NEWSLETTER
JAN. 2015
vol.
no.
XLVII ONE
Outgoing Message from 2014 Board of Directors Chairman Philip D. Fracassa Have you ever noticed how many songs are built around change? From David Bowie to Taylor Swift, from Tim McGraw to Bob Dylan, their lyrics pine for change, dread change, embrace change and celebrate change. As I reflect on this past year, I have a greater appreciation for why change tends to dominate the music scene: life is punctuated by change and our community is no different. Our Chamber is a driving force for positive change. This past year we welcomed new businesses to our region, enjoyed new events and programs, and launched new initiatives to improve the business environment and quality of life in Stark County.
With the strategic plan as our roadmap, we made meaningful progress against our six strategic goals: • Advance Unified Regional Economic Development • Help Employers and Educational Institutions Strengthen Workforce Readiness • Support Development of the Canton Urban Core • Advocate for Regional Travel Industry Infrastructure Expansion • Create a Public Policy Advocacy Voice for the Region • Reinforce a Chamber Culture of Collaboration, Integration and Service Excellence (continued on next page)
William C. Shivers elected Canton Chamber board chairman; new board members also elected INSIDE: Oil & Gas Column................................................. 3 AultCare Fast Break Breakfast.............................. 5 Business Excellence Awards................................. 6 Stir After Hours................................................... 7 Leadership Family Business Forum....................... 8 Leadership Government Academy........................ 9 Funding Partners.............................................. 11 ystark! Twenty under 40!................................... 12 ystark! Executive Committee Chairs................... 15 Stark County Safety Council Luncheon............... 15 New Members................................................... 17 BizBitz.............................................................. 18 January Calendar.............................................. 19
William C. Shivers, president, Greater Akron/Canton Region, Huntington Bank, has been elected chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2015. A 20-year veteran of the banking industry, Bill joined Huntington in 2007. Prior to being named President of the Greater Akron/ Canton Region he served as vice president and team leader of commercial banking. Previously, Bill held a commercial banking role at KeyBank. Additionally, his diverse background encompasses serving as a State Examiner for the Ohio State Auditors Office; Director of Sales and Marketing, as well as Vice President of Operations, for Quaker Manufacturing Corp. (continued on page four)
WWW.C ANTONCHAMBER.ORG OUR MISSION: To lead the region in business and community development through collaboration and innovation.
UPCOMING EVENTS January 2015 - Volume XLVII - No. 1
William C. Shivers president, Greater Akron/Canton Region, Huntington Bank Chairman Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Collyn Floyd Editor and Director of Marketing Denise Burton Director of Membership & Sales Advertising Sales / Action 330.458.2067
Sarah Lutz Graphics Manager
is published monthly for the members of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The subscription cost is $25 per year and is included in the price of membership. Reader questions and comments are welcome and encouraged. Contents may be reprinted with credit. Address all inquiries to: Editor, Action Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 222 Market Ave. N Canton, Ohio 44702 or call (330) 456.7253, or e-mail news@cantonchamber.org Advertising rates are available for Chamber members. Advertisement does not constitute endorsement by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Outgoing message (continued from cover ...) At the same time, we continued to deliver dozens of quality programs and events to serve the needs of our Canton Regional Chamber members and our community. Our efforts come from the countless hours invested by our tireless volunteers. Their energy and creativity are unmatched, and I watched in awe as they gave so selflessly to our community. We’re able to navigate through change because of the steady hand of our Chamber leaders. This starts with our capable professional staff under the leadership of Denny Saunier and his team and extends to the dedication of our board. I welcome Bill Shivers as next year’s chairman, confident that he and the board will continue to execute the course we have charted with the help of our community volunteers and partners. It’s been an amazing year and an amazing experience to serve as your board chairman. The opportunity to work with the Chamber to impact our community in a positive way has been rewarding as well as energizing, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. Let me thank each of you for your support and add, from the hit Broadway play Wicked, “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” Thank you,
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BOARD OF
OIL & GAS
DIRECTORS
JANUARY Oil and Gas News Welcome to 2015 and our fourth year of oil and gas business programs at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. We will do what we do best, based on previous years. We will present three large business seminars, one on each aspect of Utica Shale energy exploration and development. We will begin the year with a Utica upstream seminar on April 8. Upstream, the drilling of the horizontal shale wells, was our primary focus in our first year of oil and gas programs in 2012. It’s time to return to that original topic. We will invite speakers from leading exploration and production companies to speak to our business audience. We will conduct a Utica midstream seminar on June 10. Midstream is the pipeline and gas processing infrastructure that is essential in bringing to market Utica methane (home heating gas) and the natural gas liquids such as ethane, propane and butane. Much of these NGLs are leaving Ohio by pipeline and rail car for end users along the Gulf Coast, but midyear may bring news of new end users in the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia region. This will be our third consecutive year to offer a midstream seminar. Our final event of the year will be Utica Summit III on Oct. 13. Utica Summit is our annual look at the downstream users of Utica Shale energy, from the operators of compressed natural gas truck fleets to the chemicals and plastics industry that uses the NGLs in creating thousands of consumer and business products.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman of the Board - William C. Shivers Huntington Bank
knowledge leads them to understand how their businesses can benefit from the new oil and gas economy. The benefit comes from finding ways to fulfill enormous need for goods and services in oil and gas.
