Amanda Anderson
Director, Investor Engagement
Amanda Anderson
Amanda Anderson is the Director of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she focuses on building strong relationships with investors and ensuring they maximize the value of their membership. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its reputation for fostering regional economic growth and its collaborative culture. Amanda is excited to leverage her background in relationship management to make a positive impact in the business community.
Professionally, Amanda thrives on fostering engagement, building partnerships, and creating alignment through shared goals. She enjoys problem-solving through connections, whether it’s helping businesses navigate challenges, connecting investors to valuable resources, or strengthening the investor network. She takes pride in her ability to cultivate trust-based relationships that lead to meaningful business outcomes.
Outside of work, Amanda spends most of her time with her husband and two sons. She also runs a small cookie business, enjoys attending community events, and loves getting outdoors with her family.
Jean Barbato
Director, ConxusNEO & Workforce Initiatives
ConxusNEO
Jean Barbato
Jean brings 15 years of experience in higher education working with recruitment, advising and retention for non-traditional, adult completion programs, and grant management in workforce training and apprenticeships. She also has 35 years of experience as a small business owner and understands the difficulties and the importance of training and retaining employees.
Jean is the Director of ConxusNEO & Workforce Initiatives, with oversight of the sector partnership, the U.S. Department of Labor Scaling Apprenticeship grant and the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge program. Her responsibilities include collaborating with local community-based organizations who serve underrepresented, underserved people in the greater Akron region to provide training and to gain quality job opportunities for career growth.
Jean earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from Walsh University in North Canton, OH. She is on the Advisory Board for the Stark County’s Greater Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Community Harvest program, is a member of the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Service League, and is the chair of the grant writing committee for Another Act of Kindness.
Hope Bell
Senior Manager, Community Partnerships
ConxusNEO
Hope Bell
ConxusNEO
Dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change, Hope is a passionate workforce development advocate with a proven track record in the non-profit sector. Hope has an exceptional ability to build bridges between organizations, stakeholders, and communities. With a strong commitment to collaboration and community empowerment, she has consistently demonstrated her capacity to create impactful partnerships that drive collective success.
With extensive experience in workforce development, and 10 years of experience in strategic planning and program management, Hope has consistently championed programs that bridge the gap between education and employment. She has successfully conceptualized, developed, and executed innovative initiatives that equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.
Hope holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Morehead State University and continues to pursue professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of workforce development strategies and trends.
Hope’s vision revolves around creating a future where collaboration is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone of sustainable progress. She remains committed to exploring new avenues for partnerships, amplifying community-driven initiatives, and inspiring others to contribute to the collective well-being of the community.
Morgan Bock
Director, Executive Office
Morgan Bock
Morgan is the Director, Executive Office at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she provides administrative and project support to Steve Millard, the Chamber’s President and CEO, as well as the Leadership Team. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its strong commitment to supporting local businesses and its focus on community engagement. During her interview, she was impressed by the culture and work environment and knew it was the right place to grow her career.
Professionally, Morgan has a background in business operations and management, with experience launching and growing multiple fitness studios. She played a key role in opening five businesses, including Orangetheory Fitness locations in Akron, Canton, and Copley, Ohio, as well as Brickell, Florida, and Mayweather Fitness Boxing studios in Brickell and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was recognized as Orangetheory Fitness’s Studio Manager of the Year for Northeast Ohio and led one studio to become the second fastest-growing location in the country.
Outside of work, Morgan has a passion for travel, fitness, and outdoor activities. She enjoys hiking, running, and water sports, particularly boating. She also loves spending time with her German Shorthaired Pointer, who joins her on many of her outdoor adventures. Morgan values personal growth and enjoys learning new skills, meeting new people, and finding creative ways to solve challenges.
Alyssa Carpenter
Alyssa Carpenter has a unique role, serving in a dual capacity as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Akron Chamber and the Director of Business Development for Team NEO, focusing on the rubber, plastic and polymer industries serving Stark and Summit Counties. Alyssa views the work of economic development much like a puzzle with intersections of building relationships, problem solving, and pulling the partners in the public and private sectors together in order help our companies and communities grow and prosper.
For her work professionally, Alyssa earned the Ohio Economic Development, Ohio Certified Economic Developer certification. She also frequently presents as a guest speaker as part of the Ohio Economic Development (OEDA) programing on topics of economic and professional development, as well as more locally, via Team NEO’s NODE program.
Most of her time outside of work involves her kids, Caroline and Grant, and their school activities. Alyssa also enjoys entertaining and being outdoors.
Sarah Deitrick
Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster
Sarah Deitrick
Sarah Deitrick is the Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster for The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Sarah advances the work of the PIC by executing on the various initiatives of the cluster by managing daily operations, coordinating working committees, and supporting membership, marketing, communications, and events. She finds fulfillment in contributing to work that makes a lasting impact. Sarah chose to work at the Chamber to play a part in driving the Polymer Industry Cluster’s mission, vision, and regional impact that contributes to economic growth and prosperity within the community.
As a third-generation Akronite, Sarah has a deep-rooted passion for historic preservation advocacy and the adaptive reuse of buildings that reflects her strong connection to the region. Her commitment to safeguarding Akron’s architectural heritage also extends into various roles she has served within Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and adaptive reuse of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods that are of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County.
When not at work, Sarah finds comfort in spending time with her daughter watching movies, gardening, hiking, visiting museums, and attending concerts.
Kirsten Delpinal
Graphic Designer
Kirsten Delpinal
Kirsten Delpinal is the Graphic Designer at the Greater Akron Chamber, where she is responsible for creating visually engaging and cohesive assets for the organization’s events, designing marketing materials to raise awareness of GAC initiatives, and ensuring consistency in the branding of the Chamber and its various programs and partners.
As an entrepreneur, Kirsten understands firsthand the importance of community support for small businesses. She joined the Chamber to give back to Akron and help foster a supportive environment for local businesses. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University. She is also a proud graduate of the 2019 Class of Torchbearers and served on the board for three years as the Marketing and Communications liaison. In 2021, Kirsten was honored with GAC’s 30 for the Future award.
A true creator at heart, Kirsten enjoys a variety of creative hobbies, including photography, watercolor painting, crocheting, playing the piano, and creating dried floral art. She is also an avid reader and gardener. Kirsten lives in Green with her husband and two daughters, where they enjoy playing board games, making crafts, and spending time outdoors.
Hans Dorfi, PhD
Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Polymer Industry Cluster
Hans Dorfi, PhD
Hans R. Dorfi is a global innovation and technology executive with over two decades of experience in leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe driving large-scale transformation in the polymer and mobility sectors. As Senior Vice President at Bridgestone Americas, he led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products.
A champion of open innovation and ecosystem building, Hans has been an invited speaker at technology conferences and held board roles in startups, academic-industry consortia, and non-profits. He is currently the board chair of the Bounce Innovation Hub and served on the leadership team of the Polymer Industry Cluster.
Hans holds advanced engineering degrees from The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and industry advisor to institutions such as Stanford, The Ohio State University and Virginia Tech.
As a long-time resident of Akron, Hans is committed to driving economic growth within the region with a global perspective, deep technical knowledge, and a track record of aligning cross-sector partners. His passion for innovation and commercialization makes him uniquely suited to lead PIC’s bold vision for Greater Akron as a global hub for next-generation polymer technologies.
Robyn Durlin
Manager, Digital Marketing and Web Design
Robyn Durlin
Robyn Durlin is the Manager of Digital Marketing and Web Design for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Robyn creates graphics, designs, and other visual materials for the Chamber to use in its marketing and communications efforts. Robyn joined the Chamber team after 15 years in digital design for the retail advertising and marketing industries. She decided to step away from the corporate marketing world to join an organization where she could make a difference in her local community.
Originally from Maine, Robyn attended Lyndon State College (now Vermont State University) where she earned bachelor’s degrees in digital media and graphic design, before moving to Greater Akron in search of a more robust job market.
She now lives in Portage County with her husband and three cats, where she enjoys spending time outside kayaking, beach combing, hiking, and camping. Robyn also frequents concerts and likes to take trips to visit her family in New England.
Alexis Escobar-Paz
Coordinator, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
Alexis Escobar-Paz
Alexis Escobar-Paz is the Coordinator of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance (ACAA), the joint advocacy-focused partnership between the Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. In her role, Alexis creates Advocacy Update communications, helps manage the ACAA social media accounts, and works toward establishing the alliance’s public policy agenda. She chose to work with the Chamber to better learn the connection between communications work and public policy.
Prior to her work with the Chamber, Alexis worked as a barista at Barnes & Noble for five years while studying for her degree. In December 2023, she graduated summa cum laude as a Williams Honors College student from the University of Akron, where she studied public relations. She is most proud of her senior capstone, titled (Un)successful Use of Apologia: A Case Study of Mayor Schubert’s Resignation, which is published on IdeaExchange.
Alexis and her two-triplet brothers were born on Halloween – coincidentally, she is an avid reader of Stephen King and other horror/fantasy books series. She also enjoys hiking and baking.
Heather Flohr
Director, Finance & Operations
Heather Flohr
Heather is the Director, Finance & Operations at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she handles many responsibilities ranging from bookkeeping for the organization, human resource support for staff, as well as general office management. A couple years ago Heather chose to make a change in careers and join the Chamber after seeing the positive impact being made by the team in this region. She wanted to be a part of the change the Chamber was making in the community.
Heather is a proud Veteran of the United State Marine Corps, having served for eight years from 2004 – 2012, during that time she received various Medals and Letters of Commendations. Heather has a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University and is a Certified Notary Public for the State of Ohio. She is also a graduate of Torchbearers Class of 2019 and served as the Co-Chair for Membership in 2020.
