Craig P. Treneff Recognized as the 2025 Westerville Champion

The Westerville Champion award was created more than a decade ago to recognize the contributions of volunteers and servant leaders in our community who make a difference in Westerville. These are people who donate their time, treasure or talent - and usually all three - to improve the quality of life for others. They are among the most selfless people who prioritize their community and focus on giving back–not for recognition, but because they are capable of fulfilling a need. 

Craig P. Treneff was named the 2025 Westerville Champion due to his outstanding service and dedication to the community. Treneff's civic engagement with the City began in 1990 as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, and later the Planning Commission in 1995. In 2004, he was appointed to City Council where he served as Vice Chair, Chair and Mayor.

During his remarkable 32 years of service, Treneff provided exceptional leadership in planning, zoning and development, which will have a lasting impact on the City. For instance, Treneff's vision and meticulous attention to detail were instrumental in the South State Street Study, Overlay and Streetscape Plan, which laid the groundwork for revitalization of the area. Furthermore, during the pandemic, Treneff's development of a "Billing Holiday" to assist residents facing economic hardship resulted in $5.5 million in benefits for the following billing cycle and an outpouring of community support.

In addition to his work in Westerville, Treneff served as Westerville's representative on the COTA Board of Trustees and was later appointed by the Franklin County Commissioners. He served for over a decade, including a term as Chair of the Board. His visionary leadership was instrumental in bringing COTA's LinkUs project to fruition, which will provide a dependable and sustainable mass transportation system for central Ohio and the Westerville community.

Treneff's legacy is an embodiment of staunch professionalism and servant leadership, which will inspire future leaders for years to come.

The Westerville Champion program provides recognition of outstanding citizens whose service and activities significantly enhanced the quality of life in Westerville. Since the inception of the program, the following individuals have been recognized as Westerville Champions: 

•  Craig P. Treneff (2025)
•  Bruce E. Bailey (2024)
• Kathy Cocuzzi (2023)
• Norma Westervelt (2023)
• John Parimuha (2022)
• Diane Fosselman (2021)
• Rick Bannister (2020)
• Jeff Hartnell (2019)
• Mikal “Mike” Townsley (2019)
• Don Barlow (2017)
• Mary Bailey (2016)
• Francis “Red” Bailey (2016)
• Dick Rano (2016)
• Warren “Ernie” Ernsberger (2015)
• James McCann (2015)
• Mary Lou Prouty (2014)
• Edwin “Dubbs” Roush (2014)
• Damon “Chip” Wetterauer (2013)

Categories include:

• Outstanding Individual(s) Acknowledges the sustained and lasting contribution that has been made by individual(s) to the City of Westerville, State of Ohio and/or Nation.
• Historical Event, Person, or Place Preserves and honors the history of Westerville, it's founders, or other historical figures.
• Benefit/Organization Acknowledgement Major gift, acknowledges the significant benefit of a donation.

Citizens must meet the following qualifications to apply for this recognition:

• Visionary and Community Role Model
• Exemplary Leadership in Westerville Community
• Forever Changed or Improved Community
• Lasting Impression evident in Future Generations
• Significantly Impacted Local History and Quality of Life
• Resident of Westerville at time of Accomplishment

Interested in nominating? Fill in this form and return it to the Champions of Westerville, Westerville Parks & Recreation Department, Administration Office, 350 N. Cleveland Ave. Westerville, Ohio 43082

• Champions of Westerville Nomination Form
• City of Westerville Mapping