Sr. Vice Chairman - Mark Fleiner LG Fuel Cell Systems Vice Chairman - Brian Belden The Belden Brick Company Vice Chairman - Bruce Blaise Kenan Advantage Group
We join Mayor William J. Healy II and Canton city government in proclaiming Canton the Utica Capital. Canton-Stark County has become the business center for Utica activities in Ohio. Your Chamber has become the leading regional economic development organization in the state to offer oil and gas education to the business community. We look forward to another good year in serving your needs.
Treasurer - D. William Allen Pro Football Hall of Fame Immediate Past Chairman - Philip D. Fracassa The Timken Company President & CEO - Dennis P. Saunier Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Interim Corporate Secretary - Brian Belden Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Recording Secretary - Connie R. Cerny Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
David Kaminski davidk@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2059
Save the Date for these Oil and Gas Events! UTICA UPSTREAM Wednesday, April 8, 2015
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
UTICA MIDSTREAM Wednesday, June 10, 2015 UTICA SUMMIT Tuesday, October 13, 2015 Learn more at www.UticaCapital.com.
Frank Monaco Four Fifteen Group
Katrina Barton Belden Village Mall
Jim Porter The Repository
David Cemate Mercy Medical Center
Stacy Radabaugh Charter One Bank
R. Eric Dellapina FirstMerit Bank N.A.
Rodney Reasonover Stark County Community Action Agency
Dr. Jay Gershen Northeast Ohio Medical University Michael Graeff Koch Knight, LLC James M. Gresh TimkenSteel
Our partner in producing all three events will once again be shaledirectories.com. Joining us once again in producing Utica Summit will be The Repository. These seminars have attracted a growing audience and a growing list of business sponsors from throughout Ohio, as well as from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other nearby states. We are grateful for the support.
Emil Alecusan Brewster Cheese
Matthew Hammond Chesapeake Energy
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Robert E. Roland Day Ketterer, LTD. Mark J. Samolczyk Stark Community Foundation
Dr. Para Jones Stark State College
Bruce M. Soares Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh
Geoff Karcher The Karcher Group
Tracy Stevens Dominion East Ohio
Dr. David A. King Malone University
John M. Tucker Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A.
