Ash Lemons – Director of Housing and Advocacy Services
Ash Lemons transitioned into the field of disability related services in 2002, a few years after a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis ended a successful 8 year stint as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force.
He is currently the Director of the Housing Resource Center at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo where he oversees the Home Accessibility program, The Nursing Home Transition program and other programs related to Housing and Advocacy. He previously served as the Ability Center’s Accessibility Specialist and Disability Rights Advocate.
In 2005, Ash was presented the “Spirit of Democracy” award, by former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, for assisting 11 County Board of Elections in working towards compliance with the Help Americans Vote Act. In 2008, he was recognized by Chief Logan of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a key advocate in the passage of SB209, which provided expanded opportunities for hunters with certain disabilities.
Ash currently serves as a board member of the: Toledo Lucas County Housing Trust Fund, Toledo Area Alliance to End Homelessness, Williams County Habitat for Humanity, The Ohio Secretary of State’s ADA advisory committee and the Ohio Governors Council on Persons with Disabilities.
Ash holds an Associates degree in Airframe Technology from the Community College of the United States Air Force, a BS in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and is an ICC certified Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner. Ash enjoys spending quality time with his two sons and wife. His hobbies include walking, listening to music, community improvement activities and watching the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Charlie Martin – Facility and Grounds Manager
Born and raised in Norwalk, Ohio and graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic High School in 1987. I hold a Toledo Home Improvement and Remodeling Contractors License, a Journeyman’s Card for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 248, member of the Northwest Ohio Building Officials Association and I sit on the Housing Committee for United North Development.
I have lived and worked in the Toledo area since the late 80′s. I started out doing custom home audio and video installations and then made a career switch to commercial construction. When my wife started nursing school I picked up a second job cleaning at the Ability Center. My supervisor approached me one day with a job offer to come work full time and construct wheelchair ramps for the Home Accessibility Program … an offer I couldn’t refuse. I basically started a construction business without all of the headaches that go along with owning one. I have also taken over building and grounds maintenance for ACT. This job grew into something more than I could have ever imagined. I get to do something I enjoy and change peoples’ lives.
I grew up with an uncle who used a wheelchair and I can remember my dad and grandpa rebuilding his ramp every couple of years as the wood rotted. They didn’t have treated lumber back then and plywood exposed to the elements broke down fast.
Victoria Csomos – HRC Support Specialist / Educational Advocacy Assistant
I have lived in the Toledo area my entire life. After graduating from Notre Dame Academy, I continued my education at the University of Toledo. I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2009. Having a younger brother with Autism, I have always wanted to work with individuals with disabilities.
Working for The Ability Center, in particular, attracted me because of all of the great assistance my brother received at the Center. I know how important it is for individuals with disabilities to be involved in the community and to receive the educational services they deserve; and I am so glad, and lucky, that I can be a part of those things!
In the future, I plan on obtaining my Master’s degree from the University of Toledo. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, camping and other outdoor activities, and traveling with my fiancé.
Amy Kerchevall – Nursing Home Transition Assistant / Events Coordinator
Born and raised in Toledo, I have worked in the non-profit sector since 1995. I am currently an Information and Referral Specialist and Equipment Loan Coordinator here.
In 2006, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. From this experience, I learned, as a parent of two small children, that I wanted to live and succeed, and this challenge was something I was given to show that I can survive and life is not going to bring me down.
Through my employment at The Ability Center, I have learned that we are all the same, and that we are all special and have unique talents. This organization has certainly opened my eyes to a bold and wonderful world.
Terry Lanning – Lead Carpenter
I am a lifelong resident of Lucas county. I grew up in the Shoreland-Point Place area, but have resided in west Toledo, Sylvania Township, and Springfield Township. After graduating from Whitmer High School, I attended Owens Community College. After working in various sales positions I changed direction and started a career in carpentry. I worked in a family business with my brother for almost twenty years, before starting my own company nearly a decade ago. With nearly thirty years experience as a carpenter-remodeler my hope is to bring a good deal of expertise to the ramp building program. I like to spend my spare time with my wife Kim, my daughter Kirsten, and my two grandchildren. I am also a big sports fan and enjoy many types of music.
Mindy Metzger- Manager of Home Accessibility
I have a BA in Psychology from Bowling Green State University and an MA in Sociology from University of Toledo. I have worked as a Pharmacy Technician, interned with Department of Youth Services and worked for Lucas County Children Services. I love working with and for others.
After having my daughter, I worked in the family business so I could spend as much time with her as possible. Now that she is older, I have been fortunate enough to go back to work full-time in a rewarding position with this amazing organization.
When I am not working, I love hanging out with my daughter and husband, playing tennis, shopping, reading, and exercising. I also enjoy backpacking and traveled around Europe after graduation.
Matt Whitmore – Building Maintenance Assistant
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I moved to Toledo with my family in 1987. I’m a Whitmer graduate and an Eagle Scout. For my Eagle Project, I took a group of kids from the Ability Center camping at Camp Miakonda for a weekend. I also attended Camp Cricket in the early 1990′s. I absolutely love sports and my favorite teams are the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, Green Bay Packers, Jeff Gordon, and, because I like watching Tiger Woods golf, I’ve recently started to learn to golf and even love to play Putt-Putt. I love to boogie board in the ocean off Florida and ready enjoy the coasters at Cedar Point and Busch Gardens.
I also love also hiking, and have backpacked Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Yosemite. I love my job at The Ability Center and enjoy talking sports with my friends and staff.
