Eggs & Issues: A Data Center Discussion
Who
Toledo Free Press
What
A fundraising event for our nonprofit newsroom. “Eggs & Issues” is an event series for panelists to discuss timely topics. Our inaugural talk will be on data centers. Moderated by Jerry Anderson, it will include panelists who can speak from different perspectives on this topic. You’ll find their bios below. A full breakfast will be provided to attendees as part of the ticket price.
Tickets to the event are $50; Sponsorships are $1,000 and include sponsor logos on all marketing materials on display before and during the event. All proceeds go toward supporting our nonprofit newsroom, Toledofreepress.com, and our affiliate newsroom, anthonywaynefreepress.com.
When
Wednesday, September 30th, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Where
Danny’s Cafe, 600 Dixie Hwy., Rossford
Moderator: Jerry Anderson
Jerry Anderson is a renowned broadcast journalist who served as an anchor for WTOL11 for decades. Jerry began his work at the station in 1994, hosting “First at Five.” He is the recipient of two Edward R. Murrow Awards and an Emmy Award for Outstanding News Anchor, and he has continued his broadcast career post-retirement by working as an announcer for the men’s and women’s basketball games at Bowling Green State University, hosting a podcast for WGTE Public Media, and other notable projects over the years.
Panelists
Jeffrey M. Stopar
Jeffrey M. Stopar practices largely in the areas of zoning, land use, local government law, real estate and related litigation. He also has extensive experience in adversary proceedings before a variety of administrative agencies, including many local zoning boards, as well as state and federal agencies. He has successfully argued before the Ohio Supreme Court and many appellate courts throughout Ohio. His practice also includes significant zoning, land use, and real estate litigation in state and federal courts.
Jeff advises cities, villages and townships on zoning and land use matters and is a frequent speaker on zoning, administrative law and appellate law issues. He also regularly performs training for zoning boards throughout Northwest Ohio. He is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in Ohio and Indiana. Jeff graduated cum laude from the University of Toledo College of Law and received a B.A. in Economics cum laude from the University of Akron. After graduating from law school, Jeff was a Judicial Staff Attorney for Judge Donald R. Ford of the Eleventh District Court of Appeals of Ohio.
Mark Frye
Mark Frye is president of Palmer Energy. Since he acquired the company, Palmer has grown into a leading provider of unbiased energy consulting services. Mark has often provided expert testimony before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, reflecting his deep industry knowledge and experience.
Under Mark’s leadership, Palmer Energy advises thousands of clients on energy procurement and utilization across industrial, commercial, educational, governmental, aggregation, and institutional sectors.
Palmer Energy serves more than 75 Ohio counties, numerous municipalities statewide, and Power4Schools, which represents over 170 Ohio public school districts. The company also works with the Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition (NOAC) and Chambers of Commerce across Ohio.
Victoria Herring
Victoria Herring is Partner and Executive Vice President at Rural Strategies Group, where she partners with companies, government leaders, and associations to develop strategic engagement initiatives that build trust, shape public opinion, and deliver meaningful results in rural communities.
Victoria has a diverse background in economic development across industries, including work across the United States in the data center industry as Economic Development Program Manager at QTS Data Centers. Victoria held leadership roles with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, where she led business attraction and economic development initiatives across the state. She began her career with the Grant County Economic Growth Council, leading business retention and expansion, workforce development, and talent attraction efforts, and was featured nationwide on Fox Business for the innovative Grants for Grads talent recruitment program.
With experience working alongside businesses, government leaders, and community stakeholders, Victoria brings a strategic perspective on rural economic development, partnerships, and creating meaningful outcomes for communities.
LeSean Shaw
LeSean Shaw is a technology leader, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to making artificial intelligence practical and accessible. Through his work with Actual Reality Technologies and EmpoweredAI, he helps businesses, schools, nonprofits, and community members understand how to use AI to improve productivity, support workforce development, and create new opportunities.
LeSean is passionate about digital equity, innovation, and helping people feel confident using emerging technology in their everyday work and lives.
Amanda Miller Bartlome
Amanda Miller Bartlome is the community engagement manager at Meta, where she manages the tech company’s local community partnerships and investments across Ohio. Based in Columbus, she leads regional engagement for major local infrastructure, including the New Albany Data Center and Meta’s AI-optimized data center facility in Northwest Ohio.
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is an entrepreneur who has spent 50 years as president of Tyson’s Inc. He is also the author of Zoning Research Project: Data Centers – The Impact on Public Health Zoning for a Safer Future & Smart Growth.
He is the founder and president of Bowling Green Citizens for Smart Growth Inc.; former board member of Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, where he served as Environmental Chair; a former Ohio Division of Natural Resources license agent; former committee member for the Monclova Township Ohio Comprehensive Land Use review; former committee member for TMACOG Growth Strategies; former Center Township representative/observer for the Bowling Green Ohio Master Plan Update.
