Steve Gfell is the new executive director of Answering The Call Together (ACT). He replaces David Wallace, who retired from the position earlier this year.
ACT is a local faith-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization formed in Norwalk in 2005, comprising of men and women who volunteer their time and talents to serve Christ.
Dennis Doughty, who serves as the organization’s president, said the board of directors were “happy” to appoint Gfell.
“Steve brings a wealth of experience in organizing and directing staff to accomplish goals. He hopes to take these same talents and apply them to the ACT organization to align with its current mission of serving others in need,” Doughty said.
Gfell was born and raised in Norwalk and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1985. He began working for Domino’s the following year as a delivery driver for the Norwalk store, which was owned by Skip Wilde at the time. Gfell purchased his first franchise in 1992 in Vermilion, and then he and his wife began growing their business, SNAT Management.
He continued his career as a Domino’s franchisee owning up to 21 units at once, including the one in Norwalk. Gfell sold all of the stores expect the one in Wellington. He has won several Domino’s national awards along the way and served on the Domino’s national franchise association as a member of their board for two terms, acting as the vice-chair.
Gfell also pursued an advocation in football officiating. He officiated for 33 years and attained a position on a Division I staff until his retirement in 2018 due to an illness.
Following his retirement from football and Domino’s, Gfell joined several boards and has become more active in the community.
He is starting his fifth season as an assistant football coach at Norwalk High School and is a member of the United Fund board and the Norwalk Economic Develop Corporation’s RISE (Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship) committee, which assists local businesses. He also served on Norwalk’s charter review commission, which recently completed its work and submitted suggested changes to city council.
Gfell and his wife, Nancy, reside in Norwalk. They have two children, Abigail, who is a senior at BGSU and Thomas, a junior at the College of Wooster. Nancy Gfell teaches at Norwalk High School.
The Gfell family are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Norwalk where Steve Gfell has served as an
elder.
He took on his new role with ACT on Monday.
David provided incredible leadership skills to help the ACT organization function at a high level. He was and is a caring, devoted, and dedicated leader. He led by his religious convictions and provided spiritual comfort for those in need. Simply stated, he is a great person and leader who will be missed by the ACT board, volunteers and by our community. In recognition and appreciation for your 13 years of service for the betterment of our community, for those individuals throughout this country and the people who were helped in other countries. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the mission of this charitable organization, “Answering the Call Together – ACT.”For more information about ACT and how to volunteer, visit answeringthecalltogether.org.
