Each year, a deceased former Upper Arlington resident who brought honor and recognition to our community is selected for the Wall of Honor, with a memorial plaque installed on the Plaza at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road. Historical Society members will receive an invitation to the event, along with guests of the families. Others are welcome to attend.
The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society are pleased to announce that John Steven Christie is the 2026 Upper Arlington Wall of Honor inductees. An induction ceremony is scheduled for 3 pm, Sunday, May 17, at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road.
A distinguished business professional, John Christie’s career spanned leadership roles for several pivotal regional entities. At just 32 years of age, he was tapped to serve as President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce due to his ideas and passion for the city. In this role, he helped establish and grow the region’s auto supply network, frequently traveling to Japan in pursuit of this goal. He then became the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Battelle Memorial Institute, focused on expanding their business model beyond government contracts to include commercial strategic and product development solutions. As President of JMAC – the personal holding company for the McConnell family – Mr. Christie was instrumental in efforts to secure a National Hockey League franchise for our region, the Columbus Blue Jackets. His final professional role was serving as President and Chief Operating Officer for Worthington Industries, before his retirement in 2008.
John Christie shared his professional skills and connections by serving on many worthy boards. This included: the Board of I know I Can – which has sent over 30,000 Columbus area students to college); Franklin University; Ohio Public Works Commission; Battelle Pension Management & Investment Council; and as a founding member and longest serving chair of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. He also served as a Board member for the Crane Group, Fishel Company, Citizens National Bank, The Arlington Bank, the Lakes Golf and Country Club, Geosafe Corp., Information Dimensions, and his most cherished role as a Board Member and President of Miami University’s Board of Trustees. John was also an active member of the Upper Arlington Rotary Club.
Mr. Christie and his wife, Linda, lived in Upper Arlington for approximately four decades, raising their three children who now reside in Upper Arlington, with six grandchildren continuing the family’s Upper Arlington pride and traditions.
To be considered for the Wall of Honor, a person must meet three criteria: He or she must be deceased; must have lived in Upper Arlington for part of his/her life; and must have made a significant contribution to the city, the state and/or the nation. Honorees are recognized via permanent bronze plaques on the “Wall of Honor” located on the plaza in front of the Municipal Services Center.