Judith E. Barnes Lancaster Attorney At Law
What we offer is rather simple: industry experts willing to address a business audience. Members of the audience are invited to learn what’s happening. That
Alan Rodriguez Jülz by Alan Rodriguez and Rodriguez’s House of Stones
Bradley R. McKain Marathon Petroleum Company, LP
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Mark Wright Aultman Health Foundation
UPCOMING EVENTS Incoming Board Members ... Bill is a graduate of Hiram College and has a master’s degree in business administration from Franciscan University. Newly elected members of the board are:
Jim Gresh, an executive vice president for TimkenSteel, oversees strategy, commercial pricing and new business development as well as all international commercial activities. He previously served as vice president of global marketing and international operations for The Timken Company’s steel business. He joined the company in 1982 and spent a significant portion of his career in China, serving as vice president of Asia strategy and ultimately president of operations in China. In those roles, he drove major investment initiatives and accelerated our growth in the region. Geoff Karcher, president, has worked in the web world since 1994, before most people knew what the Internet was. He founded The Karcher Group (TKG) in 1997 in his parents’ basement. In the 17 years since then, he grew that small business into a full service online marketing firm with a team of more than 35 people — and growing. Since the beginning, vision and innovation have been key to keeping TKG a step ahead in the ever-changing web business. Under Geoff’s leadership, TKG has grown to serve more than 600 clients, from small local businesses to Fortune 500 companies with a global presence. He has a down-toearth and realistic approach – and loves
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helping clients make the web work for their business. Rodney Reasonover is chief executive officer of the Stark County Community Action Agency, serving in this capacity since 2007. The agency is a major provider of social and community services in a wide range of services in the areas of adult workforce developments, early childhood, education, youth development and employment training, community services and emergency services. Prior to his current position, he served as the agency’s deputy director/operations manager for over 10 years with responsibilities assuring efficient countywide service delivery. Rob Roland is managing partner of Day Ketterer, LTD. and maintains an active practice of select clients. For 30 years, Rob has provided legal advice to Ohio and national businesses. His practice is primarily focused on business and banking law, employee stock benefit plans, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business dispute resolution, and commercial real estate transactions. Rob serves as general counsel for many wellknown closely-held corporations and nonprofit associations. He represents banks and financial institutions throughout Ohio. In addition, he has taught college real estate courses and has been a frequent lecturer on business law concepts. Rob began his legal career with Day Ketterer in 1984 and was named Managing Partner in 2012. Under Rob’s leadership, the Firm has grown to nearly 50 attorneys across Ohio.
John Tucker, director and shareholder, has been with Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths and Dougherty Co., L.P.A. since 1995, and regularly represents clients on transactional matters, as well as by serving as outside general counsel for many companies. John takes great pride in providing high quality legal services, with a focus on timeliness and efficiency to provide his clients with prompt and effective services. John particularly enjoys being part of assisting his clients grow, by not only addressing their legal needs, but also by being part of strategic planning for the growth of the organization. Mark Wright is the chief financial officer of Aultman Health Foundation. Mark assumed the CFO role in 2002 and is responsible for all financial functions in the organization. Mark began his career at Aultman in 1994 as a Financial Analyst. He has held various positions within the organization including unit director, associate vice president, and vice president. Prior to CFO, he was vice president of support and network services and has also served as vice president of PrimeTime Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage Plan.
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
UPCOMING EVENTS January AultCare Fast Break Breakfast: You Win From Within with Marvin Montgomery A perennial crowd favorite, Marvin “the Sales Doctor” Montgomery, Author/ Motivational Speaker & Professional Sales & Customer Service Trainer, is coming back again to get us Marvinized for 2015. Get ready to ring in the Fast Break new year with a fun, energizing session on Friday, Jan. 9! About the topic: You know what a “selfie” is. That’s when you take a picture of yourself or a group you are with and then tweet, text or Facebook the picture out to your friends or family. However, there is another list of Selfies that Marvin focuses on: Self-Discipline, SelfConfidence, Self-Motivation, Self-Control, Self-Desire. We all need these Selfies to be successful. Determine which of your Selfies are missing or need strengthened.
He has earned widespread national recognition and praise. It stems from his informative, practical and stimulating programs that reflect his basic philosophy: preparation and practice are the keys to sales success. You will walk away from this program energized and Marvinized! Season Passes for AultCare Fast Break Breakfast on sale now! Our SEASON TICKET PASSES are an excellent value. When you buy an individual season pass, you’ll pay just $15 per program – a $3 saving per program, or comparable to attending two breakfasts FREE OF CHARGE. Season passholders have access to attendee contact list upon request, get two free guest passes to use during the year, and receive other special perks all year long. Savings + Special Perks = WIN-WIN! Call 330-458-2070 or visit www. cantonchamber.org to purchase your tickets today.
Every month, Fast Break attendees can obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities, hear a compelling speaker, meet new business contacts and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Plus, when you bring a door prize valued at $15 or more, you’ll receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business. Friday, Jan. 9 7 a.m. registration 7:30 a.m. program Courtyard by Marriott 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton Cost: $18 members $25 non-members RSVP by Jan. 7 About Marvin: As an experienced motivational speaker and professional sales training specialist for over 30 years, Montgomery has helped hundreds of organizations improve their productivity.
