Induction Class of 2008

Class of 1986

While at Finneytown, Jeff played in the band and orchestra. He also played on the soccer team for several years. In his junior year, he began volunteering for Waycross Community Media videotaping soccer games. He volunteered many hours at Time Warner Cable working on programming. He won several Ohio Cable awards for his programming and editing.

Jeff graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. As a freshman, he started developing a plan to have a university cable system. He received awards for creating and managing WNTV, NKU’s campus television station. He is the recipient of the Charles L. Widney Scholarship in 1990. While still a student at NKU, he was asked to produce the series “Celebrate Cincinnati.”

From 1986-1993, he was chief editor for 25 Emmy award-winning prime time one-hour specials. Jeff has produced, directed, edited and videotaped for commercials and corporate programs across the country. Jeff was contract editor, director, and videographer for “Make Peace with Nature,” a nationally syndicated television program focusing on the earth’s environment. He has directed shows all over the world, including the United Nations Global Client meeting in Kyoto, Japan. He has served as digital video editor for broadcast commercials, programs, and corporate videos for corporate clients including GE Aircraft Engines, GE appliances, NCR, and P&G, Toys R Us and Lexus Nexus. He has produced video programs that were distributed to Scripps Howard companies across the country. He has been awarded nine Telly awards recognizing distinction in creative work honoring outstanding local and regional television commercials and productions. He has received four Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The Secretary of Energy appointed Jeff to the National Coal Council, a Federal Advisory Committee. He serves two year terms and has been appointed three times. He produces all of the video projects for the NCC and attends meetings in Washington, DC.

Jeff is currently employed as the Production Services Manager and Video Designer for Luxottica Retail in Cincinnati, OH and Milan, Italy.

Class of 1999

While at Finneytown, Michael was actively involved in the music department participating in band, chorus, theatre and orchestra. Upon graduation he attended the Eastman School of Music where he obtained his Bachelor of Music. He then studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he earned at Master of Music in 2004. Michael completed his Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University in spring 2008.

Mr. Jorgensen has been concertmaster for many symphony orchestras including Eastman Philharmonica in Rochester, NY, and Cityside Symphony Orchestra in London, and Principal Second Violin with Florida State University Orchestra; Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany, Georgia; and the Nuove Musiche, Rochester, NY. Additionally, he has performed with the Stones River Chamber Players of Mufreesboro, TN; Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Niceville, FL and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Mr. Jorgensen can be heard on many CD recordings as a violinist and he is the recipient of the LINKS Scholarship and winner of the Doctoral Concerto competition in Florida. In 1998, Mr. Jorgensen was an Overture Awards Competition finalist in Cincinnati, OH.

All-Star Educator

Don retired as Superintendent of Finneytown Local School District 2000. Prior to that Dr. Schmidt was a teacher and elementary principal and high school principal for Northridge High School in Dayton from 1976-1980. He was an assistant superintendent in Trotwood-Madison City School District in Trotwood, Ohio from 1980-1984. He was named Finneytown Local School District Superintendent in 1985.

Dr. Schmidt earned his B.A. from Muskingum College with his M. Ed. and Ph.D. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

He has devoted his life to being a teacher, administration and superintendent. Since September, 2000 he has been actively involved in the design and implementation of professional development activities in the area of leadership. Dr. Schmidt is currently leading the Educational Leadership Team at the Hamilton County Education Service Center focusing on the design and implementation of leadership training for administrators and teachers.

He has been instrumental in planning and implementing a pilot program for the alternative licensure of school principals in the state of Ohio. The program is now independent and fully operational. He has assisted in organizing a multi-district health consortium and has served on its advisory board.

He is a member of the executive board and legislative committee of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. He is also an adjunct professor at Xavier University and Wright State University. He is a SAY and Select Youth Soccer coach and active in the Cincinnati Marlins Swim Team.

Don is married with five children and enjoys jogging, training, reading and traveling.

Class of 1986

Dr. Jisha is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at the University of Tampa in Tampa, FL. He teaches courses in Sport Marketing, Legal Issues, and Risk Management in sport. He also supervises student internships with organziations such as the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the PGA Tours PODS Championship. Hes is a former president of the Sport Association of the Florida Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport, and his research has appeared in journals such as Sport Marketing Quarterly, The International Sport Journal and Strategies.

Jisha earned a PhD in Sport Management from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL in 2001. He also holds a Masters in Sport Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, and a Bachelors in Politics and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH. Prior to entering college teaching, he held the position of Marketing Director for Bernie Little Distributors, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in Central Florida. He also sold tickets, program ads, and stadium signage for the Cleveland Indians Spring Training Operations in Winter Haven, FL.

While at Finneytown, Jay was a member of the National Honor Society, the concert choir, and ensemble. He earned a varsity letter in basketball and was a three year starter on the varsity soccer team. As a sophomore, he earned Honorable Mention-All League honors and played on a District Championship team that lost in the Finals of the State Tournament. His junior year, he earned First Team All-League, First Team All-City from the Cincinnati Enquirer, First Team All-City from the Southwestern Ohio Soccer Coache's Association, and First Team All-Metro from the Cincinnati Post. He was also selected First Team All-Ohio and played on a team that won the District Championship and lost on penalty kicks in the State semi-finals. As a senior, he was elected team co-captain and again earned First Team All-League, First Team All-City from the coach's association, the Cincinnati Enquirer, and the Cincinnati Post. In addition, he represented Finneytown in the Cincinnati East-West All Star game and was named First Team All-Ohio for the second consecutive year. He also earned his highest individual honor, being named All-Midwest in 1985.

After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan, Jisha returned to Finneytown to serve as the head coach of the boys reserve team and assistant coach of varsity boys team for the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

All-Star Educator

James Green served as the Assistant Head Football Coach for Finneytown High School from 1972-1979. He has been called the "Father of Finneytown Athletic Training" having volunteered his time to start the athletic trainer position at the high school. He completed his career at Finnetyown as the Athletic Site Supervisor.

In 1980, with the help of dedicated parents and staff, Mr. Green constructed the first modern training room at Finneytown with then state-of-the-art equipment. The student trainer program directed many students into the field of athletic training.

Mr. Green retired from the Finneytown Local School District in 2000.