About GAR
GAR Staff
The professional staff at GAR Foundation is dedicated to meeting the needs of the community through charitable giving of the Foundation. For questions regarding the GAR Foundation or to inquire about giving opportunities, please feel free to give us a call or send an email. Visit our Contact Us page.
Our office is open between the hours of 8 a.m-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Robert W. Briggs
President
330-576-2926
rbriggs@garfdn.org
Rob Briggs is the President of the GAR Foundation and chairman emeritus and former CEO of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. He became a Knight Foundation Trustee in June 2002 and was elected Vice Chair in 2005.
An active member of the Akron community who has served with numerous organizations over the years, Mr. Briggs is currently involved with a number of regional organizations. He is a trustee of the Musical Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra) and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation. He is Co-Chair and a board member of OneCommunity, served on the Northeast Ohio Universities Collaboration and Innovation Study Commission, and is board chair of The National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation. He served as the first Chair of the Fund for Our Economic Future, an unprecedented collaboration created by more than 100 funders in Northeast Ohio to focus on regional economic development. He also serves on the Board of Directors of FirstMerit Corporation and several other for-profit companies.
Mr. Briggs received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. He resides near Akron on a mini-farm where he raises Belted Galloway beef cattle. He has three children and four grandchildren.
Candace Campbell Jackson
Consulting Program Officer
330-972-7709
candac7@uakron.edu
Candace Campbell Jackson has worked with the GAR Foundation since 1998. In recent years, she has served as a consulting program officer for GAR, dedicating the majority of her professional time to her role as Vice President and Chief of Staff at the University of Akron. Formerly, Ms. Jackson was in the Public Law and Corporate Departments of the law firm, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. Ms. Jackson holds a B.S. in Journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law. She and her husband, Mark Jackson, Sr., have four children.
Christine Amer Mayer
Chief Operating Officer and Legal Counsel
330-576-2911
cmayer@garfdn.org
Born and raised in Akron, Christine Amer Mayer has deep ties to the Foundation’s home community. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. For eight years, following law school, Ms. Mayer practiced commercial litigation and business law with the firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs. She has worked with the GAR Foundation since 2001. Ms. Mayer has a special interest in regional economic development and has been heavily involved in The Fund For Our Economic Future, a philanthropic collaboration focused on improving the economic trajectory of Northeast Ohio. She also serves on several not-for-profit boards and initiatives. Ms. Mayer and her husband, Richard, live in Solon with their three young children.
Kirstin S. Toth
Program Officer
330-576-2917
ktoth@garfdn.org
Kirstin S. Toth joined the Foundation in early 2007 as Program Officer. Previously, Ms. Toth served as the consulting Project Director for the Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, where she managed a number of consulting and research projects in economic development, brownfields redevelopment, and public management serving a variety of state, regional and federal clients. Ms. Toth has also worked in the private sector at Bank One and in the public sector as an aide to the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners. Ms. Toth holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University, and a Master of Public Administration in economic development from Cleveland State University. She serves on the board of the Summit Education Initiative (SEI), and lives in Hudson with her husband and their two sons.
Julie Rittenhouse
Program Officer
330-576-2913
jrittenhouse@garfdn.org
Julie Rittenhouse joined the Foundation in July 2008 with nine years of philanthropic experience in Cleveland that included strategic initiatives, special projects, program management and evaluation. Ms. Rittenhouse is a Lecturer at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Studies. She previously managed community development and leadership training projects at the Levin College and has consulted on affordable housing initiatives. Ms. Rittenhouse has been an active volunteer with social services and educational organizations throughout her career. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s of science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University. She is a longtime resident of the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland.
Margaret M. Canzonetta
Office Administrator and Grants Manager
330-576-2909
mcanzonetta@garfdn.org
Margaret Canzonetta joined the Foundation in 1996 as its administrative director. Ms. Canzonetta holds an associate’s degree from the University of Akron and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree at Walsh University. She serves on the Holy Family Parish Pastoral Council and School Development Committee, as well as the Advancement Committee at Archbishop Hoban High School. Ms. Canzonetta lives in Stow with her husband, Don, and two daughters.
Angela M. Veppert
Administrative Assistant
330-576-2914
aveppert@garfdn.org
Angie Veppert has served as an Administrative Assistant for GAR Foundation for seven years. Ms. Veppert holds an associate’s degree in Business Management & Technology Sales and Service from the University of Akron. She is an active member of Goss Memorial Church in the Kenmore community, where she plays a key role in guiding youth groups. Ms. Veppert and her husband, Jeremy, have been married for eight years and reside in Barberton. She has an adult daughter and two grandsons.
Julie A. Watson
Administrative Assistant
330-576-2915
JWatson@garfdn.org
Julie A. Watson is an Administrative Assistant and has been with GAR Foundation since 1998. She previously served as an administrative assistant with the former Roadway Services, Inc. (now Caliber System). Ms. Watson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Bowling Green State University, and resides in Akron.
