August 2010

Thanks to Featured Member Mike McGlinchy '05 for acting as Co-Chair for this year's Class XXVII Retreat which will be at the Westfield Inn on August 26. In addition to this role, Mike is a member of Leadership Akron's Board of Trustees. Thank you for your support of and dedication to Leadership Akron!

Leadership Akron congratulates Featured Member Teresa LeGrair '08 who was named Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve. Teresa LeGrair had previously served as Vice President of Programs and Member Services for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank in addition to many volunteer activities. Because of her strong leadership ability and her commitment to the community, Ms. LeGrair will now have the opportunity to serve many area children as she begins her new position on August 9. To read the full article, click here.

Leadership Akron proudly features Marie Covington '85 as this week's featured member. Marie is on the Board of Directors at Crown Point Ecology Center where she is Chair of the 12th Annual "Taste of Earth" Dinner & Auction will be taking place on Saturday, August 21, 2010. Come celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Crown Point's Bank Barn, and also the unveiling of Crown Point's Quilt Barn. Dinner will feature fresh organic vegetables from the farm. 

July 2010

Leadership Akron congratulates Kevin Thomas '08 and Brian Thomas '02 whose band "Freez-R-Burn" was named Best Local Band in the July 2010 edition of Akron Life & Leisure magazine. In addition to maintaining jobs and other activities, these two alums share their musical talents with Akron through Freez-R-Burn performances. Through humble "garage band" beginnings, Freez-R-Burn is now a recognized musical presence in Akron and have earned a spot as one of the city's "Best". Great Work! To learn more about Freez-R-Burn on Facebook click here. 

Leadership Akron congratulates Brian Moore ’94, a Partner with Roetzel & Andress, for being presented with the 2010 Betty Dalton Community Service Award from the Greenleaf Family Center. Established in 2003, the award is given annually to an individual who has shown dedication to community service, volunteerism and support of the non-profit sector; recognition of our common responsibility to provide for people in need; and is a recognized person of character who demonstrates commitment through the donation of time and talent. Leadership Akron is proud to have Brian as a graduate as well as so many others who steadfastly serve our community! more

June 2010

Congratulations to Doug Kohl '94, president and CEO of the Akron Area YMCA for receiving a $3 million dollar grant from the Knight Foundation to build a new University Park YMCA branch in Akron. Under the direction of Mr. Kohl, the Akron Area YMCA will be using this grant to strengthen the community with the addition of the new center. This branch will seek to provide leadership opportunities for teens as well as encouragement for a healthier community.

Congratulations to recent Class XXVI grad Carrie Ann Kandes '10 who was selected by the Greater Akron Chamber to receive a 30 For The Future award! Congrats also to other Leadership Akron Alumni who were selected to receive this prestigious award. The 30 For The Future award is given to those young professionals whose contributions have made a strong impact in their field. Carrie has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the Marketing and Communications industry through her position as Vice President and Management Supervisor at Marcus Thomas LLC.

May 2010

Class XXII member Jon Fiume '06, Vice President of Retail Operations at Ritzman Natural Health Pharmacy, will share his insights on community involvement with Torchbearers next week at their general meeting. This is just one example of the ways Leadership Akron and Torchbearers are working together to strengthen young leaders for the Akron area. Click here for more on the collaboration of Leadership Akron and Torchbearers.

Mike Kolk ’98, Leadership Akron Trustees and Partner in Charge-Tax with Cohen & Company Ltd., is participating in the Towpath Trail 12 Ride the first weekend in May with all proceeds benefiting the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.  Joining him are Roger Read, Life Trustee and alumni Ernie Pouttu ‘93, President and CEO of Harwick Standard Distribution Corporation, Rob Malone ’87, Chairman of Business Law with Buckingham, Doolittle &Burroughs, LLP, and Dan Rice ’99, President and CEO with Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. more

April 2010

Congratulations to Jan Leach '99, Assistant Professor Kent State University, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, who was featured on a WKSU story about media responsibility. More.

Congratulations to Ray Lee '89, President and CEO, Country Pure Foods, who will receive the 2010 Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Award.  Ray will be honored on April 30 at The University of Akron Sunrise Breakfast, Student Union Ballroom.

Michael McGlinchy '05, past President /Board of Directors, Leadership Akron Alumni Association, is presenting at Heart to Heart Communications 2nd Wednesday. To hear Mike speak on Reflections from Beyond the Mirror, register here.

March 2010

Congratulations to Leslie Belfance '09, Executive Director of Rockynol Retirement Community on the announcement of Rockynol's $25+ million expansion and renovation project. Click here to see the Akron Beacon Journal story on the project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Linda Lyell '06 on the opening of her new business, A Woman's Whimsy. The gallery opens this week in Peninsula, and will showcase the work of women artists.

Congratulations to Theresa Carter '98 upon receiving the H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award from the American Red Cross, Summit County Chapter. Theresa will receive the award this week at the Red Cross' Acts of Courage Awards.

February 2010

Join Mark Watkins '05 and other LAAA members who serve on the board of the Akron Civic Theatre for the Cleveland International Film Festival's Preview Party, March 4 at The Civic. Click here for event details.

Congratulations to Dan Colantone '01 upon being named Executive of the Year by the Sales & Marketing Executives International--Akron Chapter. Colantone will be honored at SMEI's annual dinner on February 16.

Laurie Zuckerman '91 will be keynoting the Greater Akron Chamber's Young Professionals Network next week. She will draw on work co-developed with Leadership Akron in highlighting strategies for young leaders to get connected and involved in community. Click here to register!

