Odendahl joins UF trustees

FINDLAY — Ryan Odendahl has joined the University of Findlay's Board of Trustees. Odendahl is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as an infantry small arms specialist. Among his posts, he was appointed to the inspector-instructor staff with the Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, and was named the regiment's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. After eight years of military service, he attended UF, earning a bachelor's degree in environmental and hazardous materials management in 1997 and then a master's of business administration in 2000. Odendahl is the CEO of Kwest Group, a civil construction firm founded in 2003 in Port Clinton and based in Perrysburg. Kwest performs projects for a multitude of clients in the energy, petrochemical, industrial, rail, environmental, federal, transportation and airfield markets. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a small local contractor to a nationwide firm with 420 employees constructing projects across the United States and the Caribbean. "I am honored and excited to join the University of Findlay Board of Trustees," Odendahl said. "UF provided a wonderful start to my career, and as a veteran student, the flexibility and personal approach were invaluable in allowing me to earn my degree while serving and working full time … I look forward to applying the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career to help guide UF into the future." "Ryan cares deeply about the success of the University of Findlay and our students," UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., said. "With his professional accomplishments, he will provide guidance to our campus leadership team and strengthen our efforts in preparing new generations of students for meaningful lives and productive careers." Odendahl and his wife, Andrea, live in Port Clinton.