Columbus CEO - Spring 2023 issue

92 of Central Ohio’s best employers, ranked by their own workers

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Cover photo by TIM JOHNSON

62 E. Broad St., P.O. Box 1289

Columbus, Ohio 43216

Phone: 614-540-8900 • Fax: 614-461-8746

ColumbusCEO.com

VOLUME 32 / NUMBER 1

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR

Julanne Hohbach

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Dave Ghose

Emma Frankart Henterly

Joel Oliphint

DESIGN & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION/DESIGN DIRECTOR

Betsy Becker

PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR

Tim Johnson

ADVERTISING

MULTIMEDIA SALES EXECUTIVES

Michelle Crossman

Tia Hardman

Jackie Thiam

CLASSIFIED SALES

Amy Vidrick

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Rebecca Zimmer

MARKETING

MARKETING MANAGER

Lauren Reinhard

8

8 Profile

Colleen Marshall is in a league of her own—a broadcaster with credibility, longevity and no plans to retire, even in an uncertain media business.

14 Tech Talk

Synota aims to leverage bitcoin technology.

18 Higher Education

Learn what’s new in local MBA programs.

23 Columbus Legal Guide

Browse a directory of 106 Central Ohio law firms.

95 Health Watch

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Columbus CEO (ISSN 1085-911X) is published quarterly by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2023, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials. Known address of publication is 62 E. Broad St., P.O. Box 1289, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, Ohio, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Columbus CEO, P.O. Box 460,160 Escondido, CA 92046

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16 CEO of the Year

Celebrating the winners of our 12th annual awards

Inside the booming business of e-bikes

95

Photo by Tim Johnson

Photo by Tim Johnson

Editor’s Notes

* jhohbach@ColumbusCEO.com

Lessons from Our 2023 Top Workplaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things about the modern workplace, but employees still value many of the same things: pay commensurate with their jobs, good benefits, a positive environment, and flexibility to balance work and family life.

Such factors don’t just help create a positive culture and make employees feel appreciated. They also help organizations attract and retain talent, which in turn can ultimately drive performance and impact the bottom line.

Columbus CEO is proud to recognize 92 local organizations that excel in these areas and more as part of our Top Workplaces 2023 awards.

This is the 11th year that CEO has partnered with Energage, an Exton, Pennsylvania-based workplace research firm, to present the awards.

Since 2007, Energage has partnered with more than 60 publications across the country to recognize top-performing employers via feedback from more than 27 million employees.

Winners are ranked by Energage based on results of employee surveys from organizations who nominate themselves for the program. (Read

more about the process on Page 2 of the Top Workplaces supplement in this issue.)

As part of the wide-ranging survey, workers weigh in on five “positivity measures,” ranging from what they think about their company’s values to whether they feel included, appreciated and a part of something meaningful.

Employees also rate various facets of company leadership, performance, feelings of connection, and salary and benefits.

Top-scoring areas this year were:

• 80 percent of respondents agree their organization is going in the right direction.

• 75 percent say their job makes them feel like they are part of something meaningful.

• 74 percent have confidence in the leader of their company.

• 74 percent feel genuinely appreciated.

• 73 percent say their employer enables them to work at their full potential. But even the best organizations have room to improve.

• Only 63 percent believe their manager cares about their concerns.

• 60 percent feel that their manager

helps them learn and grow.

• 53 percent t hink their pay is fair for the work they do.

• 53 percent say they have the flexibility to balance work and personal life.

• 36 percent say their benefits package is good compared to others in their industry.

That road map is useful not only for this year’s winners, but all organizations that aim to be top-level employers of choice.

In addition to the 92 Central Ohio award winners, multiple local organizations were named as Top Workplaces USA, a national recognition that is also based on results from employee surveys. You’ll find that list in the supplement, too.

Congratulations to all of our 2023 honorees, who will be recognized at an April 19 awards ceremony at COSI.

Thanks for reading.

Julanne Hohbach Managing Editor

We teach like they’re tomorrow’s leaders. Because they are.

It’s our job to make sure she’s ready. We ignite curiosity, learn voraciously and live with intention so she can take the world head on.

We invite you to tour our world.

thrive.

By MOLLY WILLOW

Media Maven

After nearly four decades on the air in Columbus, Colleen Marshall is in a league of her own—a broadcaster with credibility, longevity and no plans to retire, even in an uncertain media business.

Colleen Marshall keeps gummy bears in her desk drawer, just in case.

On a typical day, the longtime Channel 4 anchorwoman arrives at the station by 2:30 p.m. and doesn’t leave until after the late news, pushing midnight. She has a steady rotation of carryout dinner orders from restaurants near the station on Olentangy River Road. Lots of salads. (She is a woman on television, after all.) On Thursdays between newscasts, she records The Spectrum, the longest-running political news show in Central Ohio. Sometimes, a day with no breaks between writing, editing, interviewing, reporting and delivering the news means Lunchables for dinner. Or gummy bears.

For her entire career, including 38 years with WCMH-TV (NBC4), Marshall’s life has taken place between newscasts. Today, as the stature of local television news and traditional media has eroded due to people finding news elsewhere—or not bothering to look for it at all— Marshall’s dedication to her craft has not. At 66 years old, an age when

many are exploring pickleball or Florida, she shows no signs of slowing down. On air each weeknight for the 6, 7 and 11 o’clock news, she’s missed a lot of sunsets and family dinners, but no one could say she’s missed out. “I still love this job. I’m still challenged by the stories that I can work on and the people I can interview. There’s always something I can do that I’ve never done before,” she says.

Marshall is among the best-known and most-respected journalists in Columbus today, partly due to attrition as print journalists continue to face layoffs and existential dread. But to reduce her career to her remarkable longevity would ignore her

journalistic chops. Michael Fiorile had a view of Marshall for 25 years in his various leadership roles with the Dispatch Printing Co. and Dispatch Broadcast Group, former owners of NBC4 rival WBNS-10TV. He says Marshall’s reputation is beyond reproach. “She’s a terrific anchor, and the station is lucky to have been able to keep her as long as they have.”

She’s won countless awards, covered political conventions and the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terror attack from New York City, interviewed President Barack Obama (twice) and even talked notorious curmudgeon David Letterman into an interview while visiting his show with Jack Hanna. Her recent investigative

Colleen Marshall in the WCMH-TV studios in February

series “Culture of Cover-Up,” which examined the abuse of hundreds of students at Ohio State University by Dr. Richard Strauss, earned her a 2020 National Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for hard news feature and helped give voice to many of his victims. Her reporting also caught the eye of the team working on HBO’s George Clooney-produced documentary on the scandal; she’s scheduled to be interviewed for it.

You may also recall hearing something about Marshall being a lawyer—she is. She earned her law degree from Capital University in 2004, attending classes before going to the station each day. While anchoring, she

About Colleen Marshall

TV anchor at NBC4; host of the weekly political program The Spectrum; attorney (part time)

Age: 66

Previous: Attorney with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur and Massucci Law Group

Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Point Park University; law degree, Capital University Law School

Community involvement: Alzheimer’s Association Central Ohio Chapter, Area Agency on Aging, Mid-Ohio Food Collective and others

Resides: Hilliard

Family: Marshall and her husband, Gary Marshall, have two adult children, Garrett and Shannon.

practiced law for 16 years, working from 8:30 a.m. to midnight, first at Porter Wright and then four years of family law with Massucci Law Group, before scaling back. “I always had an interest in the law,” she says of her decision to earn her degree. “I also thought, quite honestly, I was getting to the age when I was going to be too old to be on the air.

“I was 44.”

And now: “I think I’m the oldest woman on the air in Ohio. It’s not a point of pride, but it is what it is.”

She has more than three years left on her contract with the station and no retirement plans.

Revenue and Ratings Rebound

When Marshall joined WCMH as a general assignment reporter in 1984, the national NBC nightly news was drawing an 11.1 rating, according to Pew Research Center. Thirty years later, it was barely half that at 6.2, a decline seen across all broadcast networks. Locally, from 2007 to 2016, the average audience for late-night newscasts declined 31 percent, according to Pew’s “State of the News Media.”

(In 2016, Media General sold WCMH and its other stations to Nexstar Media Group, the largest local TV news

company in the country.) Revenue during that time has remained relatively strong, in part due to retransmission fees—the fees paid by cable and satellite systems to carry local channels—and boosts from advertising during election years. In late February, Nexstar, a public company based in Irving, Texas, reported record-setting revenue of $1.49 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022, with net income of $178 million, driven by strong political advertising, $266 million, during the midterm elections.

In 2020, as people were stuck inside and looking for information about the pandemic and the presidential election, they went back to their TV sets: Evening news viewership increased 4 percent. Marshall had already been solo anchoring following the 2019 stroke of her “buddy,” longtime WCMH anchor Mike Jackson, when the world began to shut down. The station wanted someone trusted and familiar on-air. Marshall reported to work every day, part of a skeleton crew.

Ever the advocate for truth, Marshall remains frustrated by the way the COVID-19 pandemic was politicized. “I will never understand how we allowed this medical crisis to become a political point. Why can’t we try to take care of each other?

“This is the Trump effect, when you have the president of the United States saying, ‘It’s going to just go away,’ and not wearing a mask and not advocating for protocols. It just set us on this dangerous path.” (A November 2020 Washington Post story cataloged 40 times then-President Trump said COVID-19 would go away.)

She bristles at anyone who might perceive bias in use of facts. See: her moment of virality in January, when a clip of Marshall fact-checking Ohio Right to Life president Mike Gonidakis in real time on The Spectrum racked up more than 40,000 views on Twitter.

She points to MSNBC and Fox News, which both have a mix of news and opinion programming that can be hard to distinguish. “Their evening programming is really entertainment. It’s controversial, slanted, biased

Photo by Tim Johnson

A headshot of Marshall from 1984, her first year at NBC4

NBC4 anchors Cabot Rea and Colleen Marshall tap hands on the set after an October 2011 broadcast.

Marshall in her old law firm office

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman (left) talks with Marshall and NBC4’s Cabot Rea before a press conference for Red, White & Boom in 2015.

The Columbus

Marshall and other station personalities at an NBC4 Firefighters for Kids Toy Drive

information, but they’re sitting on a news desk, and they have graphics that look like news graphics and they look like news anchors. So that is being put out into the universe. And people believe it as if it’s legitimate news, and it confuses them.

“I think local news tries so hard to not be biased and to not have an agenda when we go on the air, but we’re painted wit h that very broad brush.”

Eddith Dashiell, director of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, thinks about this a lot. In lamenting a need for information literacy, she refers to her students. “I think their definition of news is: information that interests me. Not information that they need to know or information in the public good.”

This weighs on Mike Curtin. He retired in 2011 after 38 years with The Columbus Dispatch, as reporter, editor and eventually associate publisher. In a 2019 speech at Kenyon College titled “The Fall of Newspapers and the Rise of Fake News,” the newspaperman gave a research-heavy requiem—citing those Nielsen numbers mentioned earlier in this story—for the medium he had loved since he was an 11-year-old with a Citizen-Journal paper route.

He examined the “profound shifts in the business model for news, and the effects these shifts are having on our need for basic facts necessary for the functioning of a self-governing society.”

“TV is still very important, because opinion leaders watch TV,” Curtin says in an interview. “For my money, there’s two places that matter: TV and online—not disparaging [print] newspapers, because what gets traffic is news stories.”

Despite teaching a class about the future of media, Dashiell readily admits it’s hard to predict. “Good journalism is good journalism. That’s what we try to focus on, because we don’t know what the platforms are going to be five years from now.”

Her students still want to be on camera, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to traditional formats.

“There’s still a demand to want to be on television, but they define television differently. That camera may not necessarily be in a TV news studio; it might be their living room,” she says.

Work-Life Balance

Marshall started at WCMH when she was 28 and had already been working in newsrooms since college. Her version of work-life balance sounds nuts to today’s graduates. “Young people get into this business, and they say, ‘Oh, I have to work holidays? I have to work nights? I have to work weekends?’ They are going somewhere else wit h probably more money and a better lifestyle,” Marshall says.

The local news lifestyle is a doozy.

When Adair retired in 1994, Cabot Rea joined Marshall at the anchor desk, but he also had young children, so the anchors traded off going home to parent between newscasts. In 1997, Gary retired from the station and started renovating houses, on his own schedule.

When Rea retired in 2015 at age 60, Mike Jackson replaced him at the anchor desk, and Marshall clicked with her longtime co-worker. “He was as close as I’ve ever had to having a work brother,” Marshall says. “Cabot and I also got along really well, but Mike and I were really close. He used to call me his ‘work boo.’”

Jackson was still dealing with the effects of his stroke when he was diagnosed with cancer; late last year, he announced that he had lost his ability to speak. In February, he was receiving hospice care. “He was a presence in this room,” Marshall recalls, getting choked up. “I’m so hyper and all over the place, and he was always calm.”

Committed to the Community

In 1992, Marshall was initially conflicted about accepting the weekday anchor job when it was offered because her children were kindergarten-aged. Her husband, Gary, was a news photographer at the station at the time. He told her they’d make it work and somehow, they did.

For five years, Gary would work from 4 a.m. to noon and Colleen would handle mornings at home in the summer. Then during the school year, the late longtime anchor Doug Adair offered up his dinner hour so Colleen would have time for the trip back home to Hilliard for bedtime. “I would go home, I would work on homework, I would do baths, I would get their projects ready, I would tuck them in. And then I would come back to work.”

Colleen Marshall likes to put her nervous energy to work. “She says yes to everything,” jokes Kerry Charles, who was hired in 2020 to replace Jackson. “I think, frankly, Colleen does more than she tells us sometimes,” agrees her boss, general manager Ken Freedman.

Among the organizations she works with are the Area Agency on Aging and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, for which the station runs an annual fundraiser. She was on the board of the Columbus Metropolitan Club for more than a decade.

On April 27, she’ll be honored at the YWCA Women of Achievement luncheon for all of the above: volunteer, lawyer, journalist, advocate.

Vince McGrail, executive director and CEO of the Central Ohio chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, was among those who wrote a recommendation letter for Marshall. “Colleen is doing more to drive awareness of this disease than anyone in Central Ohio,” he says.

I think I’m the oldest woman on the air in Ohio. It’s not a point of pride, but it is what it is.”

Colleen Marshall

Marshall speaks openly and frequently about her mother’s Alzheimer’s journey. “I always share this story: We did not know what to do when my mom got sick. … The Alzheimer’s Association, every step of the way, told me what to expect, told us what to do, how to make it easier, how to talk to her. So I will always support the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Also, I’m afraid I’m going to get Alzheimer’s. Aren’t we all?”

Such openness is one of Marshall’s hallmarks. “I want to be the person that I am, whether I’m on the air or off the air.”

McGrail sees this each year at the organization’s annual fundraiser, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, taking place in Columbus this year on Sept. 24 at Columbus Commons, where Marshall is always a presence. “It’s amazing on Walk day, the people who want to thank her and get a selfie. … She’s a news celebrity, people know her, but they’re thanking her for what she does for this cause,” he says.

Marshall won four of her eight Emmy Awards for her health program “I

Want To Go Home: A Journey

Through Alzheimer’s,” which documented her mother’s decade-long struggle with the disease.

“Anything we ask of her, she says yes,” McGrail says. “She knows everybody: members of Congress, former members of Congress, heads of hospitals. She lives this; it’s not just something she does for appearances on the air.”

A stack of McGrail’s business cards sits on the edge of her desk, ready to be shared.

Such investment in the community among longtime anchors or reporters is a big benefit to a station, Fiorile says. Local TV news viewership is often driven by lead-in programming, but also by habit. People learn to trust familiar faces and keep coming back … at least that’s how it used to work. Today, people don’t necessarily seek out news in the same places. Pointing to shrinking print circulation, Fiorile sees the same in broadcast, but notes its inherent advantage over print: It’s still basically free.

Acknowledging the “tremendous upheaval and fragmentation and choice” in today’s media landscape, omnipresence is part of Freedman’s current approach at Channel 4, the only local station that has a 4 p.m. newscast. Eight years ago, Freedman says, WCMH had 35 hours of content per week. This year, it has 60. “Part of our strategy is, we know you’re probably not going to watch every one of our newscasts, although we’d love it if you did, but we’re going to be on at a time that’s hopefully convenient for our viewers’ lives,” he says.

“I still believe in what we do, and I believe in the future of local journalism. It’s changing, and we have to change with it. We have to be flexible and agile; we experiment with livestreaming and social media stories. It’s a challenge, but we still have got a trusted brand.”

Looking Ahead

Colleen Marshall is at the heart of NBC4’s brand. Still. Even though she’s been eligible for Social Security for more than four years. Her birthdays used to bother her, but loss helped shape her perspective. “One year I was complaining about my birthday, and then I thought, my God, Mike Bowersock would have loved this.”

Bowersock was a reporter and anchor for WCMH from 1989 to 1994, then again from 2004 to 2016. He died

after a fall down stairs in 2016 at the age of 56. “It really changed the way I looked at my birthday,” she says.

