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
Joshua Baker
Board Member
Festival Horticulturist Chair
He/His
Josh grew up in the small town of Cranberry Pa, the oldest of four in a proud military family from the Country. He was very active in competitive sports and had a love for his grandparents like no other ! Josh was raised to always "chase your dreams and love unconditionally!" His life has blessed him with a lot of wonderful people and opportunities! With a love for animals, he worked in the Veterinary Technician field for years. With that knowledge and passion Josh has successfully bred, raised and shown world quality American Quarter Horses and French Bulldogs for over 25 years! He also has owned and ran a non profit petting zoo where he would rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome less fortunate animals. Alongside that he also ran a second chance thrift store for Crawford County Humane Society., He has worked in the retail , hospitality and service station industry’s as well! He enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family and obviously when he's not … He's usually Horsin Around !!
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
Heather Martello
She/Her
Board Member
Festival Photography 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.
She/Her
Stephanie & Tammy
Trombly Mixer
He/Him
Matthew P. Wilkes
Board Members
Festival Entertainment Chairs
Stephanie and Tammy Trombley mixer are both Ashtabula natives and love being a part of their community. Together they have 8 beautiful children and 6 grandchildren . Tammy and Stephanie love spending time outdoors with friends, family and the grandchildren.
Board Member
Festival Volunteer Chair
Matthew was board in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Ashtabula from Tampa Bay, FL 2 years ago. He is fortunate to have lived in areas that have equally shown support for the LGBTQ+ community which gives him the passion to be an active role in helping his local LGBTQ+ community. He feels that if something is important to you, then you should do it and share it with others, defend it, and educate others about it. To accomplish this, he feels you must spread awareness to those who don't nderstand. In doing these few things it allows for strength and helps to show we are no different than anyone else in the world. "Everyone wants to feel accepted and loved, so why don't we just do each other a favor and learn to accept everyone for who they are and we can all go on enjoying life the way we need and want to enjoy it!"
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.
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.
