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CRAIN’S LIST Largest continuing care retirement communities.

EDUCATION: Burnout increases for college counseling center providers. PAGE 3

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CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM I FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Auto Show returns

BY RACHEL ABBEY MCCAFFERTY

Andrew Spitzer, chief operating officer for Spitzer Auto Group, thinks the Cleveland Auto Show will have a big impact on future sales this year. At a time when it’s tough to find new cars on lots and people are being asked to order vehicles sight unseen, the show will give potential customers the chance to check them out for themselves. The chance to see and sit in and maybe drive a variety of vehicles, comparing them in real time outside of a sales opportunity, has always been part of the auto show’s design. But the supply chain issues affecting auto dealers as of late mean that consumers might not be able to do that on a random Saturday at a dealership on their own. The vehicles just aren’t there on-site.

Promotes in-person experience amid supply chain challenges

See AUTO SHOW on Page 16 Cleveland Auto Show attendees will have the chance to see new vehicles in-person amid industry-wide inventory challenges. | CLEVELAND AUTO SHOW

PLAYOFF PAYOFF

Extra football playoffs boosts OHSAA’s bottom line BY JOE SCALZO

Expanding the football playoffs helped the Ohio High School Athletic Association stay out of the red zone. The OHSAA permanently added a sixth round of the playoffs last fall, doubling the number of teams that qualify in the sport’s seven divisions from 224 to 448 and more than doubling its profit. The organization made

$5,656,520 in football revenue last fall, against $2,475,670 in football-related expenses. Comparatively, the OHSAA’s 2019 football revenue — the last pre-pandemic — was $3,035,451, against $1,904,669 in expenses on 224 fewer games. The 2021 funds provided a big boost for the non-profit organization, which was hit hard by the See OHSAA on Page 17

NEWSPAPER

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Sisters of Charity mission unmoved New president and CEO focused on sustaining the organization’s goals BY LYDIA COUTRÉ

As the new president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System, Janice G. Murphy is focused on sustaining the mission of the Cleveland-based organization and each of its 12 ministries. Since 2019, Murphy served as president and CEO of St. Vincent

THE

Charity Medical Center, part of the health system’s ministries, which also include two elder care facilities, three grantmaking foundations and six community outreach organizations across Northeast Ohio and South Carolina. She succeeds Thomas J. Murphy Strauss, who stepped down at the end of 2021 after a fiveyear tenure. Dr. Adnan Tahir — formerly St. Vincent’s senior vice president and chief clinical and

LAND SCAPE

administrative officer — is now president of St. Vincent Charity, which became the system’s sole hospital after Mercy Medical Center in Canton joined Cleveland Clinic as a full member during Strauss’ tenure. It maintains its Catholic identity through sponsorship by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. See CHARITY on Page 16

A CRAIN’S CLEVELAND PODCAST

2/18/2022 12:21:09 PM

How we’re boosting the fight against hunger Bank of America is proudly supporting our employees’ health and safety and addressing one of our local community’s most critical needs. Each day, millions of Americans suffer from food insecurity, which typically spikes during the winter months. For every employee who lets us know they’ve received a booster shot, Bank of America is donating $100 to local hunger-relief organizations. This is a direct investment in the health of our teammates, and in the well-being of the communities where we work and live. Through this effort, our team in Cleveland recently presented Greater Cleveland Food Bank with a check for $35,000. This contribution is in addition to our long-standing philanthropic support to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the country. We are proud to be able to help our community as we work together to move forward.

Jeneen Marziani President, Bank of America Cleveland

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Donations in each market reflect $100 per employee who has recorded their booster and an additional company contribution. Vaccination boosters and vaccination reporting are voluntary. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

EDUCATION

Burnout increases for college counseling center providers BY AMY MORONA

College students juggled issues related to their mental health prior to COVID-19. The pandemic amplified things. Just one survey at Ohio State University, for example, found students there reported higher rates of burnout, anxiety and depression from August 2020 to April 2021. National findings echoed those. Universities responded. The state of Ohio did, too, directing $13.5 million to both private and public colleges, specifically to boost support offerings in 2020. Now, campuses across the state have chatbots and multicultural specialist psychologists and science-based sound therapy experiences and lots of other things to help aid students in navigating the third straight academic year impacted by the pandemic. Ultimately, though, at a baseline, campus counseling centers are composed of humans helping other humans. And according to one new report, those working there — think clinicians, counselors, directors, jobs you can’t necessarily just log off and shake when the day is done — are far more burnt out now. Nearly 93% of clinicians and 88% of directors surveyed reported experiencing burnout during the fall 2021 semester. More than half of clinicians reported their levels of burnout either haven’t changed or have gotten worse since fall 2020. The findings come from a study of

about 130 professionals across the country conducted by Mantra Health, a digital mental health clinic billing itself as a company “on a mission to improve young people’s mental health care.” The report’s authors called it “crucial” for colleges and universities to be intentional when figuring out how to decrease provider burnout. It means recognizing that their needs are changing, especially as more campuses returned to in-person classes and activities last year. Dr. Sara Lee, executive director of Case Western Reserve University’s University Health and Counseling Services, hasn’t explicitly asked staff if they’re burnt out. But “everybody’s kind of tired,” she said. Officials are trying to be more mindful of how employees are scheduled. There’s the option to work remotely off of the University Circle campus once a week. The staff at Case Western, as at other places, has dealt with oft-changing guidelines since the pandemic began. Plus, in addition to disorders some college students already face like anxiety and depression, the past few years have introduced more stressors for many: fear about the virus itself, loss of loved ones, financial hits. “We know that the impact of the last two years, and really some ongoing impact, doesn’t just go away,” she said. “Students really need to recover and rebuild.” Some employees have left the university to join private practices. Lee

College counseling centers, like the one at Baldwin Wallace University, have full plates. | BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY

framed this as an opportunity to focus on filling those roles with intention and ways to improve. The university isn’t alone in terms of shrinking staff, per the Mantra Health report. “Counseling centers are experiencing higher levels of turnover and smaller pools of new applicants, at the very time when those resources are most needed,” the authors wrote. Clinicians’ workloads have increased. About 66% indicated they feel like they’re working more, a number higher than in 2020. The majority also said the heft of those workloads affect the quality of care they’re able to provide. Officials at CWRU spell out explicitly on their website what students can expect. While there are no specific limits on the number of counseling appointments, the department sets clear expectations on deliverables.

“While we wish we could meet every need of every student, that just is not possible,” officials wrote. “Providing weekly therapy for all students (or even most of them) would require unlimited staff and space and would limit the number of students who could receive regular services from UH&CS.” The pandemic illuminated the ratio of counselors to students on campuses, according to Timeka Rashid, vice president for student affairs at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea. “We were already stretched,” said Rashid. “Now, we’re going to have to identify, with that stretch, how to prioritize, how to recognize, how to take care of our students.” She knows her staff is working hard. They’re also playing catch-up in terms of prioritizing what they need to do and how to fit in everyone who wants or needs to be seen.

Students can opt-in to a telehealth company the university has contracted with. There are now two additional part-time counselors. By this time next year, Rashid said the goal is to have at least four full-time and one part-time counselor. Providers in the Mantra Health report said hiring more employees to share workloads was the top way they believe their burnout and isolation could be lessened. In the meantime, though, Rashid is encouraging her counseling staff to take time off and lean on others in the field. The report also outlined similar suggestions for administrators to keep in mind for their staffs of providers, along with creating clear communication policies and procedures to lessen the chance for uncertainty. Amy Morona: amy.morona@crain. com, (216) 771-5229, @AmyMorona

TECHNOLOGY

OhioX brings state’s first tech summit to Cleveland this spring BY JEREMY NOBILE

Even South by Southwest had to start somewhere. Of course, being its first year, the 2022 OhioX Tech Summit won’t be remotely as expansive as the renowned, 35-year-old festival that brings together tech, film and music industries in Austin, Texas, each year. But for organizers behind Ohio’s first-ever tech summit, which comes to John Carroll University on April 23, it’s the initial step in growing the tentatively annual event into something like a SXSW. In that sense, the event could be a pivotal moment in the story of the state’s expansive and growing tech industry. “This has been many semesters in the making,” said Chris Berry, president for OhioX, the state’s first and only tech trade group. “It’ll be an opportunity for people to come together, experience and celebrate tech across Ohio.” The one-day event will feature a variety of speakers, tech demos and networking opportunities. You can find more details about the event, including speakers and tentative itinerary, online.

“This is coming at a perfect time because there are so many exciting things happening with tech in our state,” Berry said. “There’s of course the news of the Intel plant coming to central Ohio, and that has its ripple effects. But that’s just one piece. We have startups drawing more venture capital than ever. Really, from startups to Fortune 500 businesses, if there is tech and innovation going on, this is really the home for all of that.” So why host the event at John Carroll? That comes down in large part to Berry’s fellow event organizer Scott Allen, Standard Products—Dr. James S. Reid Chair in Management for the college who also teaches a class about technologies enabling disruption. Through his college course, Allen takes students across Northeast Ohio to companies such as Goodyear, General Electric, the Cleveland Clinic and many others to witness disruptive technologies and to generally improve their tech literacy. “We don’t necessarily want the students to be the one developing, say, the sensor technology,” he said, “but we want them to know how sen-

sor technology is being used, monetized and how it can be a differentiator in business.” As those tours turned virtual during the pandemic, other interested parties have been invited to jump in. There are about 20 students in Allen’s class, but he said upward of 80 people would often tag along for the virtual events. Allen connected with Berry after the launch of OhioX in December 2019. It wasn’t long before they latched on to the idea of collaborating on a statewide summit that could convene people and companies engaged in the tech scene. Thus, the concept for the OhioX Tech Summit was born with John Carroll serving as the venue. This idea blossomed just as COVID-19 flared up, so plans were put on the backburner. With the pandemic seemingly amidst another fade, the duo said the time is right to bring an event to fruition. One of OhioX’s core goals is to promote the state’s often unsung tech industry and innovation — not just that coming out of the most high-profile companies, but also what’s being developed by startups and within other businesses that might not always draw mainstream attention.