Like most things, Marshall now has a sense of humor about her age. “We tell stories of people, and we call them elderly. I’ve told everybody in the newsroom: No one is ‘elderly’ until they’re 10 years older than whatever age I happen to be,” she says with her full-throated laugh.

When Marshall celebrated 35 years at the station three years ago, her colleagues made her a poster to celebrate. It featured her different hair styles throughout the years, all on a continuum of her natural brown, with various permutations of bangs and layering. Now, she says, her dyed roots are snow

Continued on Page 98

Gov. John Kasich answers questions from Marshall during a Columbus Metropolitan Club luncheon in December 2018.

FILE/Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch

Marshall keeps a photo of her along with longtime co-anchor Mike Jackson that was taken New Year’s Eve 1999 during the Y2K scare.

Photo by Tim Johnson

Marshall conducts a Zoom interview for a story.

Photo by Tim Johnson

Marshall discusses stories with reporter Eric Halperin.

Photo by Tim Johnson

Marshall is a regular participant in the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Marshall in the WCMH studios

FILE/Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch

An undated photo of Marshall in the NBC4 studios

Marshall jokes with anchor Cierra Johnson in the NBC4 newsroom.

Photo by Tim Johnson

BY CYNTHIA BENT FINDLAY

Speed of Light

Industry veteran Austin Mitchell

To boot, because it is a complicated industry with many producers feeding into a hyper-complex grid network, there is a valuable flow of energy-production data, but that data is disconnected from the payment process and the energy itself.

The word “bitcoin” conjures up images of wild speculation in a mysterious, unregulated currency.

But Austin Mitchell sees t he possibilities as a tool for value transfer. His new company, Synota, aims to use bitcoin technology to speed the flow f money and information within the energy industry.

In doing so, Synota aims to grease financial transactions and catalyze the transition to clean electric power generation. “In my time in the industry, I’ve seen the value chain in its entirety. Aspects of the physical side have become very efficient and gotten digitized over the last 20 years, but the financial side is still stuck in analog,” says Mitchell, the company’s co-founder and CEO.

The first problem Synota solves is a cash flow one, he says. Mitchell explains that while electricity generation and distribution have “gone digital” over the past 20 years, the way utility companies get paid has not. Power companies and grid managers can see customers’ utilization instantly, but they still only get paid for usage once a month: 30 days after their 30-day billing cycle.

Mitchell, who has experience in the electricity sector, estimates around 10 percent of the total cost for energy is due to financial inefficiency in the industry.

Synota proposes a solution by which energy producers can get paid in real time via a series of bitcoin transactions—and the proprietary process would knit together value streams, as well. “It’s useful for utilities, for users and for policymakers to know how you consume energy and when—so your data matters. Then there are the environmental attributes of the energy itself. It matters more and more if electrons are produced at a coal plant or solar farm,” Mitchell says. “Our software takes those four value streams and links them into one system, so when electrons move, money moves, data moves, environmental attributes move.”

Synota rapidly moves data and money by transacting on bitcoin’s Lightning Network. Bitcoin is employed for just fractions of a second, as a technology for instantaneous value transfer.

Mitchell, who earned a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, has worked in multiple roles in the electricity industry, including transmission and generation. By mid-2021, he’d begun to focus on the nagging gap between data and financial flow and pondered how blockchain could solve that problem.

By year’s end, he’d formed a network of industry peers and Synota was born. The company has some big fans. Led by Ego Death Capital, a bitcoin-centered venture capital firm, Synota raised $3 million in a round that closed in September 2022.

Mitchell says the company will spend 18 months building and

executing solutions for beta clients in the bitcoin mining industry, which uses significant amounts of electricity.

As for t he future, Mitchell says the data revolution Synota hopes to lead will be more than a moneysaving widget. Giving policymakers and industry more granular data on how and where clean energy needs to move, and how customers use it, will be a revolutionary change in how the industry operates—one that Mitchell says will be vital to an equitable transition to clean energy.

Cynthia Bent Findlay is a freelance writer.

Synota co-founder and CEO Austin Mitchell Courtesy Synota

“It’s useful for utilities, for users and for policymakers to know how you consume energy and when.”

Austin Mitchell

launches Synota to expedite payments and data within the energy sector.

PHOTOS BY DAN TRITTSCHUH

CEO of the Year 2022

Columbus CEO celebrated our 12th annual CEO of the Year honorees at an awards ceremony held Jan. 25, 2023, at COSI. About 250 attendees were on-hand to congratulate our four winners and 11 finalists and to hear a leadership panel with Matthew Goldstein, Stephanie Hightower and Jane Scott, moderated by Bill LaFayette of Regionomics.

Thank you to our sponsors: Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, Champion Companies, COSI, IMPACT Community Action and Regionomics.

1 Some of our 2022 CEO of the Year honorees

2 Jane Scott, Bill LaFayette, Chris Scott

3 Matthew Goldstein, Rachel Lustig, Michael Corey 4 Francie Henry, Charlie Henry, Shannon Kelly 5 Brandon Nelson, Stephanie Hightower, Terry Esper 6 Elizabeth Blount McCormick, Lee McCormick 7 Garth Weithman, Lori Gillett, Joanna M. Pinkerton 8 Oyauma Garrison, Robert “Bo” Chilton, Henry Davis, Shameikia Smith 9 Helen Liebman, Janet Chen, Tom Battenberg 10 Stephanie Gostomski, Fabian Padamadan, Marshell Arnold

MBA Evolution Higher Education

have to move, they don’t have to quit their jobs—so, many, many schools have gone into that space.

BY TIM FERAN

As with so many things in business and society, the COVID-19 pandemic caused or hastened significant changes in MBA programs, both nationally and locally.

“It’s really interesting,” says Caryn Beck-Dudley, president and CEO of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. “It used to be a pretty general rule that someone with an engineering or English degree would get an MBA,” and go on to a career as a business executive. “But in the past three or four years, that’s changed.”

At many schools, enrollment has declined, the student body has become more diverse, and more candidates are opting for flexible MBA and specialized master’s programs that focus on real-world skills. The biggest change:

“We’ve seen a huge increase in online programs,” Beck-Dudley says.

According to data from the AACSB’s 2021–22 Business School Questionnaire, 47,353 students were enrolled in fully online programs during that time frame. That figure, drawn from 288 schools, includes students in both full- and part-time MBA programs. It’s a phenomenal increase from 10 or 15 years ago. In 2008, for example, only 68 schools offered online business degrees, according to test prep company Princeton Review, and many of those were second- and third-tier programs.

Today, “we’re seeing the likes of Wharton, Berkeley in that space,” Beck-Dudley says. “When I was dean at Santa Clara University, it was very controversial with the faculty. But it allows flexibility to students—they don’t

“We don’t see it as much in Executive MBA programs, however—in those programs aimed at those students 10, 15 years out from college. During the pandemic they had to move online, but many have moved back, and some are hybrid, because the Executive MBA really values human interaction.”

The hot job market has been a double-edged sword at business schools. On one hand, potential students may see a chance to move up without spending time and money getting an MBA; on the other, potential students can view this moment as an opportunity to upgrade or retool their skills and make themselves even more attractive to future employers.

“We thought we’d see a decline [in enrollment], which usually happens when the job market is hot,” Beck-Dudley says. “But over 2017 to 2022, we have seen about a 2 percent increase. That’s not huge, but it’s not a decline. That’s all business schools, not just MBAs.”

As students seek more flexibility and specialization, business schools are responding with online offerings, as well as focuses in analytics and diversity.

What has changed, though, is a shift in areas of specialization.

“Business analytics has become very, very popular,” Beck-Dudley says. “Students are moving away from more traditional areas and toward anything in the data area, and a little bit in supply chain. Part of that, of course, is because that’s where the jobs are.

“A lot of MBA programs stack credentials on top of the degree,” with a credential in project management, for example. “We’re seeing people using credentialing a lot more strategically.”

The newest generation of students also looks different from the past. Where a typical business student used to be a white man, most programs are trying to get closer to parity in their mix of men and women, and in attracting a wider range of races and ethnicities.

“For a long time, MBA programs lagged behind medical schools and law schools [in demographic mix], but we’re now seeing a definite increase,” Beck-Dudley says. While

MBA programs nationally remain 55.3 percent white, the percent of students who identify as African American, Asian American and Hispanic has been steadily rising.

Perhaps because of that, students’ interests have evolved beyond focusing strictly on how to make money. “This new generation of students is more interested in societal impact,” Beck-Dudley says. “That’s why we’re starting to see business schools focusing on one or two societal impact issues in their courses. It’s refreshing. I used to teach a business ethics course [years ago] and, I’ll tell you, it was a hard sell.”

OSU Fisher College

Locally, MBA programs reflect national trends, although with some variations.

At the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, for example, “we had a strategic plan for online,” says Aravind Chandrasekaran, associate dean for graduate programs and

executive education. “The pandemic just accelerated it.”

While Fisher is best known for its two-year, full-time MBA program, “we ended up launching an online MBA program that gives flexibility to students—online, in person or a mix. So there are opportunities for people who want to retool themselves.”

“It’s not like a Zoom teaching, though,” Chandrasekaran says. “We have very rigorous standards. We have designed state-of-the-art studios. Faculty come in and have conversations with students. Students appreciate a very structured learning environment.”

Because Ohio State is a land-grant university, “diversity is absolutely imperative,” Chandrasekaran says. “It’s improving, it’s changing, with the number of minorities and the number of women growing.” In total, 43 percent of students in the Fisher College class of 2024 are international, 32 percent are women and 9 percent identify as a member of a minority group.

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Following the national trend toward environmental and social responsibility, OSU has made some class offerings in diversity, equity and inclusion. “Students really value that,” Chandrasekaran says.

Franklin University

Franklin University, meanwhile, was an early adopter of online learning, so “even during the pandemic, our programs grew,” says Alyncia Bowen, dean of the Ross College of Business, executive director of the Franklin University Leadership Center and co-executive director of the Global Center for Healthcare Education.

“The great thing about Franklin is we were doing online 20-something years ago,” Bowen says. “So, as early adopters of distance learning, we were positioned well prior to the pandemic. At that point, we already offered 80 percent online, so on March 13 [2020, the start of the shutdown], we were able to flip to online very quickly and did that transition very smoothly.”

While Franklin continues to attract working adults, “the age has shifted a little,” Bowen says. “Although it’s still by and large 28 to 37 years old, as a result of the pandemic we’re seeing younger students come in.” Franklin is also seeing more diversity in its MBA student body, she says. The gender mix is close to half men and half women, and while “it’s still primarily Black and white, we’re getting a strong Asian [population increase], while our Latin is still small.”

In July 2022, Franklin added seven new specializations within its MBA program: business analytics, business psychology, finance, human resources, marketing, operational excellence and organizational leadership.

Capital University

Capital University was caught somewhat flat-footed by the pandemic, “so our [in-person] program became really out of step with expectations,” says Ryan Rieder, dean of the School of Management and Leadership.

Partly in response to that, last year Capital partnered with education research service EAB to do a self-study of its MBA program, which is leading Capital to add more flexibility to the school’s mix of online versus in-person teaching.

“What we’ve heard from employers is that employees couldn’t do full-semester classes,” entirely faceto-face, Rieder says. “So you’ll see in a course that’s seven weeks long, we’re moving to offering two weeks in person and the rest live online. With COVID, people got used to online education and working online. When I talked with employers for our study, they all want some sort of online option. We don’t need to be entirely online, but we need to have some flexibility.”

Capital is also seeing more diversity in MBA students, Rieder says. “More international students, more women, a lot of previously underserved communities, we’re seeing more interest,” he says.

In response, “we’re looking at adding graduate programs,” he says. “For instance, a sport business master’s degree. There are a couple pro sports teams in Columbus now, so there are a lot more opportunities.”

Capital is in the final stages of building its new program and plans to launch the MBA revamp in fall 2024. “People knew some changes were needed,” Rieder says, “and then COVID happened, and [it] stalled for several years. I feel good about where it’s at now.”

Intel Ahead

And then there’s the $20 billion elephant in the room. All three MBA programs anticipate a lot of opportunities for students, as well as for their schools.

“We’ve already had extensive meetings with Intel,” Chandrasekaran says. “Fisher can play a very important role,” not only in supplying the company with MBA graduates skilled in various areas, “but for their employees, there are educational opportunities at Ohio State.”

“We have a strong IT program,” Franklin’s Bowen says. “We are ready to generate potential employees, and we are preparing to launch an MBA in IT. I think when it comes to Intel, we’ll be ready.”

“So many jobs are going to be created,” Capital’s Rieder says. “I don’t know how many MBAs they’ll hire, but just the sheer amount of people means it’s a huge opportunity.”

The fact that all local business schools are paying close attention to Intel’s investment in Central Ohio is hardly surprising, Beck-Dudley says. “When I was dean in Santa Clara, because it was in Silicon Valley, we focused on that. In Ohio, you’ve had a big health care industry, so you served the needs of that industry. Now, with Intel coming in, they’ll focus on business analytics.

“Ohio’s got great universities. They will focus on what the employers want.”

Tim Feran is a freelance writer.

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2023 Columbus Legal Guide

Columbus CEO’s annual directory of firms features 106 options, from boutique practices to offices with more than 100 attorneys.

If your business needs legal counsel, it’s not always easy to find the right lawyer. One thing, though, is clear: Columbus CEO can help jump-start the search. Our 2023 Columbus Legal Guide features 106 listings for Central Ohio law firms, all of whom responded to our annual survey of multiple-attorney practices.

Information in the directory was submitted by firms that responded to the survey. Listings include the number of partners and full-time attorneys (including partners) in the Columbus region, up to three areas of practice and the office managing partner. From bankruptcy to health care to workers’ compensation, you’re sure to find a fit in whichever practice area you seek.

To be added to the contact list for the 2024 Columbus Legal Guide, send an email to pressreleases@columbusceo.com.

Allen Stovall

Neuman & Ashton LLP

10 W. Broad St., Suite 2400, Columbus 43215

614-221-8500

asnalaw.com

Partners: 6

FTE attorneys: 11

Practice areas: Bankruptcy; litigation; tax

Managing partner: Todd Neuman, administrative partner

Amy M. Levine & Associates Attorneys at Law LLC

3 S. High St., New Albany 43054

614-224-5291

ohiowvlaw.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Family law; bankruptcy; personal injury

Managing partner: Amy Levine

Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA

6740 Avery Muirfield Drive, Suite B, Dublin 43017

614-602-6550

aacolpa.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas:

Business; litigation;

estate planning

Managing partner: G. Gregory Arenstein

Arnold & Clifford LLP

115 W. Main St., Suite 400, Columbus 43215 614-460-1600

arnlaw.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas:

Business litigation; employment litigation; state and local taxation

Managing partner: James E. Arnold

Artz, Dewhirst & Wheeler LLP

560 E. Town St., Columbus 43215 614-221-0944

adwllp.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Family law; estate planning; probate

Managing partner: Terrence Wheeler

BakerHostetler

200 Civic Center Drive, Suite 1200, Columbus 43215 614-228-1541

bakerlaw.com

Partners: 33

Getty Images/Armmy Picca

FTE attorneys: 67

Practice areas: Business; litigation; tax

Managing partner: Mark Hatcher

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

41 S. High St., Suite 3300, Columbus 43215 614-628-0096

btlaw.com

Partners: 14

FTE attorneys: 24

Practice areas: Real estate; labor and employment; litigation

Managing partner: William A. Nolan

Barr, Jones and Associates LLP

150 E. Mound St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215

614-702-2222

barrjoneslegal.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas: Domestic relations; bankruptcy; criminal law

Managing partners: Andrew Jones and Jason Barr

Barrett, Easterday, Cunningham & Eselgroth LLP

7259 Sawmill Road, Dublin 43016

614-210-1840

ohiocounsel.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Commercial transactions; estate planning; dispute resolution

Managing partner: David C. Barrett Jr.

Becker & Lilly LLC

475 Metro Place S., Suite 150, Dublin 43027 614-469-4778

beckerlilly.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Estate planning; probate administration; business planning

Managing partner: Phillip G. Lilly

The Behal Law Group LLC

501 S. High St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-643-5050

behallaw.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Business law; divorce law; litigation

Managing partner: Bob Behal

Benesch

41 S. High St., Suite 2600, Columbus 43215 614-223-9300

beneschlaw.com

Partners: 22

FTE attorneys: 42

Practice areas: Health care; transportation; litigation

Managing partner: Frank Carsonie, partner in charge

Bergman & Yiangou

3099 Sullivant Ave., Columbus 43204

614-279-8276 byattorneys.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Bankruptcy; divorce; probate

Managing partner: Robert D. Bergman

Bluestone Law Group LLC

141 E. Town St., Columbus 43215 614-220-5900 bluestonelawgroup. com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Real property tax and exemptions; business/contract law; probate

Managing partner: Charles L. Bluestone, managing attorney

Brennan Manna Diamond 250 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300, Columbus 43215 614-246-7500

bmdllc.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Health care; litigation; cybersecurity

Managing partner: David Scott

Bricker & Eckler LLP

100 S. Third St., Columbus 43215 614-227-2300

bricker.com

Partners: 54

FTE attorneys: 96

Practice areas: Litigation; public sector; health care

Managing partner: Jim Flynn

Bridges, Jillisky, Weller & Gullifer LLC

302 S. Main St., Marysville 43040 937-644-9125

cfbjs.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Workers’ compensation; Social Security; personal injury

Managing partner: Matthew Weller

Brosius, Johnson & Griggs LLC

1600 Dublin Road, Suite 100, Columbus 43215 614-464-3563

bjglaw.net

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas: Real estate development; local government; condo/HOA/planned community

Managing partner: Calvin “Tom” Johnson Jr.