Outside of work her favorite things to do include hiking and reading. In 2020 she read over 140 books! She also likes to find volunteer opportunities she can share with her kids to get them immersed in their community. Heather lives in Copley with her husband, their three children, and their dog.
Halee Gerenday
Director, Marketing and Communications
Halee Gerenday
Halee Gerenday is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she brings visibility to the work of the Chamber and our regional partners, and ensures our members stay connected to information that will support and strengthen their businesses. She chose to work at the Chamber because she wanted to support community growth and utilize the power of storytelling to showcase the people and businesses here in Greater Akron.
Halee received her bachelor’s degree in digital media journalism & sport communications from Ashland University. Professionally, she is a proud recipient of a first-place award for Best Reporter in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2017 for her work with the Medina Gazette.
For Halee, home is in Medina County with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and being outdoors – whether it’s reading a good book on her patio, camping at one of Ohio’s State Parks, snowboarding or walking the trail with her dogs.
Sante Ghetti
Vice President, Investor Engagement
Sante Ghetti
Sante is the Vice President of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role he works to support our members goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Sante chose the Greater Akron Chamber because he has a passion for supporting the business community and the region. His favorite part of his job is getting to know and working with people, he is always learning something new from everyone he meets.
Professionally, Sante has a unique background having previously working in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. He is particularly proud of his time working for The White House as well as raising money for pediatric cancer patients and survivors. A few awards he has received as recognition for his work have been 2014 COSE Staff Service Award, 2018 Catalyst of Leadership & Excellence (CLE) Award, and he was a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2020.
Sante has a wife and two daughters that inspire him daily. While it’s his family that inspires him the most, he also enjoys golfing and traveling to anywhere that has a beach.
Jen Golembiewski
Senior Manager, Member Engagement
Jen Golembiewski
Jen Golembiewski is the Senior Manager of Member Engagement at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she works to support our members’ goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Jen chose to work with the Chamber to do what she can to help Greater Akron flourish; she wants to continue the legacy of her grandmother, who owned a steel factory in Akron and was very active in the community.
Prior to coming to the Chamber, Jen held various positions in management, business operations, and enrollment communications; she enjoys serving others and connecting people with the resources needed to advance their professional efforts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA in integrated marketing from Walsh University.
Jen lives in Stark County with her husband and two children, who are Irish twins. She is a board member on her son’s wrestling team and loves to watch her children participate in sports and the performing arts. In her free time, she also enjoys boating, reading, bourbon, and watching football.
Ameeca Holmes
Senior Manager, Healthcare Sector Partnership
ConxusNEO
Ameeca Holmes
Ameeca is an Akron native and comes from a local hospital with 11 years of experience. Ameeca is passionate about community outreach efforts and has led many grant initiatives related to youth development, education, and public health issues focusing on maternal and child health. All of her previous work experiences have awarded her the knowledge and skills to raise awareness and facilitate beneficial programming in adverse communities.
Ameeca received her bachelor’s and Masters of Arts from Kent State University. At ConxusNEO, she will manage the Healthcare Sector Partnership and continue to foster and promote relationships in the community with local healthcare facilities to support workforce development opportunities.
Juliana Kless
Coordinator, Cuyahoga Falls Business Gateway
Juliana Kless
Juliana Kless is the Coordinator for the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Business Gateway at The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Juliana supports the region’s businesses by fostering connections, planning impactful events, and managing projects that showcase the benefits of chamber membership. Her love for the region, paired with her ability to multi-task and communicate effectively, makes her an essential advocate for local business growth and community engagement. Juliana chose to work at the GAC because of its meaningful work, its people, and her personal connection to Cuyahoga Falls, where she resides.
As a recent college graduate, Juliana is proud of her academic achievements, having graduated high school at 17 and college at 20. She also earned her Sociological Research Certification from Kent State University, consistently made the Dean’s List, and excelled in collegiate debate, earning a certificate from the Pre-Law Society.
When not at work, Juliana enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing volleyball, and coaching her younger brother’s basketball team. She finds fulfillment in connecting with her community, learning something new every day, and inspiring others to take pride in the region she loves.
Evan Laux
Manager, Social Media Marketing and Digital Assets
Evan Laux
Evan Laux is the Manager of Social Media Marketing and Digital Assets for The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Evan develops various media for the Chamber and distributes it to members and other partners. This includes written marketing materials, social media posts, newsletters, podcasts, internal resources, event photography, and other media. Evan chose to work with the Chamber so that he could be better connected to the community and learn more about business development.
Evan graduated from Ashland University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in digital media journalism and media production. In his first career experience prior to being with the Chamber, Evan worked for an automotive magazine where he reported on the high-performance engine building industry. He is proud of his experience attending and covering national racing events and interviewing CEOs from industry-leading companies like Rottler, Amsoil, King Engine Bearings, SBI, and Maxiforce.
He hails from the small town of Tiffin, Ohio, and moved to Akron directly after college. Throughout the year, Evan can be found playing volleyball with Summit Sports and Social, both at the downtown sand courts and the Pinnacle Sports facility in Fairlawn. He often frequents Blu Jazz+ and Musica to see local musicians, runs and bikes on the Summit Metroparks trails, and volunteers with Sawyers Wish.
Emily Lundgard
Vice President, Elevate Greater Akron
Emily Lundgard
Emily Lundgard is the Vice President of Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Emily’s deep passion for collaboration, civic service, and community is at work every day in her role convening and supporting the leaders of Elevate as they advance a shared vision and set of priorities to bring prosperity to Greater Akron. Approaching each day with a forward-thinking mindset is a necessity for Emily, who leads with authenticity and hard work.
Over the last 16 years, Emily has worked in the public, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors, bringing to bear her expertise in policy and advocacy, communications, strategy, and coalition building. She is most proud of launching the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, serving as Cuyahoga County’s first special assistant for regional collaboration, and working to bring more housing affordability and stability to communities across Ohio.
Emily is Ohio born and raised. She is originally from Dayton, received her both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the Ohio University, and now lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband Loren. Outside of work, Emily can be found exploring cities, reading the next great American novel, or engaged in her local community where she volunteers as a youth soccer coach and serves on the Ohio City Incorporated Board of Directors.
Steve Millard
President & CEO
Steve Millard
Steve Millard is President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. Steve was attracted to the Chamber in 2018 to become a part of an emerging new collaboration among economic development partners led by the County of Summit, the City of Akron, the GAR Foundation, and the Chamber’s Board leadership. The promise of an enterprise approach across disparate ecosystem partners to increase jobs, investment and opportunity for the region was a bold idea for the region and the business community that he wanted to be involved in creating.
That bold idea became the unique collaboration that is working to advance economic development in Greater Akron called Elevate Greater Akron. The commitment by more than 20 ecosystem partners working together to do the right things to drive growth and success for the region has allowed for stronger collaboration and impact for the region.
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2018, Steve spent more than 20 years leading in various roles in economic development including as the President and Executive Director of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and the Executive Vice President of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Professionally, Steve is a Certified Chamber Executive and has been recognized in a variety of ways for community leadership, Board service and professional contributions. Steve holds a B.S. in Finance, a B.S. in Transportation and Distribution Management from Syracuse University, and an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to his work in Economic Development, he spent time at both GE Medical Systems (now GE Health Care) and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in supply chain operations and strategy consulting roles.
Steve currently serves on several boards including Leadership Akron, Summit Education Initiative, TeamNEO, ConxusNEO, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Downtown Akron Partnership, Downtown Akron Development Corporation and Medical Service Company.
Steve and his wife, Lisa, are proud to have a daughter, Lexie, who is a high school English teacher and a son, Ben, currently attending Marietta College. They live as the guests of three cats and two dogs who go out of their way to be perfectly good at doing absolutely nothing. Steve has no impressive hobbies or world adventures to brag about, but does have some bad habits like good bourbon, great scotch, and an occasional cigar that he is happy to share.
Marshall Moore
Industry Consultant, Polymer Industry Cluster
Marshall Moore
Marshall Moore is the Industry Consultant for the Greater Akron Chamber’s Polymer Industry Cluster. In this role, Marshall leads the Polymer Pilot and Scale-Up Task Team and supports the U.S. EDA’s Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub initiatives. He also provides technical insight and strategic guidance to the Polymer Industry Advisory Council and Leadership Committee, helping to shape innovation efforts and industry engagement across the region. With a career spanning operations, research and development, and executive leadership, Marshall brings a deep understanding of innovation systems, continuous improvement, and sustainable manufacturing.
Marshall has held senior leadership roles at companies including Summit Materials, Synthomer, OMNOVA Solutions, and Chemtura, where he drove advancements in R&D, sustainability, and product innovation. A longtime supporter of the Chamber’s work, he has been actively involved in the Polymer Industry Cluster since its inception, serving on advisory committees and leading regional R&D collaborations.
Marshall lives in Kent, OH with his wife and enjoys spending time with his two grown children and grandchildren. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Marietta College and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Elisha Murray
Office Coordinator
Elisha Murray
Elisha Murray is the Office Coordinator at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Elisha oversees the scheduling, set-up and supplies associated with our event space, coordinates with vendors to keep the office well-stocked and well-organized, greets guests and connects them with the appropriate individual, and answers the main phone-line for member inquiries. She is energized and inspired by connecting with others and uses that passion to make the 388 Main St. office a welcoming and inviting space for employees, members, and other visitors.
Professionally, Elisha has a wide range of experience in Management and Sales and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Akron. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Elisha and her husband opened their own landscaping business where she serves as Office Manager and Bookkeeper.