OhioX Tech Summit details When: Saturday, April 23 Where: John Carroll University Cost: $75 per ticket Discount code: FIRST Agenda, where to buy tickets and other details?: Go to www.ohiox.org/techsummit

The summit certainly will serve that purpose. Speakers lined up for the event so far represent a wide variety of companies, including Park Place Technologies, Color Coded Labs, KeyBank, Hyland, Proformex, University Hospitals Ventures, Microsoft and many others. For Allen, the event will be required attending for his college course, which has otherwise been conducted remotely amid surges in COVID. Berry said that people will come to him asking about what’s happening in different pockets of the state with respect to tech. He is often asked, “What is Cincinnati doing versus Columbus or Cleveland?” The joke, he said, is that there is always this rivalry between the

big cities and the smaller ones around them that inspire this line of thinking. But it’s part of Berry’s job to think about the big picture. And therein lies another purpose of the summit. “There are different strengths in our various cities and sectors. But there are also many similarities and parallels, and in that is future opportunity,” Berry said. “One of the things we are trying to do better is connect what is happening in these regional ecosystems.” “When you look at all levels of business, whether that is the Fortune 500 companies or startups, we could stack up our stories with a lot of other people,” Allen said. “I think we need to step back and get really proud of what is happening in our state right now and take a look like, wow, Ohio is a player in tech, and build a mindset based on that — just like what Chris is doing everyday with OhioX.” Berry is still compiling a list of possible speakers for the tech summit, as well as companies interested in providing demos. Anyone interested in either is encouraged to contact Berry via team@ohiox.org. Jeremy Nobile: jnobile@crain.com, (216) 771-5362, @JeremyNobile

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 3

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Telemundo Cleveland rolls out Spanish-language station BY KIM PALMER

As of Jan. 10, area residents have been able to tune in to Telemundo Cleveland at 6 and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday to see news stories reported and broadcast by local journalists entirely in Spanish. “About two-and-a-half years ago, we decided that we wanted to provide content and news from a Hispanic perspective for a Hispanic audience,” explains Ian Rubin, news director for WOIO Channel 19 and Telemundo Cleveland. With that in mind, WOIO hired a couple of journalists and started “Al Día,” a digital news platform that produced local stories in Spanish for the WOIO website and Facebook page. “As we did some more research into the community and started evaluating the content to try to take it up a few notches, we questioned if there was a TV component for this type of news coverage,” Rubin said. The question came at a opportune time, as WOIO’s parent company, Gray Television Inc., acquired the local Telemundo affiliate and last fall announced it would host the region’s first Telemundo station in Cleveland, with the ability to reach a potential overall audience of 4 million people, with about 180,000 who identify as Hispanic or Latino in 2022. The new local Telemundo affiliate, WTCL — which, like WOIO, is owned by Gray Television — can be found on channel 6.1 or over-theair on Channel 20. The two nightly Spanish-only newscasts feature local journalists — Steven Hernandez, Ana Garcia, Cristina Garcia and Samantha Roberts — and are produced with Channel 19 news resources. As the largest producer of original Spanish-language content in the country, Telemundo offers more than 3,000 hours of scripted (mostly Rosario telenovelas), reality, news and sports programming. Last year, Telemundo ranked in the top 10 mostwatched networks — it came in eighth, just behind main competitor Univision’s ranking of sixth, according to 2021 Nielsen’s National People Meter audience measure- Contreras ment ratings. This year, for the first time, Telemundo broadcast exclusive Spanish-language coverage of Super Bowl LVI live, using separate news crews, sets and cameras from NBC broadcast. The decision to be the only local Spanish newscast, Rubin said, demonstrates a big commitment by the company to “growing the Hispanic and Latino audience in the Cleveland area.” The addition of two local newscasts in Cleveland is a nod to a growing minority in the city and the region. It is a group, said Myra

Rosario, Hispanic marketing consultant and producer at 216 Studios, that wants to see and hear more of their language, culture and business represented in the media. “We see it as a positive thing, and I really hope in the long run (the broadcasts) will be able to attract Hispanic and Latino business and sponsorships,” said Rosario. “There is an opportunity — beyond serving an untapped market — to bring an awareness that we want to be communicated to in our own language.” Rosario also stresses that delivering relevant subject matter, whether news or entertainment, to her community goes beyond just providing content in Spanish.

battled to get local media to tell positive and business-related stories, pointing to the example of a local station’s error in reporting from a white-owned ethnic restaurant during Hispanic Heritage month. “While the Latino population continues to grow in this area, we’re not a huge market and we haven’t had strong representation,” Contreras said. “Telemundo is a good thing for our community. It gives us a platform, the means to educate our community, the means to connect and direct how our community is being represented. It’s a huge opportunity, but it’s also great responsibility,” she said. A Hispanic audience is looking

“TELEMUNDO IS A GOOD THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT GIVES US A PLATFORM, THE MEANS TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY, THE MEANS TO CONNECT AND DIRECT HOW OUR COMMUNITY IS BEING REPRESENTED. IT’S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY, BUT IT’S ALSO GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.” — Jenice Contreras, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development

The region’s Hispanic and Latino community wants even news stories delivered with what she calls a “Latin flair,” which means “food, family, religion and entertainment. It is not as simple as cutting and pasting translated English content into Spanish,” Rosario said. And with about 20 different Latin countries represented in the Telemundo audience, Rosario said the station is tasked with not only covering what’s happening locally but also to provide insight into what is happening “back home.” It is a lot to consider, a big lift, Rubin acknowledged, starting a news department and broadcast from scratch — even if, as the only non-fee-based or cable Spanish station, it is currently the only game in town. “The dynamic is, there is not a ton of market research on this audience right now. We still have to be on-brand with Telemundo, but it’s an opportunity to do things based not as much on market research, but anecdotal research from a panel of experts,” Rubin said. “We don’t have as much risk, and it’s great market position, because there’s no one else doing it.” In order to delve into what a local Spanish-speaking audience wants, WOIO created an advisory committee that meets frequently to help craft and course-correct when needed. Jenice Contreras, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, has been part of the advisory group since before the first broadcast aired. In her role as adviser, Contreras said she stressed that the Hispanic and Latino community has always

for different and more issue-oriented content that helps to empower and educate the audience, Contreras said. Stories explaining the process of immigration and teaching the audience about what health, education and civic resources are out there are high on the list of wants for her community. Rubin said that based on the feedback from Contreras and her group, positive news stories are now run first or higher in the newscast than they would probably run in an English-only nightly broadcast. “It has a different feel to our other broadcasts, and we are doing that based on the feedback we got so far,” he said. Time will tell if Telemundo Cleveland will increase the number of locally produced news or other programs in the near future, but Rubin thinks the fast growth of the Hispanic community bodes well for growth in that space. “It seems to be front and center for the company,” Rubin said about the expansion of Spanish content for Gray Television’s recent purchase of Telemundo Atlanta. “It’s too early in the game at this moment, but as a Telemundo affiliate, there are some other time slots that they can make available, and there’s room to expand in the future.” Contreras and Rosario believe that having a Spanish station goes a long way to attracting more migration by making Hispanics and Latinos more comfortable relocating to the area. “I think it also provides an opportunity for non-Latinos to engage with our community, learn about our community and connect in a meaningful way,” Contreras said. “We have a lot of diversity in Northeast, Ohio, but it’s not really a melting pot, because we’re not melting,” she said. Kim Palmer: kpalmer@crain.com, (216) 771-5384, @kimfouroffive

4 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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HEALTH CARE

BY SCOTT SUTTELL

Northeast Ohio’s three big health care systems — Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and University Hospitals — are working with a variety of community partners on a project to train workers quickly for entry-level positions that offer a path to career advancement. The Workforce Connect Healthcare Sector Partnership (HSP), which is based at Cuyahoga Community College, leans on the training expertise of the nonprofit Towards Employment and also involves Southwest General Health Center and the VA Northeast Ohio. The partners describe it as “an employer-led collaborative” with three big priorities: developing “clear and actionable career pathways with family-sustaining wages” for Cuyahoga County jobseekers; improving economic opportunity for those jobseekers; and addressing the “critical shortage of entry-level health care talent” for employers. Among the HSP’s first projects is the Healthcare Career On-Ramp training program, which connects Cuyahoga County residents with open positions at the Clinic, MetroHealth and UH. The program pays particular attention to finding trainees in under-resourced communities with high unemployment.

Each cohort of On-Ramp trainees includes 10 to 15 potential employees who go through an eight-day, hybrid virtual/on-site training session. (The goal eventually is to make the training entirely in-person.) Those who successfully complete the training receive a $200 stipend and are guaranteed an interview with at least one of the three large health systems. Trainees who are hired then receive six months of post-hire job coaching with Towards Employment. Soft skills and professionalism training within On-Ramp covers “health care work culture, customer service, life management, interview skills and professional presentation,” according to a program description. It prepares trainees for entry-level positions in areas including environmental services, nutrition services, patient transport, nursing support and more. The On-Ramp program and the work of the HSP are funded with philanthropic dollars, county funding and employer in-kind matches. The On-Ramp partners aim to hire 100 entry-level, full-time workers by June. It’s a modest goal to get the program off on the right foot to support a big and growing Northeast Ohio health care sector that, like virtually every industry these days, is challenged to find enough workers in an environment still touched by the

COURTESY

Health systems work with On-Ramp program to turn jobs into careers

pandemic. The health systems have also an initial retention goal of 70%. They also aim for 80% of new hires to come from under-resourced communities. Addressing unemployment gaps and providing jobs with sustaining wages “allow people to lead thriving lives” and help communities to become healthier, said Alan Nevel, senior vice president and chief equity officer at MetroHealth. Adrianne Shadd, program manager for workforce development and outreach at UH, said leaders at the health systems discussed best practices of other training and coaching efforts, and worked with community

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

workforce partners, to maximize the effectiveness of the On-Ramp training. The accelerated timing of the training, in particular, helps to address some major barriers to those seeking job training, including childcare and transportation. Towards Employment works on the front end to determine if potential trainees are ready for the bootcamp. The goal, Shadd said, is to make entry-level positions within the health care systems “more attractive and attainable,” and to prepare workers who are ready and able to make a first step into a career — and then step into more advanced roles as they’re able. She said initial feedback

from trainees has been positive, particularly when it comes to ongoing career support. One trainee, Lisa L. Pointer, now a community health worker at UH who helps bridge the gap between the system and patients, said the training helped her “target skills and redirect some skills” that are paying off in her new position. “I love to speak to people, and developing that skill helps me every day,” she said. Another trainee, Jacari Henderson, now works in patient transport at MetroHealth. Henderson had worked at a nursing home previously, so he had so experience in health care, but he said the training helped establish him with a job where he believes “people are interested in helping me grow.” It’s critical for the health systems to do as much as possible to broaden the talent pipeline, said Kelly Hancock, chief caregiver officer at the Clinic. “We’re trying to create a single front door” to find employment and a meaningful career, Hancock said. “We’re early into this work. But raising the number of people in training programs makes the goals of the community more achievable.” Scott Suttell: ssuttell@crain.com, (216) 771-5227, @ssuttell

his is a special editorial feature within Crain’s June 27 print issue and online that will recognize women who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Northeast Ohio and have made a difference through their work, volunteer efforts and personal goals. Their dedication and achievements enrich our region and its people. We are welcoming nominations to help us determine those recognized.