Buck & Fish Ltd. 3380 Tremont Road, Suite 110, Columbus 43221 614-538-2901

centralohio attorneys.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Collaborative divorce; family law; estate planning

Managing partner: Elaine S. Buck

Calfee, Halter &

Griswold LLP

1200 Huntington Center, 41 S. High St., Columbus 43215

614-621-1500

calfee.com

Partners: 7

FTE attorneys: 18

Practice areas: Corporate and finance; intellectual property; litigation

Managing partner: Leah Pappas

Porner, partner-incharge and chair, government relations and legislation

practice group

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

950 Goodale Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus 43212 614-228-6135

cpmlaw.com

Partners: 16

FTE attorneys: 16

Practice areas: Business law; estate planning; litigation

Managing partner: Jane Higgins Marx

Carpenter Lipps LLP

280 N. High St., Suite 1300, Columbus 43215

614-365-4100

carpenterlipps.com

Partners: 20

FTE attorneys: 36

Practice areas: Litigation; public policy; energy

Managing partner: Michael H. Carpenter

Carroll, Ucker & Hemmer

175 S. Third St., Suite 200,

Columbus 43215

614-954-0070

cuhlaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Estate planning; business

Managing partner: Paul K. Hemmer

Chappano Wood PLL

1625 Goodale Blvd., Columbus 43212

614-228-4422

cwpll.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Business law; intellectual property; international law

Managing partner: Perry M. Chappano

Collins, Roche, Utley & Garner

655 Metro Place S., Suite 200, Dublin 43017

614-901-9600

cruglaw.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice areas: Insurance coverage; insurance defense litigation; automobile injury defense Managing partner: N/A

Connor, Kimmet & Hafenstein LLP 2000 W. Henderson Road, Suite 460, Columbus 43220 614-779-0675

cehlaw.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice areas: Workers’ compensation;

Social Security; personal injury

Managing partner: Kenneth S. Hafenstein

Cook, Sladoje & Wittenberg

Co. LPA

5131 Post Road, Suite 100, Dublin 43017 614-230-0670

cswcolpa.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Business; litigation; estate planning

Managing partner: Douglas S. Sladoje

Crabbe, Brown & James LLP

500 S. Front St.,

Suite 1200, Columbus 43215 614-228-5511

cbjlawyers.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Business/ corporate law; insurance defense; employment law

Managing partner: Larry H. James

Dagger Law 144 E. Main St., Lancaster 43130 740-653-6464

daggerlaw.com

Partners: 6

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Family law; personal injury; estate planning

Managing partner: Nicholas Grilli

Decker Vonau & Carr LLC

620 E. Broad St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-242-4242

deckervonau.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Estate planning and probate; real estate; construction Managing partner: James M. Vonau

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote

10 W. Broad St., Columbus 43215 614-258-6000

dmclaw.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 11

Practice areas: Insurance defense; premises liability; commercial litigation

Managing partner: Joseph J. Golian

Dickinson Wright PLLC 180 E. Broad St., Suite 3400, Columbus 43215 614-744-2570 dickinsonwright.com

Partners: 17

FTE attorneys: 31

Practice areas: Corporate and private equity: real estate; cannabis law

Managing partners: Scot C. Crow and J. Troy Terakedis

Dinsmore and Shohl LLP

191 W. Nationwide Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-628-6880

dinsmore.com

Partners: 41

FTE attorneys: 88

Practice areas: Health care; commercial litigation; public finance

Managing partner: Stacey Borowicz, office managing partner

Dittmer, Wagoner & Steele LLC

107 W. Johnstown Road, Gahanna 43230 614-471-8181

dwslaw.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Personal injury; homeowner and condominium association law; business litigation

Managing partner: Committee

Dreher Tomkies LLP 2750 Huntington Center, 41 S. High St., Columbus 43215 614-628-8000

dltlaw.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice areas: Banking; consumer financial services; commercial financial services

T

& A SSOCIATES,L

Managing partner: Darrell L. Dreher

Eastman & Smith Ltd.

100 E. Broad St., Suite 2100, Columbus 43215 614-564-1445

eastmansmith.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Environmental; labor and employment; litigation

Managing partner: Mark A. Shaw

Einstein Law LLC

615 Copeland Mill Road, Suite 1H, Westerville 43081 614-734-0000

einsteinlawoffice.com

We

Patents - Trademarks - Copyrights - Litigation - Non-Disclosure Agreements

Licensing and Royalty Agreements - Trade Secrets - Software and Computer Law Unfair Competition and False Advertising - Intellectual Property Valuations

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Family law; employment law

Managing partner: Dianne Einstein, owner

Emens Wolper

Jacobs & Jasin

One Easton Oval, Suite 340, Columbus 43219 614-414-0888

ewjjlaw.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice areas: Oil and gas; family business; estate planning

Managing partner: Kelly Jasin

Fishel Downey

Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP

7775 Walton Parkway, Suite 200, New Albany 43054 614-221-1216

fisheldowney.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 13

Practice areas: Litigation; labor and employment; workers’ compensation

Managing partner: Melanie J. Williamson

Fisher Phillips LLP

250 West St., Suite 400, Columbus 43215 614-221-1425

fisherphillips.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Labor and employment; workplace safety; corporate compliance and governance

Managing partner: Steven Loewengart

Fisher Skrobot & Sheraw LLC

471 E. Broad St., Suite 1810, Columbus 43215 614-233-6950

fisherskrobot.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Banking law; estate planning

Managing partner: David A. Skrobot

Friedman & Mirman Co. LPA 1320 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215 614-221-0090

friedmanmirman.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Family law; mediation

Managing partner: Denise Mirman

Columbus-OH Tier 1 Information Technology Law

The Friedmann Firm

3740 Ridge Mill Drive, Hilliard 43026

614-610-9755

tfflegal.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas: Labor and employment; employment litigation

Managing partner: Pete Friedmann

Frost Brown Todd

10 W. Broad St., Suite 2300, Columbus 43215

614-464-1211

frostbrowntodd.com

Partners: 29

FTE attorneys: 50

Practice areas: Business and corporate; governmental; labor and employment

Managing partner: Yazan Ashrawi, partner-in-charge

Gallagher Gams

Tallan Barnes & Littrell LLP

471 E. Broad St., 19th Floor, Columbus 43215

614-228-5151

ggtbl.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 10

Practice areas: Civil defense; insurance defense; personal injury

Managing partners: Lori Thomson and Mitch Tallan

Golden & Meizlish Co. LPA

923 E. Broad St., Columbus 43205 614-258-1983

golmeizlaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: General practice

Managing partner: Keith E. Golden

Griffith

Law Offices

522 N. State St., Westerville 43082 614-890-4543 griffithlaw.org

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Real estate; civil litigation; probate

Managing partner: Charles R. Griffith

Grossman

Law Offices

32 W. Hoster St., Suite 100, Columbus 43215 614-221-77 11 grossmanlawoffices. com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 10

Practice areas: Family law

Managing partner: Andrew S. Grossman

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

65 E. State St., Suite 2500, Columbus 43215 614-221-5909 hahnlaw.com

Partners: 7

FTE attorneys: 12

Practice areas: Complex commercial litigation; corporate law; construction/ real estate law

Managing partner: A.J. Hensel

Harris, McClellan, Binau & Cox PLL

37 W. Broad St., Suite 950, Columbus 43215 614-464-2572

hmbc.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Litigation; contracts; real estate

Managing partner: N/A

Hrabcak & Co. LPA

67 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 100, Worthington 43085 614-781-1400

hrabcaklaw.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Litigation/trial practice; business; real estate

Managing partner: Michael Hrabcak, president

Ice Miller 250 West St., Columbus 43215 614-462-2700

icemiller.com

Partners: 35

FTE attorneys: 73

Practice areas: Corporate transactions; litigation; real estate

Managing partner: Catherine Strauss

Isaac Wiles & Burkholder LLC

2 Miranova Place, Columbus 43215 614-221-2121

isaacwiles.com

Partners: 15

FTE attorneys: 42

Practice areas:

Litigation; business; estate planning and

probate

Managing partner: Brian Zets

Jeffrey M. Lewis Co. LPA

495 S. High St., Suite 400, Columbus 43220 614-384-2075

lawyerlewis.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Litigation; business consultation; criminal Managing partner: Jeffrey M. Lewis

Johrendt & Holford

250 E. Broad St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-464-0082

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas:

Business and tax litigation; estate and trust litigation; real estate

Managing partner: Michael Johrendt

Joseph & Joseph & Hanna

155 W. Main St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-449-8282

josephandjoseph.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Domestic relations; real estate; civil litigation

Managing partner: Courtney Hanna

Kaman & Cusimano LLC

8101 N. High St., Suite 370, Columbus 43235 614-882-3100

ohiocondolaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Community association law; condominium law;

HOA law

Managing partner: Jeffrey Kaman, Columbus office chair

Katz, Pryor & DiCuccio LLP

503 S. High St., Suite 100, Columbus 43215 614-363-3500

kpdfirm.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Real estate law; probate law; litigation

Managing partner:

Steven M. Katz, partner

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter

65 E. State St., Suite 1800, Columbus 43215

614-462-5400

keglerbrown.com

Partners: 44

FTE attorneys: 63

Practice areas: Corporate; litigation; government affairs

Managing partner: Chris Weber, managing director

Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe Co. LPA

88 W. Mound St., Columbus 43215

614-224-2678

ksrlegal.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Estate planning and probate litigation; banking/ secured transactions; real estate

Managing partner: Scott Schaeffer, vice president

Knisley Law

1111 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215 614-486-9503

knisleylaw.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas:

Workers’ compensation; personal injury; Social Security

disability

Managing partner: Doug Knisley

Kooperman

Mentel Ferguson

Yaross Ltd.

250 E. Town St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-344-4800

kmfylaw.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 15

Practice areas:

Real estate and corporate; litigation; government relations

Managing partner: Brian Kooperman

Kravitz Brown & Dortch LLC

65 E. State St., Suite 200, Columbus 43215 614-464-2000

kravitzllc.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Civil litigation; criminal litigation; energy law

Managing partner: Michael D. Dortch

Kremblas & Foster

7632 Slate Ridge Blvd., Reynoldsburg 43068

Rohrbachers Cron Manahan Trimble & Zimmerman Co., LPA will now be practicing under the name:

Rohrbacher Trimble & Zimmerman Co., LPA.

We have just changed the name; but our quality and commitment remain the same.

www.rtz-law.com

The Columbus office will be moving to:

470 Olde Worthington Rd., Suite 430 Westerville, OH 43082

Condominium/Homeowner Association Law

Kaman & Cusimano provides comprehensive information and education to the board. Stressing communication, not litigation, our attorneys work to protect property values and promote harmony within community associations.

614-575-2100 ohiopatent.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Patent; trademark; other intellectual property law

Managing partner: Jason Foster

Law Offices of Robert A. Bracco

1170 Old Henderson Road, Suite 109, Columbus 43220 614-442-1953

braccolawoffice.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Business law; family law; civil litigation Managing partner: Robert Bracco

The Law Offices of Saia & Piatt Inc.

713 S. Front St., Columbus 43206 splaws.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Criminal; OVI defense; and family law

Managing partner: Jon J. Saia

Law Offices of William L. Geary Co. LPA

155 W. Main St., Waterford Tower, Suite 101, Columbus 43215 614-228-1968

columbusfamily lawyer.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 3

Practice areas: Family law; guardian in domestic and juvenile

court; divorce/custody

Managing partner: William L. Geary Lumpe, Raber & Evans

37 W. Broad St., Suite 1140, Columbus 43215 614-221-5212

ohioliquorlaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Alcoholic beverage law (all aspects)

Managing partner: David A. Raber

Mac Murray & Shuster LLP

6525 W. Campus Oval, Suite 210, New Albany 43054

614-939-9955

mslawgroup.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 10

Practice areas: Consumer protection regulatory compliance and defense; privacy and data security, TCPA/ teleservices

Managing partner: Michele Shuster

Maguire Schneider Hassay LLP

1650 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 150, Columbus 43204 614-224-1222 msh-lawfirm.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 15

Practice areas: General litigation; criminal; personal injury

Managing partner: Wayne Hassay

Malek & Malek Law Firm

1227 S. High St., Columbus 43206 614-444-7440 maleklawfirm.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 7

Practice areas: Personal injury; workers’ compensation; truck accidents

Managing partner: Ed Malek

Manos, Martin & Pergram Co. LPA

50 N. Sandusky St., Delaware 43015

740-363-1313 mmpdlaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas: Real estate: estate planning and probate; business

Managing partner: Stephen D. Martin

Massucci Law Group LLC

250 Civic Center Drive, Suite 600, Columbus 43215 614-358-4477 massuccilawgroup. com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Family law and mediation

Managing partner: LeeAnn M. Massucci

Miller Bahnson Law LLC

2 Miranova Place, Suite 330, Columbus 43215 614-747-6955 millerbahnsonlaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Family law; divorce; child custody/visitation

Managing partners: Alyson B. Miller and Eimear M. Bahnson, owners/partners

Newhouse, Prophater, Kolman & Hogan LLC

3366 Riverside Drive, Suite 103, Upper Arlington 43221 614-255-5441 npkhlaw.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice areas: Employment law;

Businesses and organizations across Ohio and nationwide trust Dinsmore for legal advice to solve their most complex challenges. Columbus is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, and Dinsmore’s office is keeping pace, adding attorneys familiar with

many diverse industries.

litigation; estate planning

Managing partner: William H. Prophater Jr.

The Nigh Law Group

300 S. Second St., Columbus 43215 614-379-6444 nighlaw.com

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice area: Family law

Managing partner: Joseph Nigh

Onda LaBuhn Ernsberger & Boggs Co. LPA

35 N. Fourth St., #100, Columbus 43215 614-716-0500 ondalabuhn.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Corporate general; mergers and acquisitions; commercial real estate transactions

Managing partner: Robert Onda, president Peterson Conners LLP

545 Metro Place S., Dublin 43017 614-365-7000 petersonconners.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Business law; commercial litigation; criminal defense

Managing partner: N/A

Petroff Law Offices LLC

140 E. Town St., Suite 1070, Columbus 43215 614-222-4288 petrofflawoffices.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 5

Practice area: Family law Managing partner: Ronald R. Petroff

Plunkett Cooney

716 Mount Airyshire, Suite 150, Columbus 43235 614-629-3000 plunkettcooney.com

Partners: 7

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Banking; title insurance; labor and

employment

Managing partner: David VanSlyke

Porter Wright Morris + Arthur LLP

41 S. High St., Suite 2800-3200, Columbus 43215 614-227-2000 porterwright.com

Partners: 60

FTE attorneys: 88

Practice areas: Labor; litigation; corporate Managing partner: Robert Tannous

Reminger Co. LPA 200 Civic Center Drive, Suite 800, Columbus 43215 614-228-1311

reminger.com

Partners: 15

FTE attorneys: 27

Practice areas: Litigation/ trial practice; probates/estates/ trusts; workers’ compensation

Managing partner: Ronald Fresco, office managing partner

Resch, Root, Philipps & Graham LLC

5115 Parkcenter Ave., Suite 275, Dublin 43017 614-760-1801

rrpg-law.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Estate planning; special needs planning; business planning

Managing partners: William K. Root, Logan K. Philipps, Derek L. Graham

Rich & Gillis Law Group LLC

5747 Perimeter Drive, Suite 150, Dublin 43017 614-228-5822

richgillislawgroup.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice areas: Tax litigation; school law; real estate Managing partner: Mark Gillis

Roetzel & Andress

41 S. High St., 21st Floor, Columbus 43215 614-463-9770

ralaw.com

Partners: 12

FTE attorneys: 21

Practice areas: Litigation; probate, estates, trusts; corporate/ transactional

Managing partner: Ericka L. Haupt

Rohrbacher Trimble & Zimmerman Co. LPA 470 Olde Worthington Road, Suite 430, Westerville 43082 614-726-3080 rtz-law.com.