In her free time, Elisha enjoys going for walks on the Summit Metro Park trails or around her neighborhood. She is an avid Audiobook listener and loves books that focus on self-development, health, wellness, and spiritual enlightenment. Volunteering is also important to Elisha, who has helped with fundraising for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Awareness Walk since 2008.
Anna Pitts
Anna Pitts
Anna Pitts is the Senior Manager of Grants and Stakeholder Relations at Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Anna joined Elevate for the unique opportunity to support racial equity, small businesses, and Akron’s growth as a global polymer capital. Inspired by people and place-based development, she enjoys supporting stakeholders in transformative projects, particularly through grant writing.
Anna holds a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from California State University of Northridge, where she graduated with distinction. She is also a recipient of the 2024 Diverse Communities Scholarship from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Outside of work, Anna lives in North Canton with her partner, son, dog, and two cats. She enjoys travel, cooking, yoga, reading, and serves on the boards of PLEXUS LGBT and Allied Chamber of Commerce, Stark Library Foundation, and Drawing Together, a Southern California arts and wellness nonprofit.
Brynn Popa
Executive Vice President
Brynn Popa
Brynn is the Executive Vice President for the Greater Akron Chamber. For the last 15 years, Brynn has been immersed in economic development work, where she has advanced public policy efforts impacting business, played leadership roles in the coordination of collaborative economic development partnerships and worked to enhance the climate for business success in Northeast Ohio. In her current role, Brynn oversees the many operational efforts as well as key strategic initiatives of the Greater Akron Chamber, including the Chamber’s work as the convener and collaborator for Elevate Greater Akron. Among all of her roles, perhaps one of her most prized is the one she plays as a leader of teams – identifying unique talent, helping people to harness their skills and advance the organization’s work in impactful ways. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Brynn is proud and humbled to have the opportunity to impact change in her hometown and is inspired by the collaborative spirit in the region, illustrated by the strong public private partnerships that make all his work a possibility.
Advancing the region’s potential is something Brynn strives to do both professionally and personally. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Akron Civic Theater as well as the United Way Summit Medina. In 2011, Brynn was recognized for her work and leadership as a recipient of the Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 Award. Brynn received her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from John Carroll University and her Masters of Public Administration from Cleveland State University.
When she has the time, Brynn enjoys traveling, running, cooking and binge-watching Netflix series. She lives in Copley with her husband, Greg and two daughters.
Anna Richards
Senior Manager, Programs and Events
Anna Richards
Anna is the Senior Manager of Programs and Events at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she creates opportunities for our members to come together, make connections, and stay informed. Anna has always enjoyed bringing people together and helping others, so she chose the Chamber to be a part of an organization that connects people and businesses in the region.
Anna dedicates time to volunteering, especially with the University of Dayton Cleveland Alumni Community actively serving in the Akron Chair and Service Chair roles.
Outside of work, Anna loves to spend time with her husband and two boys. They enjoy crafting, traveling, kayaking, and baking.
John Rizzo
Vice President, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
John Rizzo
John Rizzo is the Vice President of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance for the Chamber. In this role, he works to connect chamber members to key information on relevant political activities, convene regional stakeholders on pressing issues facing the business community, and advocate for identified solutions. Coming from a family of small business owners, John really enjoys working with companies to understand and pursue the various policies and opportunities they stand to benefit from. Although not every effort results in a “win”, he finds it rewarding to facilitate conversations that identify real issues and solutions and work to achieve tangible results on behalf of small businesses.
John Rizzo received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Akron from which he is a proud alumnus. He also serves on several nonprofit committees and advisory boards within the region and participates on various panel discussions during advocacy-related events.
Coming from a large multicultural family, there is nothing John enjoys more than spending time with family, friends, and his dog, Bella. And, when Ohio’s weather permits it, he really enjoys cycling through Summit Metro Parks, golfing, and playing intramural sports.
Sheri Shields
Senior Manager, Small Business Engagement
Sheri Shields
Sheri is the Senior Manager of Small Business Engagement at the Greater Akron Chamber, working with the Economic Development team. In this role, Sheri works closely with small businesses with a focus on woman and minority owned companies. Prior to joining the Chamber team, she was a Chamber member and benefit provider. As a member, her experiences with the Chamber were great and when she was asked to join the team, she said yes! That was 25 years ago.
Sheri’s favorite thing about her job is getting to work with and help people. She enjoys developing relationships, making introductions, and providing memorable experiences. Sheri is a proud Alumni of the University of Akron and stays engaged with the university.
Sheri has a husband, two sons, and a very opinionated dachshund as a granddog. Outside of work, Sheri loves spending time with her family, traveling, going to parks, and enjoying music and theater.
We have identified the Board members that also participate on our Executive Committee with a * by their name.
| Name | Personal Title | Related Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Akers | Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations & Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics | The University of Akron |
| Juan Amezquita | Chief Financial and Operating Officer | GOJO Industries, Inc. |
| Tyler Amos | VP - Sr. Financial Consultant, Akron Branch | Charles Schwab Corporate Services |
| Monica Andress | Attorney | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, as well as Torchbearers |
| Anne Armao | Vice President, Member Experience & Product Development | SummaCare |
| Dunja Augustin | Vice President of Operations | Vistra |
| Elizabeth Bartz | President and CEO | State and Federal Communications, Inc. |
| Kristi Beeman | Vice President | Huntington National Bank |
| Warren Blazy | Senior Vice President | CBRE |
| Tami Bolder | Director, CBIZ Valuation Group | CBIZ |
| Julie Brandle* | President | Metis Construction Services |
| Marie Brilmyer | Partner | Cohen & Co |
| Traci Buckner | Executive Director | Akron Children's Museum |
| Ren Camacho* | President and CEO | Akron-Canton Airport |
| Tony Costanzo | Director, External/Legislative Affairs | AT&T |
| Joe Daleiden | Sr. Vice President - Commercial Banking | KeyBank |
| Jeff Datkuliak | Director | ARCOA Group |
| Cliff Deveny* | President /CEO | Summa Health |
| Krista Dobronos | Chief Consumer Banking Officer | Westfield Bank |
| Jason Dodson | Shareholder | Roetzel & Andress |
| Matt Dolan | Chief Executive Officer | Team NEO |
| Tracy Dowe* | City President & Middle Market Team Leader - Akron/Canton/Youngstown | Fifth Third Bank |
| Laura Duda* | Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer | Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
| Gino Faciana | Co-CEO | Pleasant Valley Corporation - NAI Pleasant Valley |
| Craig Ferriot | President | Ferriot |
| J.R. Fowler | COO | S.A. Comunale |
| Melanie Friedman | Principal | FMD Architects |
| Rich Fry | Taxation Practice Group Leader | Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs |
| Val Geiger | Executive Director, Commercial Banking | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
| Peter Geise | Akron Area President | FocusCFO |
| Chris Gessner | President & CEO | Akron Children's Hospital |
| Suzie Graham Moore | Director of Economic Development | City of Akron |
| Dwayne Groll* | CEO | Environmental Design Group |
| Dan Hampu | President & CEO | Burton D. Morgan Foundation |
| Craig Hassinger | CEO and President | SeibertKeck Insurance |
| Gillianne Hetrick | Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Operations | Babcock & Wilcox |
| John Higgins | Region Vice President | Spectrum |
| Torrence Hinton | President | FirstEnergy Ohio |
| Para Jones* | President | Stark State College |
| Halle Jones Capers | President | Halle's Engineering & Design |
| Ethan Karp | President and CEO | MAGNET |
| Stephen Kristan | Director, Market Development | Lumos |
| Kyle Kutuchief | Program Director/Akron | Knight Foundation |
| Adam LaFaber | Owner | Digital Sandwich |
| John Langell | President | Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) |
| Theresa Lash-Ritter | President | Cleveland Clinic Akron General |
| Amanda Leffler* | Akron Managing Partner | Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick |
| Erin Leppo Palmer | CFO & In-House Legal Counsel | Leppo, Inc. (Leppo Equipment/Bobcat of Akron) |
| Joe Luckring* | Regional President | PNC Bank |
| Shammas Malik | Mayor | City of Akron |
| Lauren Marsh | President | Akron Urban League Young Professionals |
| Christine Mayer* | President | GAR Foundation |
| Annie McFadden | Interim President & CEO | United Way of Summit and Medina |
| Jay Mellon | CEO | AtNetPlus, Inc. |
| Jim Merklin | Partner | Bober Markey Fedorovich |
| Marc Merklin | Shareholder | Roetzel & Andress |
| Steve Millard* | President & CEO | Greater Akron Chamber |
| Lakisha Miller-Barclay* | Executive Director & CEO | Rubber Division, ACS |
| Mike Morrison | Senior Director, Private Markets | GPD Group |
| Amy Mucha | Owner | Daisy Pops |
| Chuck Mullen | Partner, Great Lakes Market Leader | Eide Bailly |
| Chrissy Myers* | CEO | AUI & Clarity HR |
| Brandyn Neal | Client Advisor & Akron Market Leader | Schauer Group |
| Brian Nelsen | Chief of Staff | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Krishna Nookala | Vice President | Newry Corp |
| Don Padgett | Executive Director | Kaulig Companies Championship |
| Roberta Palacio | Supply Chain Executive | Continental |
| B. Patel | Principal & Co-Founder | GHC Green Harvest Capital |
| Ron Paydo | Market President | Huntington Bank |
| John Petures | President & CEO | Akron Community Foundation |
| Jim Pfander | President & General Manager | Akron RubberDucks |
| Kendra Philon* | Vice President, Assurance Services | Meaden & Moore |
| Tia Ramlow* | President | Great Work Employment |
| Kathy Romito | Community Relations Manager | Western Reserve Hospital |
| Ike Samson-Akpan | President/Owner | SAF, Inc. |
| Jennifer Savitski* | Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Cleveland Clinic Akron General |
| Ilene Shapiro | County Executive | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Erick Sharp | CEO | ACE Laboratories |
| Suranjan Shome | CEO | Epiphany Management Group |
| Mark Smale | Executive Director, Core Polymer Science | Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations |
| Raymond Somich | Global Director, Government Affairs | Synthomer |
| Erin Spring | Senior Director, Material Science | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
| Brian Steere | Co-President | Steere Enterprises |
| Norm Steiner | VP, Major Accounts & Strategy | Medical Mutual |
| Don Taylor | CEO | Welty |
| Damian Thomas | Market President | The RCF Group |
| Jason Tuma | Partner, Northeast Ohio Market Leader | Sikich |
| Andrew Twardzik | Partner, Americas Deputy Risk Markets Leader | Ernst & Young |
| Dan Weekley | President | Enbridge Gas Ohio |
| Katherine White | Board Liaison | Torchbearers (YP) |
| Bernett L. Williams | Chief Engagement Officer | Akron Children's |
| John Williams | President/CEO | Akron Urban League |
| Steve Wilt | Principal, Finacial Advisor | CAPTRUST |
Matthew Akers
The University of Akron
Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations & Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied PoliticsJuan Amezquita
GOJO Industries, Inc.
