Photo submitted to the Times Observer Lisa Card, Warren County Visitors Bureau executive director, is pictured at the bureau.

=This article is part of the “Meet Your Neighbor Monday” series, highlighting the stories of individuals who make Warren County a special place to live. If you have a suggestion for a person to profile, email jrex@timesobserver.com

You have likely seen Lisa Card out and about in every part of Warren County at some point.

A native of Warren county, Card’s ancestors settled in the town of Kinzua in the 1800s. She was born and raised in Warren County, and never left. A 1992 Warren High School graduate, Card married young and has a son, Michael Card, to whom you may have met as Santa at his annual Starbrick light display. She and her husband, Mike, a 1989 Eisenhower graduate, have been married for 31 years. Mike Card is a maintenance machinist at Targeted Pet Treats and he also loves the area just as much as his wife. Card said that while she and her husband have different hobbies, they share the same values. She is thankful for how supportive he is about her current job as the executive director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau. She loves her job and dedicates much of her time to it.

Before working full time, Card spent time as a housewife along with work throughout the county’s schools as a teacher’s aide as well as in the cafeteria while her own children were in school. Card also worked for the WIC (Women Infants Children) program, as well as the Allegheny Community Senior Center where she taught genealogy classes.

In 2019, when Card’s father was at the end of his life, she took care of him. Ernie Hoag was a U.S. marine and Vietnam Veteran, who passed from the effects of Agent Orange. Giving credit to her father for her patriotism, Card recalls her father taking her for rides all around the county which instilled her love for the area and of course the outdoors. It was at her father’s funeral service where Card recognized that many people from the Struthers Wells Corporation were in attendance. This prompted her to restart the Struthers Wells Reunion with plans to do it again every other year.

“I love our country, I love our flag and I love Warren county, and I am not ashamed to say ‘God Bless America,'” Card said.

Four years ago, there was an opening at the visitors center for an administrative assistant. Many people thought Card would be great for the job and encouraged her to apply. Much to her surprise, she got the job. In November, Card stepped into the role of executive director. Recently having pulled off the unveiling of Warren County’s bell with the PA Bells Across America initiative, Card is always making sure Warren County gets the recognition it deserves. She has always loved community oriented projects and demonstrating the love for her community comes naturally. She loves the roots of the county and is proud to call it home. Card said, about her career path, “Sometimes you don’t find your purpose for a while. You don’t really find your direction.” It is apparent that Card found her direction when she began her work at the visitors bureau. She defines it as “not just a job, it is very meaningful work.”

Card said any organization with the name “Warren County” in their title needs to serve the entire county.

“My goal is to make sure everybody feels that they have received representation,” she said.

In 2023 Card was covering the annual Winterfest when her husband had a heart attack, the “widowmaker” that only has a 10% chance of survival. Thanks to Emergycare, her husband survived. Later in that same year, Card got sick with stage 4 lymphoma when a large mass in her abdomen was found. She had surgery and was right back to work. Oddly enough, Card describes it as a gift.

“God puts something in our path for a reason and there is a message. The message I received through having all these horrible things happen in one year, was when I got to see the best in people: that there is kindness and goodness all over Warren County.” People reached out to her and her family during this difficult time and it showed her that, “We are special here, we care about one another and when one of us is down, we all come out to life that person back up. We take care of one another,” said Card.

Always willing to go the extra mile for the greater good of the community in order to get a clear picture of the area, Card’s efforts attract population growth along with Warren Worx, with whom she will be collaborating. Card commented how loving what she’s marketing makes a difference.

“I never want the communities to feel under-represented,” Card said.

Card remarked that each township is unique and has something to offer in the county’s 800 square miles.

Noticing that there was plenty of information made available about the National Forest and the city of Warren, Card is making sure that the outlying communities are being represented. Card makes herself approachable and loves each of the cute “Hallmark towns,” as she describes places like Tidioute.

Recalling the days of downtown Warren as a bustling place to be with many shops, Card was glad to grow up in the 1980s. Now with the revitalization efforts, Card practices what she preaches by shopping at the most unique shops with quality items.

“I believe the people here are part of marketing Warren County. Just walking through the streets of any of the towns of the county and knowing it’s a safe place means a lot to everyone who resides here. There are many faces of Warren County that are deserving of recognition,” said Card.