Partners: 1

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Defense litigation

Managing partner: Todd Zimmerman, partner

Shumaker 41 S. High St., Suite 2400, Columbus 43215 614-463-9441 shumaker.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 9

Practice areas: Litigation; environmental; government affairs

Managing partner: Michael J. O’Callaghan

Sowald, Sowald, Anderson, Hawley & Johnson 400 S. Fifth St., S-101, Columbus 43215 614-464-1877 sowaldlaw.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Family law; collaborative dissolutions; estate planning/probate

Managing partner: Heather G. Sowald

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

2000 Huntington Center, 41 S. High St., Columbus 43215 614-365-2700

squirepattonboggs. com

Partners: 19

FTE attorneys: 67

Practice areas: Corporate; litigation; labor and employment

Managing partner: Traci Martinez

Standley Law Group LLP

6300 Riverside Drive, Dublin 43017 614-792-5555

standleyllp.com

Partners: 5

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Patents; trademarks; copyrights

Managing partner: Jeffrey S. Standley

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC 41 S. High St., Suite 2200, Columbus 43215 614-221-5100

steptoe-johnson.com

Partners: 11

FTE attorneys: 17

Practice areas: Litigation; labor

and employment; corporate/mergers and acquisitions

Managing partner: J. Kevin West, office

managing member

Strip Hoppers

Leithart McGrath & Terlecky Co. LPA

575 S. Third St., Columbus 43215 614-228-6345

columbuslawyer.net

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 14

Practice areas: Bankruptcy and insolvency; business representation; family law

Managing partner: Ken Goldberg

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

41 S. High St., Suite 1800, Columbus 43215 614-221-2838

taftlaw.com

Partners: 20

FTE attorneys: 38

Practice areas: Corporate; health care; litigation/trial practice

Managing partner: Janica Pierce Tucker, Columbus partner-incharge

Taps Sutton & Roshon LLC

400 S. Fifth St., Suite 103, Columbus 43215 614-443-8000

ohioseniorlaw.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Elder law; estate planning; probate

Managing partner: Maggie Sutton

Teetor

Westfall LLC

200 E. Campus View Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus 43235 614-412-4000

teetorwestfall.com

Partners: 7

FTE attorneys: 8

Practice areas: Litigation; business and commercial; general practice

Managing partner: Management committee

Thompson Hine LLP

41 S. High St., Suite 1700, Columbus 43215 614-469-3200

thompsonhine.com

Partners: 16

FTE attorneys: 36

Practice areas: Corporate transaction and securities; business litigation; investment

management

Managing partner: Michael V. Wible

Tsibouris & Associates LLC

P.O. Box 1438, Westerville 43086 614-360-3103

tsibouris.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Information technology law; privacy and security; financial services

Managing partner:

Dino Tsibouris

Ulmer & Berne LLP

65 E. State St., Suite 1100, Columbus 43215 614-229-0000

ulmer.com

Partners: 8

FTE attorneys: 13

Practice areas: Business litigation; intellectual property; product liability

Managing partner: Rex A. Littrell

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP 52 E. Gay St., Columbus 43215 614-464-6400

vorys.com

Partners: 100

FTE attorneys: 174

Practice areas: Litigation; corporate; real estate

Managing partner: Michael Martz

Walter Haverfield

175 S. Third St., Suite 290, Columbus 43215 614-246-2150

walterhav.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Real estate; business services; ESOPs Managing partner: Kevin Murphy

Weltman, Weinberg & Reis 5000 Bradenton Ave., Suite 100, Dublin 43017 614-801-2600

weltman.com

Partners: 3 Continued on Page 67

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

This year’s Top Workplaces honorees have overcome challenges and created environments where employees thrive. Find out who our 92 winners are and learn some of their keys to success.

Proud to be a 2023 TOP WORK PLACE

Thank you to our teammatesyou are the reason we are a Top Workplace. Your great work, exceptional client service and outstanding professionalism create a Team Daugherty culture worth celebrating.

Great workplaces aren’t created by accident. They are built and nurtured. The Top Workplaces awards recognize the employers that do it well in the eyes of their employees.

The heart of the Top Workplaces award is the employee survey process. Energage administers a 24-question survey to employees, who are the sole deciders of whether a company culture merits recognition.

This is the 11th year that Columbus CEO has partnered with Energage, an employee survey company based in Exton, Pennsylvania, to celebrate exceptional workplaces in Central Ohio

There is no cost to participate in Top Workplaces and no obligation to purchase any product or service. For 2023, 1,954 organizations were invited to survey their employees. Based on employee survey feedback, 92 have earned recognition as Top Workplaces.

In the current job market, it’s more paramount than ever for companies to be intentional about a culture that prioritizes employee appreciation and recognition, says Energage CEO Eric Rubino. “We really need workplaces that inspire employees,” he says. “You have to really acknowledge employees genuinely and consistently.”

The award is open to any employer with 50 or more employees in greater Columbus. Energage tabulates the survey results. Employers are grouped into small, midsize and large categories to best compare similar employee experiences. Employers earn Top Workplaces recognition if their aggregated employee feedback score exceeds national benchmarks. Energage has established those benchmarks based on feedback from more than 27 million employees over 17 years. Participants are ranked within those groups based on the strength of the survey feedback.

To participate in the 2024 Top Workplaces awards, or for more information, go to columbusceo.com/nominate.

Bob Helbig, Energage

Proud to be a top workplace.

At Grange, we know that it’s our people who make us great. We’ve built an inclusive and caring culture that values and invests in every associate. Together, we’ve created a truly special place to work.

BETTER BEGINS WITH OUR PEOPLE

Worthington Industries has been named a Top Columbus Workplace for 11 consecutive years. What’s the secret to our success? The answer is simple: Our people.

Our employees make Worthington special through all that they do for our customers, our communities and each other. The products and solutions they make positively impact lives all over the world.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our employees for their contributions, commitment and relentless pursuit of progress – you make Worthington better every day. Congratulations!

2013-2023

WorthingtonIndustries.com

These 92 organizations are the 2023 Top Workplaces. They are listed by their rankings, which were determined by Columbus CEO research partner Energage, in three size categories based on the number of Columbus region employees. Data is current as of employee surveys from late 2022.

LARGE ORGANIZATIONS (350 OR MORE EMPLOYEES)

MIDSIZE ORGANIZATIONS (125 TO 349 EMPLOYEES)

SMALL ORGANIZATIONS (124 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES)

The following special award recipients were chosen based on standout scores for employee responses to specific survey statements. Employees rate these statements on a seven-point scale, from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

Special Awards

CLUED-IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Senior managers understand what is really happening at this company.

Total Quality Logistics

COMMUNICATION

I feel well-informed about important decisions at this company.

Panda Restaurant Group

APPRECIATION

I feel genuinely appreciated at this company.

Hamilton Capital

WORK/LIFE FLEXIBILITY

I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life. Advocate TRAINING

I get the formal training I want for my career.

Worthington Industries

BENEFITS

My benefits package is good compared to others in this industry.

Beam

chninc.org

Secrets to Success

KATHY

Creating a supportive, familyfriendly atmosphere isn’t the easiest task at a real estate company where nearly everyone is an independent contractor.

So, Dana Gentry was delighted to learn that her company, Keller Williams Consultants Realty, was named one of the Top Workplaces in Central Ohio for the first time in 2023. “We have a really good family feel that starts from the moment associates are onboarding with us,” says Gentry, operating partner for the Keller Williams franchise, one of several in the Columbus area. “I think they know that not only do we care about them but about the people around us and the community.”

Company culture can go a long way toward propelling organizations to achieve Top Workplaces status. Ninety-two winners were selected this year based on employee responses to surveys collected by research firm Energage. Employees or independent contractors of nominated companies weigh in on numerous areas, including five “positivity measures,” ranging from how they felt about their company’s values to whether they felt included, appreciated and part of something meaningful. Not surprisingly, this year’s winners score well in these areas.

At Jewish Family Services of Columbus, which was named a Top Workplace for the third time, one key to employee

satisfaction is a collaborative environment, says CEO Karen Mozenter. “We work hard at having a ‘frontline-back’ culture, meaning we value the opinions of our frontline staff who are working directly with clients,” Mozenter says. “We want them to feel empowered to bring suggestions and ideas forward, to know they have an impact on the organization.”

Founded in 1908, Jewish Family Services is a nonprofit social services agency whose 60 employees help Jewish and non-Jewish individuals find jobs and overcome life hurdles. Last year, the agency helped 4,641 people, including nearly 600 who secured new jobs.

“We track our impact, and our employees know the work we do together makes a huge impact on the community,” Mozenter says. “If someone wants to do meaningful work, there is no better place to be. In a very divisive society, we are the antidote to what’s happening in the world. The work we do together fights antisemitism, xenophobia, racism and hatred.”

Mozenter knows that her staff could find other jobs that pay more, so the agency

ABOVE: Worthington Industries hosted a “Decade of Better” celebration for employees, recognizing the company’s 10th consecutive year of being a Top Workplace, as well as its 10th year achieving a John Deere Partner-level Supplier designation.

LEFT: A gift drive at Jewish Family Services

BELOW: Worthington Industries’ corporate IT department held a Diwali celebration with music, games and food.

shows its appreciation in other ways: being flexible when staff face their own family challenges, celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries, having social gatherings and encouraging employees to represent the agency in the community.

“Staff appreciation is one of our board’s top priorities,” she says. Board members sometimes call employees to thank them for their work and hold office hours so workers can sit and talk. And the agency’s “we believe” statements are posted in every office: beliefs such as standing up for each other and feeling safe and connected with each other despite differences.

Strong values, communication and recognition efforts help drive employee satisfaction at four of this year’s Top Workplaces honorees.

By

LYNN GRAY

COURTESY WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES

COURTESY JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

COURTESY WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES

“Think Like Owners”

Worthington Industries, which has been named a Top Workplace for 11 consecutive years, reflects similar values, says Andy Rose, president and CEO. “We’re a Golden Rule company,” Rose says. “We treat others the way we want to be treated.”

The public company, founded in 1955 by John H. McConnell, is a steel processor and producer of electrical steel laminations and automotive products, as well as consumer, building and sustainable energy products. Globally the company has 9,500 employees, with 5,000 in the United States and 1,800 in Central Ohio.

“You can have a great place to work, where people feel respected and appreciated, and you can do that and also make money,” Rose says. “One of our philosophies is to get employees to think like owners, and then you get the kind of behaviors that drive performance and have people who are confident and feel that they’re accomplishing goals as a team.”

To that end, Worthington Industries has profit sharing; perks such as a full-service medical center, a park and an on-site

fitness center and barber shop; and employee councils that bring workers’ concerns to company leadership. “Concerns can be about anything from pay to more paper towels are needed in the bathroom,” Rose says. “We have historically empowered employees to make decisions and help us make their jobs better, and more recently we’ve also focused on being more

proactive with diversity and a focus on women and minorities and how we can lift them up.”

Rose says that respecting employees is a competitive advantage, and the company does that in many ways, including development programs that allow employees to move up in the company, encouraging employees to volunteer in the community

human

we’re not limited by what we see. We embrace a world full of possibilities and believe technology can help

A field team from Mid-City Electric works on the new, 28-floor Hilton Columbus Downtown tower.

during work hours and subsidizing health care benefits at above-industry standards. “You don’t have to be the angry manager yelling at people,” he says. “It’s all about treating people respectfully.”

Mid-City Electric of Westerville won its second consecutive Top Workplaces award this year, and President Brian Dew believes the honor goes back to the company’s core values. “We have an exceptional work ethic, we always do the right thing, we’re customer-service driven, and we treat our employees like family,” Dew says.

The private company, founded in 1960, has 500 employees and does commercial and industrial electrical work as well as low-voltage teledata work.

“The main key to our success is our people, and we want everyone in our organization to be successful,” Dew says. “We want to support the whole person. Treating them like family means getting to know them on a personal level. We try to help them with their growth and career development and help them with whatever they need in their current position or whatever position they want to get to.”

Mid-City Electric also encourages employees to mentor each other and holds quarterly all-staff meetings to share updates and listen to concerns. It also sponsors social events, offers a free breakfast on National Employee Appreciation Day, has profit sharing and pays 100 percent of employee health benefits.

Dew says the company also shows its appreciation by posting work anniversaries and birthdays on social media and on a big-screen TV in the breakroom. “We’re not in this business just to get out of our employees what they can provide to the company,” he says. “We want them to know they’re valued.”

Other Engagement Tactics

Keller Williams Consultants has an employee whose job is to identify agents who

LEFT: Mid-City Electric team members show support for an employee fighting breast cancer.

RIGHT: Keller Williams Consultants agents participate in a “mastermind” session at the Grove City office.

BELOW RIGHT: Keller Williams founder Gary Keller with agents Emily Tatman, Teresa Kenney and Stacy Miller

exemplify its culture, values and work ethic. The company also sponsors more than 20 special-interest committees for agents, including for young professionals and LGBTQ individuals. “We want them to feel they’re part of something,” Gentry says. “We care about them, not just about how we can help them sell another house and build wealth.”

Collaboration also is a hallmark at Keller Williams, Gentry says. The franchise, founded in 2003, has four locations in the Columbus area with 360 employees and independent contractors. “We want to be open and approachable and have a lot of transparency,” she says. One vehicle for this is a council of agents who bring concerns to company leadership. Two years ago, as a result of one concern, the company capped how much it could collect from each team of agents. “We took it on the chin, but really it was a win-win,” she says, in that it benefitted agents and therefore the organization as a whole.

Nationally, Keller Williams’ values are God, family and business, Gentry says, so the company tries to incorporate associates’ families into many of its activities. Just over two years ago, Gentry’s franchise redefined its mission, which now is to be

the most impactful organization in the community and for its associates to make a difference in something bigger than themselves. That translates into donations to multiple community groups, both monetarily and through fundraisers and volunteering, she says.

“Our agents know they’re a part of something bigger, part of something with forward thinking,” Gentry says. “That’s the feedback that we get, that they wouldn’t be part of this company if not.”

ANDY ROSE, president and CEO, Worthington Industries

“You can have a great place to work, where people feel respected and appreciated, and you can do that and also make money.”

COURTESY KELLER WILLIAMS CONSULTANTS REALTY (2)

Engaging Employees

Grange Insurance builds culture through collaboration, creativity and associate feedback.

By LAURA NEWPOFF

In 2018, Tiffany Herron was working at Grange Insurance when she had two miscarriages. Team leaders supported her decision to take time off work, but she wasn’t sure whether it was covered under a bereavement policy or if she’d need to take paid time off. It felt like a “gray area” that wasn’t really spelled out in the associates’ guide.

Not long afterward, a co-worker shared an article about another company that implemented an expanded bereavement policy. Herron did some research and scheduled a meeting with Grange’s director of benefits to see how their policy’s gray area could be improved.

“Our leadership is so accessible that I was able to take an idea, share it and have it implemented in our associates’ guide this year,” says Herron, an associate and talent and training manager at the Columbusbased property and casualty insurer, which ranked No. 1 in the large organization category in 2023 Top Workplaces. “Now it’s not a gray area anymore. It’s written down and is a benefit that’s available to everyone.”

Grange Insurance

Business: Property and casualty insurance

President and CEO: John Ammendola

Employees: 1,261

2022 Revenue: $1.47 billion

Expanding the bereavement policy to include “compassion care” leave for miscarriage, failed fertility procedures and adoptions isn’t the only instance of leadership’s forward-leaning approach to addressing associates’ needs. New this year is an improved employee assistance program through Spring Health that provides personalized mental health care for every employee. It’s a result of feedback that the old EAP platform was complicated and felt clunky, Herron says. The company also supports the physical wellness of its employees through Virgin Pulse, an activity tracker and well-being and engagement platform, where Grange holds contests and offers gift card rewards.

Last year, a new “Connections” event brought people from across the company to the home office over the course of three days to spend valuable face time together. It included meet-and-greets, leadership panel discussions, and food and entertainment. The event was a hit, and “Connections 2.0” will be held in May.

Grange, which employs 1,261 people and has offices in several cities and states, also continues to offer a hybrid work model so employees can work remotely when it’s convenient for them.

Damon Porter, senior vice president and

chief human resources officer at Grange, says 2022 was a challenging year to be in the insurance business because of rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, catastrophic weather events and a tight labor market. The company persevered thanks to how strongly its associates were able to support customers’ peace of mind and offer them protection during life’s unexpected events, he says. “2022 allowed our associates to truly step into that space and demonstrate [their resiliency] on so many levels,” Porter says. “You don’t wish for those type of challenges, but it’s gratifying to see how our associates rose to the occasion in so many ways to meet the mark, the need and to deliver for our stakeholders.”

Part of building a resilient associate base is a focus on a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. According to information from its Top Workplaces nomination: “Grange values all the things that make us unique as humans. We’re committed to creating and supporting a workforce that reflects differences ranging from race, gender and age to thoughts, perspectives and experiences.”

The company says it continues to increase the number of diverse new hires and promotions, provides unconscious bias training to all associates and has policies

Photos by TIM JOHNSON

Grange Insurance President and CEO John Ammendola (top right) with employees (front row, from left) Harika Ballekari, DJ McGrew, Jackie Merkle, (back row, from left) Maria Flores, Doreen DeLaney Crawley and Jason Williams

671 S. High St., Columbus grangeinsurance.com

that prohibit discrimination of any kind. Initiatives include a Veterans Day luncheon, Diwali festivities and a “Day of Understanding,” which is an in-house diversity and inclusion learning opportunity.

Multiple associate resource groups, which include PRIDE Partnership and Allies, Multicultural Group, Women’s Group and Young Professionals, promote employee engagement and offer opportunities to contribute ideas and engage in community outreach, professional development and networking.

Professional development is offered at all levels of the organization—from its intern program to new associate onboarding to training for senior leaders.

