Prior to joining The Apple Creek Banking Company in August 2025, Colby spent 25 years working for community banks in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Since beginning his banking career in 1998, he has been a dedicated career lender, with the past 20 years focused on helping clients with their commercial lending, treasury management, and depository needs.
Colby earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1994 and is a graduate of Leadership Wooster, Leadership Holmes County, and The Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Wayne & Holmes Counties, Hospice of Wayne County, The Children’s Advocacy Center, The Wayne Holmes Association of Realtors, and the Wooster Lacrosse Club.
Colby currently volunteers as a mentor for O Huddle and serves on the Economic Development Committee for Main Street Wooster.
He and his wife, Jocelyn, live in Wooster with their five children, four cats, and one dog.
Ben Maibach is the President of The Wooster Brush Company, a position he has held since 2020.
A native of Wooster, OH, Ben grew up in the community, attending Wooster High School before pursuing his higher education at The College of Wooster. His career has been marked by a strong commitment to leadership and growth, having held key positions at leading companies like Rubbermaid, Moen, and Waxman Consumer Products before joining Wooster Brush, where he has worked for the past 10 years.
His leadership extends beyond his professional role, as he serves on several other boards, including the Hardware Group Association, Wayne Insurance Group, Wayne Economic Development Council, Will-Burt and the Wooster City Schools Business Advisory Council. Ben is also a mentor for Ohuddle, as well as a member of the Rotary Club, and is involved in various other local organizations, contributing to the growth and well-being of his community.
Outside of his professional life, he is married to his wife Courtney, and together they have three children—Benny, Bo, and Ceci.
John Crum retired as President & CEO of Seaman Corporation in June 2020. During his tenure as
CEO, the company experienced revenue growth which was 3 times the US GDP growth rate. In
December 2019, John was recognized in a USA Today article as one of the Top 50 CEOs for Small
and Mid- Sized businesses in the United States. Prior to being named CEO and member of
Seaman Corporation’s Board of Directors in December 2015, John served as Chief Operating
Officer, Co-President, Executive Vice President, and Vice President of Operations.
John has been very active in the Wooster Community throughout the years. He has served on the
United Way, Salvation Army and Wayne Economic Development boards; as well as, various
special committees at St. Mary’s School. He was a Co-Chair for a fundraising project to build the
new Wayne County Event Center in 2019 to support 4H within Wayne County.
Crum holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Ohio University. He
graduated from Harvard Business School’s GMP (General Management Program) in 2009. He
served on the Ohio University ISE Board of Director’s and was inducted into Ohio University
Distinguished Engineering Alumni in May 2022.
After retirement, John manages JLC Business Solutions on a part-time basis which helps small and
middle size company increase revenue and profitability, as well as create transition plans for next
generation ownership.
John and his wife, Patty, have three children and four granddaughters in Ohio and one son in
Portland Oregon.
Carol Meek has 34 years in community banking. Retired from The Apple Creek Banking Company after 26 years serving as CEO and President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer. Carol served as Financial Officer, Computer Programmer, and Head of Bookkeeping at First National Bank of Chattooga County. She taught computer programming, computer applications, payroll accounting, and basic accounting at Edison State Community College, Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, Wayne County Schools Career Center, and Ohio State University ATI. Carol is a member of the Loudonville Baptist Temple where she is a member of the choir and a youth leader.
Bill Hartzler is co-owner of Lowe & Young Inc., where he serves as President and General Manager. Bill started his career at Lowe & Young over 41 years ago in the parts department at age 18. He purchased stock in 1998 from a retiring partner and served as Secretary and Treasurer of Lowe & Young Inc. until taking over as President in 2011.
Bill has an extensive background in leadership and governance. He previously served on the Board of Directors for WG Dairy Supply Inc. and is currently Chairman of the Board at Lowe & Young Inc. Additionally, Bill is a Director at The Apple Creek Banking Company, where he contributes his experience and insight to help guide the Bank's strategic direction.
Bill is a member of the Smithville Apostolic Christian Church, where he has been a Sunday School teacher for over 35 years. He has also served as a trustee and usher for several years. He enjoys accompanying high school and graduate classes on mission trips to Jamaica, working on projects in a deaf village. Additionally, he serves our community by mentoring youth through OHuddle.
