety services, parks, roads and more. His "community involvement and consistent pursuit of solutions that create value for multiple stakeholders" earned him this award, the nomination read. "I have found the Leadership Ohio participants to be such an incredible group of leaders and stars, and to be recognized in this way by my peers means a lot," Wobser said. Many believe he's well-deserving of this accolade. "He has been a tireless advocate for our area and a champion of so many game-changing projects," partnership board chair Duff Milkie added. "He has fostered collaboration among key stakeholders to move major initiatives forward and has brought talented people together around a shared vision for progress. Just as importantly, he has encouraged others to realize their potential in the context of the broader growth and development of our community and the region."