As an insurance company with deep roots in Columbus, Grange—founded in 1935— is committed to giving back. A multifaceted community relations program includes financial support, volunteerism, nonprofit board participation, in-kind donations and rent-free use of Grange event space. The company primarily supports nonprofits focused on health and human services, education, the arts and community

enrichment programs.

“We have an opportunity to continue to build on our culture,” Porter explains. “A lot of culture work has been done intentionally the last couple of years, but we’re really laser focused on work to build associate engagement, retention and development. Our destiny continues to be [tied to] positioning our associates to be their best selves in this type of environment, and a lot of that is tied to the environment that we create for them.”

“At Grange, we continuously strive to build a high performing company and culture that allows every associate to be the best version of themselves,” President and CEO John Ammendola said in a written statement. “We know that when we bring unique perspectives together through mutual respect, collaboration and creativity, the greatest outcomes are achievable. As we continue to build on our strong legacy of inclusivity, we are honored to be recognized as a Top Workplace in Columbus. Grange is committed to continuous learning, progress and action to ensure all associates know: You belong at Grange Insurance.”

Thisis atruetestamentofthehardwork anddedicationofouramazingstaff.Weare sogratefulforeachandeveryoneofyou andthecontributionsyoumaketo

Kenneth'severyday.Yourpassionforthe beautyindustry,commitmenttoexcellence, anddedicationtoourclientshavehelpedus maintainourreputationas atopworkplace. Thankyouforbeing apartofourteamand formakingKenneth's agreatplacetowork.

Grange Insurance employees (from left) Harika Ballekari, Jason Williams and Maria Flores work in the company’s Innovation Center.

DAMON PORTER, chief human resources officer, Grange Insurance

“A lot of culture work has been done intentionally the last couple of years, but we’re really laser focused on work to build associate engagement, retention and development.”

Giving Back

EMH&T invests in employees at work and in the community.

By LAURA NEWPOFF

As a child, Matthew McFadden was a Boy Scout who found rock climbing with ropes fascinating. As he grew up, he took different ropes courses as part of his passion for the outdoors. When he graduated from Ohio University with a degree in civil engineering in 2017, he looked for opportunities to volunteer his skills and found the Ohio Special Response Team, which responds to a variety of emergencies and disasters in support of civil authorities.

“They had a rope team, but it needed advancing,” says McFadden, who works as a project engineer – structures at EMH&T. “The past few years, my project has been to get it to a team that’s farther along. It faces challenges in training and acquiring new equipment. Rope rescue equipment does not come cheap.”

The self-funded OSRT deploys to help find lost hikers and missing persons, perform wilderness rescues, help with police evidence searches, provide safety education and assist in recovery operations. McFadden and his team members carry 200-foot ropes that cost $300 apiece and also need a variety of other elements such

EMH&T

5500 New Albany Road, Columbus emht.com

Business: Land development and public works engineering consulting firm

President: Sandy Doyle-Ahern

Employees: 320

2022 Revenue: $72 million

as pulleys, carabiners, descenders, anchor slings and storage bags. “This is life-saving equipment, so when you are hanging 50 feet in the air, you don’t want to have to question if your equipment is OK,” McFadden says.

When he heard about a new grant program EMH&T was launching in 2022 that contributes funding to organizations where employees serve and volunteer, he decided to apply. McFadden received one of the five inaugural awards the civil engineering consulting firm handed out at the end of the year.

“The firm is investing in me, not only during my time at work but as a member of the community by supporting my mission of helping others, even when it’s not really within my work practice,” McFadden says. “It’s awesome to see that for a group where it’s hard to get funding. It’s inspiring that my firm is supporting this work that directly serves our local community.”

The firm’s support of its employees and the community are among the elements that led it to be named the No. 1 Top Workplace among midsize organizations for the second year in a row.

President Sandy Doyle-Ahern says EMH&T, which was founded in 1926, has a long history of community service and volunteerism. Each year, its 320 employees participate in company-sponsored

activities such as food and toy drives, blood drives, Special Olympics, Engineers Without Borders and Habitat for Humanity home builds. The firm also gives employees paid time off to volunteer. The new grant program expands on these efforts.

“We really expect our employees to be engaged in it; we’re looking for people who actively show up at an organization and assist and demonstrate a direct connection,” she says. “We ended up with quite a few applications, and every single one of the [grant recipients] is truly engaged. It was so great to see people get acknowledged for what they’re doing in the community for something they care about.”

Jim Dziatkowicz, director of planning and landscape architecture at EMH&T, says the grant initiative allows employees to see how others are contributing outside the office. “Of the five that won, three of them—I had no idea these co-workers were doing this in the community,” he says. “It’s created awareness and also inspired people who maybe think, ‘Oh, I just do this thing in the community.’ Now they probably think, ‘Oh, I could probably submit [an application] next year.’ It gets people inspired about what they are doing.”

Another new initiative for the company last year was an office refresh—the first in about two decades, says Doyle-Ahern, who has been with the firm 26 years. The

Photos by TIM JOHNSON

EMH&T employees fill the lobby of the company’s headquarters near New Albany. Behind the desk are President Sandy Doyle-Ahern (right) and executive vice president and chief operating officer Doug Romer.

undertaking included integrating pictures of the firm’s projects, community service and team building into the physical space to tell stories to prospective employees and clients about how the firm touches the community.

Diversity, equity and inclusion also is a top culture priority to create a workplace that is well-rounded, comprehensive and welcoming. EMH&T encourages and supports organizations, including STEMbased groups, that expose young people of all races, genders and backgrounds to professional service areas, such as civil engineering, land survey, environmental science and other specialties.

Professionally, EMH&T is dedicated to each employee’s enrichment and development. The firm strives to provide

each person with a career journey that incorporates a range of possibilities. That includes providing the resources, opportunities, feedback and coaching to allow each individual to succeed.

Mike Keller, a partner and director of public works, says team leaders make it a point to give young professionals ongoing engagement opportunities with the 13 different service areas that exist within the firm. “It’s a chance for young engineers to learn about all the different elements of the business and understand all the parts that come together to make a project successful,” he says. “It also gives our younger employees a chance to visualize what their future here could hold and all the opportunities that are available to them.”

EMH&T President Sandy Doyle-Ahern (left) and executive vice president and chief operating officer Doug Romer SANDY DOYLE-AHERN, president, EMH&T

“We really expect our employees to be engaged in [volunteerism]; we’re looking for people who actively show up at an organization and assist and demonstrate a direct connection.”

Passion for People

By VIRGINIA BROWN

In 1997, Central Ohio native Matt Hamilton founded Hamilton Capital, a full-service wealth management firm, with a singular vision: helping people fulfill their purpose.

Largely inspired by his father, who rose to become president of a publicly traded company, Hamilton gleaned much of his business acumen through dinner-table discussions with his dad. “He drilled in me what it takes to grow a business and how hard that is, and also, what one might pay to own that business,” Hamilton says. “That stuck with me forever, and it’s really influenced how we manage money to this day.”

More than 25 years later, he continues to put those lessons, and others he’s learned along the way, into practice. In 2023, Hamilton Capital makes its Top Workplaces debut, ranked No. 1 in the small organization category.

Originally a small staff of three, the firm now employs 82 and manages more than $3.7 billion in assets from two locations, in Columbus and Palm Beach, Florida. “Our

assets under management have grown at a compounded annual growth rate for 25 years at nearly 18 percent,” Hamilton says. “We serve as our clients’ chief investment officer.”

But for Hamilton, building wealth is about more than money. “People were built for relationships and impact, and we all have a deep desire to have influence and significance,” he says. “What money does is give you another avenue to have significance and impact things—the people and causes you have a passion or a calling for.”

Hamilton Capital uses tests and professional development to help employees identify their natural talents and abilities. “We are hyper-focused on … helping understand what their strengths are, how they operate, how they process information, how they receive information, and

how they give information,” Hamilton says. “And it helps us to work as a cohesive team.”

“It’s a passion I’ve had all my life; it’s a passion for people,” he says. “It’s really about individuals living the very best life that they can have.”

What he jokingly refers to as “the curse of the Hamilton family work ethic” also rubs off on his team. “We are driven to always do our best, and in that is a spirit of continuous innovation: How can we do it better tomorrow than we did it today?” Hamilton says.

The firm works to create growth so employees can tap into immediate opportunities, according to Hamilton. “We have a team that is highly talented both on the wealth management and investment management side, which is very unusual.”

Hamilton Capital has helped clients build their portfolios for 25 years.

Photo by TIM JOHNSON

Hamilton Capital employees (front row, from left) Chairman and CEO Matt Hamilton, June Meeker, (back row, from left) Mike Faieta, Katelyn Walls, Patrick Moriarty and Casey Kimbler

Business: Full-service wealth management firm

Chairman & CEO: R. Matthew Hamilton Employees: 82

MATT HAMILTON, chairman and CEO, Hamilton Capital

The culture is one not of cutthroat competition, but of hard work. “I don’t try to set up a lot of competition between individuals,” Hamilton says. “I say, ‘Go be the very best version of you that you possibly can be, and it’ll all take care of itself.’ ”

Managing director Mike Faieta, who’s been with the company for 23 years, remembers sitting in the office late one night when he was just a few years into the job, frustrated by his work performance compared with another associate. “Matt said, ‘You are your own competition,’ and it just hit me right between the eyeballs,” Faieta says. “Most of us hold ourselves back more than anyone else.”

Faieta cites the company’s vision and the

focus on purpose for his lengthy tenure. “Matt had a vision of providing a career for people that was worthy of their lives and purpose,” Faieta says. “I remember it vividly, and nothing’s really changed.”

These days, Faieta, who also serves on the company’s strategic leadership team, is the one mentoring others with that same message.

Last year marked Hamilton Capital’s 25th anniversary, and, despite the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and international conflicts that all added to a volatile market, the firm launched a new fund and ended the year on a good note. “It was a year where we just continued to build on our strengths,

and we did it in a very challenging financial environment,” Hamilton says. “There was no place to hide, but we came through that with flying colors … heads and shoulders above what others did, in my view.”

Hamilton doesn’t expect that to change any time soon. “It’s going to be a very challenging next 10 years in the investment environment,” he says. To weather that storm, he adds, it’s going to take continued top-down teamwork.

“It’s not just about what our organizational leaders are—people at every level are leaders,” Hamilton says. “When we unleash their full potential, it’s going to be hard to stop.”

Columbus

Another Banner Year

We sincerely thank our dedicated team of financial professionals and staff for their relentless commitment and for making us one of the Top Workplaces for the last 7 years.

To learn more about rewarding career opportunities and our great company culture, just scan the QR code.

Just like a great financial plan, success is built upon great people & great relationships.

“People were built for relationships and impact, and we all have a deep desire to have influence and significance. What money does is give you another avenue to have significance and impact things—the people and causes you have a passion or a calling for.”

Honoring Excellence

By PETER TONGUETTE

Among the 92 organizations named to Top Workplaces 2023, employment research firm Energage presents special awards in 13 categories, from Appreciation to Communication to Leadership to Work/Life Flexibility.

Here’s a snapshot of three of the award winners. (Read the full list on Page 8.)

Revolution Mortgage

Special Award: Managers

Revolution Mortgage originated with four founders who joined forces to form the Westerville-based company in 2018. CEO Tony Grothouse, President Tim Johnson, human resources director Dave Lukacsko and sales director Joe Frank each brought years of experience to the table.

“Us four owners were [mortgage] originators,” Lukacsko says. “We’ve worked for other, larger companies. … We just wanted to be known as the company that treats its staff fairly and does the right thing.”

Because of their familiarity with the industry, they were attuned to the particular stresses it places on a workforce. “There are a lot of things going on, and nobody’s situation is exactly the same,” Grothouse says. “It keeps you on your toes. Sometimes it can demand a lot of extra hours.”

Employees are asked to power through prosperous times—when interest rates

dipped several years ago, Revolution asked for an “all-hands-on-deck” effort—and the company tries to pay back that loyalty during periods of challenge.

Like businesses everywhere, the company went virtual during the pandemic, but today leaders continue to encourage, and provide support for, many staff members working from home. “We’ve instilled trust in our staff,” Lukacsko says. “If you’re going to work from home five, six days a week … we’re going to empower you to not just get the job done, but get it done at a high, high level.”

The recent downturn in the housing market has impacted staffing, but not as much as some lenders. “We had to let go of a few people, but generally speaking, versus our peers, it was far less,” says Grothouse, adding that the company lost between 6 percent and 8 percent of its staff.

During good times or bad, however, the company views an open line of communication between managers and other workers as essential. The process begins with

of

their

Revolution Mortgage

480 Olde Worthington Road, Suite 300, Westerville; revolutionmortgage.com

Business: Residential mortgage lender

CEO and Co-founder: Tony Grothouse

Employees: 560

2022 Revenue: would not disclose

selecting good managers, Grothouse says. “We look for leaders, people that can drive behaviors from other people and put them in a great position,” he says. “Our managers do an incredible job of putting their fellow employees in a place to succeed.”

Managers are asked to be at the ready to solve problems or answer questions. “We’re trying to push each other, not to see who can outwork the other one, but to be available, to answer questions quickly, to give back to your counterparts,” Lukacsko says.

Barriers between departments, such as sales and operations, are discouraged; teamwork is encouraged. “[Employees]

Revolution Mortgage executives (from left) Tim Johnson, Tony Grothouse, Brian Covey, Joe Frank and Dave Lukacsko at the 2023 branch managers summit

COURTESY REVOLUTION MORTGAGE

These special award winners earned top marks from their employees in quality of managers, meaningfulness and new ideas.

TONY GROTHOUSE, CEO and co-founder, Revolution Mortgage

“Our managers do an incredible job

putting

fellow employees in a place to succeed.”

Campers at Flying Horse Farms

don’t always have the right answer, so they’re willing to listen to another manager, another leader, another executive that might—and [managers] are willing to listen to their subordinates,” Lukacsko says.

In the process, a family feeling is fostered. “You spend a majority of your life at work, and we don’t want it to seem like work,” Lukacsko says.

Employees embrace one-on-one training as a comfortable environment in which to improve. “A lot of people are afraid to admit where they struggle [and] don’t want to be picked out of the pack and have all eyes on them,” Grothouse says.

The company also offers group training, which provides employees a chance to collaborate. “They can share across the ecosystem: ‘Hey, what’s working? What’s the best procedure?’ ” Grothouse says. “That group setting … really is an opportunity to have that mastermind session to figure some of those things out.”

Team-building activities were more common before the pandemic, but sometimes even small gestures have an impact on employee morale in a business as volatile as mortgage lending.

“I had my assistant go out and send all

the underwriters a bottle of wine and just thank them for everything,” Grothouse says. “Kind of like, ‘This one’s on us.’ … Sometimes it’s more those little things.”

Flying Horse Farms

Special Award: Meaningfulness

Anyone familiar with Flying Horse Farms is likely to find meaning in its mission.

The nonprofit camp in Mount Gilead invites around 1,000 children with serious illnesses onto its campgrounds annually. Activities such as boating, archery, swimming, rock climbing and arts and crafts are available for youngsters experiencing a range of health conditions.

“We have what is like an urgent care in the woods: We’ve got a medical team, a psychosocial team,” says Flying Horse Farms President and CEO Nichole E. Dunn. “That allows for the program team to provide [campers] with traditional camp experiences.”

This year, the program, which draws families from Central Ohio and beyond, will welcome its 10,000th camper.

“When a child lives with a serious illness, they often cannot spend a night away from home except for a hospital room,”

Campers at Flying Horse Farms

Flying Horse Farms

5260 State Route 95, Mount Gilead flyinghorsefarms.org

Business: Camp for children with serious illnesses

President and CEO: Nichole E. Dunn

Employees: 60 to 70 (25 year-round staff members)

2022 Revenue: would not disclose

Dunn says. “We make it possible for them to come here for a weekend, if not for an entire week, then that gives respite to the family [and] the child gets to live a life that they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

As much as the experience will be treasured by the campers, it will also be remembered by the employees at Flying Horse Farms, which has a full-time workforce of 25 but swells as high as 70 when factoring in seasonal staffers. “The thing that we hear time and time again from team members, whether it be our seasonal team or our year-round team, is that … we see a camper come day one—arrival day— and then by the end of the week, they are a whole different kid,” says Cody Cavinee, human resources manager.

Dunn refers to the camp’s “spirit of service leadership.”

“One of our guarantees is that everybody that interacts with Flying Horse Farms has the opportunity for a transformational experience,” she says.

In evaluating prospective employees, the organization’s leaders look beyond the hard skills unique to each position in a search for workers who are “all-in,” trustworthy, exemplify an attitude of optimism and take initiative—all of which are Flying Horse Farms’ key operating values.

These values are reinforced during conversations with supervisors every 90 days. “It just allows for open, transparent conversation: How are you being perceived and

COURTESY FLYING HORSE FARMS

NICHOLE E. DUNN, president and CEO, Flying Horse Farms

“One of our guarantees is that everybody that interacts with Flying Horse Farms has the opportunity for a transformational experience.”

how do you self-identify and demonstrate awareness of these behaviors?” Dunn says. “It just puts a speed bump four times a year to have the conversation.”