Bill and his wife, Pam, have been married for over 40 years and reside in Smithville. They have three children and grandsons. In his free time, Bill enjoys spending time with his family, riding bicycles, and restoring lawn mowers as a hobby.
Longtime community banker, including retired President & CEO--Geauga Savings Bank, President & Sr.
Consultant Young & Associates, Sr. VP & Sr. Lender The Savings Bank & Trust. Member of Orrville
Rotary. Treasurer--Sunset Valley Park Association, Secretary/Treasurer Sunset Valley Civic Association.
Past Member of the Orrville Chamber of Commerce and Wayne County Revolving Loan Fund, St. Agnes
Church and Choir.
Matthew Long is an attorney with Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd., where he serves as Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department. His practice focuses on advising clients with nationwide real estate and investment portfolios, construction businesses, as well as institutional property owners operating campuses and multi‑office facilities.
Mr. Long has extensive board and fiduciary experience, having chaired and served as a director of numerous nonprofit, corporate, and private family trust companies. His work includes oversight of risk management, compliance, audit, and long‑term stewardship in regulated industries. He is also a Co‑Managing Member of a closely held real estate investment business active in the redevelopment of the Wooster community, and serves as an officer and director of his family’s business, Wooster Glass Company, Inc.
Mr. Long and his wife, Lynette, reside in Wooster with their son, Henry. He enjoys travel, time outdoors, and reading.
In 2009, Mr. Dordea was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Apple
Creek Banc Corp and its subsidiary, The Apple Creek Banking Company. He
serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee, and serves on the Executive
Committee and Leadership Compensation & Benefits Committee. Dordea is
the Director of Finance for Wooster. He has served as the Chief Financial
Officer of the municipal government since 2003. Before joining the City he
served for 11 years in a similar capacity in Alliance. A licensed CPA, Dordea's
professional background also encompasses three years of accounting and
finance in the private sector. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in
accounting from the University of Akron in 1989 and an MBA from Malone
College in 2000. He also serves as Treasurer of the Wooster Growth
Corporation, and the Wooster-Ashland Regional Council of Governments.
With 28 years in the financial services industry, Chad brings a broad range of expertise in working with
businesses and individuals to identify what best fits their needs, goals, and objectives when it comes to
comprehensive wealth management. He has been involved with many charitable endeavors.
- Rotary International Past President, Wooster OH
- The Apple Creek Banking Company Board Director
- Past Chair & Board Member American Red Cross Wayne County Chapter
- Board Member of Tri County Board of Education
- Past Board Chair & Member of Main Street Wooster
- Past Board Chair & Member of The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce
- Board Member Wayne County Community Investment Corp
Ryan joined The Apple Creek Banking Company in June of 2021. Prior to joining The Apple Creek Banking Company, Ryan was Vice President Commercial and Institutional Relationship Manager with PNC. Since 2005, Ryan has worked with business/commercial clients on their lending, treasury management, and depository needs.
Ryan graduated with honors from The University of Akron and went on to pursue his MBA in Finance. He has taken many Ohio Banker League classes and lending courses throughout the past 17 years. Ryan is the President of the Triway Local School Board of Education, previous Board Member Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, President of multiple local youth sports boards, and a member of the Wooster Elks #1346.
Ryan lives in Wooster with his wife London and their 3 children, daughter Jaymes and two sons Roman and Deacon.
Annette began her banking career in 1996 and joined The Apple Creek Banking Company in February 2022. Spending many years in branch management, Annette has a strong passion for helping clients with all their financial needs, from consumer and commercial deposit needs to residential and commercial loan needs. Overall, Annette aims to deliver the best possible customer service experience while looking out for her customers’ financial well-being.
Annette enjoys being involved in the local communities serving as a volunteer, member and board member of various organizations. Annette is currently a Rotarian with the Rotary club of Lake Township, Member of the Canal Fulton and South Summit Chambers of Commerce, and Past Chair of the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce, where she earned the Business Professional of the Year and Community Impact Award.
