OhioNet Announces Andrew Whitis as Interim Executive Director
OhioNet, the only statewide membership organization for libraries of every type and size, is pleased to announce that Andrew Whitis, OhioNet’s Director of Financial Operations, has been appointed as Interim Executive Director of the organization. After nearly five years of dedicated service, OhioNet’s current CEO & Executive Director, Nancy S. Kirkpatrick, will be handing over responsibilities to Whitis when she departs OhioNet at the end of this month.
Molly Meyers LaBadie, Chair of OhioNet’s Board of Directors, shared her thoughts on Kirkpatrick’s tenure, saying, “Nancy has played a pivotal role in OhioNet’s journey, and we appreciate all she’s done for OhioNet and Ohio libraries during her time here. We wish her the best in her new role, and we’re confident that OhioNet will remain committed to its current priorities and initiatives under Andrew’s direction.”
Kirkpatrick, who has led OhioNet since January 2019, has overseen a period of remarkable change and growth at OhioNet, including an organizational redesign, launching of Consulting Services, moving the physical offices to a new location, and helping bring the concepts of Conversations Worth Having and Workplace Wellbeing to the Ohio library community. Her visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and commitment to our mission have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s success.
Reflecting on this transition, Kirkpatrick remarked, “Working for OhioNet and supporting Ohio libraries has been an honor. The things we’ve accomplished are only possible because of the strong OhioNet team, working with the support of a dedicated Board of Directors. I am so excited to see what the future holds for OhioNet and Ohio libraries. You’re in great hands with Andrew at the helm during this time of transition.”
Whitis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in strategic visioning, financial management, and data analysis. He served in Ohio’s academic libraries for 18 years prior to joining the OhioNet team in 2022. Whitis holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Ohio State University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Business Administration from Defiance College.
About OhioNet
OhioNet was formed in 1977 around the novel idea that libraries of all types and sizes share one important similarity: they all want to strengthen their communities and give their patrons their very best. With this thought at the center of our mission, the consortium began a period of expansion welcoming libraries of all types: public, academic, corporate, and otherwise, to pool resources, share skills, build partnerships, and discover commonalities that would strengthen and lift up the communities we serve. For more information, visit www.ohionet.org.
