BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Two new faces are welcoming visitors to the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce office, but they’re no strangers to many Crawford County residents.

Casie Grau, the chamber’s new director, started January 2, succeeding Rebecca Chapman.  Her part-time assistant, Heather Martin, began her duties February 26 in a new role for the business organization – event and marketing assistant.

“I just love it.  It’s been so fun,” said Grau, a longtime resident of rural Bucyrus.  “I feel like there’s so much activity here.  It’s been a lot of work, but everyone has been so wonderful and so supportive.  It’s very exciting.”

Martin, a 1992 Wynford High School graduate, has for many years been running the social media pages for the Colonel Crawford Local School District.  She is a phlebotomist and has worked as a medical examiner assistant in the health care field for nearly 25 years.

“I enjoy being a people person, so it’s going great.  I’m learning a lot,” Martin said her first week in the office.  “Everything always comes with doing it, hands-on.  You learn and you get better at it.”

Grau comes to the chamber after a 20-year career in the insurance industry, including leadership positions with Ohio Mutual Insurance Group.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University and a master’s in business administration degree from Tiffin University.

She and Martin join the chamber at a crucial time for the organization – the early stages of merging with the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce.  That move into a single chamber for Crawford County is expected to take place in January 2025, Grau said.

Until then, she said, both chambers are discussing plans to hold more collaborative events.  The combined annual Forecast Breakfast February 28 in Galion served as the inaugural event, she said, as well as the forum for both chamber boards to announce the merger.

Although both brick and mortar locations will be maintained, Grau said, only one CEO will be hired to oversee operations in Bucyrus and Galion.  That position will be advertised, and surveys will be sent to members to gain their feedback in the coming months, she said.

“Now, really, all the hard work begins to get everything coordinated and ready to go,” Grau said.  “2024 is a good year for us to do that.  Every event that we hold this year we’ll be evaluating.  We’ll do an analysis and see how that’s going to look moving forward.”

Throughout her career, Grau has also been active in the community.  She was instrumental in forming the Crawford County Young Professionals in 2011 and has served on Junior Achievement and its advisory committee.  She and her husband, Jacob, have a son, Braeden, and a daughter, Quinn.

Martin, a Bucyrus native, is a longtime volunteer with the Bratwurst Festival and an active member of the Bucyrus Nazarene Church, where she has directed the annual children’s Christmas play. She and her husband, Todd, are proud of their children, son’s Clay, Brody & daughter in law Ashton with new granddaughter Tatum, & daughter, Abby.

The chamber, Grau said, is also busy gearing up for another special event – an open house on Wednesday, March 27, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at their 117 E. Mansfield Street office.  “We’re moving.  The train is on the tracks and we’re just really happy for everyone’s support.”