Chief Financial and Operating OfficerTyler Amos
Charles Schwab Corporate Services
VP - Sr. Financial Consultant, Akron BranchMonica Andress
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, as well as Torchbearers
AttorneyAnne Armao
SummaCare
Vice President, Member Experience & Product DevelopmentDunja Augustin
Vistra
Vice President of OperationsElizabeth Bartz
State and Federal Communications, Inc.
President and CEOKristi Beeman
Huntington National Bank
Vice PresidentWarren Blazy
CBRE
Senior Vice PresidentTami Bolder
CBIZ
Director, CBIZ Valuation GroupJulie Brandle*
Metis Construction Services
PresidentMarie Brilmyer
Cohen & Co
PartnerTraci Buckner
Akron Children's Museum
Executive DirectorRen Camacho*
Akron-Canton Airport
President and CEOTony Costanzo
AT&T
Director, External/Legislative AffairsJoe Daleiden
KeyBank
Sr. Vice President - Commercial BankingJeff Datkuliak
ARCOA Group
DirectorCliff Deveny*
Summa Health
President/CEOKrista Dobronos
Westfield Bank
Chief Consumer Banking OfficerJason Dodson
Roetzel & Andress
ShareholderMatt Dolan
Team NEO
Chief Executive OfficerTracy Dowe*
Fifth Third Bank
City President & Middle Market Team Leader - Akron/Canton/YoungstownLaura Duda*
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Senior Vice President & Chief Communications OfficerGino Faciana
Pleasant Valley Corporation - NAI Pleasant Valley
Co-CEOCraig Ferriot
Ferriot
PresidentJ.R. Fowler
S.A. Comunale
COOMelanie Friedman
FMD Architects
PrincipalRich Fry
Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs
Taxation Practice Group LeaderVal Geiger
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Executive Director, Commercial BankingPeter Geise
Focus CFO
Akron Area PresidentChris Gessner
Akron Children's Hospital
President & CEOSuzie Graham Moore
City of Akron
Director of Economic DevelopmentDwayne Groll*
Environmental Design Group
CEODan Hampu
Burton D. Morgan Foundation
President & CEOCraig Hassinger
SeibertKeck Insurance
CEO and PresidentGillianne Hetrick
Babcock & Wilcox
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate OperationsJohn Higgins Jr.
Spectrum
Regional Vice PresidentTorrence Hinton
FirstEnergy Ohio
PresidentDr. Para Jones*
Stark State College
PresidentHalle Jones Capers, P.E.
Halle's Engineering and Design
PresidentDr. Ethan Karp
MAGNET
President & CEOStephen Kristan
Lumos
Director, Market DevelopmentKyle Kutuchief
Knight Foundation
Program Director/AkronAdam LaFaber
Digital Sandwich
OwnerDr. John Langell
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
PresidentTheresa Lash-Ritter
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
PresidentAmanda Leffler*
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
Akron Managing PartnerErin Leppo Palmer
Leppo, Inc. (Leppo Equipment/Bobcat of Akron)
CFO & In-House Legal CounselJoe Luckring*
PNC Bank
Regional PresidentShammas Malik
Mayor
City of AkronLauren Marsh
Akron Urban League Young Professionals
PresidentChristine Mayer*
GAR Foundation
PresidentAnnie McFadden
United Way of Summit and Medina
Interim President & CEOJay Mellon
AtNetPlus, Inc.
CEOJim Merklin
Bober Markey Fedorovich
PartnerMarc Merklin
Roetzel & Andress
ShareholderSteve Millard*
Greater Akron Chamber
President & CEOLakisha Miller-Barclay*
Rubber Division, ACS
Executive Director & CEOMike Morrison
GPD Group
Senior Director, Private MarketsAmy Mucha
Daisy Pops
OwnerChuck Mullen
Eide Bailly
Partner, Great Lakes Market LeaderChrissy Myers*
AUI & Clarity HR
CEOBrandyn Neal
Schauer Group
Client Advisor & Akron Market LeaderBrian Nelsen
County of Summit, Ohio
Chief of StaffKrishna Nookala
Newry Corp
Vice PresidentDon Padgett
Kaulig Companies Championship
Executive DirectorRoberta Palacio
Continental
Supply Chain ExecutiveB Patel
GHC Green Harvest Capital
Principal & Co-FounderRon Paydo
Huntington Bank
Market PresidentJohn Petures Jr.
Akron Community Foundation
President & CEOJim Pfander
Akron RubberDucks
President & General ManagerKendra Philon*
Meadon & Moore
Vice President, Assurance ServicesTia Ramlow*
Great Work Employment
PresidentKathy Romito
Western Reserve Hospital
Community Relations ManagerIke Samson-Akpan Sr.
SAF, Inc.
President/OwnerDr. Jennifer Savitski*
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyHonorable Ilene Shapiro
County of Summit
County ExecutiveErick Sharp
ACE Laboratories
CEOSuranjan Shome
Epiphany Management Group
CEOMark Smale
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
Executive Director, Core Polymer ScienceRaymond Somich
Synthomer
Global Director, Government AffairsErin Spring
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Senior Director, Material ScienceBrian Steere
Steere Enterprises
Co-PresidentNorm Steiner
Medical Mutual
VP, Major Accounts & StrategyDon Taylor
Welty
CEODamian Thomas
The RCF Group
Market PresidentJason Tuma
Sikich LLP
Partner, Northeast Ohio Market LeaderAndrew Twardzik
Ernst & Young LLP
Partner, Americas Deputy Risk Markets LeaderDan Weekley
Enbridge Gas Ohio
PresidentKatherine White
Torchbearers (YP)
Board LiaisonBernett L. Williams
Akron Children's Hospital
Chief Engagement OfficerJohn Williams
Akron Urban League
President/CEOSteve Wilt
CAPTRUST
Principal, Financial Advisor
Business Owners Council
The business owner’s council is designed to ensure that the Chamber is appropriately focused on issues and programs specifically tailored to business owners in Greater Akron. This council is comprised of business owners and members from the Greater Akron region.
Diversity Professionals Council
Fostering inclusive economic growth relies on tapping into the expertise and perspectives of our region’s diversity professionals. The Diversity Professional Council convenes DEI and HR leaders regularly, providing a platform for collaborative brainstorming, problem-solving, and networking. Together, they drive forward their companies' and the region's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, leveraging collective knowledge and experiences to create meaningful progress.
Economic Inclusion Committee
As the representative and convener of the business community in Greater Akron, the Chamber is focused on providing businesses with the tools, resources, and information necessary to become more inclusive, to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within their companies, and to support the growth of minority-owned companies. The Economic Inclusion Committee is focused on ensuring that the Chamber is meeting the needs of the business community in this space and working to advance inclusive growth in the region.
Government Affairs Committee
The GAC’s ability to effectively advocate on these issues is largely due to ongoing support and input from its Government Affairs Committee. This group is comprised of leaders from within business, nonprofit, higher education, and community-based organizations. This committee is, at its core, a tool that enables the GAC to understand members’ perspectives on relevant issues and collaboratively explore solutions. Doing this work is critical to the GAC’s ability to effectively advocate on our members’ behalf and provides us with a platform to collectively engage elected officials.
Polymer Industry Advisory Council
Greater Akron is the center of the world’s polymer industry and with support from the Polymer Industry Advisory Council (PIAC), the region continues to drive global innovation and shape the local economy. The PIAC convenes leaders from across the Polymer Industry Cluster to inform and guide the development of the Cluster; share ideas and strengthen relationships; and identify common challenges, develop shared solutions, and pursue collaborative projects that advance industry innovation and have a positive impact on the economy.
Supplier Diversity Procurement Council
The Supplier Diversity Procurement Council is a specialized initiative centered on promoting inclusivity and equity within procurement practices. This council is dedicated to championing a diverse supplier base by fostering opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities. Through strategic planning, outreach programs, and advocacy efforts, the council seeks to expand supplier diversity, creating avenues for underrepresented businesses to participate in the procurement process. It aims to establish fair and inclusive supplier selection processes, offer support and resources to diverse suppliers, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive economic growth while fostering a more equitable and representative business landscape.