Employees have come to appreciate the mantra of “campers first,” which emphasizes children’s safety first and foremost. “The guiding principle about ‘campers first’ is, every decision has to start with safety and ends with ‘have fun,’ ” Dunn says. “Because if we’re not having fun while we’re doing all those things, then why do we have camp?”

That doesn’t mean working at Flying Horse Farms is easy. “It’s not about being positive all the time,” Dunn says. “It’s about being solutions-focused and being able to show up with that all-in attitude.”

Flying Horse Farms seeks to acknowledge employees’ needs throughout the year, particularly at a time of crisis.

“Last year we had a tornado,” Dunn says. “It was during our heart diagnosis week, so we had kids who were here with heart conditions. That can be stressful. … How are we debriefing? How are we acknowledging and accepting that each person might react in the moment, two days later, two months later?”

Those who work at or with Flying Horse Farms walk away feeling nurtured, supported and inspired, Cavinee says, citing the example of nurses who come to work with campers.

“They see a lot of badness, not great things, when they’re working in . . . hospitals or even pediatrician offices,” Cavinee says. “They get to come here, and they get to see a whole different side to their patients and the kids when they’re working here. It just really does reaffirm why what we do is so important.”

Slalom Special Award: New Ideas

It shouldn’t be surprising that ideas are the coin of the realm at a consulting company. The consultants at Slalom, a Seattle-based business and technology consulting organization that operates in seven countries, seek to serve clients in a variety of fields, including health care, manufacturing, banking, retail and the public sector.

“We do the broad stroke of management consulting,” says Columbus general manager Channie Mize, whose office works with clients not only in the capital city but also in Cleveland and Cincinnati. The 85 local consultants can be supplemented by employees from other markets who may have niche specialties.

Such assignments require expertise and imagination, and Mize says Slalom aims to foster an environment in which those qualities are nurtured and developed. “We are always looking for people to lean forward,” she says. “Everybody has a right to have a thought or a new idea, and we’re constantly going out and asking our team for that kind of feedback.”

The approach not only benefits Slalom’s clients, but also creates a satisfying atmosphere within its own walls. “Being able to be part of a culture of innovation is one of the things that our consultants highlight as being most important to them in their overall career satisfaction,” says managing

director Pat Tyler.

Key to the open exchange of ideas is what Mize describes as a flat organizational structure. “People always say, but really we mean it: We have an open-door policy,” Mize says, pointing to a weekly stand-up meeting during which ideas can be generated. “We throw out different topics, and everybody talks,” she says. “It’s not based on hierarchy. Everybody who joins that call is going to have time to talk in that call. … Everybody has a voice.”

Multiple groups offer Slalom consultants a chance to participate. Any given week, an innovation group might be talking about new tools to help clients—say, ChatGPT— and a “maker space” within its own office invites employees to develop an idea in a controlled setting. “It’s something that they can showcase out for everybody else to see,” Mize says.

Miro boards are used for those who might not always want to speak up within a group. “I think too many times, people do problem-solving and brainstorming, and the loudest people talk,” Mize says. “But some of the best ideas are from the quietest people.” Technology like Miro, which offers an online whiteboard and other tools, can bring those voices forth.

By their nature, ideas don’t always pan out—and that’s accepted at Slalom. “We reward new ideas even if they fail. … There’s no harm in honest failure,” Mize says.

Slalom’s June 2022 quarterly team meeting at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium COURTESY SLALOM

CHANNIE MIZE, Columbus general manager, Slalom

“Everybody has a right to have a thought or a new idea, and we’re constantly going out and asking our team for that kind of feedback.”

The company’s culture of ideation pays off when consultants are working with clients. “The team isn’t afraid to raise their hand,” Mize says. “They’re not afraid to talk to a client and say, ‘By the way, I noticed this, and I heard this the other day [with] another client. … Have you thought about doing something like that?’ It allows us to bring the best thinking to our clients.”

Ideas don’t have to be ready to implement to be beneficial to Slalom’s clients, Tyler says. “We’re finding that if we start those conversations earlier, even before we have fully baked solutions, that gives our clients an opportunity to build upon where the momentum is in that particular innovation area,” he says. “That type of iterative approach to innovation we found works a lot more effectively, particularly at the local level where we have Columbus consultants talking to Columbus clients.”

In the end, Slalom’s collaborative approach is designed to create a workforce dedicated to generating fresh and relevant concepts—and a high level of personal satisfaction. “People are really happy being here, and I love that,” Mize says. “I hope that never changes.”

Slalom

Business: Global business and technology consulting company

General Manager (Columbus): Channie Mize

Employees: approximately 13,000

2022 Revenue (Columbus only): $45 million

Slalom leadership and sales team members attend a fall dinner at Forbidden Root.

SLALOM

with

National Awards

The following employers were designated as Top Workplaces USA, a national recognition earned based on results of employee surveys from 2023 Top Workplaces local winners. This year, Energage ranked the top 100 companies in each size group. Other winners in each category are listed in alphabetical order.

2,500+ employees

1. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

17. United Rentals Inc.

21. ChenMed

23. Panda Restaurant Group

32. CGI

36. Ensemble Health Par tners

52. Stewar t Title

63. Fifth Third Bank

68. Groundworks*

1,000-2,499 employees

2. Daugher ty Business Solutions

5. Union Home Mor tgage Corp.

22. NFM Lending

500-999 employees

6. Revolution Mor tgage

• Birge & Held Asset Management

• Citrin

• Fair field County, Ohio

• Mid-City Electric

• Romanoff Group

• Summit Home Care

• The Superior Group

150-499 employees

• Elford

• EMH&T

• Five Star Home Ser vices

• Group Management Services Inc.**

• Lake Shore Cr yotronics Inc.

• Matic

• Path Robotics**

• Shred415

* Parent company of locally ranked Ohio Basement Authority

** Based on 2022 Top Workplaces

KEEPING YOUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL GOALS ALIGNED

Owning a business requires a constant balance of commitments, both personal and professional. That’s because you, your family and your business are intrinsically connected. We partner with business owners like you to find the right balance by taking the time to understand your goals and objectives. This partnership allows us to design customized strategies to achieve your vision.

Preparing for the unexpected

When you’re busy taking care of business demands, it’s easy to overlook your personal financial goals. Although business and personal financial planning are different, it’s important for you to understand how and where they connect, so that you can better prepare for the future.

That preparation also includes managing uncertainty, which plays a key role in running a successful business, yet isn’t always easy to do. Unexpected conflicts can arise at any time—that’s why we work together with you and your advisors to help you better navigate what may unfold.

By being proactive and preparing for life’s uncertainties, you can remain confident that your goals and your business continue moving in the direction you want them to.

We can help

We will guide you through a tailored business and personal planning process and introduce additional resources as needed to fit your unique goals and circumstances.

Some of these may focus on:

• Investments and retirement planning

• Contingency planning

• Estate and wealth transfer planning*

• Business continuity/succession planning

• Buy-sell planning*

It all begins with a conversation

Our Life360 process seeks a holistic understanding of your current situation, goals and aspirations before determining a course of action.

To start a conversation, our contact information is included and we are here to help in any way.

Fifth Third Bank 21 E. State St. Columbus, OH 43215 53.com

jeremy.gutierrez@53.com

stephanie.green@53.com

Fifth Third helps business owners find balance and achieve their goals.

Courtesy

FIFTH THIRD BANK

Jeremy Gutierrez, SVP, Commercial Bank Executive

Stephanie Green, SVP, Wealth & Asset Management Executive

Continued from Page 36

FTE attorneys: 4

Practice areas: Consumer collections; commercial collections; bankruptcy and probate recovery

Managing partner: James Kozelek

Weston Hurd LLP

101 E. Town St., Suite 500, Columbus 43215 614-280-0200 westonhurd.com

Partners: 11

FTE attorneys: 16

Practice areas: Insurance; litigation/trial practice; real property/construction

Managing partner: Steve Carlino, partner in charge, Columbus office

Wolinetz, Horvath & Brown LLC

250 Civic Center Drive, Suite 220, Columbus 43215 614-341-7775 wolinetzlaw.com

Partners: 3

FTE attorneys: 6

Practice area: Family law

Managing partner: Dennis E. Horvath

Wrightsel & Wrightsel

3300 Riverside Drive, Suite 100, Upper Arlington 43221 614-255-3388 wrightsellaw.com

Partners: 2

FTE attorneys: 2

Practice areas: Estate planning; trust and probate administration; real estate

Managing partner: Bradley B. Wrightsel

Zeiger, Tigges & Little LLP 41 S. High St., Huntington Center, Suite 3500, Columbus 43054 614-365-9900 litohio.com

Partners: 4

FTE attorneys: 14

Practice areas: Commercial litigation; general counsel for high-net-worth individuals

Managing partner: Marion H. Little Jr.

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OUR PURPOSE:

Design

Message to the Community CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF SERVICE

One hundred fifty years ago, shortly after the cruel crucible of the Civil War, a group of dedicated citizens formed the first library in our capital city. The Public Library and Reading Room opened on March 4, 1873, as a single room inside the original Columbus City Hall. Those modest origins were born out of a simple idea – to provide all people access to the resources they need to enrich their minds and transform their lives, their communities and our greater society.

From our humble beginnings in one room to the profound gift from Andrew Carnegie to build Main Library, from civic support that formed our first branches to community support that builds 21stcentury libraries, we owe much of our present to the work of so many in our past.

Today, we stand on the shoulders of dedicated staff and community members who have come before us – trailblazers who have forged pathways for us to become the library we are today, and the library we aspire to be in the future.

Our 2023 sesquicentennial celebration marks 15 decades of commitment to inspire reading, share resources and connect people

We have served our customers through two pandemics and two world wars. Card catalogs held the key to our treasures within for many years, replaced by computers as the internet age took hold and we rode the wave of digital change, innovating and evolving to meet our customers’ needs. Through it all, Columbus Metropolitan Library, now 23 locations strong, remains a constant presence, providing access for all.

We are grateful to the residents of Franklin County, our elected leaders, donors and community leaders who have contributed to the vitality of our library system.

Columbus Metropolitan Library was founded on the tenets of opportunity, accessibility and community. It was shaped by the millions of customers, community supporters and staff who believed in the power of access and information for all.

Just imagine what we can achieve together in our next 150 years.

Patrick Losinski Chief Executive Officer Columbus Metropolitan Library

Catherine Strauss President Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees

EARLY LIBRARIES IN COLUMBUS

Columbus has a storied history of supporting libraries. Calls for a public library in Columbus grew with the population of the city. Library advocates met in the old City Hall in 1871 to plan an appeal to the City Council for funds for a public library that would be free and open to everyone. The ordinance for the establishment of a library space in City Hall passed, and the library opened on March 4, 1873.

John W. Andrews, the first president of the library Board of Trustees, emphasized that the library would be “open to all” at the dedication ceremony. He said, “I congratulate you … our City Council, backed by

the unanimous vote of the citizens, has established and liberally endowed a free library and reading room, free to the whole population of the city.”

The City Hall Library

Rev. James Grover, pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, was named the first librarian. Until 1891, the original City Hall library included the Columbus City Schools’

library. Even after the school library moved in 1891, the original library room on the first floor of City Hall was overcrowded with books and customers. In 1896, the city appropriated funds to expand the space using vacant land to the east of the building. Visits continued to grow to nearly 100,000, with 13,000 cardholders. By 1900, the library was running out of space again.

The first library opened with over 1,500 books and 54 magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

▲

The expanded space was used as a newspaper and magazine reading room.

▲ The first Columbus library was one room in the old City Hall.

A NEW CARNEGIE LIBRARY

As library use continued to grow, it was clear that Columbus needed a new library building. The Board tapped chief librarian John Pugh to meet with industrialist Andrew Carnegie to ask for funds to build a standalone library. Carnegie typically funded rural or branch libraries. However, when Pugh met with Carnegie in New York, they bonded over their shared experiences as sons of immigrants. On Dec. 31, 1901, Carnegie wrote to offer $150,000 for building a new library, with the condition that the library Board find a suitable site and the city appropriate at least $20,000 per year for maintenance. City Council quickly passed a resolution for the maintenance fee and the Board set out to find a location. Although the original plan for the library included a brick façade, the Board asked Carnegie to fund another $50,000 for marble to make the building “an ornament to the city.” The Columbus Public Library building was dedicated on April 4, 1907, and regular library service began on April 8.

Andrew Carnegie funded

103 public libraries and eight academic libraries in Ohio. He once said, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never-failing spring in the desert.”

Groundbreaking for the new library was held on Oct. 12, 1903.

The new library included a children’s space.

Books were positioned behind a reference desk, on five floors of stacks.

 A 200-seat auditorium in the basement offered a gathering space.

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN NEIGHBORHOODS

Soon after Main Library opened in 1907, it became clear that there was a need for library branches in Columbus neighborhoods. Andrew Carnegie was no longer funding libraries and City Council did not have funds available, so the Board of Trustees decided to create library “deposit” locations in fire stations, settlement houses and schools. Deposit locations had about 100–500 books for visitors to read. The Godman Guild was the first established in 1910. After World War I, there were repeated calls for neighborhood branches. Fred J. Heer, president of the library Board, appealed to the Federation of Women’s Clubs for help. On Jan. 17, 1928, the women marched to City Hall to demand funds for branches. Two weeks later, City Council appropriated $40,000 to build four: Clintonville, Linden, Parsons and Hilltop branches.

What’s in a Name?

As the library grew, its name changed to keep up with the times.

1873

Public Library and Reading Room

• The ordinance for the establishment of a library space in City Hall passed, and the library opened on March 4, 1873.

• John W. Andrews, the first president of the library Board of Trustees, emphasized that the library would be “open to all” at the dedication ceremony.

1903

Columbus Public Library

• Groundbreaking for a new, standalone library was held on Oct. 12, 1903.

• The library Board of Trustees approved naming the new library Columbus Public Library.

Children at Godman Guild. Photo courtesy of Ohio History Connection.

Margaret Bausch, Parsons Ave. Branch librarian, and Marie Zapp, assistant.

▲ The second Clintonville Branch at 14 W. Lakeview Ave.

EXPANDING SERVICES

Public response to the new branches was widespread. Rose G. Beresford was tapped to lead the Department of Extension Services in 1928. Under her leadership, the Milo Branch opened in 1930.

The Great Depression took a toll on libraries, and State Senator Robert A. Taft drafted a bill that allowed library boards to request funds from the County Commissioners if they offered services county-wide. The law passed in 1933, and in July 1934 Columbus Public Library became a county-wide library. New facilities called “county stations” were established. They were typically a room in a school and were often staffed by teachers. Canal Winchester was the first county library station in 1937 and was followed by Briggsdale, Dublin, Fornof, Gahanna, Galloway, Harrisburg, Hilliard, Lockbourne, New Albany and Reynoldsburg.

1907

A New Carnegie Library: Columbus Public Library

• Columbus Public Library, funded in part by a $200,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie, was dedicated on April 4, 1907.

• Regular library service began on April 8, 1907, at what later became known as Main Library, with 20 locations established between 1928 and 1954.

1976

Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County

• The library Board of Trustees changed the name to Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County to reflect the inclusion of county libraries.

1989

Columbus Metropolitan Library

• The library Board of Trustees approved changing the name to Columbus Metropolitan Library, as it remains today, with 23 locations serving Franklin County.

▲

The Milo Branch at 768 Leona Ave. was dedicated on January 18, 1930, as the system’s fifth branch.

▲

Canal Winchester’s county station was in the old school.

LIBRARY LEADERSHIP

Columbus Metropolitan Library has had several long-serving directors. In the early days, the title “chief librarian” was used. As the number of staff increased, it was changed to director and finally Chief Executive Officer. The first three directors were from the City Hall era. James Grover (namesake of author James Thurber) was the first director in 1872 and was succeeded by John Pugh, who served until his death in 1946. Blanche Roberts, the first woman hired at the library and the assistant director for 40 years, became the library’s first woman director in 1946.

Through the Years

James Grover: 1872–1896

John Pugh: 1896–1946

Blanche Roberts: 1946–1947

Will Collins: 1947–1956

Margaret E. Carroll: 1956–1962

Edward B. Daniels: 1962–1974

James E. Ahlstrom: 1974–1975

Donald J. Sager: 1975–1978

Hoyt Rees Galvin: 1978–1979

Richard Sweeney: 1979–1984

Larry Black: 1984–2002

Patrick Losinski: 2002–present

John J. Pugh (center); Blanche Roberts (second from left, front row)

James Grover

Margaret E. Carroll

Richard T. Sweeney (right), with assistant director Charles Brown

DID YOU KNOW?

• James Thurber was a library cardholder who received his juvenile card on April 10, 1907, and upgraded to an adult card on March 3, 1916. He was also named after Columbus Metropolitan Library’s first library director, James Grover.

• After the catastrophic 1913 flood, the library helped reunite families through The Ohio Flood Relief Committee, appointed by Gov. James Cox (second from right). James Kilbourne (second from left) served as president of the library’s board of trustees for four terms. 

