Brian Eckel-Hare, library director, Jeff Beebe, Connect Ohio, and Rick Roell, awardee |
Rick Roell, of Henry County, was presented with a Broadband Hero Award Friday, September 16, during a short ceremony at the Liberty Center Public Library. Connect Ohio acknowledged Roell for his commitment to expanding the knowledge and use of technology in his community.
Roell has been an Every Citizen Online (ECO) instructor at the Liberty Center Public Library since the program launched early 2011. While most ECO instructors are paid, Roell chooses to volunteer his time and knowledge and instructs most of the classes offered at the location.
“It’s a lot of fun to do,” said Roell. “I enjoy the people a lot. The library always bent over backwards for me and my family, so this is the least I can do.”
Brian Eckel-Hare, the library’s director, nominated Roell as a Connect Ohio Broadband Hero. According to Eckel-Hare, he nominated Roell not only for his ECO instructing, but also for Roell’s continued community service through being available to share his IT knowledge with others and his work as a part time pastor.
“Rick is willing to give a lot of time to (the library) and to others out of the goodness of his heart,” said Eckel-Hare.
Roell has a master’s degree in software engineering and was an IT technician with the Air Force. He has been teaching computer classes for a number of years. Roell currently provides IT expertise for a small company in Henry County.
Read more about the ECO class training offered at Liberty Center Library and view photos on the Connect Ohio blog.