Transferring the Keys to Success

After working for the City of Blue Ash for 34 years, Barb Griffin will retire as general manager of the Cooper Creek Event Center in October and turn over the responsibilities to Josh Hettinger.

The operation also includes the Blue Ash Golf Course and Sandtrap Grill Restaurant, in addition to the Cooper Creek Event Center, which averages about 300 events a year, including corporate events, weddings and other social events. "The Cooper Creek Event Center was built six years ago and has been phenomenal," says Hettinger. "It replaced the existing golf-course clubhouse that opened in 1979."    

The facility is the result of a resolution that residents approved 10 years ago, earmarking earnings for three capital-improvement projects. "We made a commitment to our residents that we would provide them with top-notch recreation amenities," says Tiphanie Howard, superintendent of recreation, golf and event operations. "Cooper Creek was part of that promise to our community."

Griffin attributes the success to customer service, commitment and consistency. "Our goal is to treat everyone like they are a guest in our home," she says. "We create a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests, whether they come to golf, attend an event or have lunch at the Sandtrap Grill Restaurant."

The transition has gone smoothly because Hettinger has been with the facility since it opened in 2011. "He was part of the team that came up with the mission and vision, and core values," says Griffin. "Josh is very respected and well-liked by the staff and our customers."

Griffin, who says she is grateful for the opportunities given by the City of Blue Ash, passes on a successful operation. "I can say as her co-worker that I’m very proud of Barb for taking the Cooper Creek Event Center, which was a startup operation, and building it to what it is today," Howard says.

Hettinger is looking forward to his new role. "I’ve learned a lot from Barb over the last six years, and I’m excited about seeing people grow and embrace the opportunities ahead of us."

The Cooper Creek Event Center and Blue Ash Golf Course are located at 4040 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, OH 45241. For more information about Cooper Creek, call 513.745.8596 or visit www.coopercreekblueash.com. For the golf course, call 513.686.1280 or visit www.blueashgolfcourse.com.