Women’s Network Leadership Institute Advisory Council
In October of 2019, Women’s Network and the Greater Akron Chamber memorialized an official Affiliation Agreement for the purpose of creating women’s programming within the Greater Akron Chamber. The Women’s Network Leadership Institute Advisory Council oversees the mission of the Women’s Network to Connect, Empower and Inspire through Best-in-Class Curriculum offerings, Research and Thought Leadership.
Our Chair's Circle represents our most significant investors and the drivers of our work.
Amanda Anderson
Director, Investor Engagement
Amanda Anderson
Amanda Anderson is the Director of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she focuses on building strong relationships with investors and ensuring they maximize the value of their membership. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its reputation for fostering regional economic growth and its collaborative culture. Amanda is excited to leverage her background in relationship management to make a positive impact in the business community.
Professionally, Amanda thrives on fostering engagement, building partnerships, and creating alignment through shared goals. She enjoys problem-solving through connections, whether it’s helping businesses navigate challenges, connecting investors to valuable resources, or strengthening the investor network. She takes pride in her ability to cultivate trust-based relationships that lead to meaningful business outcomes.
Outside of work, Amanda spends most of her time with her husband and two sons. She also runs a small cookie business, enjoys attending community events, and loves getting outdoors with her family.
Jean Barbato
Director, ConxusNEO & Workforce Initiatives
ConxusNEO
Jean Barbato
Jean brings 15 years of experience in higher education working with recruitment, advising and retention for non-traditional, adult completion programs, and grant management in workforce training and apprenticeships. She also has 35 years of experience as a small business owner and understands the difficulties and the importance of training and retaining employees.
Jean is the Director of ConxusNEO & Workforce Initiatives, with oversight of the sector partnership, the U.S. Department of Labor Scaling Apprenticeship grant and the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge program. Her responsibilities include collaborating with local community-based organizations who serve underrepresented, underserved people in the greater Akron region to provide training and to gain quality job opportunities for career growth.
Jean earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from Walsh University in North Canton, OH. She is on the Advisory Board for the Stark County’s Greater Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Community Harvest program, is a member of the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Service League, and is the chair of the grant writing committee for Another Act of Kindness.
Hope Bell
Senior Manager, Community Partnerships
ConxusNEO
Hope Bell
ConxusNEO
Dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change, Hope is a passionate workforce development advocate with a proven track record in the non-profit sector. Hope has an exceptional ability to build bridges between organizations, stakeholders, and communities. With a strong commitment to collaboration and community empowerment, she has consistently demonstrated her capacity to create impactful partnerships that drive collective success.
With extensive experience in workforce development, and 10 years of experience in strategic planning and program management, Hope has consistently championed programs that bridge the gap between education and employment. She has successfully conceptualized, developed, and executed innovative initiatives that equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.
Hope holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Morehead State University and continues to pursue professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of workforce development strategies and trends.
Hope’s vision revolves around creating a future where collaboration is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone of sustainable progress. She remains committed to exploring new avenues for partnerships, amplifying community-driven initiatives, and inspiring others to contribute to the collective well-being of the community.
Morgan Bock
Director, Executive Office
Morgan Bock
Morgan is the Director, Executive Office at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she provides administrative and project support to Steve Millard, the Chamber’s President and CEO, as well as the Leadership Team. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its strong commitment to supporting local businesses and its focus on community engagement. During her interview, she was impressed by the culture and work environment and knew it was the right place to grow her career.
Professionally, Morgan has a background in business operations and management, with experience launching and growing multiple fitness studios. She played a key role in opening five businesses, including Orangetheory Fitness locations in Akron, Canton, and Copley, Ohio, as well as Brickell, Florida, and Mayweather Fitness Boxing studios in Brickell and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was recognized as Orangetheory Fitness’s Studio Manager of the Year for Northeast Ohio and led one studio to become the second fastest-growing location in the country.
Outside of work, Morgan has a passion for travel, fitness, and outdoor activities. She enjoys hiking, running, and water sports, particularly boating. She also loves spending time with her German Shorthaired Pointer, who joins her on many of her outdoor adventures. Morgan values personal growth and enjoys learning new skills, meeting new people, and finding creative ways to solve challenges.
Alyssa Carpenter
Vice President, Economic Development
Alyssa Carpenter
Alyssa Carpenter has a unique role, serving in a dual capacity as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Akron Chamber and the Director of Business Development for Team NEO, focusing on the rubber, plastic and polymer industries serving Stark and Summit Counties. Alyssa views the work of economic development much like a puzzle with intersections of building relationships, problem solving, and pulling the partners in the public and private sectors together in order help our companies and communities grow and prosper.
For her work professionally, Alyssa earned the Ohio Economic Development, Ohio Certified Economic Developer certification. She also frequently presents as a guest speaker as part of the Ohio Economic Development (OEDA) programing on topics of economic and professional development, as well as more locally, via Team NEO’s NODE program.
Most of her time outside of work involves her kids, Caroline and Grant, and their school activities. Alyssa also enjoys entertaining and being outdoors.
Sarah Deitrick
Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster
Sarah Deitrick
Sarah Deitrick is the Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster for The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Sarah advances the work of the PIC by executing on the various initiatives of the cluster by managing daily operations, coordinating working committees, and supporting membership, marketing, communications, and events. She finds fulfillment in contributing to work that makes a lasting impact. Sarah chose to work at the Chamber to play a part in driving the Polymer Industry Cluster’s mission, vision, and regional impact that contributes to economic growth and prosperity within the community.
As a third-generation Akronite, Sarah has a deep-rooted passion for historic preservation advocacy and the adaptive reuse of buildings that reflects her strong connection to the region. Her commitment to safeguarding Akron’s architectural heritage also extends into various roles she has served within Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and adaptive reuse of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods that are of historic or architectural significance in Akron and Summit County.
When not at work, Sarah finds comfort in spending time with her daughter watching movies, gardening, hiking, visiting museums, and attending concerts.
Kirsten Delpinal
Graphic Designer
Kirsten Delpinal
Kirsten Delpinal is the Graphic Designer at the Greater Akron Chamber, where she is responsible for creating visually engaging and cohesive assets for the organization’s events, designing marketing materials to raise awareness of GAC initiatives, and ensuring consistency in the branding of the Chamber and its various programs and partners.
As an entrepreneur, Kirsten understands firsthand the importance of community support for small businesses. She joined the Chamber to give back to Akron and help foster a supportive environment for local businesses. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University. She is also a proud graduate of the 2019 Class of Torchbearers and served on the board for three years as the Marketing and Communications liaison. In 2021, Kirsten was honored with GAC’s 30 for the Future award.
A true creator at heart, Kirsten enjoys a variety of creative hobbies, including photography, watercolor painting, crocheting, playing the piano, and creating dried floral art. She is also an avid reader and gardener. Kirsten lives in Green with her husband and two daughters, where they enjoy playing board games, making crafts, and spending time outdoors.
Hans Dorfi, PhD
Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Polymer Industry Cluster
Hans Dorfi, PhD
Hans R. Dorfi is a global innovation and technology executive with over two decades of experience in leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe driving large-scale transformation in the polymer and mobility sectors. As Senior Vice President at Bridgestone Americas, he led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products.
A champion of open innovation and ecosystem building, Hans has been an invited speaker at technology conferences and held board roles in startups, academic-industry consortia, and non-profits. He is currently the board chair of the Bounce Innovation Hub and served on the leadership team of the Polymer Industry Cluster.
Hans holds advanced engineering degrees from The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and industry advisor to institutions such as Stanford, The Ohio State University and Virginia Tech.
As a long-time resident of Akron, Hans is committed to driving economic growth within the region with a global perspective, deep technical knowledge, and a track record of aligning cross-sector partners. His passion for innovation and commercialization makes him uniquely suited to lead PIC’s bold vision for Greater Akron as a global hub for next-generation polymer technologies.
Robyn Durlin
Manager, Digital Marketing and Web Design
Robyn Durlin
Robyn Durlin is the Manager of Digital Marketing and Web Design for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Robyn creates graphics, designs, and other visual materials for the Chamber to use in its marketing and communications efforts. Robyn joined the Chamber team after 15 years in digital design for the retail advertising and marketing industries. She decided to step away from the corporate marketing world to join an organization where she could make a difference in her local community.
Originally from Maine, Robyn attended Lyndon State College (now Vermont State University) where she earned bachelor’s degrees in digital media and graphic design, before moving to Greater Akron in search of a more robust job market.
She now lives in Portage County with her husband and three cats, where she enjoys spending time outside kayaking, beach combing, hiking, and camping. Robyn also frequents concerts and likes to take trips to visit her family in New England.
Alexis Escobar-Paz
Coordinator, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
Alexis Escobar-Paz
Alexis Escobar-Paz is the Coordinator of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance (ACAA), the joint advocacy-focused partnership between the Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. In her role, Alexis creates Advocacy Update communications, helps manage the ACAA social media accounts, and works toward establishing the alliance’s public policy agenda. She chose to work with the Chamber to better learn the connection between communications work and public policy.
Prior to her work with the Chamber, Alexis worked as a barista at Barnes & Noble for five years while studying for her degree. In December 2023, she graduated summa cum laude as a Williams Honors College student from the University of Akron, where she studied public relations. She is most proud of her senior capstone, titled (Un)successful Use of Apologia: A Case Study of Mayor Schubert’s Resignation, which is published on IdeaExchange.
Alexis and her two-triplet brothers were born on Halloween – coincidentally, she is an avid reader of Stephen King and other horror/fantasy books series. She also enjoys hiking and baking.