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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UPCOMING EVENTS Deadline nearing for Business Excellence Award Nominations Nominations for Stark County’s most prestigious business awards are due by Jan. 23, 2015. Help the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce recognize area leading companies by nominating them for the preeminent business awards in the region. The Business Excellence Awards recognize businesses that go above and beyond providing jobs and funding our economy, are on the cutting-edge of emerging technology, making capital investments to our area, dedicating resources to the community, and helping to make our region more appealing to business growth and relocation. Awards Eligibility: To be considered as a nominee for any of the 2015 Business Excellence Awards, businesses must be for-profit, non-publicly traded, and meet the criteria for the three award categories as noted below: •
Business Excellence Award salutes companies that have distinguished themselves with longevity, growth, innovation, and consistent involvement in the community. To be considered, the business must have a significant presence in and/ or provide substantial benefit to the citizens and economy of Stark County.
•
Business of the Year Award honors a single winner that has experienced growth in sales, employees or overall operations in the last full calendar year.
•
Emerge Award for Entrepreneurs celebrates a single outstanding entrepreneur who has been in business for five years or less in a new or innovative endeavor.
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For full eligibility information, or to nominate a company, please visit www. BusinessExcellenceAward.com. The Business Excellence Awards Committee is chaired by Louanne Kiko of KCS, LLC, with assistance from vice chairman Randy Smith of KeyBank. If you have questions regarding eligibility or the nomination process for the Business Excellence Awards or the Emerge Award, or are interested in sponsorship opportunities for this great event, please contact Melissa Elsfelder, interim event manager, at melissae@ cantonchamber.org or by phone at 330.458.2073. Remember, nomination deadline is Jan. 23, 2015. SAVE THE DATE! Honorees of this year’s awards will be recognized during the awards dinner scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at The Conference Center at Kent State Stark.
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
UPCOMING EVENTS Stir After Hours presented by Farmers National Bank: Love at the Onesto We admit it; we’re in love with our first Stir After Hours location in 2015! Join us on Feb. 10 for Stir After Hours Presented by Farmers National Bank, and be one of the first to experience an event at the glamorous Historic Onesto Lofts! You’ll enjoy quality business networking in their lobby and ballroom - restored to its original splendor - along with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beverages, wine and chocolate. It is Valentine’s week after all! Finally, Onesto staff will be on hand to provide tours of the residential lofts on the upper floors.
made them successful since 1887. Farmers takes a practical approach to your banking needs by offering a personal touch as well as the latest products and banking technologies. Learn more at www.farmersbankgroup.com. Tuesday, Feb. 10th 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Historic Onesto Lofts Canton, OH 44702 Cost: Free RSVP by Feb. 6th Street Parking and Bliss Parking Deck available
But you need to register quick, as this event is limited to the first 200 to sign up online at www.cantonchamber.org. We’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our sponsor for Stir After Hours in 2015: Farmers National Bank. Helping local businesses succeed is at the heart of what has
Support the Palace Theatre with a Corporate Membership for your company!
Individual Memberships make great employee gifts too!
T CONTAC ARN US TO LE MORE!
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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LEADERSHIP STARK COUNT Y Family Business Leadership Forum: An intergenerational discussion moderated by Amy Renkert of Greyledge Consulting Wednesday, January 14 7:30-9:30 a.m. at The Canton Club Event Center Cost: $35 per person For: Anyone employed in their family’s business; you do not need to be a Leadership graduate
Make reservations on line at LeadershipStarkCounty.org
Topics include: • Transition planning for the next generation • Ownership vs day-to-day decision making • Generational differences in the workplace
*Christophe Bernard, KPMG International Cooperative 2014
Why a Family Business Forum? Leadership’s alumni committee, chaired by Matt Halter of Solmet Technologies Inc, indicated interest in developing an educational training for alumni working in family businesses. A recent survey to gauge interest indicated strong interest from our alumni; few comments follow: • We are in the process of transitioning from generation to generation, so we are always looking for what worked for other businesses as well as what did not work. • I think that my business could use some expertise in getting employees in their right positions to be assets for the company. • It is always a plus to network with like-minded or “same boat” individuals as it makes it easier to share real life work experiences.
It was predicted that between 2010 and 2015 that nearly 40% of family businesses in America will be passing the reigns to the next generation*
Amy Renkert has built her career as both an internal and external consultant in the areas of organization and leadership development. Her experience in human systems has helped her clients integrate their leadership and career development, succession planning, training and performance management initiatives with their business strategy and culture. Her clients range from large multinationals to start up organizations and cover a wide variety of industries. Amy has also spent a significant portion of her career consulting with multi-generational family businesses on leadership, succession, family dynamics and organizational sustainability. Amy holds a Master of Science degree in Organizational Development from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College. Amy and her family reside in Canton where her husband Guy leads a 5th generation family business.