NOMINATION DEADLINE:

MARCH 14

crainscleveland.com/nominate

6 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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PERSONAL VIEW

Courage needed from leadership at Cleveland Clinic

RICH WILLIAMS FOR CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

BY ROBERT CLARKE BROWN

EDITORIAL

Brag a little Y

ou might not be a fan of basketball, the NBA or the NBA All-Star Game. (Certainly, though, you can cheer on the Cavaliers after their remarkable and fun run so far.) No matter how you feel about the league, though, you’d have to acknowledge it’s a remarkable marketing machine. And one that our region might learn from as we seek to grow our economy. The pop-up events and marketing opportunities leading into the game on Sunday, Feb. 20, were notable for both their volume and creativity. If you were anywhere around downtown last week, you got a glimpse of a vibrant city that should be our goal year-round, not just when a big event comes to town. A professional sports all-star game comes with a readymade marketing formula. But the gusto that the NBA applies to its big midseason contest has a lesson for Northeast Ohio, where the Greater Cleveland Partnership is pursuing a strategic plan built around the “All-In” mantra that includes accelerating business confidence here as one of its priorities. Baiju Shah, who became CEO of GCP last year, was in our office last week, and he talked in part about the importance of calling attention to growth companies in Northeast Ohio and the successes they’re having. Driving greater awareness of our victories — fast-growing, acquisitive technology companies such as MRI Software, a Solon-based provider of real estate software and services, and Park Place Technologies, a global data center and network optimization firm based in Mayfield Heights — is a key part of changing impressions about the region and what’s possible for businesses here. We’re certainly not of the belief that better marketing is all we need. To meet GCP’s goal of making Cleveland an upper-tier Great Lakes city in terms of economic vitality, we need a focus on innovation, talent attraction/creation, infrastructure — the nuts and bolts of what makes an economy really hum. On one of those key fronts — securing skilled talent — there was some encouraging news last week in a report from nonprofit advocacy organization Heartland Forward, which aims to “improve economic performance in the center of the United States by advocating for fact-based solutions to foster job creation, knowledge-based and inclusive growth and im-

proved health outcomes.” Its data-rich report found that metro markets including Cleveland are benefiting from “a marked shift in the geography of talent over the past decade away from extreme concentration in coastal superstar cities and leading tech hubs.” We’re a long way from displacing powerhouse U.S. cities. That’s not even the goal. Raising our competitive level against peer Midwestern cities is, though, and creating a stronger image for Cleveland is part of that. Doing more to promote opportunities here is important, even if it cuts against an ingrained Midwestern modesty. Brag a little. If we don’t tell our own story well, no one else will do it for us.

Feeling clean

ur political system these days is more often oriented around partisan preening than the pursuit of results. It’s particularly gratifying, then, when one of the rare instances of constructive cooperation leads to productive ends. The Biden administration announced last week that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide $1 billion in supplemental funding over five years for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The funding was allocated as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Ohio’s two U.S. senators — Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Rob Portman — played key roles in shaping and passing. One big upside of the additional funding is that the EPA expects to complete rehabilitation work by 2030 at Ohio’s three Areas of Concern, or AOCs: the Black, Maumee and Cuyahoga rivers. Broadly, the funding will provide resources to guard the ecological and economic well-being of the Great Lakes basin. Lake Erie is one of our most vital resources, providing clean drinking water and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs through various types of commerce. The additional protections provided by the funding underscore the value of one of the early benefits of Congress’ work to pass infrastructure legislation.

Executive Editor: Elizabeth McIntyre (emcintyre@crain.com) Managing Editor: Scott Suttell (ssuttell@crain.com) Contact Crain’s: 216-522-1383 Read Crain’s online: crainscleveland.com

When four visionary physicians founded the Cleveland Clinic in 1921, they were at “the forefront of modern medicine.” In the 100 years since, Clinic physicians and other health care workers have consistently provided, as today’s slogan says, “world class care.” But when recently presented with an Robert Clarke opportunity to lead in the pandemic Brown, a Shaker fight, Clinic leaders chose not to be in Heights resident, the forefront, instead retreating to the is a patient of rear and hiding behind a public rela- several excellent Cleveland Clinic tions stunt. Late last year, the Cleveland Clinic, physicians. along with other large Cleveland-area hospital systems, sponsored a full-page advertisement in the Sunday Plain Dealer urging citizens to get a COVID vaccination and to “care as much as we do.” It was a grand gesture and no doubt deeply gratifying, when the ad garnered both national press attention and a mention in a widely read political organ, to Clinic management. But the ad was simply an effort to divert attention from Clinic management’s sorry performance throughout the second half of 2021, when the Clinic refused to join the many U.S. hospitals that, of their own volition, were mandating vaccines for employees. The Clinic now has a mandate in place, of course, as must all hospitals, since the U.S. Supreme Court last month approved the federal government’s rule requiring COVID WHY HAS CLINIC vaccinations for health care workers. But many hospitals MANAGEMENT NOT had moved last summer, long HAD THE COURAGE TO before the government required them to act, recogniz- GIVE FULL-THROATED ing that universal vaccination SUPPORT TO A of health care workforces was in the best interest of patients HEALTH CARE and of the health care workers WORKER COVID themselves. Notwithstanding its ad VACCINE MANDATE? campaign proclaiming how deeply it “cares,” Clinic management didn’t care enough — unlike many of the other hospitals that signed the full-page ad — to require their employees to get vaccinated. Clinic leaders have never spoken to the benefits of universal COVID vaccination for health care workforces. Instead, at every turn they have chosen to do only what’s legally required, an approach they have made clear in their public statements. When a new federal regulation was promulgated in November, the Clinic finally instituted an employee mandate — only promptly to rescind it when a court enjoined the rule’s enforcement. Unlike many of its peers (including its top competitor in the annual U.S. News rankings, Mayo Clinic), the Clinic has never endorsed COVID vaccine mandates for health care workers. Rather, Clinic management has scrupulously avoided any suggestion that the Clinic supports the federal mandate policy, explicitly and repeatedly stating that it is merely acting “in accordance with this federal mandate.” Why has Clinic management not had the courage to give full-throated support to a health care worker COVID vaccine mandate? Are they afraid taking a position on the controversial issue of mandates will bring retribution from the anti-science politicians who dominate the Ohio General Assembly?

Write us: Crain’s welcomes responses from readers. Letters should be as brief as possible and may be edited. Send letters to Crain’s Cleveland Business, 700 West St. Clair Ave., Suite 310, Cleveland, OH 44113, or by emailing ClevEdit@crain.com. Please include your complete name and city from which you are writing, and a telephone number for fact-checking purposes.

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8 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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OPINION

PVC Connect keeps you in touch at all times, gives real-time data, and makes key reports instantly available!

PERSONAL VIEW

How leaders can continue to rally the troops and themselves BY MATT KAULIG

It’s been nearly two years into the pandemic, and we’ve been successful at adapting. Even when pandemic fatigue sets in, as leaders we need to remind ourselves: It’s not 2020, and not even 2021 — it’s 2022, and we’ve been adapting this entire time. While leaning into technology and focusing on what we can control, we’ve learned tremendously about our capabilities. As a former quarterback, I and my teammates prevailed by focusing on what we were able to control: preparation, leading teammates, and putting yourself in a position to know what you’re doing. During a game, there are so many things you’re unable to control, like the weather or how the opponent’s playing. You just have to prepare as much as possible and focus on what is within your reach. In business, it’s the same thing. Now more than ever, leaders need to be positive and realize this is a moment in time. Here are three tips that have worked for me and my team. First, I consistently check in with my team. Whether it’s email, text, video or stopping by in person, it’s important to check in at least weekly. People need to see their leaders. My team can see and hear me, whether I’m talking in person or on a video that was emailed to them. Making a simple video on your phone and emailing it to your team can go a long way. Second, focus on short-term goals. My mindset has shifted to asking the team, what do we need to accomplish today, tomorrow and this week? Concentrate on what we can control. In an ever-changing world, accomplishing short-term goals as a team is motivating. Cele-

brate the quick wins; it makes everyone feel good. The pandemic has taught us the art of simplicity. Before March 2020, it was the norm to focus on the big picture. Long-term goals were top of mind and, while it’s still important to keep your eye on the prize, drilling down goals into small, incremental, achievable hits makes the Matt Kaulig is journey more attainable for the the executive team. Getting back to basics is key — chairman of there’s something to be said about Hudson-based staying present to the moment and Kaulig Cos. recognizing wins on a more regular basis for both the individual and team as a whole. Approaching work this way can be more fun for everyone involved, too. Third, stay in motion — lean into physical activities that can be calming and inspiring. Encourage your team to go for walks, meditate, do what they need to do to reset. If you’re the motivator, who motivates you? Let’s face it: We are all tired. The pandemic has taught us to find our passions and focus on health. I’m a better leader if I exercise. Every morning for an hour, I walk on my treadmill to get ready for the day. Try listening to motivational content or reconnect with past mentors that have inspired you. Make this an integral part of your routine. Keep moving forward. Think about how far we’ve come since March 2020, when everyone managed to be productive whether it’s Zoom or Microsoft Teams or another mode of technology. Whether it’s next week, next month or next year, it’s going to end, and that gives you hope.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Med mart was just part of a shell game A number of years ago the Cleveland establishment was having trouble determining how it would pay for one of its desires — a new convention center. It found a shiny object that might do the trick. It was a Medical Mart. This was sold to the community as something that would advance Cleveland. And what came with it was a 25-cent increase in the sales tax on about everything a family purchases. And as the shiny object bedazzled many, the tax increase came without a vote of the people. Now the same forces are offering to redo what was the med mart into something else at a cost of $45 million. But this new shiny offer comes with the final move of this shell game — making the 25-cent, non-voted tax, originally a 20-year deal, permanent. How’s that for moving the shells around so you never know which held the prize? Roldo Bartimole Cleveland

Sherwin-Williams must consider bird safety The new Sherwin-Williams headquarters will be a public relations disaster to the 77,000-plus visitors who yearly attend a nearby birding event in northern Ohio — the Biggest Week in American Birding, sponsored by the Big Swamp Bird Observatory. The festival injects an estimated $37 million into the local economy. And that’s just one festival. There are thousands of birders in Northeast Ohio who will be astounded that a new headquarters could be such a death trap for migrating birds. Consider this: Up to 1 billion birds die each year in the U.S. from hitting skyscrapers due to mistaking reflective windows for open sky or being drawn to lights at night. Bird-safe glass is specially designed to make glass a

A rendering of the Sherwin-Williams tower in downtown Cleveland. | THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO.

visible obstacle to birds. Luckily, it’s possible to make glass visible to birds while still keeping it transparent enough for humans. It’s surprising the architectural or industry chemists haven’t come up with a product since many others have. We urge Sherwin-Williams to be the heroes in this saga rather than the ones responsible for adding to the existential threat to birds along Lake Erie. Birdwatching is second to gardening as the fastest-growing hobby in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported in 2016 that there were 45 million birders generating almost $80 billion in total industry output. Natural areas along Ohio’s “North Coast” attract large numbers of birders annually who spend money locally. We implore Sherwin-Williams to do the right thing for the economy and environment and wisely use the more than $100 million in incentives they received. Jodie and Ned DeLamatre Akron FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 9

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CHILD CARE LACKING Of 30 nonprofit colleges and universities in the region, less than five have child care centers. PAGE 12

HIGHER EDUCATION

“WE HAVE TO COMBAT THAT NARRATIVE THAT A COLLEGE STUDENT IS JUST A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO HAS IT MADE IN THE SHADE. IT’S JUST NOT TRUE.”

