Background Information

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Here are a few things people often ask me... 

Why “barkmutler”?
Some friends in my college dormitory realized that transposing the first letters of my name created a clever nickname, and it stuck over the years. Growing up in a large family, people often just called me “Butler,” especially when they were trying not to mix me up with one of my brothers. Having a unique nickname became a small but meaningful marker of identity.

Why the dog?
I am very much a dog person and have always associated dogs with loyalty and protection. The dog standing over Ohio reflects my advocacy for Ohio’s multi-system youth. It also carries a deeper, more personal meaning connected to my faith and my identity as a Dominican Associate.

According to Catholic tradition, a pregnant Jane of Aza in Spain once had an unusual dream in which she saw a dog carrying a torch in its mouth and setting the world on fire. With spiritual guidance, she came to understand that her child, Dominic, would grow up to become a preacher who would set the world ablaze through his preaching. Even the Dominican Order's name reflects this symbolism, drawing on a play on the Latin words Domini (Lord) and canes (hounds).

Dominicans understand the power of words and the responsibility to speak truth, especially to those in positions of power. This conviction has deeply shaped my faith and is something I strive to live out through my advocacy work in Ohio.

If you like the logo, you can purchase merchandise featuring it at https://www.bonfire.com/store/barkmutlercom/ - all proceeds support charities I care deeply about. 

Who are you?

In my professional role as Director of Founded Ministries for the Dominican Sisters of Peace, I collaborate with administrators, boards, and advisory councils of mission-driven organizations sponsored by the Congregation across the country. I am also proud to be a Dominican Associate of Peace. Beyond my work, I am first and always a husband and father. 

With more than 25 years of experience in Catholic religious education and youth ministry at both parish and diocesan levels, I have dedicated much of my career to supporting and guiding young people in their faith journeys. In 2002, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry honored me with the National Youth Ministry Award in the Justice and Peace category for my work as Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Berea College and a Master of Theological Studies in Church History from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

My wife and I are active members of our local parish, where I recently served as parish council president. For more than a decade there, I coordinated adult faith formation, RCIA, and children’s sacramental preparation, while she taught first grade at our parish elementary school. I continue to speak at parishes, schools, professional conferences at the state and national level, and other organizations on a range of topics, including Church History, Catholic Social Teaching, and issues affecting multi-system youth. 

We have three children in their late twenties, two of whom are autistic. My advocacy for multi-system youth has helped bring significant funding and systemic change for families of children with complex behavioral health needs in Ohio. I am a former board member of the Autism Society of Central Ohio and currently serve on the Board of Creative Housing, as well as on several statewide committees focused on supporting young people with complex needs. In 2019, I received the Champion of Children Award from the Ohio Family and Children First Coordinators Association, and in 2025 I was recognized for my contributions to the establishment of the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s OhioRISE initiative.

I have also had opportunities to work with the wider Dominican family. I was a member of the U.S. Planning Team for the Dominican Charism Initiative and served on the Steering Committee for the 200th Anniversary of Dominican Women in the United States. I am also an inaugural trustee of Dominican Veritas Ministries, Inc., the companion civil corporation of a recently established Public Juridic Person of Pontifical Right dedicated to supporting and promoting Dominican Catholic education.

Since 2003, I have volunteered as a facilitator for the Protecting God’s Children child sex abuse prevention program. Many of the child protection policies and procedures I developed while working for the Diocese of Columbus remain in use today. In 2007, I also managed the host-diocese responsibilities for the National Catholic Youth Conference.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring prairie trails at parks throughout central Ohio with my family and our German Shepherd. I am also known for dressing up in costume on holidays to pass out treats to the residents of the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse in Columbus and Mohun Health Care Center.