Jarrett Companies Named Heartland Business Character Champion of the Year

Mike Jarrett, a faithful Orrville Red Rider football fan on Friday nights, was in attendance for a very special reason on October 8, 2021. Mike standing on the 50-yard line was accepting the Heartland Education Community Business Character Champion Award on behalf of his companies, Jarrett Companies. 

Jarrett Companies was selected based on their leadership and exemplary service in promoting, modeling, and supporting Good Character in Orrville City Schools, in the community, and throughout their business locations. The organization exemplifies character by the established eight core values that align with many of the Character Words of the Month. As shared by Danielle Gochnauer, OHS alumni and current Jarrett Company employee, “ The Character Words of the Month almost mirror our core values at Jarrett. We believe in having people that honor these core values when working at Jarrett. It creates a wonderful work environment and great relationships with our customers.” 

The Jarrett’s passion for good character goes beyond their businesses and continues into their work within the community. Jarrett Companies have been actively engaged in the Heartland Steering Committee for many years and have been a champion of the Heartland priorities. Both Mike and Diane are firm believers in giving back and being a part of their community. For example Diane chairs the board for Orrville Aultman Hospital and is on the Austin Bailey Health and Wellness Foundation Board of Trustees; Mike is the Chair of the Heartland Education Steering Committee; is on the Wayne County Community Foundation Board and is on the University of Mount Union Board of Directors. In addition to supporting the Orrville City Schools, Jarrett Companies along with their employees support many local organizations such as, Orrville Salvation Army, Orrviews, Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club, Orrville Athletic Booster Club, O’Huddle Mentors, Wayne County Community Foundation, Wayne County Junior Fair, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness for Wayne & Holmes County. 

The focus to shift from school to education and responsibility from school to community is evident within the structure of Jarrett Companies. As stated by Cody Marshall, current Jarrett employee and OHS alumni, “The values instilled from my education at Orrville helped prepare me for maintaining Good Character regardless of any situation, ensuring that despite any difficulties we all seek to strive for high levels of ethics and citizenship.” This structure was also shared by Alyssa Hostetler, OHS alumni and current Jarrett employee, “As a former student of Orrville City Schools, I can attest that character is highly encouraged and demonstrated throughout the district. I appreciate the building blocks of good character that were provided to me during my education and am extremely thankful to be a part of a great organization like Jarrett whose core values align and allow me to build off my existing foundation.” 

Mike and Diane Jarrett’s passion for good character is evident in the impact they have within their organization, schools, and community. Their desire to continue to promote character education is one of the many reasons the Jarrett Companies were selected for the Heartland Education Community Business Character Champion Award. It was an honor to present the Jarrett Companies with this award.