January 2010

Congratulations to Paul Belair '09 whose company Roth Bros. was highlighted in the Akron Beacon Journal as a key player in efforts to create a renewable energy industry in Northeast Ohio.

DECEMBER 2009

Congratulations to Daniel Flowers '06, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, for the recent mention in Crain's Cleveland Business' Forty Under 40.  A monetary or food donation at this year's Annual Holiday Party and New Class Reception will directly benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, and all classes are encouraged to provide what they can.

NOVEMBER 2009

OCTOBER 2009

Congratulations to Jackie Silas-Butler upon receiving the Akron Athena Award on October 1. Named in recognition of the Greek goddess of wisdom and courage, the ATHENA® Award honors outstanding individuals who have achieved professional excellence, given back to their communities and created leadership opportunities for women here in Northeast Ohio. Congrats to the other Akron area finalists--Leadership Akron alums Kimberly Haws Falasco '04, Linda Omobien '91,and Margaret Payne '94; and The University of Akron's Holly Harris Bane, a Leadership Ohio graduate and strong supporter of Leadership Akron.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Congratulations to Bernett Williams '99 upon her induction to the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. The Hall honors Ohio women from all walks of life who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to excellence, achievement, and service to others. In addition to her strong leadership as President & CEO at the Akron Urban League, Bernett serves as a trustee of Leadership Akron. She also serves on the boards of the Greater Akron Chamber, Social Services Advisory Board, Summa Health System, and Summacare, Inc. For more on her induction, click here.

AUGUST 2009

Leadership Akron honors the life and memory of Barbara Mathews '86, who passed away over the weekend. In addition to serving as a class officer of Class II, Barbara was instrumental in forming the Alumni Association and served a term as its president. She also received the Distinguished Leader Award from the Alumni and was often involved as a presenter or participant in a host of Leadership Akron activities. We will continue to remember Barbara's example of a community leader who brightened any effort in which she was involved. Click here to read the article from the Akron Beacon Journal, which includes information on arrangements.

Kristie Van Auken '00, Senior VP and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the Akron-Canton Airport, is headlining the Young Professionals Network's August luncheon. Kristie will share the leadership style that has helped Akron-Canton Airport buck the recession and continue to see growth in passenger traffic. A known risk-taker and destiny-maker, join Van Auken as she chats up the relationships and critical junctures that have made CAK such a regional success story. Click HERE to register for the luncheon, August 18 at the Martin University Center.

Sean Fremon '09, President of Cole Industries, is leading a community outreach August 1 to distribute over 1,000 backpacks to disadvantaged children. The backpacks will be chock full of school supplies and other basic needs. The effort will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church on Killian Rd. in Coventry. It was enhanced this year by Sean's participation in Leadership Akron. With assistance from Sue Pierson '06 at InfoLine, Inc., whom he met through the program, over 20 social service agencies will be on hand this year to steer participating kids and families to social services. Click here for more info.

JULY 2009

Pat Simmons ’89, Akron Zoo Director, was recently elected as Vice Chairwoman of the board of directors at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit association committed to the development of accredited zoos and aquariums with special attention to wildlife conservation, animal care, science, and education. AZA is America's top accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums and only  accredits associations who have achieved meticulous standards for wildlife conservation, animal care, science, and  education. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has 218 members throughout North America.

Marc Merklin ’98, recently attained the position as President of the Akron Bar Association. As President, Merklin aims to provide “opportunities for professional development, networking with other attorneys, providing values for members on the Bar while the Akron Bar Association advocates roles of judges and lawyers in our system of justice.” Merklin believes his greatest challenges in achieving these goals will be “the general economy and its effect on clients and lawyers, difficulties in the practice of law, and the general perception of lawyers in the public.” However, The Akron Bar Association Foundation is proactive in its approach to combat these challenges through “educational programs, such as Street Law programs (for high school students), as well as collaboration with the University of Akron School of Law.” Marc looks forward to the “opportunity to lead organizations consisting of [his] fellow professionals and peers.”

Terrence Link ‘08, was featured in the Inside Business magazine this month for his exemplary community involvement and professionalism. Link was named as one of the 30 for the Future by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and also in Crain’s Cleveland Business’ 40 Under 40. Link is a partner at Roetzel & Andress in Akron, where he specializes in trademark law, corporate law, mergers, and acquisitions. An active participant in the community, he serves on the board of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. and has coached high school wrestling and his kids’ basketball team.

JUNE 2009

Steve Marks, Class IX, and his company Main Street Gourmet, received the Richard Shattan Civic Distinction Award. The award was given at Crain's Leading Edge Awards May 20, 2009 by The Entrepreneurs EDGE (Economic Development through Growth and Entrepreneurship) a non-profit organization. Main Street Gourmet was one of 95 companies who received awards. Other area companies of Leadership Akron grads that received awards were AESCO Electronics and InfoCision Management Corp. Click here to see past featured members.

Photo Courtesy of Akron Beacon Journal

MAY 2009

Warren Woolford '95 will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Akron this month, one of the University's highest honors. Warren is pictured here with Steve Paschen '93  (right), with whom he co-chaired the City Tour for the new Leadership Akron class for a number of years. Warren will be honored at The University of Akron's A-Day Dinner on May 30--to RSVP click below: http://www.uakron.onlinecommunity.com/s/979/index.aspx?sid=979&gid=1&pgid=13&cid=664