Baker, Dublikar, Beck, Wiley & Mathews attorneys at law
Telephone: (330) 499-6000 Telecopier: (330) 499-6423 400 SOUTH MAIN STREET NORTH CANTON, OHIO 44720 www.bakerfirm.com
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CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LEADERSHIP STARK COUNT Y Register Now - Government Leadership Academy Class begins February 3, 2015 There’s still time to sign up for the local Government Leadership Academy! Presented in partnership with the Ralph & Mary Regula Center for Public Service & Civic Engagement and the Stark County District Library, the Academy is a five-week course of leadership development and the political process. The Government Academy provides leadership development for: • Elected or appointed government officials •
Government employees
•
Members of local boards and commissions
•
Potential candidates
•
Those on political action committees
•
Any civic-minded citizens who want to learn more
Using the Gallup StrengthsFinder model, participants will take a leadership style assessment and learn to develop and use their leadership strengths. The curriculum is facilitated by Leadership staff and by Dr. Chet Bowling, Ohio State University Extension. Additional topics include: • Economic Development opportunities & techniques • Ohio Ethics Training • Regionalism: What does it mean for my area? • Shared Services workshop Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 3 through March 5, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and branches of the Stark County District Library. More information and registration is online at LeadershipStarkCounty.org. Course tuition is $395 and tuition assistance available for non-profit and government employees. Registrations accepted through Jan. 20, or until class fills.
The Government Leadership Academy is recommended by Phil Giavasis, chair, Stark County Democratic Party, and Jeff Matthews, chair, The Stark County Republican Party.
I would recommend this program, and other Leadership Stark County programs to anyone who believes in making a difference in our community. It is challenging to get people to work together, however these programs can provide a foundation for individuals to come together and learn how they can work together. It also gives you an appreciation for what goes on in your community, and the good work that is being done on a daily basis.
– Patrick Wyatt
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Thank you to our Maloney + Novotny LLC local attention.
ADVANTAGE CANTON funding partners:
Our team of specialists brings an unequaled combination of experience and commitment to provide you with value-added services.
AEP Ohio AultCare
Canton | 330.966.9400 Cleveland | 216.363.0100 Delaware| 740.362.9031 Elyria | 440.323.3200
Aultman Health Foundation
maloneynovotny.com
Chase
Charter One Bank Chesapeake Energy Corporation City of Canton Consumers National Bank Dominion East Ohio FedEx Custom Critical Fifth Third Bank FirstMerit Bank NA Hilscher-Clarke Electric Company Huntington Bank Kenan Advantage Group Kent State University at Stark KeyBank Malone University Mercy Medical Center Northeast Ohio Medical University PNC Bank Premier Bank and Trust The Belden Brick Company The M. Conley Company The Repository The Timken Company
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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YSTARK! Nominate Stark County’s talented young leaders for eighth annual awards: ystark! and The Repository present Twenty under 40! 2015 ystark! is seeking nominees for the eighth annual TWENTY UNDER 40! awards. The awards recognize 20 incredible young leaders who are actively making a positive impact in the county. “Who are we looking for? We’re looking for the region’s best young professionals. Our winners are those who are working to make Stark County the destination for young professionals to live, work and play through their work in the business community and the community at large, as well as doing incredible things in their careers,” said Eric Smer, director of ystark!. Eligible young professionals are between 21 and 40 years old, who work in all career industries, and live or work in Stark County. Full eligibility information and details on the nomination process are available at ystark.org. Winners of the 2015 award will be toasted at a gala awards celebration this June. The recognition of these deserving area young professionals is made possible by ystark! and The Repository, and sponsored (to date) by Aultman Health Foundation; Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A.; Robert J. - Events & Catering; Schauer Group; and The Timken Company. Nominations are being accepted now through Feb. 10. Nominate online at ystark.org.
Two New Attorneys at Black McCuskey Attorney Eric T. Francis is a graduate of Capital University Law School and practices in the areas of business, real estate and litigation. Attorney Ryan W. Maxwell graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law and focuses his practice in the area of litigation. Black McCuskey is a full-service law firm with over 20 attorneys.
