Biography

A life-long resident of Fairfield, Mitch graduated from Fairfield Sr. High School in 1976 and went on to attend Miami University as a Business and Marketing major. Mitch started his career working for five years at both Procter & Gamble and GE Aviation before finding his passion as an entrepreneur and launching his own business in the promotional product industry where he has spent the last 33 years. His company operates as a global supplier to several of the largest companies in the world. 

Mitch married his high school sweetheart, Lois (Bennett) Rhodus, and they have two grown children Brad (Brooke) and Katie, three grandchildren (Grady, Laney, and Betty Rae), and another soon to arrive in Feb 2022. He enjoys spending time with his grandkids and long weekends with Lois and friends traveling in their RV.

Experience

Mitch first began serving the Fairfield community in 1993, representing the 3rd Ward as a member and Chairman of the Parks Board. Mitch’s service on the Parks Board and Planning Commission was marked by one of the most explosive and exciting times in our City’s parks development, where he played a vital role in the design and implementation of several of our newest facilities including the Village Green Amphitheatre, the Community Arts Center, the Aquatic Center, and the redevelopment of Marsh Lake. 

In 2003, Mitch was elected to City Council where he served until 2011 due to term limits. While on City Council, he continued on the Parks Board, Planning Commission, and several other committees serving under Mayor Eric Cook and Ron D’Epfianio.

Community Involvement

Mitch has been an active Boy Scout Leader since 1990 where he served in multiple positions from Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and several other leadership roles in the Ft. Hamilton District, including Chairman. He was awarded the Silver Beaver National Award in 2005, an honor given for his distinguished service and currently serves as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. His son, Brad, is an Eagle Scout from Troop 902.

Mitch is active in his church, Fairfield Church of Christ, and the Fairfield Rotary Club where he has been a member for over 20 years.

You can’t get any more “homegrown” than Mitch. A paperboy in the late 60’s, he delivered the newspaper every day to the Fairfield City Building where he walked the halls and often spent time in the Mayor’s office talking to the current Mayor. He mowed the grass at the YMCA on Nilles Road in exchange for a family pass so he and his four brothers could swim in the new pool! He was also a photographer for the local newspaper and Police Department during high school and has photographed over 400 local weddings. 

Goals

Mitch campaigned on and will continue to be a force in bringing higher quality restaurants to Fairfield. This effort will take the entire City Council’s support as it may require land acquisitions to ensure the best use of our City’s land – a tactic neighboring cities have used to great success!