Riehle joins Common Ground

TIFFIN — Seneca County Common Ground now has a new executive director. On Jan. 1, Emily Riehle stepped into the new role. Riehle was raised just north of Tiffin, in Old Fort. She graduated from Tiffin University with a bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis on hospitality in 2006, before moving to Columbus and spending "eight incredible years" there, she said. While in Columbus, she worked for several restaurants but found those jobs weren't satisfying enough. In 2014, she felt something calling her home. "I felt that pull back to my roots and decided to buy a house in Old Fort," she said, later saying she found her true passion in events and catering. "When I returned in 2014, I was thrilled to take on the role of director of catering at Tiffin University," Riehle said. "This opportunity inspired me to pursue an MBA with the goal of becoming an instructor and imparting my knowledge to future generations." She later worked as a director of event services at Terra State Community College where she managed events, taught classes, wrote grants and expanded the community education program. Riehle said it was the chance to merge her interests in community education and events that brought her to Common Ground. "The chance to be part of something extraordinary, a community kitchen, excited me to apply," she said. Riehle will be the first in the executive director position at Common Ground and says the organization has been working towards the directorial position for several years and felt like it was the right time to hire someone to join the team. Moving forward, Riehle says community members should be on the lookout for some new classes coming to the community kitchen in the near future. Riehle says she is excited to be in the new position and can't wait to start seeing the fruits of her labor. "I can't wait to engage with the Tiffin community and help establish the community kitchen as a model that other communities will aspire to create… I'm also eager to connect the kitchen with the farmer's market for a truly enriching experience."