Bryan Smith, Executive Director

Bryan is a 2000 graduate of Shawnee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a Master’s degree in Education from Rio Grande University. Friends of Portsmouth is Bryan’s third non-profit to work for, previously working for the American Red Cross in disaster relief for the Tri-State area. Prior to that he worked for Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth as an account executive for 26 counties in Ohio. He also served in the US Army, US Active Army, Ohio National Guard and Ky National Guard for a total of 11 years. His wife Debbie is the Office Manager for Neal Hatcher Real Estate and is also part of the Friends of Portsmouth Leadership team. They are the proud parent of two sons Justin and Drew.

He serves as a board member on the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Bryan enjoys volunteering for various community projects around the Scioto County area. A lifelong passion of Bryan’s is soccer, coaching youth, High School and College level soccer for 20 plus years. He loves to workout, run and loves to Kayak with his wife and friends.

Dr. Taylor Babcock, Board President

Taylor is a fourth generation Optometrist, practicing in downtown Portsmouth, OH. He provides comprehensive primary eye health care to patients of all ages.  Dr. Babcock is a 2008 graduate from Miami University. He received his doctorate at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2014. He lives in Portsmouth, OH with his wife, Kelly, and their two children. When not spending time with his family, his hobbies include; running, hunting and fishing. He is active throughout the community, as a member of Cornerstone UMC, Tri-State Habitat for Humanity, Southern Ohio Professional Partners and Friends of Portsmouth. Dr. Babcock also volunteers on several committees, and serves as a board member for the Ohio Optometric Association.

Jason Hedrick, Treasurer

I was born and raised in Wheelersburg, Ohio. I graduated from Wheelersburg High School in 1995.  I then attended the police academy while also attending college at Ohio University. I graduated from the police academy in 1996 and was offered a position with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.  While working at the Sheriff’s office, I finished my college education earning an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement, an Associate’s Degree in Social Science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  

In 1998, I was offered a position with the Portsmouth Municipal Court.  I worked for Judge Richard T. Schisler and became the Chief Probation Officer for Municipal Court. As the Chief Probation Officer, I supervised the probation department, house arrest program, community service, work release program, and restitution program. 

In 2000, I accepted a position in the Portsmouth Police Department as a patrol officer. In 2003, I became the first School Resource Officer in Scioto County. I worked in the Portsmouth City School system as the first SRO from 2003-2004.  In 2004, I left the SRO program for a promotion to patrol Sergeant.  In 2013, I was promoted to patrol Lieutenant and in 2017 I was promoted to Captain. In my current role as Operations Captain with the Portsmouth Police Department, I supervise all aspects of the agency, except the investigation’s bureau.  

From 2012-2017, I worked for the State Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council as a Staff Representative. In this position, I was responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements for many law enforcement agencies across the State of Ohio.  I represented numerous law enforcement officers in discipline issues, grievances, unfair labor practices, and use of force investigations. I left this part-time position in 2017 when I was promoted Captain because of overlapping schedules.  

In my personal life, I have been married for 21 years to my wife Amanda (Smith) Hedrick.  Amanda is currently the Director of the Children’s Learning Center at Shawnee State University. Amanda has been employed by Shawnee State University for approximately 21 years.  Amanda is nearing the completion of her Doctorate Degree at Morehead State University.  We have two children Brenton Cole Hedrick and Dalton Bradley Hedrick.  Our oldest son, Cole is serving in the United States Air Force and is station in Minot, ND. Cole is married and just had his first child (our first grandchild) named Oakley Grace Hedrick.  

Our youngest son, Dalton, is 14 years old and is in his freshman year of high school at Washington-Nile. Dalton is engaged in his school by participating in soccer, track, band, and chorus.  Dalton is very musically inclined by playing the piano, guitar and saxophone. 

My wife and I are both life long residents of Scioto County and currently reside in Nile Twp.  Both of our families have lived in this community for many generations.  We are committed to Portsmouth and Scioto County and are proud to do our part in helping elevate this community.

Tia King, Secretary

Tia King joined the board of FOP in 2019. It was the mission and enthusiasm of Friends of Portsmouth that led to her desire to join.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Tia is a 1998 graduate of Portsmouth High School. She also holds both a bachelor of nursing and a masters of science degree from The Ohio State University. She obtained her board certification as a family nurse practitioner in 2004.

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Tia has worked in the Emergency Department at SOMC since 2010. She is married to husband Dale and is mother to twins Colt and Elizabeth. When not helping to take care of individuals within our community, Tia enjoys hanging out with her family, friends, working out and great food.

Tim Wolfe, Board Member

Proud father of four. Loving Husband. Life long son of Portsmouth. Real estate developer. Restaurant operator. Decorated Veteran of two US military branch’s. Army/Navy. Entrepreneur of the year in 2018. Citizen of the year in 2019. I love Portsmouth and all her people. She’s far from perfect, just like me.

Maile Gerken Milsap, Board Member

Maile is a multi-generation resident of Scioto County and grew up in West Portsmouth. She attended Notre Dame Schools in Portsmouth and then went to Elon University where she graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, as well as Corporate Communications, and a minor in Dance. She’s a Producer for television shows and documentaries, and has worked for all of the major studios and networks in Hollywood. Her credits include: The Big Bang Theory on CBS, Disjointed on Netflix and Call Me Kat on Fox. She’s a member of the Directors Guild of America. She lives in Portsmouth with her husband Chase, daughter Luna and Frenchton dog Koa.

Maile enjoys volunteering with the Candyland Children’s Museum, Team Rubicon and the American Red Cross. She loves traveling and spending time with family and friends.

George Davis IV, Board Member

Geordie Davis is a lawyer in the firm George L. Davis, III Co., LLC, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Shawnee State University. He holds an AB degree in Government from The College of William & Mary in Virginia, a JD degree from Ohio Northern University, and studied business at the London School of Economics & Political Science. He focuses his legal practice on civil litigation, domestic relations, commercial law, real estate, and DUI defense. Geordie currently serves on the boards of The Counseling Center and Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority. He is a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, where he lives with his son Penn, fiance Christina, and step-daughter Mallory.

Chris Moore, Board Member

Chris moved to Portsmouth in 2007 to coach baseball at Shawnee State University.  Over the course of his career at SSU, he has had many opportunities, including his current position as Executive Director of the Shawnee State University Development Foundation since 2018.  Though not a native of the region, Chris proudly calls Portsmouth home and looks forward to helping usher Portsmouth into its next phase.