30 for the Future recipients
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30 for the Future honors the region's young professional who display devotion to community, team building and leadership. These individuals will be recognized Monday, September 24, at the Kent State University Student Center. Vanessa AntonBober Markey Fedorovich Magdi AwadNortheast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy Michael Chisnell, Jr.Sequoia Financial Group Michael DaltonSumma Health System Krista DobronosWestfield Bank Sam FallettaIncept Matthew GeisKent State University April HameyFresh Prospective - Business Development Solutions Ryan HenaryFedEx Custom Critical Kyle KutuchiefAusten BioInnovation Institute in Akron Anthony LancianeseClearPath Home Health Kara LewisWinslow Asset Management Tucker MarshallThe Reserve Group Michele
McCarroll, Ph.D.Summa Health System John P. MillerMiller's Rental and Sales Jonathan MorschlFour Points Architectural Services Leianne Neff HeppnerThe Summit County Historical Society of Akron Jon OldhamOldham Kramer Brian PetersonGPD Group Brian PollakUBS Financial Services Caleb PorterThe University of Akron Kelly PriceRockynol Mellissa ReedCohen & Company Tara ReganAkron Urban League Jeff RovnakWells Fargo Advisors Joe SwiatkowskiHickory Harvest Foods Amy Tucker, M.D.Akron General Medical Center Jason TumaBCG & Company Jason WeigandBuckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs Valerie WolfordCity of Green Tickets, which are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members, are available online or through Angela Presutti at 330-237-1263. For sponsorships, contact Chad Hamman at 330-237-1247. The program is sponsored by Founding Sponsor, Huntington, and Presenting Sponsor, Kent State University. |
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Advanced Industries
Ally Office Solutions
Barnett Advisors
Brooklyn Machine &
Manufacturing
Company
CAM/RB, Inc. dba
Arby's Roast Beef
Restaurants
G & S Transfer
Global Supplier
Diversity Corp.
Golden Alliance
J.W. Frye Company
Lohman Eye Care
Associates
Marich Machine & Tool
NEOTEC
Nicholas J. Spirtos,
D.O.
Oakpoint Partners
Olmsted Plumbing
Reese Services
S & E Electric
Taste of Fine Dining
TRC, Inc.
WCD Inc., dba Dry
Cleaning World
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The mission of the Greater Akron Chamber is to drive economic development and prosperity for the people of the Greater Akron Region.
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STEM students study local entrepreneurs
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In May, Akron's National Inventors Hall of Fame-STEM School reached out to local business owners to help teach a lesson on starting and operating a company. With grant funding from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the school's 8th grade took an "E-Trek" field trip to meet the owners of Midway Lanes, the Linda Theatre and American Winds Flight Academy and learn about business operations, cost profit relationships and entrepreneurial challenges.
STEM Engineering Learning Coach Ed Garcia chose to take this lesson out of the classroom to help learners gain first-hand experience on business risks, operational technology and workplace leadership.
After the business visits, the STEM School teamed with East High School's marketing class to develop an entrepreneurial model for a "Lemonade Day" challenge.
When it opened, Akron STEM School identified the Greater Akron Chamber as one of its key partners, particularly for its ability to help Akron's students learn within the local business community. To inquire about connecting your business with the Akron STEM School, please contact Megann Eberhart at the Chamber.
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Chamber hosts USDOT's John Porcari
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In May, the Greater Akron Chamber hosted United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Deputy Secretary John Porcari as part of the administration's "White House Business Roundtable" series. This rare opportunity enabled members of the Chamber to discuss a variety of issues concerning transportation in Ohio and the nation at large.
The conversation focused on addressing federal transportation funding, which has lacked a predictable and sustainable national funding model for several years. The current model is faulty, relying on federal gas taxes that have been declining. Rising gas prices and more fuel-efficient vehicles have led to a decrease in gas consumption and gas taxes.
Porcari pointed out several local success stories, such as the Akron-Canton Airport's growth in local air service and a possible future collaboration between USDOT and The University of Akron to develop new corrosion prevention technologies for infrastructure.
Transportation safety was another issue of great concern during the roundtable, especially in regards to the dangers of texting and driving. The state of Ohio's new law banning texting while driving in combination with local education efforts are hoped to curb this dangerous activity.
Last year, the Chamber hosted Chief Economist for the U.S. Department of Commerce Dr. Mark Doms for the White House Business Roundtable, and we are honored to have been chosen to host two of these Roundtables over the past year.
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Four honored at Excellence in Business Awards
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Celebrating its 30th year, the Small Business Council's Excellence in Business Award ceremony recognized four companies for their ongoing demonstration of outstanding performance, growth, staying power, innovation and community leadership. More than 200 attended the event, which was sponsored by Apple Growth Partners and CFBank.
accepted the award for his company. Corporate Technologies Group in Hudson is a voice and data technology company founded in 1999.
Hamrick School's president Denver Hamrick received his company's award. Located in Medina, Hamrick School has provided truck driver training since 1980 and will begin offering a practical nursing program this fall.
Jentner Wealth Management's Marty Weisberg, vice president, accepted the award for Bruce Jentner and his company. Founded in 1984, Akron's Jentner Wealth Management provides financial planning and investment management.
Douglas Kovatch, president of Kovatch Castings, received his company's award. Uniontown's Kovatch Castings, founded in 1976, manufacturers complex precision-cast components for aerospace, military and medical applications.
(l-r) Jeff Sumner (Corporate Technologies Group), Denver Hamrick (Hamrick School), Ohio State Senator Frank LaRose, Tom Geopfert, Sr. (The Geopfert Company, 1982 Award Recipient), Dan Colantone (Greater Akron Chamber), Marty Weisberg (Jentner Wealth Management), Doug Kovatch (Kovatch Castings)
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City and Chamber welcome Involta
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Less than two years after the groundbreaking, Involta held its grand opening of a world-class data center on East Miller Avenue in Akron. The $17-million, 26,000-square foot colocation facility will store sensitive and secure data for businesses from Cleveland to Columbus.
"This project is yet another great example of a successful private/public partnership," said Rick Rebadow, Chamber Executive Vice President. "Involta's investment will help revitalize our community by offering high-paying job opportunities while helping build network connectivity and enhancing technology infrastructure in Akron." The facility will employ about ten people at salaries of $60,000-$70,000 per year, with the potential of a staff of sixty in the next five years.
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(l-r) Involta founder, CTO and vice chairman Lonnie Bloomquist; Mayor Don Plusquellic; Summit County Executive Russ Pry; Involta founder and CEO Bruce Lehrman and Chamber president Dan Colantone.
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Invota's CEO Bruce Lehrman also praised the teamwork that allowed his company to build in Akron. "Without the assistance of Summit County, the City of Akron and the Greater Akron Chamber, this project would never have made it past the idea stage," said Lehrman.
To hear what was said during the grand opening ceremonies, click on the video links below.
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Economic Development Correspondents
Robert Y. Bowman, Deputy Mayor, City of Akron
Samuel D. DeShazior, Deputy Director, City of Akron
Stephen Kidder, President, German Link, Inc.
Richard F. Rebadow, Executive Vice President, Greater Akron Chamber
Gregg P. Cramer, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Akron Chamber
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