PHOTOS BY RON JANTZ/LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

— Hope Lane-Gavin, a health equity fellow at The Center for Community Solutions

Bags of groceries are packed and ready for distribution outside of Lorain County Community College’s Commodore Cupboard. About 500 bags of food are distributed weekly.

OHIO COLLEGES WORK TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY BY AMY MORONA

Food insecurity existed on college campuses long before the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2019 survey, for example, estimated that 45% of students who responded said they had experienced food insecurity — defined by one national group as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life” — over the past month. The needs have only increased as the pandemic continues, especially with its disproportionate

impact on people of color and women. What happens outside of a classroom can often impact what goes on inside it. For many students, being unsure of where the next meal will come from can present yet another hurdle to accessing and completing higher education. At the University of Akron, its on-campus food pantry reported a 288% increase between the spring and fall semesters of 2021. The uptick in utilization comes as university officials worked to decrease the stigma surrounding tapping into the available resources, according to Alison Doehring, director of ZipAssist, an information hub

aiming to provide support and services to students. The pantry, dubbed the Campus Cupboard, is set up in a building that houses other student services like financial aid and advising. But the hall sits on the edge of campus in an area with less casual foot traffic. So officials set up tables with grocery giveaways for students in higher-trafficked areas: the student union, the rec center, the library. The move was intentional. “Really going out and saying, ‘This is available, no matter what your financial situation is or what your life circumstances might be,’” said Doehring.

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R Stat are crea num Ta vice dea man plic eme dem abo and outs “I stud com van D enc our wha Cen Th voca sup nec food nan well N eme can dea issu ceiv an e Ken dini may

FOCUS | HIGHER EDUCATION

Food lines the walls at Lorain County Community College’s Commodore Cupboard.

approved to receive donated swipes, they also are connected with support. “That way, we can try to keep a well-rounded approach and not just offer a Band-Aid,” Drummer-Ferrell said. Some schools, though, can be limited — by lack of capacity, of technology, of funding — when it comes to efforts to battle food insecurity. That means one of the biggest fixes can come via policy changes. The federal government did just that in early 2021, temporarily loosening some of the requirements to access benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP.

This was significant at Lorain County Community College, according to Marisa Vernon White, the college’s vice president of enrollment management and student services. Food insecurity has long been on their radar. “We’ve had students basically come to us and say, ‘This is a real issue for us,’” said Vernon White. “Like, ‘We're really strapped, financially, while attending college.’” There was a common question, too: How am I expected to even do well here if I don't have money to put food on the table for my family or for myself? After this recent policy shift, the college was on the move. The finan-

cial aid team pulled together a list of students for the spring semester that met the new criteria, which includes having a $0 expected family contribution as indicated on the FAFSA financial aid form and/or being eligible for work-study programs. “There were over 4,000 students that, from our estimates, we felt were probably eligible for SNAP under those provisions,” said Vernon White. LCCC has a staff member who is considered a SNAP outreach specialist. But not every institution does. “Very few financial aid administrators and higher education staff generally have any knowledge on SNAP, on nutrition, on any of those programs,” said Hope Lane-Gavin, a health equity fellow at The Center for Community Solutions. Lane-Gavin said she learned that after the recent shift. She knew if it took her, a self-described policy wonk, several weeks to even find out about the eligibility changes, it may take even longer for most of the state’s colleges to learn about the shift. So she put together a “very informal coalition” of others, including from the Ohio Association of Food Banks. They wrote a memo and sent it off to Ohio’s higher ed institutions with recommendations on how to amplify and encourage eligible students to take advantage of the expansion. It listed several suggestions, including what Lorain County Community College did in pulling criteria

and contacting those students directly. The memo also recommended that administrators consistently assess basic needs on campus as well as train employees at on-campus food pantries to assist those who are picking up food to train others on how to apply for SNAP. That’s important. Navigating the benefits can be confusing. Current eligibility, including income restrictions, may leave some people who need support excluded. Completion rates of FAFSA dropped during the pandemic, and even if a student is able to receive benefits, there might not be a place that accepts them on a campus. Plus, this temporary relaxation of requirements is set to expire shortly after COVID-19’s status as a public health emergency is lifted. A few related bills have been introduced in Washington, but haven’t made progress in Congress. The Center for Community Solutions’ Lane-Gavin believes the conversation about food insecurity itself needs to change. Living on instant noodles or skipping meals during college isn’t a rite of passage. Achieving higher education doesn’t mean just attending a four-year institution, either. “We have to combat that narrative that a college student is just a 19-yearold who has it made in the shade,” she said. “It's just not true.” Amy Morona: amy.morona@crain. com, (216) 771-5229, @AmyMorona

PHOTOS BY RON JANTZ/LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Roughly 13 miles away at Kent State University, officials said they are also seeing students report increased needs in unprecedented numbers. Taléa Drummer-Ferrell, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, estimates her team manually reviewed about 1,000 applications students submitted for emergency aid grants when the pandemic first began. Students wrote about being hungry, being homeless and juggling financial insecurities outside of tuition. “I got to read firsthand what our students were experiencing, and it completely changed my lens and vantage point,” she said. Drummer-Ferrell said that experience “put the battery pack in a lot of our backs” for officials to launch what they’ve dubbed the CARES Center. It opened in April 2021. The acronym stands for crisis, advocacy, resources, education and support. The focus is on offering connections to four areas of priority: food insecurity, homelessness, financial insecurity and mental well-being. Now, when students complete an emergency grant request online, they can hit a button to indicate if they’re dealing with food insecurity or other issues, which will trigger them to receive resources and a follow-up from an employee at the CARES Center. Kent also allows students to donate dining hall meals to their peers who may be in need. When a student is

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR GREATER CLEVELAND’S HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD

Nominate a Cleveland changemaker now through March 25 at heritagemedal.com. 2022 recipients are individuals who have transformed Cleveland and made the region what it is today—people whose commitment, vision, and leadership are essential to our community’s progress.

Submit your nomination at heritagemedal.com FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 11

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FOCUS | HIGHER EDUCATION

C clin dren than 11 k cial mum en y Th dize hav ing hou bille

“FO IS T DID SIM ATT

—B Coll

for t T bers like coll tain tive the H of C stru gram Both thos

Children play at Campus Kids , the child care offering available for children of students at Lakeland Community College. | CRISTEN VANEK/LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE PHOTOS

A look at one of Northeast Ohio’s only on-campus child care centers BY AMY MORONA

Tiffany Chandler has a full plate: finishing up her associate’s degree in welding at Lakeland Community College, working at Walmart, being a mom. “I feel like I don't have enough time in the day to even finish my schoolwork, take care of my kids, go to work and be my own person,” Chandler, 26, said. This semester, in fact, she had to drop a class in her welding program. There were just too many other moving parts. Student parents like Chandler have higher grade point averages than their peers who don’t have kids, but more than half of those parents reportedly drop out within six years. Chandler’s determined, though. It helps to envision her graduation ceremony. She wants her son Hunter to walk across the stage with her. After all, he spends his days at Lakeland, too. The 4-year-old goes to Campus Kids, the child care offering available for children of currently enrolled students at Lakeland, as well as a preschool on campus. The staff was supportive. They worked with her class schedule and accommodated the times she needed to drop Hunter off so she could study. Everything changed, Chandler said,

when Hunter began going there. “It makes me so proud that we did this together,” she said. “We're growing together.” Like other community colleges, Lakeland was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full-time enrollment fell about 11% in the fall of 2021. Ohio’s colleges were feeling the crunch of changing demographics and a declining number of high school graduates prior to the pandemic, too. The state is now trying to woo older students who’ve completed some college but don’t yet have a degree to return and graduate. For those who are parents, though, finding reliable child care is a necessity for getting that done. Nearly 40% of Ohioians are estimated to live in a child care desert without enough options. And even though one in five college students nationwide is a parent, child care options at universities are scarce. Northeast Ohio has nearly 30 nonprofit colleges and universities. Only three currently have on-campus child care centers. The number of college child care options was already dropping before COVID-19, and the pandemic shined a light on the fragility of the child care industry as a whole. Several college child care facilities, including at places like the University of Vermont and Michigan’s Washt-

enaw Community College, have closed since 2020. Lakeland is no exception to the pandemic’s effects. The center now has lower student-to-teacher class ratios due to protocols and now only provides care during a parent’s official class time. But the convenience hasn’t changed. The center is located in the middle of the Kirtland campus. Plus, with accreditation and licensure by the state, it’s a safe option. And, at least at Lakeland, it’s far more economical, which is important, as about a third of the college’s students are eligible for Pell Grants. The center charges just $2.50 per hour and a $7 registration fee per semester. The average price for a toddler classroom in Ohio is estimated to be $975 a month. Campus Kids accepts children between the ages of 3 and when they enroll in kindergarten. Another less-tangible benefit, of course, is support. The center is intertwined with faculty members and other departments. Officials can refer students to resources like child care or mental health counseling or the on-campus food pantry. The center’s director, Cristen Vanek, wears a lot of hats. One is doing the outreach, trying to make sure students know about Campus Kids. She attended all of the college’s

in-person new-student orientation meetings pre-pandemic and approached every single person. She didn’t want to leave anyone out, she said. You never know who is a parent. To break the ice, she’d give away small random trinkets from a collection she’s built up over the years — Slinkys, pencils, erasers, bobbleheads. They’re not branded. Not enough budget money for that. Just small items offered in an attempt to have students remember Vanek, remember Campus Kids, remember the services they provide. “When they're coming in as new students, it's intimidating,” she said. “So I was always just like this happy, casual person with goofy toys that I'd give to whoever, if they had a child or not.”

