A gift to the community
a vision for the future
In 2014, during a planned giving presentation, Jeff Chaddock had a vision to provide something tangible to his Southeastern Ohio community that would live on for generations to come. Jeff and his husband, Mark Morrow announced in 2016 their plan to leave the vast majority of their estate to charities benefiting the Appalachian Ohio region.
Zenner House has been a passion project for Jeff and Mark from the beginning. Their vision was to turn the home into a gift to the community, opening Zenner House to the Athens community as an extraordinary venue to hold events ranging from weddings and fundraisers to cook-outs and award ceremonies.
The renovation project, spanning ten years, drew on the skills of many talented professionals to restore the property. The vast majority of the work completed at Zenner House was performed by local artisans, tradespeople, and contractors. Eventually, stewardship of Zenner House will pass to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. The organization will be tasked with maintaining the property to ensure that Jeff and Mark’s vision continues.
Meet Jeff and Mark
Since 1989, when Jeff Chaddock and Mark Morrow first met in Columbus, Ohio, they have forged a life together marked by love and generosity. Together, the pair has pledged more than 97 percent of their legacy to not-for-profit organizations in education and the arts in Appalachia. The couple hope that public awareness of their philanthropic commitments will inspire others to consider “legacy giving” as a key initiative in giving back.
Jeff Chaddock was born and adopted in rural West Virginia in 1966 and was raised in Belpre, Ohio. His time as an Ohio University student proved to be an important catalyst in developing his entrepreneurial mindset, starting no less than five small businesses while studying on the Athens campus and providing the momentum to grow into a leading CEO and a respected visionary in the financial industry. As of 2023, Chaddock enjoys a primary focus of service working with diverse not-for-profit organizations to advance their mission and success in Appalachian Ohio, describing himself as “obsessed” with supporting its 64 underdeveloped and underserved communities.
Mark Morrow was born in 1957 and was raised in Central Ohio. He graduated from The Ohio State University and enjoyed a very successful career in the real estate industry and as a well-known lifestyle reporter for NBC4, specializing in real estate design and technology advancements. Morrow has held numerous board positions in both arts and social change organizations during his professional career. Mark has also served as a docent at the The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum since its opening in 2014.
The couple are pleased to balance their time between New York City, Palm Beach, Central and Southern Ohio; both gentlemen live by a quote instilled in them by Mr. Chaddock’s grandmother, “live on edge, there is no better view.”