• An exhibit organized by artist George Wesley Bellows in 1911 included nudes, which were placed in a separate room deemed the “chamber of immorality” by some.

• In 1928, philanthropist Charles E. Munson donated funds for the Peter Pan fountain at Main Library in honor of his son, Georgie, who died of scarlet fever at age 7. 

• The South High Branch offered disco lessons in the 1970s.

• The adult book and coffee club started at the Linden Branch in 1970 and continued into the 2000s.

• In the 1980s and 1990s, Franklinton Branch was home to a cat named Smoke that was featured in a documentary about library cats.

• In 1990, Gahanna Branch offered a coin-operated computer and a coin-operated typewriter. The computer’s software included word processing, graphics and spreadsheet capabilities.

• In the 1990s, renowned Columbus artist Aminah Robinson was commissioned to create the staircase mural at Main Library titled “Sellsville & The Blackberry Patch.”

The adult book and coffee club started at the Linden Branch in 1970 and continued into the 2000s.

 CEO Patrick Losinski (right) with Aminah Robinson (left) in 2007.

SUMMER READING THROUGH THE YEARS

The library’s signature program for its youngest customers has always been popular, with the value of reading and importance of literacy always at the forefront.

1930s – 1940s

The first “summer reading contest” took place at Columbus Public Library’s Main Library, May 15 –July 15, 1937. After a successful first year, the library decided to make Summer Reading Club an annual event.

1950s – 1960s

The 1950s saw a surge of participants as themes changed and programs became a regular part of promotion. In 1953 the library began to bring in guests to promote the program. Among them was “Aunt” Fran Norris, a children’s TV show host on WBNS-TV.

1970s

In the 1970s, Summer Reading Club continued to grow. Expanded programs included more Storytimes, adventure and nature movies at Main Library, and the Bookworm Club for students. In 1976, coupons for fast food were given out for the first time.



Winners of the first Summer Reading Club in 1937.

▲ Librarian Gail Milner and children during a Summer Reading Club activity at the Martin Luther King Branch in 1977.

Left to right: Dino Pappas, age 8; Jeanne F. Chavous, age 10; Bobby Weisberg, age 11.

▲ Parsons Branch librarian Margaret Bausch with a rocket display for “Space Exploration,” 1958’s Summer Reading Club theme.

▲ 1961’s Summer Reading Club theme was the Civil War, to mark the 100th year of the beginning of the war. Pictured here are the Eastside Branch winners.

1980s – 1990s

Summer Reading Club entered the 1980s with a roar with the theme “Bring a Dinosaur Up to Date.” Other themes included “Join the Space Reading Crew”, “Reading is Cool”, and in 1988 the entire summer was dedicated to a Maurice Sendak celebration.

2000s

In 2018, the program’s name changed to Summer Reading Challenge, featuring the Reading League, a team of pro-literacy caped crusaders. Superheroes like Captain Read and Wonder Words encourage kids and teens to make reading a habit to prevent summer learning loss.

 A VolunTeen helps a child sign up for Summer Reading Club.

 Summer Reading Club, 1996.

Left, above and below, photos from the Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff, 2022.

Celebrating Years

CELEBRATE WITH US!

We’re celebrating our sesquicentennial with a variety of special events, promotions and partnerships to give our customers more opportunities to visit our locations, for the first or the 150th time. Visit our website for more information on programs and events.

Feb. 16 – March 14

Feb. 1 – 28

March 4

March 4

March 9 – April 11

April 19

April 22 – 23

April 23 – 29

May 1 – 30

May 20 – Aug. 5

June 1 – 30

June 1 – July 31

June 2 – Sept. 16

June 3

July 15 – 16

Aug. 7 – Oct. 30

Sept. 15 – Oct. 15

Sept. 30 – Oct. 1

Oct. 14

Nov. 1 – 30

Nov. 3

Nov. 20 – Jan. 7

Nov. 29

Dec. 1 – Jan. 31

columbuslibrary.org

YWCA Columbus, Ohio Undesign the Redline Exhibit at Main Library

Black History Month

Birthday Bashes at all locations (except Marion-Franklin)

New Gahanna Branch Grand Opening

World on the Move Traveling Exhibit at Main Library

Martin Luther King Branch Historical Marker Unveiling

Ohioana Book Festival

National Library Week

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

LEGO® Exhibit at Main Library

Pride Heritage Month

Summer Reading Challenge

Carnegie Gallery Exhibit: Sesquicentennial Celebration Invitational

Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff

Columbus Book Festival

Dinosaurs Exhibit at Main Library

Hispanic Heritage Month

Cartoon Crossroads Columbus

Family History Day at Main Library

Native American Heritage Month

Celebration of Learning

Huntington Holiday Train at Main Library

Holiday Open House and Official Kickoff of the Huntington Holiday Train

Winter Reading Challenge

Sesquicentennial Author Series

Come celebrate with us at these free author talks at Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave.

Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. Leonard S. Marcus

March 5 at 2 p.m. Julia Quinn

April 26 at 7 p.m. Friends and Fiction

Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. Donte Woods Spikes

Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. Saeed Jones

Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Jason Mott

Egg Prize

Watch for this interactive piece of public art coming to Columbus this summer to celebrate 150 years of reading.

eggprize.com

Sesquicentennial Passport

Join us for the first ever Columbus Book Festival! The two-day event featuring national and local authors, exhibitors and entertainment will showcase Columbus Metropolitan Library’s historic Main Library at 96 S. Grant Ave., the adjacent Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Garden Park. See the back page of this section for more details.

Columbus Metropolitan Library is launching the Sesquicentennial Passport to celebrate its 150th birthday! Available March – December, the Passport is full of events and activities for all ages, inside our libraries and out and about in our community. Stop in any Columbus Metropolitan Library location to pick up a passport starting March 4.

Celebrating Years

Open to All Since 1873

A COMMUNITY OF PARTNERSHIPS

Celebrate Columbus Metropolitan Library all year long thanks to our community partners. Your library card gives you extra savings throughout our 150th birthday year. Check out these free or discounted opportunities just by showing your library card. It’s the Best. Deal. Ever.

PARTNER DAYS

Columbus Symphony Storytime

April 16 at 3 p.m.

Ohio Theatre

Dress up as your favorite storybook character and enjoy the greatest hits from Tchaikovsky and storybook heroes. Pre-concert activities begin at 2 p.m. and include create your own crown, magic wand and storytime bookmarks. Families will also be treated to three floors of activities, games, and can even have a picture taken with our lovable mascot, Bee-thoven! Free with your library card; one ticket per library card.

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Free Library Card Days

April 28–30; June 22–24; Aug. 4–6

Visit the only place in America dedicated to telling the stories of veterans from all military service branches and all eras during war and peace. Free with your library card.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Discounted Tickets All Summer

June 1–Aug. 30

Enjoy $3 off full-price tickets with your library card for day or evening admission to see world-class horticulture, art and nature-based exhibitions, plus educational programs for all ages. This excludes member discounts on special engagement nights and Museums for All tickets.

CAPA

Free Cartoon Capers at the Summer Movie Series

June 24 at 10 a.m.

Ohio Theatre

Show your library card and get free admission to Cartoon Capers at the CAPA Summer Movie Series. Enjoy an amalgamation of animated antics featuring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck!

Gateway Film Center

From Book to Film Movie Series

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout June and July

See a new movie each week based on your favorite stories. Admission is free with your library card.

Library Card Day: A grown-up edition of From Book to Film

Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Free screening of the 1935 classic, Frankenstein Reception: 5:30–7 p.m.; film: 7 p.m.

Columbus Recreation and Parks

Free Library Card Days at City of Columbus Pools

Summer 2023

City of Columbus Outdoor Pools

Get free admission to any Columbus Recreation and Parks outdoor pool with your library card and Recreation and Parks Leisure Card. Watch for more information this summer.

Columbus Museum of Art Free Library Card Days

Aug. 5 and 6

Enjoy the Columbus Museum of Art and its collection that spans work from Columbus-born artists like Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, George Bellows and Elijah Pierce to the luminaries of 19th- and 20thcentury art. Free with your library card.

Ohio History Connection

Free Library Card Days at the Ohio History Center and Ohio Village

Every Friday in September (Sept. 22: Ohio History Center admission only)

Show your library card and get free admission to the Ohio History Center and the Ohio Village featuring interactive exhibits exploring everything from life in the 1950s to extinct and endangered Ohio species to our collection of restored Civil War battle flags.

PARTNER EVENTS AT MAIN LIBRARY

96 S. Grant Ave.

Jazz Arts Group

Free Concert at Main Library

May 7 at 2 p.m.

Main Library Reading Room

Jazz Arts Group’s nationally renowned Columbus Youth Jazz (CYJ) program wraps up the 2022–23 season with a performance featuring all four big bands. Come see the CYJ Workshop, Ensemble, Studio and Orchestra showcase the repertoire they have been developing this semester, as well as their skills in improvisation and jazz style. This two-hour performance is free and open to the public.

CATCO

Five Tools of The Actor Workshop

May 20 at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Main Library

Learn from a professional Artist Educator how to apply the tools when reading a script as an actor. This workshop is suitable for ages 5 to adult.

Opera Columbus

Free Concerts

June 2 at 12 p.m.

Main Library Reading Room

Join Opera Columbus for a series of free concerts with refreshments provided. Our singers, musicians and Queens perform jazz, musical theatre, classical, American Songbook and of course, OPERA.

Additional Dates and Locations:

April 14 at 12 p.m., Hilliard Branch

May 12 at 12 p.m., Karl Road Branch

The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Visits Main Library

August 15, 1–2 p.m.

Main Library Kaufman Plaza

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium invites you to Main Library to get up close and personal with their Animal Ambassadors and care team. Enjoy this unique opportunity to learn more about some amazing animals and discover where they’re from, what they eat and what makes them so special. You might even meet some of the Zoo’s character ambassadors.

Central Ohio Plein Air

Plein Air Day at Main Library

September 9, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Grant and Kaufman Plazas

Join the members of Central Ohio Plein Air as they converge on the grounds of Main Library for a day of painting of our historic Carnegie Library. Interact with local artists as they demonstrate their painting techniques. Then enjoy their works that will be on display at Main Library as we celebrate 150 years of history. Free and open to all.

BalletMet at Main Library

Nov. 1, 7–8 p.m.

Main Library Reading Room

Join us for a special program of dance from BalletMet’s second company, BalletMet2. BalletMet is one of Columbus’ premiere performing arts organizations internationally recognized for bringing world class dance to our stages, classrooms and studios. This performance is free and open to all.

ProMusica

Free Family Concert

Nov. 11 at 3 p.m.

Main Library Reading Room

Join ProMusica musicians for a free, family-friendly concert that links classical music and children’s literature. This engaging concert will focus on specific musical themes and offer a display of books for everyone to enjoy.

BOGO Tickets

March–December

Southern Theatre

Cardholders can get buy one, get one free tickets to regular season ProMusica performances at the Southern Theatre. To purchase, call the box office at 614-464-0066 ext. 101 or bring your library card to purchase tickets at the door the night of a performance. Offer excludes $18 second balcony seats and must be purchased in pairs to a single performance.

It’s the Best. Deal. Ever. Stop in any Columbus Metropolitan Library location to sign up for a free library card. Scan the QR code to sign up for a free digital card number.

TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY SERVICES

Long before computers, the library helped citizens gain access to new technology. The Microfilm Reading Room opened in 1948 with one reader and several cabinets of microfilm. The record and film collections began in the 1950s, and the library purchased its first Xerox copier in 1966. Reference services in the 1970s and 1980s saw many advancements, from new electronic resources to innovative access tools. The library’s first public computer was installed in 1977. Staff in the Business & Technology, Magazines & Newspapers and Fine Arts divisions responded to thousands of customer questions each year. The expanded Columbus and Ohio room was dedicated in 1975 to answer local history and genealogy questions. Library services continued to expand in the 1990s. Many new services incorporated digital databases and internet connectivity. The first online library services began at Main Library, including the creation of an online catalog. Eventually the library launched its first website in March 1998 so library customers could access services at home.

WLWC-TV (now WCMH-TV) donated a film collection to the library in 1970. Head Librarian Edward Daniels

Director Larry Black with the first Discovery Place public computer terminal in 1989. The new terminals allowed library customers to search the electronic card catalog for the first time.

Business & Technology was the first library division to receive computerized databases. John Davidson of Society National Bank reviews financial statistics on Compact Disclosure, a CD-ROM database.

(left) and Martin Luther King Branch librarian Verdi Fitz (to his right) accepted the donation.

Left, Healthline, a service where customers could call the library and listen to tapes about various health topics and get help from a librarian, debuted in October 1977. Right, Judge Thomas Moyer (left) presents Assistant Director Charles Brown (right) with tapes for the Law Line service.

Through the Years:

LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES

1892: The library purchased its first typewriter.

1909: The audiovisual program began at Main Library.

1954: Overall circulation passed the 1 million mark for the first time.

1977: The first public computers were available for customers to use.

1938: Branch book circulation first topped that of Main Library. This indicated the growing popularity of branches in the system.

1963: Paperbacks were added to the collection.

1978:

• Collections were labeled with barcodes and public card catalogs were removed.

• Videos were added to the collection.

1985: CDs were added to the collection.

1996: Self-serve checkout began.

1997: Customers were offered internet access.

2004: The first Homework Help Center opened at the Linden Branch.

2005: The library started offering eBooks and digital music.

2008: The library started offering eAudiobooks.

2012: All locations have Homework Help Centers (now called School Help Centers).

2014:

• Automatic renewals for checked out items made it easier for customers to keep an item longer.

• The library launched delivery of books to select elementary school classrooms to help with reading proficiency.

• Reading Buddies was developed for K–3 students to provide reading practice.

2018:

• The library gained access to SearchOhio, a consortium of public libraries, and OhioLINK, a consortium of Ohio’s college and university libraries.

• Winter Reading Challenge launched as a way to engage K–12 students during breaks from school.

2006: The library started offering eFlicks.

2009: Job Help Centers opened in response to the economic downturn and recession.

2013: The library joined the Central Library Consortium, giving customers access to more than a million additional resources, including books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs.

2017: The library stopped charging fines for overdue books and other materials to remove barriers to access.

2020: The library launched Curbside Pickup and virtual programs and services in response to closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PROFESSION LEADER

2010

Columbus Metropolitan Library was named Library of the Year by the American Library Association’s Library Journal

2011

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the library the National Medal for Museum and Library Service

OUR STRATEGIES

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s vision is a thriving community where wisdom prevails. The library’s work to attain that vision is driven by a strategic plan with three pillars: Young Minds, My Library and Life Skills. The library invests in each with books, resources, services and programs designed to achieve outcomes that enrich the lives of those it serves.

YOUNG MINDS

It’s the library’s top strategy to encourage learning and growth so its youngest customers build a foundation for a successful life and become lifelong learners. From birth to high school graduation and beyond, the library invests in its young minds’ services and programs to help children and teens envision – and build – a sustainable future.

MY LIBRARY

Libraries evolve to meet customer needs in a rapidly changing world. By creating innovative physical and digital spaces, the library aspires to anticipate those changing needs and provide access to all. The library’s continued investment in new libraries is a testament to its commitment to building spaces where all feel welcome.

LIFE SKILLS

The library is committed to digital equity, workforce development, adult education and providing access to social services resources. This work is accomplished through strong community partnerships. By identifying challenges and providing opportunities to help, the library supports the community in reaching its full potential.

DEDICATED STAFF THROUGH THE YEARS

From its humble beginning with one staff member in 1873 to nearly 900 employees today, Columbus Metropolitan Library has invested heavily in its people. John Pugh, the second chief librarian, was the longest-serving staff member at 65 years. Many Columbus Metropolitan Library staff members have been recognized as leaders in their fields. They have gone on to become library directors across the country as well as hold nonprofit, government and for-profit leadership positions. In addition to their dedicated work for the library, many employees are also musicians, poets, artists and community leaders, giving even more back to their communities.

▲ Staff at the opening of the renovated Main Library, 2016.

 Bertha Campbell (right) and Phyllis J. Buckner (left) at the Eastside Branch. Buckner was one of the first African American librarians hired at the library in 1953. She became head librarian at the Franklinton Branch in 1954. Campbell became head librarian at the Eastside Branch in 1964.

From left, Franklinton Branch Story Hour, 1999. Martin Luther King Branch grand opening, 2016. Storytime with Patty Gibson, 1950s.

▲

Drivers and sorters keep materials moving across central Ohio.

TODAY’S 21ST CENTURY LIBRARY

Columbus Metropolitan Library serves Franklin County in neighborhoods large and small, urban and suburban, providing programs and services for customers of all ages and from all walks of life. We serve a larger, global community through our website, columbuslibrary.org, and the resources we provide in this ever-changing and evolving digital age. We are open to all, removing barriers to access to information and technology, so our customers can learn, grow and thrive.

On July 30, 2013, we broke ground on our new Driving Park Branch and launched Phase I of our aspirational building program. On June 6, 2019, we opened the doors to our new Dublin Branch and closed the book on Phase I, whose chapters are stunning stories of neighborhood revitalization and transformed libraries in the Driving Park, Whitehall, Parsons, Main Library, Northern Lights, Shepard, Northside, Hilliard, Martin Luther King and Dublin communities.