That was pre-pandemic, though. Orientations are online now. Vanek has set up a table at some in-person welcome days the college offers during the beginning of the semester. She said those don't seem to be as well-attended. Campus Kids officially launched at Lakeland in 2011. Before that, the college provided child care options through an offering called Childminders. There’s no documentation that shows when Childminders opened, according to college officials. One teacher remembered when student parents used to line up at 6 a.m. when registration started to make sure their kid could secure a spot. There used to be child care available on the weekends, too, though that’s no longer the case.

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ugh. nek son ffers meso be

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FOCUS | HIGHER EDUCATION Campus Kids’ enrollment has declined over time, though now children are staying for longer hours than they did in the past. There are 11 kids attending this semester. Officials estimate they’ve served a minimum of 30 families over the last seven years. The low cost per hour is subsidized by the college. It helps, too, to have the college’s Teaching Learning Center, referred to as TLC, housed in the same building. It’s billed as an “accredited day school

cation at Lakeland can come to learn and complete field-hour requirements, too. Those attending Campus Kids for child care get welcomed into a preschool classroom when they're there. Friedt said Campus Kids will never be a moneymaker. That’s not the intent. She can’t remember a time where the offering ever came close to folding, though. The administration continues to support it each year. “For some of our students, it is the make-or-break,” she said. “If we didn't have Cam“FOR SOME OF OUR STUDENTS, IT pus Kids, they simply IS THE MAKE-OR-BREAK. IF WE wouldn't be able to attend DIDN’T HAVE CAMPUS KIDS, THEY college.” For others, it’s an addSIMPLY WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO ed bonus. There’s a third group, too, perhaps a ATTEND COLLEGE.” cross-section of the first — Barb Friedt, Lakeland Community two as well as a category College dean of applied studies all its own. “Children are hearing and seeing and learning (as) they're for the preschool aged child.” TLC is open to community mem- coming to a college campus with bers, not just students of the college their parent,” Friedt said. “They are like Campus Kids. It receives some coming to school. They are seeing college support but is more self-sus- the importance of education. They taining, thanks to “very competi- are seeing how hard their parents tive” rates, according to Barb Friedt, work. They are interacting with their the college’s dean of applied studies. peers, and they're doing it in an Having TLC helps to offset some amazing environment.” And the long-term impact of that of Campus Kids’ costs. The infrastructure is already there. The pro- may be priceless. grams can share resources and staff. Both entities serve as a place where Amy Morona: amy.morona@crain. those studying early childhood edu- com, (216) 771-5229, @AmyMorona

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CRAIN'S LIST | CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES Ranked by number of residents as of Jan. 1, 2022 RANK

NAME

RESIDENTS 1-YEAR CHANGE

FTE STAFF

ENTRANCE FEE

INDEPENDENT LIVING UNITS/ ASSISTED LIVING UNITS/ NURSING BEDS

AMENITIES

TOP EXECUTIVE FOR FACILITY

OHIO LIVING BRECKENRIDGE VILLAGE 36855 Ridge Road, Willoughby 44094 440-954-8359/ohioliving.org

610 -10.9%

317

$0–$265,000

522 42 104

Veale Wellness & Aquatic Center, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, transportation; social, physical, cultural and spiritual programming

Julie Bauman, executive director

COPELAND OAKS 800 S. 15th St., Sebring 44672 330-938-6126/copelandoaks.com

595 29.3%

350

325 124 176

All-inclusive living, independent through skilled nursing, 250-acre rural campus; no entrance fee

David Mannion, CEO, CFO

JUDSON SENIOR LIVING 2181 Ambleside Drive, Cleveland 44106 216-791-2004/judsonsmartliving.org

550 -0.2%

325

$100,000–$660,000

370 159 36

Three campuses with various home styles, comprehensive health care services, wellness amenities, educational and cultural programs

Kendra Urdzik, president, CEO

LAUREL LAKE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 200 Laurel Lake Drive, Hudson 44236 330-650-0681/laurellake.org

447 -3.2%

159

$112,000–$550,000

291 56 75

Three restaurants, pool, fitness center, library, gift shop, golf course, lakes, six-mile trail

David Oster, CEO

WESLEYAN VILLAGE 807 West Ave., Elyria 44035 440-284-9000/villageliving.org

400 1 0%

—

195 130 99

Fishing pond, community center, indoor pool, game rooms, libraries, technology/exercise rooms, walking paths, transportation, wood shops

Steve Wolf, executive director

JENNINGS 10204 Granger Road, Garfield Heights 44125 216-581-2900/jenningsohio.org

376 9.9%

206

176 73 174

Daily Catholic Mass and rosary, physicians and specialists, wellness and personal care amenities

Allison Salopeck, president, CEO

KENDAL AT OBERLIN 600 Kendal Drive, Oberlin 44074 440-775-0094/kao.kendal.org

334 -5.1%

165

$108,995–$595,077

223 67 12

Residential services, resident-planned activities and programs, cultural and educational programs through Oberlin College, lifetime health services

Barbara Thomas, CEO

MCGREGOR 14900 Private Drive, Cleveland 44112 216-851-8200/mcgregoramasa.org

324 22.7%

200

$2,000–$3,000

29 90 148

Rehabilitation, long-term nursing, hospice and PACE (program of all-inclusive care for the elderly), food pantry

Ann Conn, president, CEO

THE RENAISSANCE RETIREMENT CAMPUS, AN ELIZA JENNINGS COMMUNITY 26376 John Road, Olmsted Township 44138 440-235-7100/renaissance.elizajennings.org

300 -1.6%

108

—

175 23 96

Chef-prepared dining, cable, 24-hour security, transportation, health and fitness services, 100-acre campus, pet friendly

Sandy Skerda, executive director

ANNA MARIA OF AURORA 889 N. Aurora Road, Aurora 44202 330-562-0600/annamariaofaurora.com

265 60.6%

$0–$2,500

68 153 197

Three meals per day, housekeeping and linen service, medication management, activities, private apartments, 24-hour oversight

Aaron Baker, administrator, owner

PROVIDENCE CARE CENTERS 5000 Providence Drive, Sandusky 44870 419-624-1171/homeishere.org

263 0%

84 56 138

Independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and long term care

John Ingles, executive director

THE VILLAGE OF ST. EDWARD AT FAIRLAWN 3131 Smith Road, Fairlawn 44333 330-666-1183/vsecommunities.org

250 0%

250

77 101 81

24/7 nursing care, skilled nursing services, medication management, three meals daily

Amy Harris, administrator; Danielle Maur, VP of operations

CONCORDIA AT SUMNER 970 Sumner Parkway, Copley 44321 330-664-1000/concordiaatsumner.org

240 20%

185

$0–$310,000

166 40 48

64-acre campus, indoor pool, salon, fitness center, library, deli, terrace room restaurant, wireless internet, computer center, maintenance-free living

Greg MacPherson, executive director

SPRENGER HEALTHCARE TOWNE CENTER COMMUNITY CAMPUS 500 Community Campus Drive, Avon Lake 44012 440-930-6600/sprengerhealthcare.com

229 3.2%

220

80 87 120

Indoor pool, exercise gym, activity programming, maintenance-free living, event transportation, pet friendly

Heather Eckert, executive director

BROOKDALE WESTLAKE VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 28550 Westlake Village Drive, Westlake 44145 440-892-4200/brookdale.com

217 -0.9%

123

$2,500

205 54 60

Dining program, on-site therapy, daily activities and bus trips, staff around the clock, manicured landscaping, spacious apartments

Tina Gendics, executive director

BRETHREN CARE VILLAGE 2140 Center St., Ashland 44805 419-289-1585/brethrencarevillage.org

208 4%

125

$2,500

26 109 79

Transportation, beauty/barber shop, wellness center, computer room, enrichment activities

Troy Snyder, president, CEO

WESTERN RESERVE MASONIC COMMUNITY 4931 Nettleton Road, Medina 44256 330-721-3000/wrmcohio.org

205 -5.5%

105

98 78 50

Café, chapel, library, woodshop, fitness center, beauty/barber shop, game room, fishing ponds

Jason French, president

O'NEILL HEALTHCARE LAKEWOOD 13900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 44107 216-228-7650/oneillhc.com

190 -2.6%

137

60 57 114

Active living community offering all levels of care and independence

David O'Neill, COO

PARK VISTA OF YOUNGSTOWN 1216 Fifth Ave., Youngstown 44504 330-746-2944/mcareparkvista.com

180

$0–$3,000

74 64 120

Rehab, nursing, assisted living, independent living, outpatient therapy

Troy Maldoven, executive director, skilled nursing; Sheila Bartscher, executive director, assisted and independent living

OHIO LIVING ROCKYNOL 1150 W. Market St., Akron 44313 330-867-2150/ohioliving.org

175 1.2%

100

$0–$50,000

79 64 74

Chef-prepared meals, transportation, Kara Hanzie, executive housekeeping, security, educational opportunities, director chapel, social, cultural and spiritual programming

CHAPEL HILL COMMUNITY 12200 Strausser St. N.W., Canal Fulton 44614 330-854-4177/chapelhillcommunity.org

166 9.2%

144

$2,810–$134,900

49 39 90

Independent and assisted living, memory care assisted living and long-term care, long-term care nursing, rehab center

Debra Durbin, executive director

OHIO LIVING LAKE VISTA 303 N. Mecca St. (Rt. 46), Cortland 44410 330-638-2420/ohioliving.org

163 40.5%

83 10 57

Chef-prepared meals, transportation, housekeeping, security, 24-hour RN coverage, chapel, activities, maintenance-free living

Brian Kolenich, executive director

SMITHVILLE WESTERN COMMONS 4110 E. Smithville-Western Road, Wooster 44691 330-345-9050/sprengerhealthcare.com

162 3.8%

150

7 63 127

Many room types available depending on needs, physical/occupational/speech therapies, 24-hour nursing care

Tonia Mowry, administrator

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS 35755 Detroit Road, Avon 44011 440-937-3111/stmaryofthewoods.com

160 0%

200

81 48 50

Faith-oriented community

Jennifer Ritchie, administrator

OHMAN FAMILY LIVING AT BRIAR 15950 Pierce St., Middlefield 44062 440-632-5241/ohmanfamilyliving.com/briar

104 -8%

—

9 35 96

Private rooms, spa, hair salon, wander guard, transitional care unit, ventilators, rehab gym

Christian Ohman, executive director

Research by Chuck Soder (csoder@crain.com) | Information is supplied by the facilities. Numerical data is as of Jan. 1, 2022. We define a Continuing Care Retirement Community as a senior-living community that offers independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. NOTES: 1. 2022 Wesleyan Village figures are estimates from the organization.