Heather Flohr
Director, Finance & Operations
Heather Flohr
Heather is the Director, Finance & Operations at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she handles many responsibilities ranging from bookkeeping for the organization, human resource support for staff, as well as general office management. A couple years ago Heather chose to make a change in careers and join the Chamber after seeing the positive impact being made by the team in this region. She wanted to be a part of the change the Chamber was making in the community.
Heather is a proud Veteran of the United State Marine Corps, having served for eight years from 2004 – 2012, during that time she received various Medals and Letters of Commendations. Heather has a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University and is a Certified Notary Public for the State of Ohio. She is also a graduate of Torchbearers Class of 2019 and served as the Co-Chair for Membership in 2020.
Outside of work her favorite things to do include hiking and reading. In 2020 she read over 140 books! She also likes to find volunteer opportunities she can share with her kids to get them immersed in their community. Heather lives in Copley with her husband, their three children, and their dog.
Halee Gerenday
Director, Marketing and Communications
Halee Gerenday
Halee Gerenday is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she brings visibility to the work of the Chamber and our regional partners, and ensures our members stay connected to information that will support and strengthen their businesses. She chose to work at the Chamber because she wanted to support community growth and utilize the power of storytelling to showcase the people and businesses here in Greater Akron.
Halee received her bachelor’s degree in digital media journalism & sport communications from Ashland University. Professionally, she is a proud recipient of a first-place award for Best Reporter in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2017 for her work with the Medina Gazette.
For Halee, home is in Medina County with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and being outdoors – whether it’s reading a good book on her patio, camping at one of Ohio’s State Parks, snowboarding or walking the trail with her dogs.
Sante Ghetti
Vice President, Investor Engagement
Sante Ghetti
Sante is the Vice President of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role he works to support our members goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Sante chose the Greater Akron Chamber because he has a passion for supporting the business community and the region. His favorite part of his job is getting to know and working with people, he is always learning something new from everyone he meets.
Professionally, Sante has a unique background having previously working in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. He is particularly proud of his time working for The White House as well as raising money for pediatric cancer patients and survivors. A few awards he has received as recognition for his work have been 2014 COSE Staff Service Award, 2018 Catalyst of Leadership & Excellence (CLE) Award, and he was a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2020.
Sante has a wife and two daughters that inspire him daily. While it’s his family that inspires him the most, he also enjoys golfing and traveling to anywhere that has a beach.
Jen Golembiewski
Senior Manager, Member Engagement
Jen Golembiewski
Jen Golembiewski is the Senior Manager of Member Engagement at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she works to support our members’ goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Jen chose to work with the Chamber to do what she can to help Greater Akron flourish; she wants to continue the legacy of her grandmother, who owned a steel factory in Akron and was very active in the community.
Prior to coming to the Chamber, Jen held various positions in management, business operations, and enrollment communications; she enjoys serving others and connecting people with the resources needed to advance their professional efforts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA in integrated marketing from Walsh University.
Jen lives in Stark County with her husband and two children, who are Irish twins. She is a board member on her son’s wrestling team and loves to watch her children participate in sports and the performing arts. In her free time, she also enjoys boating, reading, bourbon, and watching football.
Ameeca Holmes
Senior Manager, Healthcare Sector Partnership
ConxusNEO
Ameeca Holmes
Ameeca is an Akron native and comes from a local hospital with 11 years of experience. Ameeca is passionate about community outreach efforts and has led many grant initiatives related to youth development, education, and public health issues focusing on maternal and child health. All of her previous work experiences have awarded her the knowledge and skills to raise awareness and facilitate beneficial programming in adverse communities.
Ameeca received her bachelor’s and Masters of Arts from Kent State University. At ConxusNEO, she will manage the Healthcare Sector Partnership and continue to foster and promote relationships in the community with local healthcare facilities to support workforce development opportunities.
Juliana Kless
Coordinator, Cuyahoga Falls Business Gateway
Juliana Kless
Juliana Kless is the Coordinator for the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Business Gateway at The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Juliana supports the region’s businesses by fostering connections, planning impactful events, and managing projects that showcase the benefits of chamber membership. Her love for the region, paired with her ability to multi-task and communicate effectively, makes her an essential advocate for local business growth and community engagement. Juliana chose to work at the GAC because of its meaningful work, its people, and her personal connection to Cuyahoga Falls, where she resides.
As a recent college graduate, Juliana is proud of her academic achievements, having graduated high school at 17 and college at 20. She also earned her Sociological Research Certification from Kent State University, consistently made the Dean’s List, and excelled in collegiate debate, earning a certificate from the Pre-Law Society.
When not at work, Juliana enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing volleyball, and coaching her younger brother’s basketball team. She finds fulfillment in connecting with her community, learning something new every day, and inspiring others to take pride in the region she loves.
Evan Laux
Manager, Social Media Marketing and Digital Assets
Evan Laux
Evan Laux is the Manager of Social Media Marketing and Digital Assets for The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Evan develops various media for the Chamber and distributes it to members and other partners. This includes written marketing materials, social media posts, newsletters, podcasts, internal resources, event photography, and other media. Evan chose to work with the Chamber so that he could be better connected to the community and learn more about business development.
Evan graduated from Ashland University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in digital media journalism and media production. In his first career experience prior to being with the Chamber, Evan worked for an automotive magazine where he reported on the high-performance engine building industry. He is proud of his experience attending and covering national racing events and interviewing CEOs from industry-leading companies like Rottler, Amsoil, King Engine Bearings, SBI, and Maxiforce.
He hails from the small town of Tiffin, Ohio, and moved to Akron directly after college. Throughout the year, Evan can be found playing volleyball with Summit Sports and Social, both at the downtown sand courts and the Pinnacle Sports facility in Fairlawn. He often frequents Blu Jazz+ and Musica to see local musicians, runs and bikes on the Summit Metroparks trails, and volunteers with Sawyers Wish.
Emily Lundgard
Vice President, Elevate Greater Akron
Emily Lundgard
Emily Lundgard is the Vice President of Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Emily’s deep passion for collaboration, civic service, and community is at work every day in her role convening and supporting the leaders of Elevate as they advance a shared vision and set of priorities to bring prosperity to Greater Akron. Approaching each day with a forward-thinking mindset is a necessity for Emily, who leads with authenticity and hard work.
Over the last 16 years, Emily has worked in the public, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors, bringing to bear her expertise in policy and advocacy, communications, strategy, and coalition building. She is most proud of launching the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, serving as Cuyahoga County’s first special assistant for regional collaboration, and working to bring more housing affordability and stability to communities across Ohio.
Emily is Ohio born and raised. She is originally from Dayton, received her both bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the Ohio University, and now lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband Loren. Outside of work, Emily can be found exploring cities, reading the next great American novel, or engaged in her local community where she volunteers as a youth soccer coach and serves on the Ohio City Incorporated Board of Directors.
Steve Millard
President & CEO
Steve Millard
Steve Millard is President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. Steve was attracted to the Chamber in 2018 to become a part of an emerging new collaboration among economic development partners led by the County of Summit, the City of Akron, the GAR Foundation, and the Chamber’s Board leadership. The promise of an enterprise approach across disparate ecosystem partners to increase jobs, investment and opportunity for the region was a bold idea for the region and the business community that he wanted to be involved in creating.
That bold idea became the unique collaboration that is working to advance economic development in Greater Akron called Elevate Greater Akron. The commitment by more than 20 ecosystem partners working together to do the right things to drive growth and success for the region has allowed for stronger collaboration and impact for the region.
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2018, Steve spent more than 20 years leading in various roles in economic development including as the President and Executive Director of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and the Executive Vice President of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Professionally, Steve is a Certified Chamber Executive and has been recognized in a variety of ways for community leadership, Board service and professional contributions. Steve holds a B.S. in Finance, a B.S. in Transportation and Distribution Management from Syracuse University, and an M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to his work in Economic Development, he spent time at both GE Medical Systems (now GE Health Care) and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in supply chain operations and strategy consulting roles.
Steve currently serves on several boards including Leadership Akron, Summit Education Initiative, TeamNEO, ConxusNEO, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Downtown Akron Partnership, Downtown Akron Development Corporation and Medical Service Company.
Steve and his wife, Lisa, are proud to have a daughter, Lexie, who is a high school English teacher and a son, Ben, currently attending Marietta College. They live as the guests of three cats and two dogs who go out of their way to be perfectly good at doing absolutely nothing. Steve has no impressive hobbies or world adventures to brag about, but does have some bad habits like good bourbon, great scotch, and an occasional cigar that he is happy to share.
Elisha Murray
Office Coordinator
Elisha Murray
Elisha Murray is the Office Coordinator at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Elisha oversees the scheduling, set-up and supplies associated with our event space, coordinates with vendors to keep the office well-stocked and well-organized, greets guests and connects them with the appropriate individual, and answers the main phone-line for member inquiries. She is energized and inspired by connecting with others and uses that passion to make the 388 Main St. office a welcoming and inviting space for employees, members, and other visitors.
Professionally, Elisha has a wide range of experience in Management and Sales and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Akron. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Elisha and her husband opened their own landscaping business where she serves as Office Manager and Bookkeeper.
In her free time, Elisha enjoys going for walks on the Summit Metro Park trails or around her neighborhood. She is an avid Audiobook listener and loves books that focus on self-development, health, wellness, and spiritual enlightenment. Volunteering is also important to Elisha, who has helped with fundraising for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Awareness Walk since 2008.