Eric T. Francis
Our passion for what we do drives our dedication to legal excellence and our commitment to providing exceptional service sets us apart. Experience the difference.
Ryan W. Maxwell
CANTON 330.456.8341 | DOVER 330.364.6553 | BMSA.COM
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CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
We are all winners when we
LIVE UNITED.
WHAT THIS PLACE NEEDS IS
YOU.
EducationIncomeHealth
BRIDGING THE GAP. CREATING HOPE.
uwstark.org January.indd 1
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CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
12/19/2014 11:53:08 AM
YSTARK! & SAFET Y COUNCIL ystark! announces 2015 executive committee chair and vice chair ystark! is excited to announce that Cheli Curran, CEO, Domestic Violence Project, Inc., will serve as the 2015 chair of ystark!’s executive committee. Seth Turner, supervisor, Hall, Kistler and Company LLP, will serve as vice chair. Cheli Curran has been a ystark! member since 2011 and most recently served as the chair of a special ystark! urban core initiative, incorporating YPs into a segment of the Chamber’s strategic plan. Her personal accomplishments have been at length, including About Magazine’s “Movers and Shakers” of 2013 and a member of the Twenty under 40! class of 2011. Cheli is a graduate of the Leadership Stark County Spotlight Program and the Government Academy. She received both her BA and MBA from Walsh University. Her professional experiences have led from case manager, to specialist, to program director and now CEO, all within varying non-profits to assist families with community or workforce barriers. Cheli and her husband John live above the Joseph Saxton Gallery with their daughter Connor; combining Cheli’s passions for Downtown Canton, the Arts District and
family. These experiences will aid in Cheli’s ability to contribute to our executive committee in 2015 and beyond. Seth Turner joined ystark! in 2013 and quickly become an eliteengaged member, attending (literally) all our events and joining our executive committee as membership chair. He graduated from Stark State College and holds a license as a certified valuation analyst. Seth and his wife Susan live in Alliance with their daughter Chloe and son Trent. When he’s not professionally auditing or reviewing, he’s personally out reviewing his many favorite places in Stark County. With this, Seth brings a dynamic and complementing regional perspective to our volunteer leadership team.
Stark County Safety Council Monthly Luncheon Series: The Evolution and Financial Model of an Effective Wellness Program How do you maintain happy, healthy and productive employees? Organizations today are faced with many challenges such as rising healthcare costs and competitive markets. In order to stay ahead of the game and be successful, companies need to provide each employee a means to be successful as well. It sounds like common sense but these two things do not need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, providing an avenue for each individual to be successful will ultimately lead to a successful organization.
Thursday, Jan. 8 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Meyer’s Lake Ballroom 3218 Parkway St. NW, Canton $16 per person RSVP at www.starkcountysafetycouncil.com All attendees have a change to win a door prize provided by our spotlight company.
Mark Schwerdtfeger, Vice President of Sustainibility, Safety and Wellness, Shearer’s Foods, will share how a company wellness program can lead to happier and healthier employees, and a more successful organization. Spotlight Company:
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOME to our newest members, who joined Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in November. We encourage you to patronize their businesses. If you know of other businesses that would benefit from Chamber membership, please contact the Membership Department at (330) 458-2067. boldmedia+events by tracy (SOCIAL MEDIA - MARKETING) Tracy Steinbach 249 Bachtel St. SE North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 936-2321 www.boldmediaevents.com
Infinity Homes & Remodeling, LLC (CONTRACTORS - GENERAL) Brian St. Jean 1628 Blempton Rd. NW Massillon, OH 44646 (330) 412-6636 www.infinityhomesremodeling.com
Staybridge Suites (HOTELS & MOTELS) Ashley Walker 3879 Everhard Rd. NW Canton, OH 44709 (330) 966-6620 www.tmihospitality.com