Get 28 communities and 90 executives in Excel format. Become a Data Member: CrainsCleveland.com/data 14 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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DATA SCOOP

Retirement communities regain residents lost during pandemic BY CHUCK SODER

Northeast Ohio’s largest retirement communities have started to regain some of the many residents they lost during the pandemic — but they’ve got a ways to go. Residency climbed 5% in 2021 for the facilities on the Crain’s Continuing Care Retirement Communities list. The full digital list is ranked by total residents and includes 28 local facilities that have independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care on the same campus.

Granted, that 5% gain falls to 2.3% if you subtract the 183 residents who used to live at Stow-Glen Retirement Village. Last year the facility in Stow was ranked No. 18 by total residents but abruptly shut down in October. And much of the remaining gain can be attributed to a 29% increase at Copeland Oaks in Mahoning County. It jumped from No. 4 last year to No. 2 this year, putting it slightly behind Ohio Living Breckenridge Village. But still: Most facilities added residents. It just wasn’t enough to make up for the losses they’ve endured in

recent years. The 21 facilities on the list who also submitted in 2018, a group that doesn’t include Copeland Oaks, are still down 8.9% since then despite recent gains. (Crain’s didn’t publish the list in 2019 or 2020). But hey — a recovery has to start somewhere. That recovery goes beyond continuing care retirement communities and beyond Northeast Ohio. First, let’s look nationally at other socalled “CCRC” campuses — which are designed to provide varying levels of

care to seniors as their needs change over time. Occupancy rates for CCRCs in the nation’s largest markets rose to 85.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021, up from a pandemic low of 84.3% in the second quarter, according to data from the National Investment Center (NIC) for Seniors Housing & Care. All types of senior living facilities have seen gains: The Cleveland area saw occupancy for assisted and independent living facilities hit 77% at the end of 2021, up from 74% in the first quarter, but it’s still well below the national 88% figure, according to NIC

data reported by Crain’s in January. “It’s not so great a situation,” NIC senior principal Lana Peck told Crain’s. “Cleveland had a lot of units, which take several years to plan and build, increase inventory just as COVID-19 hit.” Though CCRC’s on the list added residents, they lost staff: Full-time equivalent employment fell 3.1% for the 24 facilities that submitted employment figures for 2021 and 2022. Chuck Soder: csoder@crain.com, (216) 771-5374, @ChuckSoder

REAL ESTATE

A conceptual rendering shows the mansion-like RH Cleveland design gallery planned along Interstate 271 in Orange, next to the Pinecrest shopping center. The building will replace Slyman’s Tavern. | NORR

Furnishings retailer RH proposes mansion-like gallery in Orange BY MICHELLE JARBOE

A high-end home furnishings retailer aims to build a massive, mansion-like showroom in Orange, on a high-profile site next to the Pinecrest shopping center. RH, the company once known as Restoration Hardware, is eying a $20 million project in the East Side village, according to documents filed with the building department. A permit application describes a roughly 45,000-square-foot, three-story building, with dozens of indoor furniture galleries, an interior-design department and a rooftop restaurant and park. More akin to a museum than a store, the proposal reflects RH’s evolution from a high-end fixtures purveyor to a luxe lifestyle brand. In 2019, the company unveiled a similarly opulent showplace in Columbus, at Easton Town Center. Chairman and CEO Gary Friedman has said the publicly traded company plans to roll out these “immersive design galleries” in every major market. “We believe ‘There are those with taste and no scale, and those with scale and no taste,’ and the idea of

gallery in Lyndhurst, at the Legacy Village lifestyle center. But that space is only 10,000 square feet, less than a quarter of the footprint the company is proposing a 15-minute drive to the southeast. Legacy Village developer Mitchell Schneider, the president of First Interstate Properties Ltd., said RH’s existing store is thriving alongside other home-furnishing retailers including Arhaus, Crate & Barrel, Ethan Allen and Lovesac. “I THINK IT’S WONDERFUL AND WILL “We have had disSOLIDIFY THE AREA UP THERE AS A cussions with the REGIONAL DESTINATION, ESPECIALLY company about an location FOR HOME FURNISHINGS, AND IT WILL appropriate within Legacy for its larger design gallery, KEEP OUR COMMERCIAL AREA which are ongoing,” VIBRANT AND EXCITING.” Schneider wrote in a text message Wednes— Orange Mayor Kathy Mulcahy day. In Orange, the new RH Cleveland Feb. 16. Craig Maddy, RH’s director of con- gallery would replace Slyman’s Tavstruction, is listed on the build- ern on a 2.4-acre site along Intering-permit application, which was state 271, in the Chagrin Highlands submitted Tuesday, Feb. 15. “I can’t development. The restaurant and talk to anyone about the project. real estate are owned by local attorThank you,” Maddy said, when ney Jon Pinney, mortgage magnate Ron Leonhardt Jr. and Pat D’Onofreached by phone. RH already has a traditional design rio. scaling taste is large and far reaching,” he wrote in a third-quarter letter to shareholders in December. Earlier this month, RH declined to comment in response to inquiries from Crain’s about a potential project in Orange. A spokeswoman said Friedman is the only person who can speak for the brand — and that he was not available for an interview. She did not respond to a follow-up email on Wednesday,

The partners have a purchase agreement to sell the parcel to an entity controlled by RH, Pinney confirmed by email. He would not divulge the sale price. Slyman’s Tavern is slated to move into leased space at Pinecrest. Pinney said the existing eatery, at 4009 Orange Place, will remain open until the new, 3,500-square-foot location is ready. “We are rolling out a smaller, more efficient concept with the same great food. The RH Mansion transaction was compelling and also a ‘win’ for the community, in our view,” he wrote. “After careful thought, we felt that this was a ‘winwin’ and are pleased to move forward.” The investors negotiated for more than a year with RH and Fairmount Properties, the developer and operator of Pinecrest, Pinney wrote. “Slyman’s is an iconic Cleveland brand and a place that I have been aware of since my father took me there as a very young man,” said Adam Fishman, a principal at Orange-based Fairmount. “It’s Pinecrest’s honor to welcome them to a new store that we believe will be

open sometime in the next few months.” Orange’s planning and zoning commission and architectural review board will discuss the RH Cleveland proposal at a March 1 meeting, said Robert McLaughlin, the village’s chief building official. Mayor Kathy Mulcahy was wowed when she visited the RH Columbus gallery. “You walk through there, and you could be in any $10 million house in California,” she said, marveling at the high-end design, patios and a glass-encased rooftop restaurant that she described as “spectacular.” She has little doubt that the project near Pinecrest will move forward, despite rough-and-tumble competition for tenants among East Side retail landlords. “I think it’s wonderful and will solidify the area up there as a regional destination, especially for home furnishings, and it will keep our commercial area vibrant and exciting,” Mulcahy said. “And I think it’s good for Cleveland. It’s prestigious.” Michelle Jarboe: michelle.jarboe@ crain.com, (216) 771-5437, @mjarboe

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AUTO SHOW

From Page 1

Customers are being asked to “take a bigger leap of faith than ever,” Spitzer said. The average car costs $30,000 today — that’s a big investment dealerships are asking people to make without seeing the product first, he said. He thinks the show will remove some of the “hesitancy” customers may feel about making a purchase. “Looking at something on a computer screen is cool. Technology has come a long way. But you don’t sell cars over the phone. You’ve got to see them in person,” Spitzer said. And that’s exactly what the Cleveland Auto Show plans to provide. The show, set to run from Feb. 25 to March 6, is back after a year off during the pandemic. There had been plans to hold it in downtown Cleveland near the end of 2021, but when a change in operators for the I-X Center brought it back on the table as a venue, that was canceled in lieu of returning to the center in late February of this year. In addition to traditional vehicle displays, the show will feature its “Millionaire’s Row” of high-end vehicles and a display of classic cars. Two new vehicles — a 2022 Honda Ridgeline Sport and a 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE — will be part of a threeyear lease giveaway. And there will be three indoor Ride N’ Drive tracks, up from two, in addition to the manufacturers offering outdoor test drives, said Lou Vitantonio, president of the Cleveland Auto Show and of the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association. The Cleveland Auto Show will feature vehicles from “virtually ev-

CHARITY

From Page 1

Tahir and Murphy both have their eyes on more changes ahead: a new health campus in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood and anchored by St. Vincent Charity. The campus, announced last summer and currently in the research and discovery phase, aims to build out the footprint of what was once exclusively an acute care hospital into a broader campus designed to promote holistic wellness, address health disparities, offer services beyond health care, and enhance opportunities for economic development and revitalization. Through all the changes in recent years and ahead, the core mission of the system has continued — and will, Murphy said. “I think one thing that the sisters have always been clear about is that they are dedicated to the healing ministry of Christ, and to the dignity of every person, regardless of where they serve them, whether that’s in hospitals, schools, taking care of children, managing the homeless, getting food to those that are hungry,” she said. The health campus aims to create a physical environment that promotes healing and justice and focus on providing care for the whole person — spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally. The campus, which will ultimately be a nonprofit under the health system, will seek to partner with organizations to provide services, programs and economic opportunities on the campus. Its development is a collab-

The Cleveland Auto Show’s indoor Ride N’ Drive tracks have been a big attraction in the past. | CLEVELAND AUTO SHOW

“LOOKING AT SOMETHING ON A COMPUTER SCREEN IS COOL. TECHNOLOGY HAS COME A LONG WAY. BUT YOU DON’T SELL CARS OVER THE PHONE. YOU’VE GOT TO SEE THEM IN PERSON.” — Andrew Spitzer, chief operating officer for Spitzer Auto Group

ery brand,” Vitantonio said. With the inventory challenges, the vehicles are coming from a variety of sources: manufacturers and other shows, but also dealerships, he said. In past years, manufacturers typically brought the displays and the vehicles, said Joey Huang, president of Great Lakes Auto Network, which includes six dealerships. He’s also this oration among the Sisters of Charity Health System, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and the Sisters of Charity of St. Au- Strauss gustine. Sue Krey, president of Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, said the leaders share one vision for the health campus. “I think there’s great continuity in the leadership,” said Krey, who also is senior vice president of external affairs, foundation and outreach ministries for the health system. “I think Dr. Tahir recognizes how important health care delivery is to always keep the community in mind and the needs of the community. Jan also recognizes that with her close understanding of mission and the legacy. So I think that I think that there is really great synergy in this vision around the Health Campus and what it could mean for Cleveland and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center as it continues its great legacy of services to this community.” Last summer, Sisters of Charity engaged Boston-based MASS Design Group, which has since helped create the community-led vision for the campus through research and engagement process that aims to understand how to be the best neighbor, said Chris Kroner, principal at MASS Design, a global design collective. Through hundreds of meetings, community engagement opportunities and more, Kroner said the team is working to identify how a health

year serving as the chairman of the Cleveland Auto Show. But some manufacturers have pulled back this year, as they haven’t had trouble selling what they’ve been able to make. So dealerships have stepped up to ensure brands are represented. Honda is a manufacturer that has pulled back some support, Huang said, but the Honda dealers in North-