In Phase II, we’ve continued our work to bring new libraries to the Hilltop, Karl Road, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Linden, Barnett, Canal Winchester and MarionFranklin communities.

New buildings alone don’t make us one of the best libraries in the country, but they provide the updated infrastructure that allows our incredible staff to raise the bar

on the work they do that impacts the lives of our customers in the communities we serve.

We’re always looking to the future but remaining rooted in our vision of a thriving community where wisdom prevails. We’re proud of the work we do. We build libraries that will not only stand the test of time, but evolve with the ever-changing world in which we live.

BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The library’s seven-member Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the library and making financial decisions. This includes everything from capital projects like building new libraries to supporting vital programs and services. The Board is instrumental in guiding library leadership as it looks to the future for viability and sustainability.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees

Catherine Strauss, President

Tom Katzenmeyer, Vice President

Carla Williams-Scott, Secretary

Sandy Doyle-Ahern

Timothy Frommeyer

David White

One board position vacant at time of publication.

Columbus Metropolitan Library’s executives manage the strategic guidance of the library. Their individual expertise, combined years of experience and forward-thinking approach to libraries keep Columbus Metropolitan Library a vital, relevant part of the community.

Columbus Metropolitan Executive Leadership Team

Patrick Losinski, Chief Executive Officer

Lauren Hagan, Chief Financial Officer

Charlie Hansen, Chief Customer Experience Officer

Anthony Wilson, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Donna Zuiderweg, Chief Community Engagement Officer

Columbus Metropolitan Library is fortunate to have two affinity organizations supporting its purpose and vision. The Boards of Trustees for both of these entities guide decisions to support the library’s sustainability for generations to come.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation Board of Trustees

Charlie Fraas, President

Jennifer Massanova, Vice President

Bill Remias, Treasurer

Renée Shumate, Secretary

Adam Brandt

Tanisha Lyon Brown

Melanie DeAscentis

Barbara Derrow

Tim Faber

Timothy Frommeyer*

DeeDee Glimcher

Chrissy Hand

Patrick Losinski, Ex-Officio Member

Lauren Hilsheimer Meier

Corde Westwater Robinson

Barbara Siemer

Ryan Swincicki

Andrea Thomas**

Janica Pierce Tucker

David White*

*Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees Designated Member

**Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Board of Trustees Designated Member

Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees

Andrea Thomas, President

Meredith Hart, Vice President

Sarah Milks Bethel, Treasurer

Tia Ramey, Secretary

Lois Beckman

Meredith Harper Bonham

David Boylan

Jesse Cantrell

Elizabeth Carroll

Shunda Collins

Elissa Francis

Nedra Hadley

Tracy Hedrick

Elizabeth Helpling

Kyra Jones

Steph Kusta

Janelle Lopez

Penny Martin

Lauren McBride

Rob McCarthy

Carly Miller

Jaela Neal

Julie A. Newhall

Ryan Price

Angela Ramos Fields

Tracy Rawlings

Laura Rosenthal

John Rothschild

Lyn Tolan-Barbin

Gwen Zaczepinski

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

As Ohio’s capital city, Columbus continues to experience incredible growth. Planning studies estimate that the region will gain 1 million new residents by the year 2050. The current U.S. Census Bureau results report that Columbus’ population grew 15.08% from 2010 to 2020, which makes Columbus one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, and one of only 14 cities nationwide to gain at least 100,000 residents over the past 10 years. Intel’s investment in U.S. chip manufacturing, with a “mega-site” on 1,000 acres in Licking County, also heralds a new age of growth for central Ohio and its workforce.

What does this mean for Columbus Metropolitan Library’s vision of a thriving community where wisdom prevails? It means the library keeps growing and keeps innovating. It has an enduring history of evolving to meet customer needs as the world around it changes, and the world is changing more rapidly than ever before.

Community activism resulted in the library’s expansion from a single reading room to a library with 23 locations. Community support continues to help the library provide access to books, resources, technology – and knowledge – so the library can be the space that meets the promise of the words etched above Main Library’s front doors – Open to All.

JOIN US!

IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN’S DISCOVERY DISTRICT

This two-day event featuring national and local authors, exhibitors and entertainment will showcase Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library at 96 S. Grant Ave., the adjacent Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Garden Park.

Stay cool inside Main Library and hear popular authors talk about their new books. Check out panel discussions about your favorite genres and get your books signed. Head outdoors to Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Garden Park for entertainment, food vendors, exhibitors and new and used book sales. Meet and greet indie authors you love. Hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, the Columbus Book Festival will be a highlight of the library’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2023.

Watch for more details coming soon!

2023

2023 Entries and Nominations NOW OPEN

OPEN

BBB’s Torch Awards for Ethics shines a spotlight on businesses and organizations that exemplify trust.

BBB’s Torch Awards for Ethics shines a spotlight on businesses and organizations that exemplify trust.

Torch Award recipients are organizations that elevate their commitment to ethical business practices in our community.

Torch Award recipients are organizations that elevate their commitment to ethical business practices in our community.

Nominate or Apply at BBBTorchAward.com

Nominate or Apply at BBBTorchAward.com

EVERYONE

HAS

A

REASON

TO

EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO SUPPORT NATIONWIDE

EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO SUPPORT NATIONWIDE

WHAT’S YOURS?

SUPPORT

NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WHAT’S YOURS?

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WHAT’S YOURS?

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WHAT’S YOURS?

OR THE NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ATHON & 1/2 MARATHON? BECAUSE CHILDREN NEED HOPE, AND HOPE NEEDS A CHAMPION!

DO YOU KNOW THE REASON FOR THE NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLUMBUS MARATHON & 1/2 MARATHON? BECAUSE CHILDREN NEED HOPE, AND HOPE NEEDS A CHAMPION!

DO YOU KNOW THE REASON FOR THE NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLUMBUS MARATHON & 1/2 MARATHON? BECAUSE CHILDREN NEED HOPE, AND HOPE NEEDS A CHAMPION!

DO YOU KNOW THE REASON FOR THE NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLUMBUS MARATHON & 1/2 MARATHON? BECAUSE CHILDREN NEED HOPE, AND HOPE NEEDS A CHAMPION!

Our generous sponsors have helped us raise over $11 million for life-saving research and care at Nationwide Children’s. Show your support by becoming a sponsor.

Our dedicated sponsors support our work, our community and our patients. Through our sponsorship program each partner has the opportunity to choose the social impact they want to make by directing their funds to support a specific area of the hospital.

or life-saving research and care

Our generous sponsors have helped us raise over $11 million for life-saving research and care at Nationwide Children’s. Show your support by becoming a sponsor.

Our generous sponsors have helped us raise over $11 million for life-saving research and care at Nationwide Children’s. Show your support by becoming a sponsor.

Sponsorship levels begin at just $1,000, with each level offering a variety of marketing benefits. Consider becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon!

Our dedicated sponsors support our work, our community and our patients. Through our sponsorship program each partner has the opportunity to choose the social impact they want to make by directing their funds to support a specific area of the hospital.

Our dedicated sponsors support our work, our community and our patients. Through our sponsorship program each partner has the opportunity to choose the social impact they want to make by directing their funds to support a specific area of the hospital.

Learn more at NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon

at Nationwide Children’s. Show your support by becoming a sponsor. support our work, our community and our patients. Through our sponsorship y to choose the social impact they want to make by directing their funds to support a specific area of the hospital. begin at just $1,000, with each level offering a variety of marketing benefits. Consider of the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon!

Sponsorship levels begin at just $1,000, with each level offering a variety of marketing benefits. Consider becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon!

Sponsorship levels begin at just $1,000, with each level offering a variety of marketing benefits. Consider becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon!

Learn more at NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon

Learn more at NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon

Learn more at NationwideChildrens.org/Marathon

The Booming Business of E-Bikes

BY JOEL OLIPHINT + PHOTOS BY TIM JOHNSON

When Columbus native Kelly James and his wife began riding electric bicycles back in 2017, other cyclists would sometimes jeer at them in passing, yelling, “You’re cheating!” To which James began replying, “No, we’re winning.”

James and other e-bike enthusiasts still get the occasional side-eye from

riders of standard bicycles, but the motor-assisted bikes, which have been popular for years in Europe, are catching on in the United States. According to the Light Electric Vehicle Association, the U.S. imported 880,000 e-bikes in 2021, outpacing sales of electric cars and trucks, and that number grew to more than 1 million last year.

In Columbus, riders have more opportunities than ever to rent or purchase e-bikes. The city’s CoGo Bike Share program, managed by Lyft, began offering e-bike rentals alongside its standard bicycles at docking stations in 2020.

Joining CoGo is Trip Bikes, a rideshare company founded by James in 2018 (initially under the name Roam). Trip plans to launch 300 of its fat-tire e-bikes in June, with 200 more to follow in late summer. Pedego Electric Bikes, which opened in April 2022 at 170 W. Olentangy St. in Powell, also offers full- and half-day rentals, in addition to e-bikes for purchase.

Orbit City eBikes was ahead of the curve, opening on High Street in Clintonville about 10 years ago and later moving north to its current location at 4544 Indianola Ave. Orbit City founder Tom Bennett discovered e-bikes in his 40s after developing sore knees that bothered him while riding a regular bicycle. Few e-bike models existed in the U.S. in 2006, so Bennett rigged a car battery to power his bike, later upgrading to a Schwinn with a lighter, rechargeable, lithiumion battery.

“I was able to ride my bike to work again. … And it was thrilling,” says Bennett, who estimates that he replaced more than half of his local car mileage with e-bike miles last year. “You just feel so much better than you do in a car.”

Traditionally, e-bikes have been most popular with older riders, but it’s trending younger these days, driven by commuters in the 25-to-45 demographic and families purchasing models that can carry kids and cargo. Orbit City carries brands like Benno, Urban Arrow, Cube and Gazelle, the

Used for exercise, recreation and commuting, electric bicycles are on the rise thanks to local companies offering the trendy rides for rental and purchase.

Founder Kelly James (left) and CTO Chris Brandon of rideshare company Trip Bikes with a fat-tire e-bike

“Once you get a person off a traditional bike and onto an e-bike, it changes them. There’s nothing like it.”

Kelly James, Trip Bikes founder

ONTHEFIELD.I NT HE LO CKER ROOM. ONTHERECRUIT IN GT RAIL .

ON VIEW UNTIL JUNE 30

ColumbusMakesArt.com/ArtSpot

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:

store’s bestseller, with prices ranging from $2,499 to $8,000. Pedego offers more than 15 models of its own branded e-bikes that start at $1,995.

In May, the city also plans to launch a $250,000 Smart Columbus program offering partial rebates for e-bike purchases.

An e-bike’s battery can power a motor in a few ways: “pedal assist” e-bikes automatically engage the motor as the rider pedals; others use a throttle on the handlebar (similar to a scooter); and some models incorporate both methods. Ohio groups e-bikes into three classes based on those powering capabilities. Class 1 e-bikes use pedal assist to take riders up to 20 mph, while Class 2 e-bikes top out at the same speed using a throttle; both are allowed anywhere regular bicycles can go. Class 3 e-bikes can go up to 28 mph with a pedal assist and are restricted from shared-use paths. (Regulations can vary depending on the municipality.) Most e-bikes have three or four levels of assistance so riders can choose how much power comes from the motor versus their legs.

James and Trip CTO Chris Brandon describe the rideshare company’s flagship electric bicycle as a cutting-edge “smart bike,” with

Art Spot is a series of temporary public art installations featuring 14 artists at 13 storefront window locations in and around downtown Columbus. The artwork, viewable 24/7, explores issues of climate change, conservation and the role of art in science communication.

Photo: Terry Gilliam | Design: Formation Studio

Ifit’shappeningin Scarlet &Gray, it’shappeninghere.

Orbit City eBikes owner Tom Bennett (left) with employee Derek Wright in the Clintonville shop

cloud-based software that will sync to users’ phones through an app, providing turn-by-turn directions and virtual tours. The software also allows the bikes, which feature both pedal assist and throttle, to switch between classes 1 and 3 depending on location. And since e-bike injuries tend to happen at high speeds on the first ride, Trip remotely caps users’ speed for the first few rides. When batteries get low, local “Trippers” will swap them out using a Bluetooth key.

Costing $2 upfront and 49 cents per minute, Trip’s dockless e-bikes feature fat tires styled in fluorescent shades of blue, pink, orange and yellow, with foam inserts instead of air to ensure flat tires are a nonissue. Later this year, Trip hopes to have a consumer e-bike model available for purchase.

“Cheating” comments are beginning to fall by the wayside, too. A 2018 review of e-bike studies found that e-bike outings often replaced car trips, offering a physically active alternative to vehicle commutes. James, Bennett and Pedego Powell co-owner Scott Seneff also say e-bikers tend to ride more often and go longer distances than regular cyclists.

“Once you get a person off a traditional bike and onto an e-bike, it changes them,” James says. “There’s nothing like it.”

This story also appears in the April issue of Columbus Monthly

Derek Wright adds a child carrier to an electric bicycle at Orbit City eBikes.

white. Her father and grandfather both had white hair by their 30s, but she’s not ready to follow in their follicles.

Over the years, she’s become accustomed to the occasional viewer thinking her looks are fair game. “You can’t believe the stuff [I get], like: ‘I liked your hair better darker,’ that kind of stuff.

“Really?” she pauses, indignant. “Could you send me a picture of yourself? I would love to evaluate how things look for you.”

In February, The New York Times wrote about longtime Canadian broadcaster Lisa LaFlamme, whose national newscast at CTV had been one of the most watched in the country before she was “unceremoniously dismissed” last summer—after she let her hair go gray during the pandemic, as countless women did. Her firing set off “debates across Canada about sexism, ageism and going gray.”

Dashiell underscores that double standards still exist for women on-air today. “These same men started out young and now they’re on the news with pot bellies, gray hair or thinning hair. They don’t take or are not expected to take the same measures as women,” she says.

Marshall, naturally, laughs about it. “Doug Adair had white hair and nobody blinked. Nobody was going to ask him to dye his hair.”

She sighs: “Men get distinguished,

women become hags.”

Marshall has been shrugging off expectations her whole career. She recalls having to fight to be assigned real news stories in her early days at Channel 4. Despite her reporting background in radio in Pittsburgh, the WCMH news director at the time kept giving her “daycare, fluffy pieces.”

“He said, ‘We like the girls—the girls—to cover softer news.’ I had to fight to prove women can cover hard news stories,” Marshall says.

Marshall and Kerry Charles share a laugh between news segments in the WCMH studios.

FILE/Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch

She never looked back.

Next, the avowed dog lover wants to go after puppy mills. “Did you know,” she says incredulously, “that Ohio is the second-worst state in the nation for puppies?” She cites data and reports off the top of her head, including a Humane Society list of puppy mills that shows 16 out of the worst 100 are in Ohio. “I’m gonna start looking into it all,” she says with the determination of, well, a dog with a bone.

Over the years, she and Gary have

rescued 15 senior dogs; most recently they adopted a bonded pair that had spent all of their roughly six years of life in cages at a puppy mill. The male is so fearful, he has to be carried on walks. “I look at these two, and I think they had such capacity to be good pets. … I know that they’ll probably never be normal, but we’re going to make them as comfortable and happy as we can possibly make them.”

Colleen and Gary’s children are in their mid-30s. Garrett is a lawyer at

Porter Wright, and Shannon lives in Nashville and is an HR manager for the company that owns the Grand Ole Opry. Neither has kids. Marshall the newswoman carefully keeps her opinions to herself, saying only: “I’m hoping that at some point I will be a grandmother.”

Regardless, she is not ready, or capable, of sitting at home. “I don’t think I will ever fully retire; I’d go insane,” she says. She mulls the idea of teaching, or providing media training for executives, maybe pro bono work for battered women who are going through divorces or landlord-tenant work. She isn’t sure what a life outside newscasts might look like one day.

“My boss always says, ‘We’re not going to let you retire.’ But I think when I’m 69, they’re going to be ready to kick me out the door,” she jokes. “And there will be other people lined up who want to sit in my chair. So I don’t know.”

This story also appears in the April issue of Columbus Monthly.

Marshall laughs with her former co-anchor Mike Jackson in 2004.

FILE/Dan Trittschuh

BY DAVE GHOSE

Downtown Dichotomy

Downtown housing continues to grow, even as the pandemic has damaged the office market in the city center. The Downtown Columbus residential population increased again in 2022, just as it has every year since 2003. But the office vacancy rate rose to 21.3 percent last year. That’s less than the Central Ohio suburban rate, but it still represents an 8-percentage-point increase since 2017. The trend shows why developers are turning Downtown office buildings, such as the Continental Centre on East Gay Street and the PNC tower on East Broad Street, into residential or mixeduse complexes.

DOWNTOWN HOUSING AND POPULATION

OFFICE VACANCY RATES

Photo by Brooke LaValley/The Columbus Dispatch

FILE/Courtesy Edwards Cos.

The PNC tower on East Broad Street in Downtown Columbus

The building’s atrium is being replaced with garden and outdoor space.

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