“He Always Gave 100 Percent” – Rod Walton Left It All on Stage

When Walton graduated in 1983 from the University of Toledo with a degree in marketing management, he still wasn’t sure about his career path. That summer, he married Mohawk High School sweetheart, Candy, and it was at their wedding reception that a fateful door opened.

“I had been looking for marketing or sales jobs, but in those days they were not very plentiful,” Walton said. “I had a cousin who was president of Diamond Savings and Loan. At my wedding reception, he said he wasn’t going to show any favoritism, but if I could get a job working there on my own merits, I might enjoy it.”

Candy was already working at Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and on Sept. 1, 1983, Rod began working for Diamond Savings and Loan. They moved to Findlay, and Walton became a mortgage loan file auditor, learning everything about lending behind the scenes.

His next position with Diamond was asset recovery, a challenging role that required phone calls to encourage clients to send payment, as well as personally repossessing cars and houses. Walton learned from the experience but recalls repossessing property as rather daunting, “My heart would beat like crazy – that part was not fun.”

He remembered that experience throughout his life, as he volunteered for non-profits that serve those in need. Walton wanted to help people who fell into difficult situations.

“Even though that was our job that we were charged to do, it really gave me some deeper empathy for people; it opens your eyes to another side of life. Bad things do unfortunately happen to good people, so I wanted to find ways to get involved and help and give back.”

Walton’s next role at Diamond was commercial lending, during which he was able to lead large projects throughout the U.S. A favorite memory of that time period, was working with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus, “I had an autographed picture of me with him in my office – working with him was near and dear to my heart.”

Bank One purchased Diamond Savings and Loan in 1992. Instead of working in Lima for Bank One, Walton jumped at an opportunity to establish a new branch in Findlay for Industrial Savings and Loan.

“It was challenging, but it was a challenge I wanted to take on,” he said. “I really took pride in being able to start a branch with basically nothing, starting it from scratch, to see how we could grow it over a seven-year period. That led into the opportunity for me to join First Federal in 1999 – and we also started that branch in Findlay from scratch.”

In contrast to doing it alone at Industrial Savings and Loan, Walton worked with Greg Allen, Eric Morman, Herb Aldrich and Amy Barnhisel to lay the groundwork for First Federal Savings and Loan’s new branch in Findlay, “It was easier the second time because they assembled a fantastic team of bankers to start; I was lucky enough to be courted to join that team.”

During his 27 years there, First Federal Savings and Loan became First Federal Bank, then Premier Bank in 2020, and is now WesBanco, Inc., as of 2025. From 1999 to 2010 he was a mortgage lender. From 2010 to retirement, he established and grew private banking operations.

“It kind of spun off and that’s what I’ve done ever since,” Walton said. “It became an opportunity to work with the bank’s higher income, higher net worth individuals and become their true partner in helping them realize their financial goals. I have really enjoyed the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate and enjoy. I’ve said numerous times that people might have started out as clients. They end up as friends. I’ve really enjoyed the friendships, the connections.”

Walton received numerous awards throughout his banking career including the President’s Club, Chairman’s Club, Soaring Eagle Sales awards, and the Jeff Vereecke Community Impact Award in 2020, chosen from more than 400 employees. He retired as senior vice president of WesBanco.

That’s What Bankers Do (Sometimes they act in ridiculous videos)

Walton’s parents, Jean and Wayne, were highly involved in the Sycamore community – he always wanted to follow in their footsteps. His first foray into service was as a Junior Achievement Advisor, working with 10 high school students during his time at Diamond Savings and Loan.

“Banking has provided a great opportunity to give back to the community and get involved, because that’s what bankers do,” he said. “It was ingrained in me pretty much on Day One. I wasn’t on that job probably even a whole week, and the guy who hired me came in and said I was going to be a JA advisor. That’s what bankers did, and that’s what they do, and that’s what has enabled me to do everything I’ve done in this career.”

