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JANUARY 2009 |
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The Leadership Akron Alumni
Association develops future leaders, creates a community network |
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By Riley Lochridge '86 As Leadership Akron anticipates the success of our current endowment campaign (we’re 80+% of the way there, and so grateful to all the alumni and others who have stepped up!), the board is considering how the increased capacity of a larger endowment will shape Leadership Akron’s future. Our starting point for this conversation is the excellence of the flagship program. This has always been Leadership Akron’s "bread and butter" and we need to assure its continued excellence. The endowment will help us preserve the accessibility of the flagship program by keeping tuition reasonable, and will give us the ability to build in enhancements to the program when the opportunities arise. Meanwhile, Leadership Akron’s board is increasingly aware of the "continuum of leadership" and the opportunities it presents. In fact, at our last board meeting, we certified that Leadership Akron is shifting from a singular leadership program toward a model that supports community leadership development across the spectrum. We can already point to the Junior Leadership Program, the Alumni Association, and the insight:AKRON new executives program as ways that Leadership Akron and its alumni help sustain community leadership across the continuum. The success of the endowment campaign will give us significant opportunities to add to the continuum of community leadership in the Akron area. Through the Community Leadership Association, we have become aware of multiple models that other communities have developed to "fill out" the leadership continuum. These include young leaders’ programs in Pittsburgh, Florida, and Louisville; a program for seniors at or near retirement in Seattle; and a local government academy developed by our neighbors in Leadership Stark County. Here in Akron, we are examining these and other models as possibilities to draw upon. Our board’s Strategic Planning Committee, led by the Akron Beacon Journal’s Michael Douglas, will take on the "R & D" involved in developing 2-3 new programs and/or partnerships along the continuum of leadership in the coming years. The board will hone in on which of these opportunities will best advance our mission, complement the flagship program, and deepen our impact on the community. Just as the alumni’s tremendous response to the endowment campaign has made it possible for us to pursue these possibilities, we know our alumni will also be central to making them successful. With all that in mind, please know how grateful we are for all you’re doing to advance this work in 2009 and beyond!
Lunch with Leaders ~ Round 3 of
Leadership Akron Alumni Trivia. Special emphasis will be
placed on Class 2 4- our newest Alumni, January 29th, 11:30 a.m.,
Portage Country Club. Cost $20 Bruce Hunsicker ’93 & Joe Parsons ’91 I t’s time to start thinking of nominations for the 2009 Distinguished Leader Award. Please think of alumni members that exemplify the spirit, goals and highest standards of civic commitment. For nomination forms go to www.lakron.com.by Nancy
Markle '08
Members
of the BraVO! team get ready to travel With the guidance of UDS staff members, participants in this nontraditional program have been kept busy with a variety of volunteer projects that include collating mailings for Leadership Akron, wrapping silverware for the American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services and Salvation Army, and tying ribbons on more than 31,000 bells for this year’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Polar Express. BraVo!’s latest offering is to provide box lunches for meetings and events. LA Alumni coordinator Heidi Roane praises BraVo! for "easing some of the administrative detail in a way that feels good because it also helps the community." Courtney Deal, BraVo! program supervisor, says, "Many of our participants have never been given the opportunity to cook before, so learning new skills is another benefit of their volunteer experience which helps them to gain more independence." It hasn’t taken long for the word to spread, filling the BraVo! calendar with a steady stream of volunteer assignments. The program, which began in August of 2007 with just four members, now boasts a team of 20 who have logged more than 6,000 hours of volunteer service. Many local nonprofit and civic groups have discovered how to use this unique resource as a way to more effectively manage their volunteer needs while fulfilling the desire for individuals with disabilities to feel more connected within their community. BraVo! also educates the general public by creating a greater awareness of the skills and abilities of people with disabilities. Volunteers are available Monday through Friday during the day. Anyone interested in scheduling BraVo! volunteers should contact Carrie Herman (’90), United Disability Services’ director of business development, by calling 330-762-9755 or visit www.udsakron.org for more information.