City Church Canton (CHURCHES) Chris Dewar 2564 Clearview Ave. NW Canton, OH 44718 (330) 846-1822 www.citychurchcanton.com
Kames Sport Center (SPORTING GOODS - RETAIL AND/OR WHOLESALE) Matt Muhlbach 8516 Cleveland Ave. NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 499-4558 www.kamessports.com
Superior Speedie Portable Toilets (PORTA-JONS, SEPTIC & DRAIN SERVICE) Scott Savage 900 Killian Rd. Akron, OH 44312 (800) 475-0049 www.superiorportables.com
Jamie Dalesandro Photography LLC (PHOTOGRAPHERS PORTRAIT & WEDDING) Jamie Dalesandro 12825 Bayton St. NE Alliance, OH 44601 (330) 428-6571 www.jamiedalesandro.com El Patio Mexican Grill (RESTAURANTS) Jose Reyes 4123 W. Tuscarawas St. Canton, OH 44708 (330) 754-6581 www.elpatiomexicangrill.net esbe Designs (JEWELRY - HIGH FASHION) Michele Heston 9070 EagleView Circle NW Massillon, OH 44646 (330) 571-1328 www.esbedesigns.com/mheston FMC Technologies Measurement Solutions (OIL & GAS - SUPPLIERS) Jeremy Conklin 1485 Corporate Woods Parkway Uniontown, OH 44685 (330) 899-8840 www.FMCTechnologies.com Hattie Larlham (EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY) Shelia Adams 540 S Main St. - Suite 412 Akron, OH 44311 (330) 603-2096 www.hattielarlham.org
The Okonite Company (OIL & GAS - SUPPLIERS) Nicholas A. Jones 3926 Clock Pointe Trail Stow, OH 44224 (330) 760-1293 www.okonite.com Outside In Homescaping, LLC (INTERIOR DECORATORS & DESIGNERS - LANDSCAPING & MAINTENANCE & DESIGN) Becky Robbins 6933 Portage St. NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 353-3848 www.outsideinhomescaping.com PPG Architectural Coatings (PAINT - RETAIL) Mark Lunn 315 E. Market Street Akron, OH 44304 (330) 351-0524 www.ppgpro.com
That Handyman (HANDYMAN SERVICE) Stacy & Jason Hoffman 2015 Markley St. NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 806-5546 www.that-handyman.com West Side Bakery (CATERERS – BAKERIES) Melonie Witner 2303 W. Market St. Akron, OH 44313 330-836-4101 www.thewestsidebakery.com West Side Bakery of Green (CATERERS - BAKERIES) Melonie Witner 1840 Town Park Plaza Uniontown, OH 44685 (330) 899-9968 www.thewestsidebakery.com
S.A. Comunale Co., Inc. (FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & SAFETY SUPPLIES FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS) Heather L. Conley 2900 Newpark Dr. Barberton, OH 44203 (330) 706-3049 www.comunale.com
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BIZ BITZ Connie Collings, president of the Stark County Real Estate Investors Association was elected to the Executive Board of the Ohio Real Estate Investors Association (OREIA). Rose D. Sloat of The Learning Service, Ltd. and Life’s Journey Magazine has attained (for the second time) the highest award from Toastmasters International. The award is The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). Toastmasters is an international organization with over 300,000 members worldwide. Only 1% of Toastmasters attain this highest level. Stark State College oil and gas students will receive $115,000 in scholarship funding as part of a $20 million Chevron Corp. initiative aimed at training a new generation of energy sector workers in the Marcellus and Utica shale regions. Chevron, the world’s ninth-largest energy company, is working with nonprofits to fund science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classes and improve workforce training in counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio. “With an historic disconnect between job-seekers and the jobs that are available, this gift will enable us to offer training to even more students who will be prepared for well-paying careers in fields where demand for workers is high,” said Dr. Para Jones, president of Stark State College. Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh Law Firm is pleased to announce that Eric T. Francis and Ryan W. Maxwell have recently passed the Ohio bar examination and are now associate attorneys at the firm. Francis practices in the areas of business, real estate and litigation while Maxwell focuses on the litigation practice area. Francis graduated from Capital University Law School, in Columbus, Ohio, with his Juris Doctor Degree in 2014. While attending law school, he was a law clerk for a local law firm dealing with primarily workers’ compensation and personal injury issues.