Anna Pitts
Senior Manager, Grants and Stakeholder Relations, Elevate Greater Akron
Anna Pitts
Anna Pitts is the Senior Manager of Grants and Stakeholder Relations at Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Anna joined Elevate for the unique opportunity to support racial equity, small businesses, and Akron’s growth as a global polymer capital. Inspired by people and place-based development, she enjoys supporting stakeholders in transformative projects, particularly through grant writing.
Anna holds a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from California State University of Northridge, where she graduated with distinction. She is also a recipient of the 2024 Diverse Communities Scholarship from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Outside of work, Anna lives in North Canton with her partner, son, dog, and two cats. She enjoys travel, cooking, yoga, reading, and serves on the boards of PLEXUS LGBT and Allied Chamber of Commerce, Stark Library Foundation, and Drawing Together, a Southern California arts and wellness nonprofit.
Brynn Popa
Executive Vice President
Brynn Popa
Brynn is the Executive Vice President for the Greater Akron Chamber. For the last 15 years, Brynn has been immersed in economic development work, where she has advanced public policy efforts impacting business, played leadership roles in the coordination of collaborative economic development partnerships and worked to enhance the climate for business success in Northeast Ohio. In her current role, Brynn oversees the many operational efforts as well as key strategic initiatives of the Greater Akron Chamber, including the Chamber’s work as the convener and collaborator for Elevate Greater Akron. Among all of her roles, perhaps one of her most prized is the one she plays as a leader of teams – identifying unique talent, helping people to harness their skills and advance the organization’s work in impactful ways. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Brynn is proud and humbled to have the opportunity to impact change in her hometown and is inspired by the collaborative spirit in the region, illustrated by the strong public private partnerships that make all his work a possibility.
Advancing the region’s potential is something Brynn strives to do both professionally and personally. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Akron Civic Theater as well as the United Way Summit Medina. In 2011, Brynn was recognized for her work and leadership as a recipient of the Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 Award. Brynn received her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from John Carroll University and her Masters of Public Administration from Cleveland State University.
When she has the time, Brynn enjoys traveling, running, cooking and binge-watching Netflix series. She lives in Copley with her husband, Greg and two daughters.
Anna Richards
Senior Manager, Programs and Events
Anna Richards
Anna is the Senior Manager of Programs and Events at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she creates opportunities for our members to come together, make connections, and stay informed. Anna has always enjoyed bringing people together and helping others, so she chose the Chamber to be a part of an organization that connects people and businesses in the region.
Anna dedicates time to volunteering, especially with the University of Dayton Cleveland Alumni Community actively serving in the Akron Chair and Service Chair roles.
Outside of work, Anna loves to spend time with her husband and two boys. They enjoy crafting, traveling, kayaking, and baking.
John Rizzo
Vice President, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
John Rizzo
John Rizzo is the Vice President of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance for the Chamber. In this role, he works to connect chamber members to key information on relevant political activities, convene regional stakeholders on pressing issues facing the business community, and advocate for identified solutions. Coming from a family of small business owners, John really enjoys working with companies to understand and pursue the various policies and opportunities they stand to benefit from. Although not every effort results in a “win”, he finds it rewarding to facilitate conversations that identify real issues and solutions and work to achieve tangible results on behalf of small businesses.
John Rizzo received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Akron from which he is a proud alumnus. He also serves on several nonprofit committees and advisory boards within the region and participates on various panel discussions during advocacy-related events.
Coming from a large multicultural family, there is nothing John enjoys more than spending time with family, friends, and his dog, Bella. And, when Ohio’s weather permits it, he really enjoys cycling through Summit Metro Parks, golfing, and playing intramural sports.
Sheri Shields
Senior Manager, Small Business Engagement
We have identified the Board members that also participate on our Executive Committee with a * by their name.
| Name | Personal Title | Related Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Akers | Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations & Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics | The University of Akron |
| Juan Amezquita | Chief Financial and Operating Officer | GOJO Industries, Inc. |
| Tyler Amos | VP - Sr. Financial Consultant, Akron Branch | Charles Schwab Corporate Services |
| Monica Andress | Attorney | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, as well as Torchbearers |
| Anne Armao | Vice President, Member Experience & Product Development | SummaCare |
| Dunja Augustin | Vice President of Operations | Vistra |
| Elizabeth Bartz | President and CEO | State and Federal Communications, Inc. |
| Kristi Beeman | Vice President | Huntington National Bank |
| Warren Blazy | Senior Vice President | CBRE |
| Tami Bolder | Director, CBIZ Valuation Group | CBIZ |
| Julie Brandle* | President | Metis Construction Services |
| Marie Brilmyer | Partner | Cohen & Co |
| Traci Buckner | Executive Director | Akron Children's Museum |
| Ren Camacho* | President and CEO | Akron-Canton Airport |
| Tony Costanzo | Director, External/Legislative Affairs | AT&T |
| Joe Daleiden | Sr. Vice President - Commercial Banking | KeyBank |
| Jeff Datkuliak | Director | ARCOA Group |
| Cliff Deveny* | President /CEO | Summa Health |
| Krista Dobronos | Chief Consumer Banking Officer | Westfield Bank |
| Jason Dodson | Shareholder | Roetzel & Andress |
| Matt Dolan | Chief Executive Officer | Team NEO |
| Tracy Dowe* | City President & Middle Market Team Leader - Akron/Canton/Youngstown | Fifth Third Bank |
| Laura Duda* | Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer | Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
| Gino Faciana | Co-CEO | Pleasant Valley Corporation - NAI Pleasant Valley |
| Craig Ferriot | President | Ferriot |
| J.R. Fowler | COO | S.A. Comunale |
| Melanie Friedman | Principal | FMD Architects |
| Rich Fry | Taxation Practice Group Leader | Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs |
| Val Geiger | Executive Director, Commercial Banking | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
| Peter Geise | Akron Area President | FocusCFO |
| Chris Gessner | President & CEO | Akron Children's Hospital |
| Suzie Graham Moore | Director of Economic Development | City of Akron |
| Dwayne Groll* | CEO | Environmental Design Group |
| Dan Hampu | President & CEO | Burton D. Morgan Foundation |
| Craig Hassinger | CEO and President | SeibertKeck Insurance |
| Gillianne Hetrick | Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Operations | Babcock & Wilcox |
| John Higgins | Region Vice President | Spectrum |
| Torrence Hinton | President | FirstEnergy Ohio |
| Para Jones* | President | Stark State College |
| Halle Jones Capers | President | Halle's Engineering & Design |
| Ethan Karp | President and CEO | MAGNET |
| Stephen Kristan | Director, Market Development | Lumos |
| Kyle Kutuchief | Program Director/Akron | Knight Foundation |
| Adam LaFaber | Owner | Digital Sandwich |
| John Langell | President | Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) |
| Theresa Lash-Ritter | President | Cleveland Clinic Akron General |
| Amanda Leffler* | Akron Managing Partner | Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick |
| Erin Leppo Palmer | CFO & In-House Legal Counsel | Leppo, Inc. (Leppo Equipment/Bobcat of Akron) |
| Joe Luckring* | Regional President | PNC Bank |
| Shammas Malik | Mayor | City of Akron |
| Lauren Marsh | President | Akron Urban League Young Professionals |
| Christine Mayer* | President | GAR Foundation |
| Annie McFadden | Interim President & CEO | United Way of Summit and Medina |
| Jay Mellon | CEO | AtNetPlus, Inc. |
| Jim Merklin | Partner | Bober Markey Fedorovich |
| Marc Merklin | Shareholder | Roetzel & Andress |
| Steve Millard* | President & CEO | Greater Akron Chamber |
| Lakisha Miller-Barclay* | Executive Director & CEO | Rubber Division, ACS |
| Mike Morrison | Senior Director, Private Markets | GPD Group |
| Amy Mucha | Owner | Daisy Pops |
| Chuck Mullen | Partner, Great Lakes Market Leader | Eide Bailly |
| Chrissy Myers* | CEO | AUI & Clarity HR |
| Brandyn Neal | Client Advisor & Akron Market Leader | Schauer Group |
| Brian Nelsen | Chief of Staff | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Krishna Nookala | Vice President | Newry Corp |
| Don Padgett | Executive Director | Kaulig Companies Championship |
| Roberta Palacio | Supply Chain Executive | Continental |
| B. Patel | Principal & Co-Founder | GHC Green Harvest Capital |
| Ron Paydo | Market President | Huntington Bank |
| John Petures | President & CEO | Akron Community Foundation |
| Jim Pfander | President & General Manager | Akron RubberDucks |
| Kendra Philon* | Vice President, Assurance Services | Meaden & Moore |
| Tia Ramlow* | President | Great Work Employment |
| Kathy Romito | Community Relations Manager | Western Reserve Hospital |
| Ike Samson-Akpan | President/Owner | SAF, Inc. |
| Jennifer Savitski* | Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Cleveland Clinic Akron General |
| Ilene Shapiro | County Executive | County of Summit, Ohio |
| Erick Sharp | CEO | ACE Laboratories |
| Suranjan Shome | CEO | Epiphany Management Group |
| Mark Smale | Executive Director, Core Polymer Science | Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations |
| Raymond Somich | Global Director, Government Affairs | Synthomer |
| Erin Spring | Senior Director, Material Science | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company |
| Brian Steere | Co-President | Steere Enterprises |
| Norm Steiner | VP, Major Accounts & Strategy | Medical Mutual |
| Don Taylor | CEO | Welty |
| Damian Thomas | Market President | The RCF Group |
| Jason Tuma | Partner, Northeast Ohio Market Leader | Sikich |
| Andrew Twardzik | Partner, Americas Deputy Risk Markets Leader | Ernst & Young |
| Dan Weekley | President | Enbridge Gas Ohio |
| Katherine White | Board Liaison | Torchbearers (YP) |
| Bernett L. Williams | Chief Engagement Officer | Akron Children's |
| John Williams | President/CEO | Akron Urban League |
| Steve Wilt | Principal, Finacial Advisor | CAPTRUST |
Matthew Akers
The University of Akron
Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations & Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied PoliticsJuan Amezquita
GOJO Industries, Inc.