Panelists: Doug Oplinger, David Giffels, Dave Knox – Akron Beacon Journal Dan Flowers '06 and Sue Hobson '00, Community Issues program chairs, opened up the program by introducing the topic, The American Dream – Hanging by a Thread. Dan also shared information about the Foodbank and pertinent hunger statistics. Doug Oplinger gave a few opening comments regarding local and regional economics. David Giffels and Dave Knox raised questions about education and jobs, and what must it take to provide both of these important elements to our communities. The question was raised, which comes first…..Education or Jobs?The discussion then turned to the sad reality that management jobs are disappearing, which includes the supervisor to the CEO. We are faced with broken promises of the high tech industry. There are fewer jobs than promised and the jobs that exist are at a lower wage. Healthcare and Education are the two largest industries and that is where the future jobs will be. One in five manufacturing jobs was lost in 2000 and the reason has been one word…..China. As the floor opened up for dialogue, Elaine Harlin '08 indicated that vocational tests are very important and will help guide students and prepare them for college. They have the grades but no direction or thoughts on what they want to be. Much of that disconnect is due to “No child left behind”. Josie McElroy '94 asked if high school and college educations are where they should be. She referred to skills such as writing, MS Excel, grammar, balancing a checkbook, life skills, etc. Dave Oplinger offered follow up comments about the importance and practicality of teaching life skills or in other words, emotional resiliency. These skills are most needed in workers because it provides the ability to restructure ourselves as changes happen. There is a perception that if jobs are created, the workforce will come….Is that true?
The one thing that all attendees could agree on is that there is
much more research needed in order to solve problems, reach
solutions and ultimately demonstrate greater success in the areas of
education and employment for the Akron community. Dave Knox ended
by asking everyone, “How do you create new jobs?’’ and “How do you
preserve jobs?” by Marcia G. Holcomb ‘03 Recently, LAAA members and guests were challenged and enlightened by a panel discussion "Leaders in Crisis---Being Prepared for Challenges!" as part of the Leadership Development Program that featured local panelists who shared their expertise and advice on the current economic crisis and its impact on individuals and our community. The panelists challenged the leaders present to take the initiative in educating citizens of our community on consumerism, debt, and saving. Cynthia Sich, Director of the Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs and Chair of the Summit County Foreclosure Prevention Partnership Program, revealed that foreclosures in Summit County increased from 1,500 in 1999 to 4,500 in 2007. Her office’s role is to educate mortgage holders about foreclosure alternatives and reducing the number of foreclosures in Summit County. Jay Seaton, Executive Director of the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northeast Ohio, is concerned about the low credit scores of credit-wounded consumers and the public’s misunderstanding regarding debt. His solution to the credit crisis is implementing community-based wealth-building initiatives to teach and encourage "thrift."
Sam Lincoln, Employee Benefits Manager for FirstMerit Bank, advises
investors to examine and tweak their portfolios, then "stay the
course." He urges everyone to continue
saving and invest according to individual risk tolerance.
Dec. 9, 2008, the Junior Leadership Akron
Class of 2010 began its history and culture day at the Akron Zoo.
After learning of the many career opportunities that are offered at
the zoo and seeing the wonderful jellyfish exhibit, we traveled to
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the Akron Civic Theatre, Akron’s Lock
3, and the Akron Art Museum. At each place, we learned about the
rich history behind these buildings and how each place has
contributed to the growth and uniqueness of the Akron area. We also
learned how important the individuals are that volunteer their time
to help keep these special places open to the public. Without their
passion, dedication, and commitment, the City of Akron most likely
would not be able to preserve these historic sites in our community.
We learned there are so many opportunities to do something that you
truly love, and this day showed us that there is something out there
for everyone.