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Additionally, he had the opportunity to participate in a legal externship with the Ohio Attorney General’s Environmental Enforcement Section concentrating on environmental and procedural research. Maxwell graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 2011. While at law school, he served as president and inaugural vice president of the Chase Student Advocacy Society; participated in the Kentucky Innocence Project; and participated in a variety of other programs. Day Ketterer, LTD, is pleased to announce that Thomas L. Scanlon as joined the firm as an Associate in its Litigation and Business Law Practice Groups. Scanlon received his Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law in 2014 where he graduated second in his class and served on the Akron Law Review Editorial Board. While in law school, Scanlon served as a Summer Associate at Day Ketterer and worked closely with the firm’s attorneys on issues related to contracts, education law, insurance disputes, oil and gas law, and property law. Prior to attending law school, Scanlon graduated from Walsh University with his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance. He grew up in Youngstown and currently resides in North Canton. Families making college decisions can have many of their questions answered when “Malone on the Road” travels to regional churches and youth group meetings throughout Spring semester, beginning January of 2015. The event is tailored to fit traditional Sunday evening youth group programming or weekend “5th-quarter” activities. The evening includes games/activities by Malone students, a time of musical worship and testimony, by The Road Worship Band, or an evening of drama but The Malone University Chancel Players, followed by pizza and soft drinks. High school and junior high students can talk with college students about majors available and life as a Malone student. University personnel will also be on hand to answer questions. To book Malone on the Road, contact the Department of Admissions at 330-4718145 or 1-800-521-1146.
Mercy Medical Center Heart Center recently received the Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Bronze Quality Achievement Award. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation recognized Mercy for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the secondary prevention guidelines for the treatment of heart failure patients. Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure is a quality improvement program that helps hospital teams provides the most up-todate, research-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients. Bruner Cox LLP and affiliate, BC Business Solutions, Ltd. are pleased to announce the following promotions: • Steven J. Kehr, CPA, MBA, assurance services manager •
Christy L. Erb, CPA, assurance services manager
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Navneet Kaur, CPA, MBA, tax manager
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W. Ben Seeley, JD, CPA, MT, tax manager
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Lisa A. Sturgill, assurance services senior associate
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Jamie L. Schmidt, CPA, tax senior associate
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Anthony T. Wey, CPA, managing director, BC Business Solutions, Ltd.
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David M. Supelak, CPA, MT, director, BC Business Solutions, Ltd.
With offices in Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Bruner Cox LLP is a full-service certified public accounting and business consulting firm.
Have business news you’d like to share via Biz Bitz? Send your news release to Collyn Floyd, director of marketing, at collynf@cantonchamber.org.
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First Friday: Frozen www.cantonartsdistrict.com First Friday is a monthly party in the downtown Canton Arts District featuring themed music, performance and visual arts events. Rain or shine, year ‘round.
First Friday, Jan. 2 6 to 10 pm Downtown Canton Arts District Cost: Free!
January Stark County Safety Council Luncheon www.starkcountysafetycouncil.com With Mark Schwerdtfeger, Vice President – Sustainability, Safety and Wellness, Shearer’s Foods.
Thursday, Jan. 8 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Meyer’s Lake Ballroom $16 per person
January AultCare Fast Break Breakfast www.cantonchamber.org With Marvin “the Sales Doctor” Montgomery, Author/Motivational Speaker & Professional Sales & Customer Service Trainer
Friday, Jan. 9 7 a.m. registration 7:30 a.m. program Courtyard by Marriott in North Canton Cost: $18
Family Business Leadership Forum www.leadershipstarkcounty.org An intergenerational discussion moderated by Amy Renkert of Greyledge Consulting. For anyone employed in their family’s business; you do not need to be a Leadership graduate. yu! Alumni Mixer www.ystark.org Whether you’re a Cavalier, Golden Flash, Pioneer, or whatever, show your alumni pride with ystark! and local campus hosts for a night of networking.
Wednesday, Jan. 14 7:30 - 9:30 am The Canton Club Event Center $35 per person
Tuesday, Jan. 20 5:30 – 7:30 pm Walsh University, Barrette Center Cost: $15
#YPvoice Public Forum www.ystark.org Share your YP perspective with czb LLC (the City of Canton Comprehensive Plan consultants), members of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and local public officials.
Monday, Jan. 26 5:30 – 7 pm Bender’s Tavern Cost: Free
Stir After Hours Presented by Farmers National Bank www.cantonchamber.org Join us for the first Stir After Hours networking event of the year at the Historic Onesto Lofts in downtown Canton.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 5:30 – 7:30 pm Historic Onesto Lofts Cost: Free
Please make reservations for all of our Chamber events online at CantonChamber.org (unless otherwise directed above), or call (330) 458-2070. Thank you for registering in advance!
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