Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President & Chief Executive Officer Dan Rice Announces Spring 2026 Retirement

SHARE THIS

Akron, Ohio (September 9, 2025) – After 32 years of dedication to developing the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, Towpath Trail and public parks and spaces, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Rice announces his retirement effective Spring 2026.

Dan was hired as the first staff member of the Ohio & Erie Canal (Corridor) Coalition in 1992, following its establishment in 1989. “It has been my great honor and privilege to work alongside our incredible Board of Directors, talented professional team members, dedicated elected officials and passionate partners on the creation and development of the Ohio & Erie Canalway and Towpath Trail for the past 32 years,” stated Rice. “For over thirty years, we have worked together to implement the vision of Congressman Ralph and Mary Regula of developing 90+ miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, preserving historic buildings like the Richard Howe House and restoring trust with neighborhood residents and developing high-quality public spaces at Lock 3 and Summit Lake NorthShore Parks. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and I shall forever cherish the friendships with our partners and friends. Working together, we are creating a legacy for future generations.”

“Words fail to fully express our deep appreciation and gratitude for all Dan has done for OECC and the fulfillment of our mission to develop our National Heritage Area,” Board Chairman J. Bret Treier stated. “His commitment has been unwavering and achievements undeniable. Although innumerable, some highlights include restoring and relocating the Richard Howe House; guiding the development of the Towpath Trail in Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas counties; leading the development of connector trails to local communities; and spearheading the redevelopment of Lock 3 and Summit Lake in Akron. Through it all, Dan has lead with his trademark passion and humility. The OECC and the communities we serve are all far the better thanks to Dan’s ​leadership.” 

“Since 2017, Dan Rice has provided exceptional leadership to our Akron Reimagining the Civic Commons team,” remarked Kyle Kutuchief, Akron Director of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. “Under his guidance, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition has secured more than $40 million to support the revitalization of Lock 3 and the creation of a new park at Summit Lake. Equally significant, and perhaps of even greater lasting value, are the relationships Dan has cultivated and the trust he has restored—from City Hall to the Community Center at Summit Lake. It has been an honor to learn from him, to work in partnership with him, and to call him a friend.”

Additional accomplishments in Dan’s 32-year tenure that furthered the mission of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition include, but are not limited to:

  • Developed 90 miles (with the remaining miles in planning) of the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
  • Advocated for the designation of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area by Congress (1996). As Co-Director of the National Heritage Area, he coordinated the local, state and national government relations strategy, including annual funding requests and reauthorization legislation. 
  • Served as the convener for the Akron Reimagining the Civic Commons, a $40 million investment in public space, park and trail improvements along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Akron.
  • Elected Founding Chair of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (1997-2001) and served as the Chair of the Heritage Development Institute Committee.
  • Advocated for the designation of the Ohio & Erie Canalway America’s Byway, a 110-mile scenic route from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, recognized as both a State of Ohio Scenic Byway (1996) and national byway (2000).

  • Coordinated and leveraged over $40 million of federal funding, $4 million of state funding and over $3 million of local and private funding for development projects along the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area.

  • Raised $2.2 million for the restoration of the Richard Howe House to serve as the headquarters of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and a visitor center/trailhead for the public along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
  • Provided technical assistance and support, including organizational development, fundraising, government relations and project management to over 150 private, local, state and national partnerships within the Ohio & Erie Canalway.
  • Implemented Trail and Greenway Plans in Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties, including over 200 miles of connector trail linkages and over 500 acres of green space, and leveraged over $25 million of private, local, state and federal funding for Summit County Trails and Greenways implementation projects.
  • Supported the establishment of the Tuscarawas County Park Department (2004). 
  • Produced educational events, programs and publications on the natural, historical and recreational resources along the Ohio & Erie Canal to over 250,000 individuals.

"My father, Congressman Ralph Regula had the vision as the Village of Navarre Solicitor in the '50s to preserve the decommissioned Ohio & Erie Canal towpath as a recreational asset to local communities and visitors; Dan Rice was the one who carried that vision into a reality," Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula fondly recalled. "Dan's ability to negotiate and collaborate with commissioners, government agencies, elected officials and many other public/private partners to reach agreements and implement projects is unmatched." 

Dan also served his local community through board membership for the Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission, Summit Lake Community Development Corporation, Leadership Akron Alumni Association, Development Finance Authority of Summit County, Ohio Historic Preservation Advisory Board and the Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors Bureau. He served on various committees, including but not limited to the Leadership Akron Signature, NEXT and Diversity on Board programs (Parks and Environmental Program), Ohio Bicentennial Committee (Transportation Advisory Taskforce) and National Park Service Advisory Committee Taskforce on National Heritage Areas.

“Dan’s contributions to the Summit County community can hardly be measured in number of dollars raised or years of service,” stated Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “The legacy of Dan’s work will be enjoyed by generations to come, and all of us who have worked with him wish him a retirement as successful and rewarding as his work with the OECC.”

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Board of Directors plan to work with an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search to fill the leadership position.