Walton made an undeniable impact on the Findlay business community, especially through involvement with the Chamber and FHCED. Throughout the majority of his career, Walton was a member of FHCED. He maintained relationships with each of its directors, supporting the office and attending events. A major contributor, WesBanco holds a seat on the FHCED board.

Walton served on the Chamber board for several years and was president from 2000-2001. He was instrumental in leading the Chamber’s 30-year Accreditation, working with a representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and overseeing volunteers through the process. Through his time on the board, Walton helped transition what were once separate Chamber and Economic Development offices into Greater Findlay, Inc., the precursor to The Alliance.

Over a 14-year tenure, Walton reached legendary status at the Chamber’s Annual Small Business Awards representing WesBanco as sponsor for Small Business of the Year. At the event, 17 awards are presented by 17 different sponsors. Each sponsor creates a video to introduce its award, based on a theme conjured by the Chamber. The Chamber team works with sponsors to create a skit for their video; Small Business of the Year is the “grand finale” of the event, explained Dionne Neubauer, executive director of the Chamber.

“Rod,” Neubauer said, “has brought such enthusiasm to his sponsor video that he helped make the Chamber Awards the well-attended, entertaining event that it is. The high bar set by Rod led to other sponsors stepping up their efforts to beat him – a friendly competition, of course – but it took the event to the next level.”

Doug Jenkins, senior investor experience lead for the Chamber, and main script writer for the videos agrees.

“We love Rod because we know he will basically do whatever we tell him to do,” he said, chuckling. “He has always been willing to go right up to that line of what remains acceptable. We appreciate how he has always supported the community. His buy-in on the awards and going the extra mile has helped make the awards what they are.”

A favorite video fondly remembered by all was a parody of the movie Ghost. Yes, Walton reenacted the famed, emotionally charged clay-molding scene between Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore set to the tune of Unchained Melody. But he did it wearing a wig and a cute little sleeveless blouse…with Dave Crosser lovingly seated behind him, their hands sweeping over the clay in unison.

“We always know with Rod, if he’s going to do it, he’s going to do it 100 percent,” said Michelle Ladd, member services and communications specialist for the Chamber. “It’s fun to see professionals let loose a little bit. Rod is fun to laugh at – in the nicest way possible. I’m really going to miss him.”

Then there was The Fugitive. In this gripping video, Walton is removed from his office and taken to Findlay Municipal Court where he appears before Judge Allan Hackenberg for stealing the “Small Business Award Lip Sync Trophy.” He is sentenced to prison for life with no chance for parole but claims, “the four-armed man did it.” Walton, wearing an orange jumpsuit, escapes from prison. All hilarity ensues as he tries to evade capture at Riverside Park, including conquering the mighty steal slide, running, stumbling, falling, and “jumping into” the waterfall.

“I really had a lot of fun on those,” Walton said. “When I fell coming off the slide, that was not acting. I literally stumbled and fell. And on the one when I rode a horse, that horse was not really listening to me. They had to lead the horse, which was cut out of the shot. Then, I couldn’t get off the thing. My spur and heel got caught in the stirrup. It makes me laugh. It was really fun working with those guys – an adventure for sure.”

The United Way of Hancock County’s 2020 fundraising campaign was modified as a result of Covid into a Masked Singer competition with online voting. Each week a new contestant was eliminated. Walton, disguised by a signature eagle head mask throughout changing themes and costumes, won the competition, raising about $9,000. Walton served twice as UWHC FIRES Division fundraising chair. He and Candy were chairs of the Gaslight Society, and his bank team always volunteered for Guest Bartender nights to raise funds.

Walton served on boards and fund-raising committees, often as chairman, for additional organizations: Findlay Salvation Army during a fundraising campaign that led to its new chapel in the 1990s; University of Findlay; Friends of Scouting; Findlay Country Club, first-ever social member elected; Benton Ridge Telephone Company; and Republican Century Club as treasurer for several local politicians. He is also a member of both the Findlay Elks and Moose clubs, was an Honor Flight guardian, and is an Elder at First Presbyterian Church.

