THE BOARDS
Meet the Executive Board
What do the flags represent?
Gay man Lesbian Bisexual Pansexual Demi-Pan Pangender Ally Drag Pride
Michael Riffe | Mona Lotz
He/Him She/Her
Founder & President
Festival Entertainment & Volunteer Director
Michael is no stranger to coordinating a Pride festival. He served on the board and was the entertainment director for Youngtown, Ohio's Pride for 5 years prior to being a part of the launch of Pride Ashtabula County and now the founder of Ashtabula Pride. He served 2 years as the board secretary for the LGBTQ+ Coalition of Ashtabula County where he continued to use his lead and organize the Pride of Ashtabula County festivals. His drag persona, Mona Lotz, has been a voice and a recognizable face amongst the Pride attendees, as she host the festivals drag shows. Mona is also the hostess for Drag in the New Year, the organizations largest annual fundraiser. Mona has her own LIVE broadcast on Facebook and YouTube structured to Helping Hurting Hearts every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7pm EST. Be sure to check it out!
Founder & Vice President
Festival Volunteer & Raffle Director
Becke Beeman
She/Her
Becke Beeman is honored to be the co-founder and Vice President of Ashtabula Pride Inc. Ashtabula Pride will strive to host a safe and lively festival where all individuals in the LGBTQI+ community and its allies can join together and celebrate who we are openly, proudly, and in harmony. Becke is a wife to Kelly, a mother of three, grandmother of three, fur mama to three rescue chihuahuas, and three cats. She is bubbly and creative and in her spare time teaches Aquadance. Becke loves all things Broadway and secretly wishes that everyone would dance and sing through life!
Debra Pho
She/Her
Secretary Festival Raffle Director
A west coast girl living in a NE world! Met and married her internet sweetheart back in '99, when it was a scandal. Debra spent her teen and young adult years on the stage, then traded everything in for bibs and bottles. Now she and her husband are enjoying their teen and young adult kids and have gone through more than their share of turbulence. They were able to be there for our kids and they'ld like to see others within our community find that same support. "I'm everyone's mom now, free hugs, of course!"
Treasurer Festival Decoration Director
Jenean Kile
She/Her
Jenean is a widowed mom of 4 and is very active in the theatre community. She currently runs the drama program at Saint John School while she is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Theater Education. The opposite of Pride is Shame, and no one should ever have to live in shame!
Executive Member Festival Construction Director
Michael Woodin
He/Him
Born and raised in Ashtabula County, Michael joined the army straight out of high school, where he served 8 years as a food service specialist. After 3 years of Active Duty service, Michael transitioned to the National Guard so he could attend the Culinary Institute Of America for baking and pastry. After completing his bachelors degree in restaurant management, he began managing restaurants and hotels. For the past 7 years he has been working for small cruise lines and has fallen in love with Alaska and Uncruise Adventures where he is currently the Senior Hotel Manager, overseeing the hospitality team on board all of the company vessels.
Meet the Advisory Board
Kelly Beeman
Board Member
Festival Raffle Chair
She/Her
Kelly's hope for being a part of Ashtabula Pride is to help have a safe place where all LGBTQ++ individuals and their allies can come together and celebrate. A place where we can be ourselves without the worry of not being accepted. She's proud to be part of something so new to Ashtabula County. "To her, it shows how far we have come and yet how far we have to go. Kelly is glad to be part of this journey and the great things to come!
Breanna Cole
Board Member
Festival Decorations Chair
She/Her
Breanna "Bre" is an Ashtabula County resident born and raised. She came out in 2021 as a Pansexual and ever since she has tried to connect with the LGBTQIA+ Community in our County. Brehas done this by going to previous pride events and attending drag shows at The Cove. She is also a student at Kent State at Ashtabula, and has noticed lot of LGBTQIA+ students on the campus and felt a calling. In the summer of 2022, she restarted the KSUA Allies club and became its President. As a group the have hosted events such as the “Gayme” day and had a booth at the 2023 Ashtabula Pride. Living in this county can feel very isolating especially as someone in the gay community therefore Bre looks forward to working with this committee and meeting many more LGBTQIA members!
Board Member
Festival Stage Manager
Shannan Farmer
She/Her
Shannan is an ally of the first order. She is Ashtabula county born and raised, and work to support survivors of sexual violence. Shannan believes in her community and believes that all people need to have representation and a safe space to be exactly who they are meant to be
Board Member
Family Fun Events Chair
Angel Fitch
She/Her
Angela is the wife to a military m and the mother to two kids. She has a 9 year old and a 17 year old transgender pan-sexual. She fully supports her children in any path they choice. She hopes to educate and help others promote equality and lover for womever they chose.
Julie Horvath
She/Her
Board Member
Marketing & Publicity Chair
Coming Soon...
Angel Kish
Board Member
Festival Vendor Chair
She/Her
Board Member
Festival Volunteer Chair
Ashley Hutzell
She/Her
Ashley is an ally to the community and will do what she can to help everyone around her, She is the Fantastic cousin of Mona Lotz and is the Production Manager for Lotz of Tea. She is married to Chris ❤️ has a beautiful daughter Isabella and 3 fur children Finley, Scout,and Binkz. Ashley loves Art, Music, Gaming, and all things StarWars.
Angel is a strong Ally who is always in the corner for anyone in need of help! Not only is she Mona Lotz's assistant but she is an assistant to anyone in need. She is dedicated to her work and brings love and laughter to those around her. She and her husband Rob, have two children, Logan and Lexi, a dog Maggie, and a flock of chickens named after Drag Queens and the Golden Girls.
Jennifer Troy
She/Her
Board Member
Family Fun Events Chair
Jennifer is a mother, a social worker, a supervisor and chaos coordinator. She has been a lifelong resident of Ashtabula county and ishappy to assist with the continuing growth and education within the county. She has tons of ideas and need to put them to good use!
Cassie Eaton
She/Her
Administrative Assistant
Cassie Eaton, LPCC, a trauma therapist and published author in Ashtabula Ohio. She is the sassy co-host on Lotz of Tea with Mona and has been an ally of the LGBTQ community since the age of 15 years old and has been involved in local theater groups since her teens, She is an avid crafter, small business owner, and a unique fashionista who loves clothes and costume jewelry. She lives at home with her husband, step son, her two feline fur babies and their family pup, Lola.
The Bylaws
Board Applications 2025
Visit the
Hall of Legends
A page dedicated to local legends who made a change and
paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community of Ashtabula County.