Annette lives in New Franklin with her son Dylan. They enjoy traveling, visiting amusement and water parks, and riding along the Towpath Trail.
Melissa is our lending specialist at our Orrville Community Lending Office. She joined The Apple Creek Banking Company to be a part of a great local community bank that practices the same values which started her in banking 30 years ago. Melissa is an Orrville Chamber Board Member and currently volunteers with the Orrville Area Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army. In the past, she has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Main Street Orrville, and the Orrville/Wadsworth Lions Club.
Melissa is married with two daughters. They reside in Orrville and love cheering on their Red Riders on Friday nights. Melissa enjoys seeing her customers at community events and always welcomes a talk with someone new.
Mike Force joined The Apple Creek Banking Company in December 2017. Since 1986, Mike has served in many community banking roles, but the bulk of his career has been working with clients focused on business/commercial banking solutions for lending and deposit needs.
Mike holds a B.A. degree from The University of Mount Union in Business Administration/Finance as well as an M.B.A, degree from Ashland University. Mike is also a graduate of Graduate School of Banking (Wisconsin-Madison), Ohio Bankers League Bank Leadership Institute, and the Wooster Area of Chamber Commerce Leadership Wooster Program and has completed many other lending courses.
Mike is involved in the local community serving as the volunteer Chairman of the Board at West View Healthy Living, volunteer Board Member at the Wayne County Historical Society, and a member of the Wooster Noon Lions. He has served in other roles with various community organizations in the past as well.
Mike lives in Wooster with his wife and they have a daughter and a son.
Bob graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Economics. Bob has worked for mortgage bankers and brokers in commercial and retail banks, both large and small for 33 years. Bob is very active in his community; he serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of East Central Ohio since 2016 and has a seat on the executive committee. Bob has also served on the fundraising committee for Hammer and Nails, a faith-based mission dedicated on improving the lives of elderly low-income home owners. He resides in Jackson Township with his two teenage children. Bob's goal is to help his customers enjoy the process of purchasing their part of the American dream.
Connie Hartzler has been with The Apple Creek Banking Company since 1996. She began her banking career in 1990 with the former Empire Credit Union before joining our team. Connie has enjoyed working with our customers in whatever capacity was needed whether that was helping them with a loan or setting up a deposit account to fit their individual needs. She is passionate about our customers having the best possible experience in banking with the Apple Creek Bank.
Connie studied Business Management along with Sales & Marketing at the University of Akron. She has held community roles such as Jr. Fair Secretary for the Wayne County Fair, Leader for Jr. Achievement, 4-H Advisor for her children’s 4-H Club and is currently a member of the Wayne County Business Referral Group. She also feels very fortunate to have gained new perspectives and experiences by participating in the Wooster Citizens Police Academy.
Prior to his current position, Jeff was Senior Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer and has been with the Bank since 2005. Before joining The Apple Creek Banking Company, Smith was a Vice President with Wayne County National Bank where he served for twenty years in many community banking functions.
Jeff has volunteered on various committees and boards in organizations where he is active such as the Wayne-Holmes Association of Realtors and The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, including many years on the Wayne County Home & Garden Show Committee. He has completed a wide range of courses and programs through Community Bankers Association of Ohio, Ohio Bankers League and American Bankers Association, including Bank Leadership Institute and Ohio School of Banking.
Leo has been a local community banker since 1987 with extensive experience in commercial lending, residential lending, and branch operations. Most recently, Leo served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer since joining The Apple Creek Banking Company in 2004. Prior to joining Apple Creek, he was Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer of The Savings Bank & Trust Company, Orrville, OH and held branch operations management positions at Chippewa Valley Bank, Rittman, OH and City Loan Financial Services, Wooster, OH.
Leo holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from John Carroll University in University Heights, OH and a MBA in Executive Management from Ashland University in Ashland, OH and is a graduate of The Ohio School of Banking. He is a member of Wooster Noon Lions; is actively involved in the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce; serves on the Board of the Community Bankers Association of Ohio; has served on the Board of Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Inc. serving as Chair of the Finance Committee; and as a coach of youth Lacrosse, Track & Field, and Cross Country.
