Darrell Banks

Darrell Banks has had many experiences in his life that have prepared him for his current position of Richland County Commissioner with the most in common with commissioner, of course, was as Mayor. Darrell has spent the last nine years as Mayor of the Village of Bellville.

For over a quarter century Darrell was in business in Richland County. He was the owner and President of San-Dar, Inc., which did business as San-Dar Smorgasbord, San-Dar Acres Golf Course, Pizza-on-the-Alley, San-Dar Tours, and San-Dar Hospitality Services. Darrell also spent twelve years as a vocational teacher as instructor of the Marketing, Travel and Tourism Program at the Knox County Career Center in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Darrell has been an industry leader throughout his career. He was president of the Ohio Restaurant Association, he served on the Ohio Travel Association’s Board of Trustees, Darrell was Co-founder and Chairman of the Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the mid 1970’s and just completed a term as President of the Mayors Association of Ohio. In the 1980’s Darrell served on the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Committee. Darrell was honored to receive the Life Time Achievement Award from the Ohio Restaurant Association and the Ohio Travel Association’s Paul Sherlock Award for outstanding contribution to Ohio’s Travel Industry.

Darrell served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1972. Darrell is a member of Bellville’s American Legion Post #535 and AMVETS Post #43.

He is committed to the development and service to Richland County. In addition to serving in leadership roles in the Village of Bellville and the Clear Fork area, Darrell served on the Citizens Advisory Board for the Richland Emergency Management Agency (911), and the Regional Planning Commission Citizens Advisory Board.

Darrell is a Clear Fork High School graduate, earned an Associate Degree from Iowa State University, and attended The Ohio State, Bowling Green, Ashland, Walsh and Mount Vernon Nazarene Universities for education, marketing and computer classes. Darrell resides in Bellville, Ohio, with his wife, Marty of 49 years. They have two married children, Julie (Tad) and Kyle (Vanessa) and three wonderful grandchildren (Brynna, Rhys and Gavyn). He is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.