Tahir

Krey

campus can leverage the space to “try to help create scaffolds to things like food, safety, recreation and outdoor space, housing opportunities, education opportunities, and even transportation opportunities.” It’s not simply about making a place for people to come, but about making a place that people will trust and want to use frequently, he said. “And that’s not necessarily the typical hospital model, at this moment, or even a clinic model,” Kroner said. “You tend to find yourself at those places when you need them. And we’re trying to make that Health Campus much more of an extension of lifestyle and how you live.” The campus will involve partnerships, will use current space and to date doesn’t have new builds defined. It is “an unbelievably dynamic project,” that won’t be a single ribbon cutting ceremony or light switch, Tahir said, noting that St. Vincent Charity already is a piece of the campus. Research, discovery and the development of potential ideas will continue through the spring. After this phase is complete, Sisters of Charity plans to begin identifying partners and funding to implement the campus. The information that MASS Design has gathered so far has been valu-

east Ohio have been working together to supply cars for the show. He said there will be 18 to 19 such vehicles on-site. With the inventory crunch, it’s required “discipline” to make sure there will be vehicles to bring, he said, noting that dealers have had to set vehicles aside as not-for-sale until the show’s completion. Personally, Huang will be bringing three vehicles from his two Honda stores. Spitzer Auto Group will be providing multiple vehicles for the show, too. Spitzer thinks it’s notable that dealerships have been working toable, Tahir said, and fits well into St. Vincent Charity and the health system’s goals for delivering health and health care. Now that the latest COVID-19 surge that marked the start of his tenure has eased, Tahir is focused on continuing to stabilize operations in the next couple of months, managing the impacts of the widespread health care staffing shortage and working with Krey, Murphy, Kroner and others on the health campus. Murphy’s goals also include health campus planning, managing the transition from the latest COVID-19 surge and creating an environment where caregivers can and want to do their best work across the system’s ministries. She also emphasized a commitment to the ethical and religious directives that guide the Catholic organization as well as a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, work that she credits to Strauss for beginning in recent years. “We want to make sure that we are respectful and welcoming, but understand, how we are an inclusive organization,” she said, noting that comes on a number of fronts, from hiring to vendor selection to board structure. During Strauss’ five-year tenure, he helped to strengthen the financial position of the system and its ministries by decreasing debt and increasing financial assets through strategic investments, according to the system. Also under his leadership, several ministries saw major facility upgrades, in addition to expanded geographic footprints and enhanced or expanded services. Strauss also helped cultivate the

gether, despite competition, to make sure there will be new cars on-site for auto show attendees. The inventory crunch has demonstrated “how little we have control over,” Spitzer said. When the new cars come in, they sell. The Spitzer Auto Group, which includes 20 dealerships, has worked to focus on preowned vehicle sales and service during this time, he said. “Those are things that we can control,” Spitzer said. Sales volume has gone down, but business has been profitable, he said. The auto show will give people a chance to sit in the cars and “get that new-car smell, get that excitement going,” said Ken Ganley, CEO of the Ganley Automotive Group. The group has 46 dealerships, including one purchased last week in Mentor. And even if those vehicles aren’t immediately available for purchase at dealerships, people can order them. Sales have still been strong, but the lack of inventory has been a challenge, he said. And the car show has historically been a big part of dealers’ springtime business. Missing last year’s show “hurt,” Ganley said. Dealerships can’t sell at the show, Vitantonio said, but the auto show has typically kicked off a strong month of sales. Excluding the pandemic, March has been the No. 1 month for auto sales in the past 10 years, Vitantonio said. But inventories are still tight. And Huang said they’ll continue to be so throughout the year. “I think our auto show is more important this year than any other year,” Huang said. Rachel Abbey McCafferty: (216) 771-5379, rmccafferty@crain.com next generation of new leadership across the system. “Our next generation of leadership is certainly aligned with our culture and values, and will continue to serve well as Jan leads the health system forward,” he wrote in a response to emailed questions. Tahir is “a great leader for St. Vincent Charity” and Murphy is “the perfect leader for this time at the Sisters of Charity Health System,” he wrote, adding that she is “a measured, faithful servant leader.” Before leading Sisters of Charity, Strauss served as president and CEO of Summa Health System for 15 years. Upon his retirement from the Akron-based health system, he co-founded the CEO Advisory Network with six colleagues who have led health systems across the country. He took leave from that work to lead Sisters of Charity for the past five years and now plans to return to the consulting practice — which provides strategy, performance improvement and interim CEO staffing, as well as IT implementation for health systems across the country — as his next chapter. “I firmly believe we have the right team in place to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the Health Campus on East 22nd Street, and exploring new opportunities to support long-term care,” Strauss wrote. “May God open the doors for even more opportunities for the good work that has been in place for over 170 years in serving the underserved in our communities.” Lydia Coutré: lcoutre@crain.com, (216) 771-5479, @LydiaCoutre

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OHSAA

From Page 1

Trained orcas jump out of the water during a show at the SeaWorld amusement park in Orlando, Florida. | ZACH WITTMAN/BLOOMBERG

THE WEEK HITTING THE MARKET: Playhouse Square Foundation is testing the market for the Lumen, the glassy Euclid Avenue apartment tower that the nonprofit performing-arts organization opened in late 2020. JLL Capital Markets announced Wednesday, Feb. 16, that it is marketing the downtown Cleveland high-rise for sale. The anticipated pricing is $500,000 a unit — or $159 million. The listing comes at a hot moment in the apartment market, on the heels of a record year for commercial real estate sales. Investors are flush with cash and searching for returns in a fiercely competitive landscape. The 318-unit Lumen is the newest trophy downtown, a 35-story theater district building that is 93% leased.

Distinguished Chair at University Hospitals is the result of a $2.5 million gift from Jane Meyer to celebrate the family’s involvement with the health system. The inaugural Meyer Distinguished Chair is Dr. Cliff A. Megerian, who became CEO of UH a year ago. UH said Wednesday, Feb. 16, that Jane Meyer is dedicating the endowed position in memory of her late husband, Henry L. Meyer III, who spent nearly 40 years at KeyCorp and was the financial services company’s CEO from 2001 to 2011. During much of his time at Key, Henry Meyer also was involved closely with UH. He was a member of the board for 35 years and chaired the health system’s board from 1999 to 2003.

TIME TO CONSOLIDATE: A suburban steel supplier plans to move its headquarters from Twinsburg to Bedford Heights, after teaming up with a local developer to acquire a 207,000-squarefoot warehouse. Jade-Sterling Steel Co. Inc. and Industrial Commercial Properties LLC paid $5.4 million for a property at 26400 Richmond Road, according to public records. The partners plan to renovate the complex to house Jade-Sterling’s offices and local distribution operations. The facility will replace two existing warehouses in Twinsburg and Aurora. That consolidation is likely to start in the third quarter of 2022. The Jade Steel group of companies employs about 100 people. Jade-Sterling, founded in 1965, deals in steel bars and wire rods.

LET’S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF: SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday, Feb. 15, that its offer to acquire Sandusky-based Cedar Fair LP was rejected and the company doesn’t see a path forward for a deal. Bloomberg had reported the bid was about $60 per unit, or around $3.4 billion, a price some Wall Street analysts said could be too low. Both companies have been seeing business rebound after closures early in the pandemic eroded tourism. The merger would have combined SeaWorld’s 12 theme and water parks with Cedar Fair’s 13 properties in the U.S. and Canada.

LASTING LEGACY: The new Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer

BROWN

From Page 8

Or do they fear aggravating the vindictive anti-vax governor of Florida, where the Clinic has an ever-expanding — and highly profitable — beachhead? Clinic leaders have defended their refusal to affirmatively support an employee mandate as necessary for workforce retention. Whether employees leave in large numbers because of vaccine mandates, however, is questionable. Whenever employers have enforced mandates, only a small number of employees have had to be ter-

Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal filed by an affiliate of Optima Ventures, the embattled owner of the 484-room downtown Cleveland property. That decision will end a threemonth-long stay on litigation in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, where a $40.2 million purchase offer from HEI Hotels and Resorts is on the table. The Cleveland International Fund, a lender based in Cleveland Heights, filed to foreclose on the Westin in October 2020, after Optima defaulted on a $36 million mortgage. The hotel now is controlled by a court-appointed receiver, an outside expert responsible for preserving value and shepherding it through a sale.

LEGAL TWISTS AND TURNS: A lender’s stalled push to sell the Westin Cleveland Downtown hotel regained velocity Tuesday, Feb. 15, when the state’s highest court rejected a legal challenge to the sale process. The Ohio

FULLY IN CHARGE: After serving more than a year-and-a-half as interim director, Jon Fiume has been named the John S. Knight Director and CEO of the Akron Art Museum. Fiume had been in the role on an interim basis since former director Mark Masuoka resigned on May 18, 2020, amid allegations by former employees of harassment at the institution. Since then, Fiume has presided over a period of relative stability in which he won the confidence of the board. “As the trustees of the museum, we believe Jon is the ideal person for executive director and CEO,” said museum board president Rose Andrews in a statement. Fiume has more than 25 years of experience working with and supporting the Akron’s arts community, including 10 years of service as a trustee of the board. He was also a founding board member and former vice president and board trustee of ArtsNow.

minated for refusing to accede to the requirement. That’s been true both in health care (the Mayo Clinic had to fire just 1% of its employees for non-compliance; Summa Health and MetroHealth fired even fewer) and in other businesses (United Airlines, which recently credited the mandate with a reduction in employee deaths due to COVID). And might some of the Clinic’s staffing problems be attributable to the Clinic’s refusal to require vaccines for its employees? Maybe some vaccinated employees have “burned out,” not from doing their stressful jobs, but from being forced to work alongside unvaccinated colleagues.

The country now faces a terrible public health crisis, in part of society’s own making: The refusal of a significant portion of the population to take the vaccine is a principal cause of COVID’s lingering presence. The Clinic has the local and national stature to be an effective advocate for vaccines. The Clinic’s talented physicians, nurses and the many other health care professionals who provide patient care have given much during this pandemic. Why don’t their leaders have the courage to stand, like their forebears, at “the forefront of modern medicine” during a pandemic that’s the public health fight of our lifetimes?

