Staff

Rick Grahovac, MA, Executive Director
Rick came to Common Ground in January 2005.  Before coming to Common Ground, Rick was the Director of The Center for Body, Mind & Spirit at The Ireland Cancer Center at Community Health Partners for two years.  Rick was also the Director of The Phoenix Center for Grieving Children for eight years.  He has a  Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from the Columbus College of Art & Design and a Master's of Arts in Art Therapy from Ursuline College.  In addition to working directly with clients of all ages as an art therapist, Rick also has extensive experience in program administration.
 
  Harry Pepper, Ph.D., Adult Program Coordinator
Harry has a vast amount of professional and corporate experience working with groups on a wide range of topics including leadership, communication styles, and effectiveness, and adapting to change.  Harry is an experienced presenter  on a wide range of topics including holistic and alternative healing approaches, shadow work, relationship issues, and men's issues.  He has more than 10 years of experience as a psychologist providing individual, couples, and group therapy to a diverse population of clients.
  David Jessop, BA, Youth Program Coordinator
David is a graduate of Oberlin College and has a wide variety of experience working with diverse youth populations including ajudicated adolescents, student leaders, those identified as gifted and talented, special needs children, and Spanish-speaking immigrant youth and more than five years facilitating self-empowerment workshops.  David has spent a lot of time out of doors, recently walking the entire 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail.  He is trained in experiential education and also facilitates outdoor adventure challenge activities. 
 

Zoe Metcalf, Marketing & Development Coordinator

Zoe joined the staff of Common Ground in March of 2008.  Prior to moving to Northeast Ohio in the fall of 2007, Zoe served as the Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley in Wheeling, WV.  In that position, she was responsible for all operations of the Foundation including administration, marketing, donor cultivation, grantseeking, grantmaking, program evaluation, and community involvement.  She has a long history of community service and voluntarism, having served as president of the Junior League of Wheeling and on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in the Wheeling area.  She is a 2004 graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University with a BA in Organizational Leadership and Development.  She is currently working on her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation and considering graduate school.  Zoe lives in Bay Village with her husband and children.
  Gina Smith, Office Manager
Gina came to Common Ground in 2005. She has many years of experience working in an office/operations related field. She is a native of Lorain County and currently resides in Elyria with her kitten, Tricker. She enjoys  music, camping, spiritual drumming, swimming, biking.  Gina holds a great deal of respect for our Earth and she is always amazed at the beauty that surrounds us. 
  Ken Martin, Facilities Manager
Ken has been with Common Ground since 2002 after spending 18 years with Nordson Corporation.  He is a resident of Wellington and is married and has three sons.  Ken enjoys gardening, woodworking, landscaping, and spending time with his family.  Ken works hard to keep the buildings and grounds of Common Ground looking beautiful and operating efficiently. 
  Nick Ivancic, Garden & Groundskeeper
Nick grew up on a farm a half mile away and played here as a boy when Common Ground was a cow pasture and swimmin' hole.  He joined the staff in 2001 and helped with the layout and maintenance of our hike trails and fire pits.  His arrowhead collection contains specimens from the near vicinity.  His main interests include folklore, history, and primitive cultures.  He enjoys coming out here Sunday mornings with his favorite dog, Boss.
 

Ginny Zurcher, Events Coordinator
Ginny is a lifelong resident of Ohio and has lived in Henrietta township for over 20 years.  She came to Common Ground in 2001 after working in her family business for 10 years in Lorain.  Ginny has many hobbies such as raising pigeons on her farm and showing them at the Lorain County Fair.  Ginny enjoys reading and collecting Longaberger baskets.  She is married with two children.  Ginny says she loves her job and the atmosphere at Common Ground. 

Mary Hurley, Staff Assistant

Mary is a founding mother of Common Ground.  Mary, a sister of the Humility of Mary, along with Rose, founder of Common Ground, were the first staff members that shaped the mission and vision.  Mary's special interest is sharing with others about Earth's story, especially as it relates to cooking, eating, and living in harmony with our bioregion.  this passion has evolved from her previous ministry in secondary school education; peace and justice education in Cleveland and San Antonio, Texas; work on behalf of Central American refugees in south Texas; and work with migrant and seasonal farm workers in south Florida.