LA Class 25 members join the cast of
Joseph at the Nearly 200 alumni gathered at the Akron Canton Foodbank to meet members of Class 25 and celebrate the season. Co-chaired by Larry Frank ’95 and Horace Highland ’07, this year’s party featured the inaugural Class Challenge Cup, a contest to determine best class bragging rights based on which class donated the most food and/or dollars to provide relief to needy families. With more than $5,500 and 2,339 lbs of food donated, the event exceeded all expectations, providing the equivalent of 40,670 meals!!! This year’s Class 25 made their presence known to their alumni counterparts, winning the Class Challenge Cup on both money raised and food donated.
New World Performance Lab, an international theatre company based in Akron, will be hosting a Theatre Festival in spring 2009. It will offer the community a chance to see performances by highly acclaimed companies from around the world as well as highlighting the work of New World. We are looking to form a community committee to assist in coordinating the festival. We need people to serve in the following capacities:
If you are interested in getting involved, contact Inda Blatch-Geib at indabg@neo.rr.com.
HUNGER STUDY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Those looking for a deeper volunteer experience should consider participating in the 2009 Feeding America Hunger Study. Project Name: Hunger Study 2009 - Volunteers Needed to Conduct Client Interviews - February through April, 2009 Project Background and Volunteer Role: Between January and April 2009, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will be participating in a nationwide survey sponsored by Feeding America. Please consider volunteering to help to discover the details about why clients seek food assistance. Volunteers will participate in teams of 8-10 people and will conduct face-to-face interviews with low-income clients at soup kitchens, shelters and pantries in our eight county service area. Teams can expect to be at a site for 3 to 4 hours in order to complete the required interviews. You will follow a prepared survey questionnaire during the interviews. The site visits will be conducted for ten weeks – with most of them being completed during February and March. Most of the site visits will take place during regular business hours (M-F, 8 to 5) however, there will be some visits on Saturday and during the evening. All volunteers must attend one 4-hour training (training times noted below) at the Foodbank. Must be willing and able to travel to agency sites within the Foodbank’s network to meet with clients and conduct the required interviews. This is more than just collecting data and statistics. It's a more intimate experience as a volunteer; you actually get to listen to a client tell their story.
Volunteers need to have some flexibility in their schedules because Mathematica Policy Research will assign us to visit selected agencies at specific times. Hunger Study Volunteers Mandatory Training: Volunteers are required to attend one upcoming training prior to conducting interviews.
To
sign-up:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please
contact: Cynthia Humphrey at 330-777-7579 or by email at
cynthia@akroncantonfoodbank.org or Karen Sheppard at
330-535-6900. Awards/Recognitions/Promotions The American Institute of CPAs has approved as Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) Mark Bober ‘95 and Jim Merklin ‘03. This credential recognizes their expertise in this highly complex field.On December 16, Mark Bober ’95 presented and moderated a panel discussion "State of the Capital Markets" on a nationwide webinar for PKF North American Network. David Firestine ’08 has been selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyers - Rising Star" for 2009 by Law & Politics Magazine and Cincinnati Magazine. Cole Industries, Inc. (Sean Fremon ’09) was recognized on the 2008 Inc. 5000 list as one of the nation’s fastest growing private companies. The company also made the 2008 Weatherhead 100, awarded to the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. This is the company’s second Weatherhead award. Danielle Kimmell ‘09 presented "Risk Assessment Standards – One Year Later" to the Akron/Canton Chapter of the Ohio Society of CPAs on October 22, 2008. She and Jim Merklin ’03 also presented "Some of the More Colorful Aspects to Managing your Employee Benefit Plans" to clients and friends on Nov. 11, 2008. On December 3, 2008 Jim Merklin ’03 was the featured speaker and moderator on a nationwide webinar for PKF North American Network entitled "Aftermath of Implementation of Risk Assessment Standards for EBP Audits." Jim was also appointed to a 3rd consecutive term on the Executive Committee for the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center. Linda Morosko ‘96 has been named Director, E-Learning for Stark State College of Technology in N. Canton, Ohio.
Rick Rebadow ’08 was recently promoted to Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Akron Chamber. On January 1, 2009, Rev. Dr. Diana L. Swoope ‘90 assumed the office of Senior Pastor of the Arlington Church of God. She previously served as the Associate Pastor of the church for 27 years. The official Installation Service will be held on Saturday March 14, 2009, 1:00PM at the church. Laura Tinney ’08 was recently promoted to Executive Director of Operations for Our Lady of the Elms School.