Chief Financial and Operating OfficerTyler Amos
Charles Schwab Corporate Services
VP - Sr. Financial Consultant, Akron BranchMonica Andress
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, as well as Torchbearers
AttorneyAnne Armao
SummaCare
Vice President, Member Experience & Product DevelopmentDunja Augustin
Vistra
Vice President of OperationsElizabeth Bartz
State and Federal Communications, Inc.
President and CEOKristi Beeman
Huntington National Bank
Vice PresidentWarren Blazy
CBRE
Senior Vice PresidentTami Bolder
CBIZ
Director, CBIZ Valuation GroupJulie Brandle*
Metis Construction Services
PresidentMarie Brilmyer
Cohen & Co
PartnerTraci Buckner
Akron Children's Museum
Executive DirectorRen Camacho*
Akron-Canton Airport
President and CEOTony Costanzo
AT&T
Director, External/Legislative AffairsJoe Daleiden
KeyBank
Sr. Vice President - Commercial BankingJeff Datkuliak
ARCOA Group
DirectorCliff Deveny*
Summa Health
President/CEOKrista Dobronos
Westfield Bank
Chief Consumer Banking OfficerJason Dodson
Roetzel & Andress
ShareholderMatt Dolan
Team NEO
Chief Executive OfficerTracy Dowe*
Fifth Third Bank
City President & Middle Market Team Leader - Akron/Canton/YoungstownLaura Duda*
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Senior Vice President & Chief Communications OfficerGino Faciana
Pleasant Valley Corporation - NAI Pleasant Valley
Co-CEOCraig Ferriot
Ferriot
PresidentJ.R. Fowler
S.A. Comunale
COOMelanie Friedman
FMD Architects
PrincipalRich Fry
Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs
Taxation Practice Group LeaderVal Geiger
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Executive Director, Commercial BankingPeter Geise
Focus CFO
Akron Area PresidentChris Gessner
Akron Children's Hospital
President & CEOSuzie Graham Moore
City of Akron
Director of Economic DevelopmentDwayne Groll*
Environmental Design Group
CEODan Hampu
Burton D. Morgan Foundation
President & CEOCraig Hassinger
SeibertKeck Insurance
CEO and PresidentGillianne Hetrick
Babcock & Wilcox
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate OperationsJohn Higgins Jr.
Spectrum
Regional Vice PresidentTorrence Hinton
FirstEnergy Ohio
PresidentDr. Para Jones*
Stark State College
PresidentHalle Jones Capers, P.E.
Halle's Engineering and Design
PresidentDr. Ethan Karp
MAGNET
President & CEOStephen Kristan
Lumos
Director, Market DevelopmentKyle Kutuchief
Knight Foundation
Program Director/AkronAdam LaFaber
Digital Sandwich
OwnerDr. John Langell
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
PresidentTheresa Lash-Ritter
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
PresidentAmanda Leffler*
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
Akron Managing PartnerErin Leppo Palmer
Leppo, Inc. (Leppo Equipment/Bobcat of Akron)
CFO & In-House Legal CounselJoe Luckring*
PNC Bank
Regional PresidentShammas Malik
Mayor
City of AkronLauren Marsh
Akron Urban League Young Professionals
PresidentChristine Mayer*
GAR Foundation
PresidentAnnie McFadden
United Way of Summit and Medina
Interim President & CEOJay Mellon
AtNetPlus, Inc.
CEOJim Merklin
Bober Markey Fedorovich
PartnerMarc Merklin
Roetzel & Andress
ShareholderSteve Millard*
Greater Akron Chamber
President & CEOLakisha Miller-Barclay*
Rubber Division, ACS
Executive Director & CEOMike Morrison
GPD Group
Senior Director, Private MarketsAmy Mucha
Daisy Pops
OwnerChuck Mullen
Eide Bailly
Partner, Great Lakes Market LeaderChrissy Myers*
AUI & Clarity HR
CEOBrandyn Neal
Schauer Group
Client Advisor & Akron Market LeaderBrian Nelsen
County of Summit, Ohio
Chief of StaffKrishna Nookala
Newry Corp
Vice PresidentDon Padgett
Kaulig Companies Championship
Executive DirectorRoberta Palacio
Continental
Supply Chain ExecutiveB Patel
GHC Green Harvest Capital
Principal & Co-FounderRon Paydo
Huntington Bank
Market PresidentJohn Petures Jr.
Akron Community Foundation
President & CEOJim Pfander
Akron RubberDucks
President & General ManagerKendra Philon*
Meadon & Moore
Vice President, Assurance ServicesTia Ramlow*
Great Work Employment
PresidentKathy Romito
Western Reserve Hospital
Community Relations ManagerIke Samson-Akpan Sr.
SAF, Inc.
President/OwnerDr. Jennifer Savitski*
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyHonorable Ilene Shapiro
County of Summit
County ExecutiveErick Sharp
ACE Laboratories
CEOSuranjan Shome
Epiphany Management Group
CEOMark Smale
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
Executive Director, Core Polymer ScienceRaymond Somich
Synthomer
Global Director, Government AffairsErin Spring
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Senior Director, Material ScienceBrian Steere
Steere Enterprises
Co-PresidentNorm Steiner
Medical Mutual
VP, Major Accounts & StrategyDon Taylor
Welty
CEODamian Thomas
The RCF Group
Market PresidentJason Tuma
Sikich LLP
Partner, Northeast Ohio Market LeaderAndrew Twardzik
Ernst & Young LLP
Partner, Americas Deputy Risk Markets LeaderDan Weekley
Enbridge Gas Ohio
PresidentKatherine White
Torchbearers (YP)
Board LiaisonBernett L. Williams
Akron Children's Hospital
Chief Engagement OfficerJohn Williams
Akron Urban League
President/CEOSteve Wilt
CAPTRUST
Principal, Financial Advisor
Business Owners Council
The business owner’s council is designed to ensure that the Chamber is appropriately focused on issues and programs specifically tailored to business owners in Greater Akron. This council is comprised of business owners and members from the Greater Akron region.
Diversity Professionals Council
Fostering inclusive economic growth relies on tapping into the expertise and perspectives of our region’s diversity professionals. The Diversity Professional Council convenes DEI and HR leaders regularly, providing a platform for collaborative brainstorming, problem-solving, and networking. Together, they drive forward their companies' and the region's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, leveraging collective knowledge and experiences to create meaningful progress.
Economic Inclusion Committee
As the representative and convener of the business community in Greater Akron, the Chamber is focused on providing businesses with the tools, resources, and information necessary to become more inclusive, to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within their companies, and to support the growth of minority-owned companies. The Economic Inclusion Committee is focused on ensuring that the Chamber is meeting the needs of the business community in this space and working to advance inclusive growth in the region.
Government Affairs Committee
The GAC’s ability to effectively advocate on these issues is largely due to ongoing support and input from its Government Affairs Committee. This group is comprised of leaders from within business, nonprofit, higher education, and community-based organizations. This committee is, at its core, a tool that enables the GAC to understand members’ perspectives on relevant issues and collaboratively explore solutions. Doing this work is critical to the GAC’s ability to effectively advocate on our members’ behalf and provides us with a platform to collectively engage elected officials.
Polymer Industry Advisory Council
Greater Akron is the center of the world’s polymer industry and with support from the Polymer Industry Advisory Council (PIAC), the region continues to drive global innovation and shape the local economy. The PIAC convenes leaders from across the Polymer Industry Cluster to inform and guide the development of the Cluster; share ideas and strengthen relationships; and identify common challenges, develop shared solutions, and pursue collaborative projects that advance industry innovation and have a positive impact on the economy.
Supplier Diversity Procurement Council
The Supplier Diversity Procurement Council is a specialized initiative centered on promoting inclusivity and equity within procurement practices. This council is dedicated to championing a diverse supplier base by fostering opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities. Through strategic planning, outreach programs, and advocacy efforts, the council seeks to expand supplier diversity, creating avenues for underrepresented businesses to participate in the procurement process. It aims to establish fair and inclusive supplier selection processes, offer support and resources to diverse suppliers, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive economic growth while fostering a more equitable and representative business landscape.
Women’s Network Leadership Institute Advisory Council
In October of 2019, Women’s Network and the Greater Akron Chamber memorialized an official Affiliation Agreement for the purpose of creating women’s programming within the Greater Akron Chamber. The Women’s Network Leadership Institute Advisory Council oversees the mission of the Women’s Network to Connect, Empower and Inspire through Best-in-Class Curriculum offerings, Research and Thought Leadership.
Our Chair's Circle represents our most significant investors and the drivers of our work.
Careers
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWING GREATER AKRON
One voice for business really can make a difference –
especially when that voice represents thousands of businesses.
Join the Greater Akron Chamber and become active in the
Greater Akron Region’s dynamic business community.
the Chamber
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
GROWING GREATER AKRON
One voice for business really can make a
difference – especially when that voice
represents thousands of businesses.
Join the Greater Akron Chamber and
become active in the Greater Akron Region’s
dynamic business community.
the Chamber
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWING GREATER AKRON
One voice for business really can make a difference – especially when that voice represents thousands of businesses. Join the Greater Akron Chamber and become active in the Greater Akron Region’s dynamic business community.