Walton has been a member of the Findlay Chapter of Rotary International for more than 30 years and was president from 2005-2006. He remembers fondly getting to attend an international Rotary convention in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was moved by a mission trip to El Salvador. When they were distributing supplies and their group stepped out of the van at different sites, excited children would run to them.

“Rotary has been a big part of my life, and I had experiences I’ll never forget,” Walton said. “I love the ideals of Rotary. It’s a worldwide organization that’s all about giving back to the community. From Rotary I learned, if you’re asked to do something, you say, ‘Yes.’ Don’t be afraid to get involved. Take opportunities when they’re presented. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It has been extremely meaningful.”

A University of Toledo Rocket, Walton has a passion for his alma mater. He founded UT’s Hancock County Alumni Chapter, serving as its first president. He was also a trustee for UT’s Alumni Association from 1997-2004, and a member of the Athletic Committee from 2002-2004. Walton is a long-time season ticket holder in support of Rocket football and rarely misses a game.

A Champion of MCPA

Walton’s involvement with the local arts community began on the Findlay Area Arts Partnership Board of Directors. He was president from 2008-2009 and was part of the Inaugural Riverside Wine Festival, which raised $15,000 for educational arts programming. Serving on that board naturally led to involvement on the Celebrate Central Committee, a group formed to save Central Middle School when it was in danger of being demolished – and ultimately became MCPA.

The building – formerly Findlay High School – was constructed in 1925 on the historical site of the first field office of the Ohio Oil Company, which grew into Marathon Petroleum Corporation. When Findlay’s current high school was built in 1963, the facility became Central Middle School. New middle schools opened for students in 2013, and Central was slated for demolition. The school’s auditorium had been a cultural center of the community for nearly 90 years.

“There was an analysis conducted around the time Tony Iriti was mayor (of Findlay), and it showed our biggest need was a performing arts center,” Walton said. “Van Wert, Tiffin, Lima, Toledo, they all have one, but we didn’t. Young people hired in to work at Marathon, they always said, ‘There’s nothing to do in Findlay, Ohio.’ To me, it almost became a mission. I wanted to be part of solving that community issue and making it a reality. And that was the perfect location to make it happen.”

Through a great deal of effort, committee members brought the community into a shared vision and were able to raise $18 million toward the construction of MCPA. They saved the historic building, shaping it into a state-of-the-art performing arts center. Walton was one of five founding members to sign the original code of regulations with Ed Reading, Ann Buis, Bill Conlisk and Kathy Kreuchauf. The facility opened its doors on Dec. 9, 2015.

“I said this in a video MCPA put out a year ago to celebrate the 10-year anniversary and it’s exactly how I feel – when I sit there at a performance and I look around, whether you’re seeing people laugh or cry or whatever it might be, it just hits me,” Walton said. “I’ll even tear up looking around seeing the great joy people get from being at a performance. It really makes me proud that I got to be a part of bringing something to the community that we didn’t have, a cultural hub – I call it a gem.”

Rod Walton’s family – including Candy, daughter Kelly, son Sean and his 97-year-old mom, Jean – honored him with a retirement party at MCPA in early April. More than 100 friends and family members came to celebrate. Kelly read a poem she wrote about her dad, his career, and service. Sean congratulated his father, reading the Mayor’s Proclamation. And Rod thanked all – his closest family and friends – for being his support system through a 43-year career.

A full-circle moment happened that night.

People gathered. Near the bar, they laughed over a drink. They were animated. They hugged and caught up on each other’s lives. Food was served and enjoyed. People chuckled, reliving a compilation video of Rod’s greatest Chamber and United Way video hits.

The community had come together to celebrate one of its own – in just that cultural hub that Rod always wanted.