COVID-19 pandemic and drew the third-lowest attendance total in state history for the 2021 state championship games in Canton. Close to 80% of the OHSAA’s revenue comes from tournament ticket sales, with football providing about 25% to 30% of that. The rest of the OHSAA’s revenue is split between annual officiating permit renewals and corporate sponsorships. “Like most nonprofits, there are a couple programs that support the rest of their programs and for us, it’s football and basketball,” said Kimberlee L. Kiehl, the chief operating officer for the OHSAA since October 2020. “Because we make money in those sports, we can offer experiences for athletes in a range of sports across our entire organization.” The 2020 season was an outlier due to the pandemic, with Ohio schools playing five regular season games or fewer instead of the typical 10. Consequently, the OHSAA expanded the 2020 playoffs to include every school that wanted to participate. The feedback was so positive, the OHSAA opted to permanently add another round beginning in 2021. Football is the only OHSAA sport that doesn’t include every team in the tournament. There are no plans to add a seventh round, which would allow all 709 football schools to participate. “Schools were very happy their kids got to have an experience they wouldn’t have normally had,” Kiehl said. One of those was Mentor, which went 5-5 to post its first non-winning regular season since 2005. The Cardinals finished 11th in Division I, Region 1, meaning it would have missed the playoffs under the old setup. Instead, they got to play Cleveland St. Ignatius in the first round, losing 35-32 in a rematch of a Week 2 game Mentor won 28-26.

COVID, but the OHSAA is having financial issues themselves,” said Cassella, who served as the president of the OHSAA board of directors for the 2020-21 school year. “All the time I was on the board, they were in survival mode. I think we’ll slowly see some of those things coming back.” Like most state organizations, the OHSAA saw troubling declines in attendance and ticket revenue even before the pandemic hit. But attendance increased in several fall sports in 2021, with field hockey, golf and cross country breaking tournament attendance records, Kiehl said.

“MAYBE THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A PENT-UP DEMAND, BUT AFTER SEEING TICKET DECLINES FOR FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS, IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO BE BACK.” — Kimberlee L. Kiehl, the chief operating officer for the OHSAA

“People still want to go to games, which is a good thing,” Kiehl said. “Maybe there was a little bit of a pent-up demand, but after seeing ticket declines for five straight years, it was exciting to see that people wanted to be back.” Mentor also saw strong attendance in the fall, even though the Cardinals were still operating under some capacity limits early in the season. Mentor even had to stop selling tickets at one point during its home football opener against Ignatius due to those limits. “We had a great year, crowdwise, and it’s continued into basketball season, too,” said Cassella, whose school always has strong football crowds but saw an uptick in fall sports like soccer and volleyball, as well. “People missed it. They enjoy the opportunity to see high school kids play.” They’ll soon have “I’M ALWAYS ABOUT GIVING KIDS more opportunities. Last EXPERIENCES AND GIVING month, the OHSAA added girls wrestling and COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCES. I boys volleyball as THINK EXPANDING THE PLAYOFFS “emerging sports,” meaning it will be adIS A POSITIVE THING.” ministered like the — Jeff Cassella, Mentor athletic director OHSAA’s 26 other sanctioned sports, but will “I’m always about giving kids have additional requirements that experiences and giving communi- could lead to full sanctioning in ties experiences,” Mentor athletic the future. The organization also moved director Jeff Cassella said. “I think expanding the playoffs is a posi- girls and boys lacrosse out of the emerging sports category into the tive thing.” The new setup comes at a cost, list of recognized sports and is discussing partnering with a group to however. Before the pandemic, schools provide an esports category. Not bad for an organization that were able to keep a portion of the presale ticket sales. In 2019, that was fighting for its survival in 2020. “What a difference a year was $1.20 per $8 ticket for the regional rounds. The OHSAA now makes,” said OHSAA controller keeps all of the tournament ticket Laura Vermilya, who joined the orrevenue, with regional presale ganization in January 2021. “When tickets selling for $10 and game- I started, we tried to put a good night tickets selling for $12. The face on things, but there was a lot prices are higher for semifinal of uncertainty and a lot of nerand championship rounds. The vousness. Now we just added two OHSAA provided 100 compli- sports and we’re talking about othmentary tickets to each playoff er sports and other ways to deliver school in 2021, giving the schools value to students as well as our the option to sell them for reve- member schools. It’s a good feeling.” nue or give them away to fans. “They are talking about bringing some of that (presale revenue) Joe Scalzo: joe.scalzo@crain.com, back, which was the case prior to (216) 771-5256, @JoeScalzo01 FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | 17

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Advertising Section To place your listing, visit www.crainscleveland.com/people-on-the-move or, for more information, contact Debora Stein at 917.226.5470 / dstein@crain.com

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NFP

Mansour Gavin LPA

Keith A. Arner, CPA, CVA, has been elected to managing partner at Hall, Kistler & Company. Keith is the firm’s sixth managing partner since its founding in 1941. With over 30 years of auditing, tax, and accounting experience, Keith has worked with both privately held and publicly held companies and leads the firm’s oil and gas niche. Under his leadership, the firm will continue to use a hybrid model for team strategy and growth. Keith earned his B.S. in Accounting from the Univ. of Akron.

Premier Bank is pleased to announce that Danielle Bailey has been promoted to Vice President, Treasury Sales Manager serving the Cleveland market. Prior to her promotion, she was responsible for the business development and overall sales and operation of the Fairlawn Branch. In her new role, Bailey will work with small business and commercial clients in various industries to improve cash flow and liquidity, streamline processes and reduce risk.

We are happy to announce that Anthony J. DiSanto has been promoted to a Director and Family Wealth Advisor. TJ joined Ancora in 2017 to serve Ancora’s clients as an advisor and relationship manager. Prior to joining Ancora he served as a Senior Internal Wholesaler for Bank of New York Mellon/ Dreyfus. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from John Carroll University and currently serves on a number of local non-profit boards. We congratulate TJ on his continued growth.

NFP’s Cleveland office is excited to announce the addition of Stephanie Walter, joining the team as a Corporate Benefits Advisor. Stephanie is an experienced sales professional with a combined 18 years of Real Estate experience. She will be working with employers to identify their challenges and meet them with unique solutions. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from the College of Charleston.

Mansour Gavin LPA proudly welcomes William Peseski as an associate in the firm’s litigation group. Mr. Peseski focuses his practice on General Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Insurance Litigation Defense. He earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and B.S. from Wayne State University.

LAW

Ulmer & Berne LLP

LAW

Brian C. Miller, CPA, MT, has been promoted to tax partner at Hall, Kistler & Company. He oversees the tax department, specializing in tax planning and compliance for individuals and closely-held businesses; he also analyses and audits taxes. Brian joined the HK team in 2003 after graduating from Mount Union College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. He later earned his Master of Taxation from the University of Akron.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Premier Bank

Ancora

Premier Bank is pleased to announce that Richard Kretschman has joined the bank as Vice President, Commercial Lender serving the Cleveland market. Kretschman brings with him over 25 years of industry experience. In his role, he will be partnering with clients to provide customized solutions for their business as well as creating new business relationships.

Ancora is happy to announce that Greg Hopkins has been promoted to a Senior Vice President and Family Wealth Advisor. Greg joined Ancora in 2020 to provide investment advice and personalized service after his time as an advisor with Merrill Lynch. Greg has previous experience with BDO Alliance firms GBQ Partners and Skoda Minotti. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business and holds various board positions. Our congratulations to Greg.

ENGINEERING / CONSULTING

BANKING

Westfield Bank Westfield Bank welcomes Kelly Waggoner to our business banking team as a commercial portfolio manager. She joins our team with over 17 years of banking experience, collaborating with individuals and businesses in our community to support their financial needs. With customer experience at the cornerstone of her career, Kelly looks forward to providing financial guidance and identifying customized solutions to meet your business’s growth goals. Visit or contact Kelly at our Canton branch today!

American Structurepoint, Inc. William O’Gorman joins a growing Cleveland team as business development director. William will help northeast Ohio communities find solutions to their most pressing challenges. With 11 years of experience at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the state legislature, he is adept at helping communities improve infrastructure and spur economic development. American Structurepoint improves the quality of life for our communities and our people, providing a variety of engineering and architecture solutions. Please visit www.structurepoint.com for a complete listing of our services.

18 | CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | FEBRUARY 21, 2022

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Boenning & Scattergood Boenning & Scattergood (member FINRA/SIPC) is pleased to welcome Cherie Harris as a Registered Client Associate. With 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Cherie is committed to helping clients build strong futures. She joins the firm from Merrill, where she held the positions of Registered Senior Wealth Management Client Associate and Resident Director Assistant. During her free time, Cherie enjoys coaching and mentoring individuals wishing to join the industry.

KJK KJK proudly announces the promotion of Ally Miess to Chief Operating Officer. Ally joined KJK in 2018, serving as Controller Miess and managing all aspects of KJK’s financial operations. As Chief Operating Officer, Ally will play a key role in executing the firm’s vision by working with firm leadership to drive strategic growth. KJK also welcomes Ted Theofrastous as a Partner in its Intellectual Property & Technology, Corporate & Securities and Start Ups groups. Theofrastous Ted’s unique background combines law and business perspectives around challenges related to commercializing complex technological innovation. He counsels clients across a wide range of technologies including healthcare, communications, IT, alternative energy and advanced materials.

MANUFACTURING

H-P Products, Inc. (H-P) H-P, a global leader in industrial tube fabrication and residential central vacuum systems, announced that Beka Eisenbarth will become President and COO on June 30. Beka joined H-P in 2002 and has risen through the ranks to her current role as Vice President. She plans on growing the company her family started in 1945 by maximizing manufacturing efficiencies and company resources, expanding markets and offerings, and by standing behind its products, services, values, and people.

NEW GIG?

Preserve your career change for years to come. • Plaques • Crystal keepsakes • Frames • Other Promotional Items

C O N TA C T

Hall, Kistler & Company

BANKING

PRODUCTS

ACCOUNTING

Stuart Laven joins Ulmer as counsel in the firm’s Business Law Practice Group, where he assists clients with financial restructuring, commercial finance, and mergers and acquisitions. He leads representations of debtors, senior lenders, acquirers, and other significant stakeholders in all phases of the Chapter 11 process, and provides counsel to lenders, borrowers, and sponsors in all types of commercial financings. He earned his J.D. from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.

Laura Picariello Reprints Sales Manager lpicariello@crain.com (732) 723-0569

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rain’s Cleveland Business will single out 20 up-and-coming professionals who haven’t turned 30 yet. While their names might not be top of mind and they likely haven’t made their first million yet, there’s no denying these young professionals are making a mark on Northeast Ohio.

crainscleveland.com/nominations NOMINATION DEADLINE: MARCH 7

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