Dave Alexander ’87 is now Program Coordinator for the Study and Prevention of Violence at Kent State University.David Beihoff ’85 has retired from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. New contact information is 5 Pheasant Run, Hilton Head SC 29926. Bruce Bolden ’99 is now Senior Account Executive with One Communications. Business address is One Communications, 1 GOJO Plaza, Akron 44311. Telephone number is 330.375.0213. Fax number is 330.379.2202. E-mail address is bbolden@onecommunications.com. Brenda Fargo ’96 and Chuck Jones ’98 with FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. have moved. Business address is 341 White Pond Drive, Akron 44320. Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are the same. Elaine Harlin ’08 was recently elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers in Columbus. Sebetha Jenkins ’88 has a new home address. It is 6026 Redcoat Lane, Tyler Tx, 75703. Knute Larson ’87 will be retiring as Senior Pastor of The Chapel effective May 17. Hank Lynch ’97 will be leaving Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. He has accepted a job as Executive Director of the Nauticus National Maritime Center in Norfolk, Va. effective Feb. 23. Rita Kelly Madick ’03 is now Manager of Public Relations for Akron General Medical Center. Address is 400 Wabash Avenue, Akron 44307. Telephone number is 330.344.7819. Fax number is 330.996.2384. E-mail address is rmadick@agmc.org.
Phyllis Marino ’05 is no longer at
Akron General Health System. She can be reached at her home address.
E-mail address is marinop@roadrunner.com; home phone is
440.338.1574; cell 330.338.1417. Pat McMahon ’89 has taken a new position at The Sisters of Charity Health System in Cleveland as Chief Financial Officer beginning Feb. 2. Tom Parker ’89 was elected on Nov. 4 to a seat on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Tom will be leaving his firm, Parker, Leiby Hanna & Rasnick, LLC and taking the bench on May 1. Chuck Schultz ’85 has retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation. He may be reached at his home address. E-mail address is ceschul1z@yahoo.com. Rip Tilden '90 is now Chief Executive Officer of The Tilden Group, LLC. Address is 1308 Summerhill Drive, Malvern PA 19355. Telephone number 610.909.7580. E-mail address is rip.tilden@gmail.com. Warren Woolford '95 has retired from The City of Akron. He may be reached at his home address. E-mail address is w.woolford@yahoo.com.
Theresa S. Beyerle, Ph.D. ’01, Katerina C. Papas ’04, and Karen L. Talbott ’91 have been appointed to the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.Tom Doll ’96 was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees for The Salvation Army of Summit County.
Mike Kolk ’98 was appointed to the
newly revitalized advisory board to the Accountancy Department at
Case Western Reserve University. Melissa Montisano ’07 was recently appointed to the boards of Ardmore, Inc. and Akron Civic Theatre. Tammy O’Brien ‘98 was elected in Nov. to represent the 7th District (Summit, Portage, Trumbull, and Ashtabula Counties) on the State Board of Education. Louwana Oliva ‘00 has been selected as a member of this year’s class of Leadership APTA, a leadership program for future leaders in the public transportation industry. PKF North American Network has made the following appointments: Rick Fedorovich ‘88 to Vice-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee Mark Bober ’95
to Chair, Corporate Finance Committee and Vice-Chair, Jim Merklin ’03 to Chair, Employee Benefit Plans Committee Cindy Johnson ’00 to Member, Manufacturing/Distribution Committee
Dale Ruther ’98 has been reappointed as a member of the Board of Directors of ProfitCrewTM. Lori Sheets ’05 has been appointed to the Green YMCA Advisory Board and also the United Way Community Investment Cabinet. Elaine Woloshyn ’88 has been elected to the Board of Trustees of her alma mater, Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Obituaries
Robert Terry ’94 has a new e-mail address. It is rjterry@acnrep.com.
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