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2006 Volume 4: Annual Report |
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The Leadership Akron Alumni
Association develops future leaders, creates a community network |
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FROM THE PRESIDENT DEVELOPING LEADERS + CONNECTING LEADERS = BUILDING COMMUNITY By Stephen L. Strayer '00, President, LAAA
As a board we worked hard last year on a number of projects centered on better communication. With the help of Triad Communications, we redesigned the LeaderLine and increased the number of times each year it is published. For the first time ever, we brought together all the class presidents to update them on our work and to get their input for our future success. To help the class presidents better communicate with their classes, we also set up class listservs which allow for more simplified e-mail communication among class members. Finally, to be more effective in reaching out to the community, we worked to design a new logo. This logo will be adapted to create a consistent look for the Alumni Association, Junior Leadership Akron and the Leadership Akron program. As a result, all of us will have broader exposure and recognition in the community. Over the next few pages of this report you can learn more about how we are developing leaders, connecting leaders and building community. None of this could be accomplished without your support, the hard work of the board members, committee chairs, and various volunteers. Thanks to all of you for making our Alumni Association exceptional and thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve as your president.
2006-2007 LAAA Board of Trustees
DEVELOPING LEADERS + CONNECTING LEADERS = BUILDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPING LEADERS Over 60 alumni attended sessions that produced valuable insights on leading change. Some highlights ..... Leadership Development In November, West Point Market’s leaders shared how they handed off the torch of to a new generation of ownership. Presenters Russ Vernon, Rick Vernon, and Larry Uhl ’02 discussed the long process of handing over leadership to a family member and non-family member. They emphasized that they did not approach it as a “family business” but as a “170-family business,” considering the interests of all their associates. In February, Tom Sudow encouraged leaders to get out of their comfort zones and to take their organizations to a higher level. As Executive Director of the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Sudow urged the creation a regional network built on trust and honesty. Tim Dimoff '98, Chair Distinguished Leader Award Winners
Steve Marks ’93, Chair; Marc Merklin ’98, Co-chairs Junior Leadership Akron Class XIX marked another successful JLA year. Thirty-three Summit County students met at the September 2005 retreat and continued to meet monthly through April. It was eight months of packed learning and leadership. Two dozen Leadership Akron alumni organized tours, discussions, and activities, and introduced our future leaders to our current leaders. The highlight was the Akron Police Department’s K-9 presentation, Firearm Training Simulation and jail visit. An ice cream social to celebrate graduation with the kids and their parents was the perfect punctuation. Many thanks to Time Warner Cable, NE Ohio Division for continued support of JLA. Bernie Rochford ’04 and Stacy Wessels ’99, Co-chairs
DEVELOPING LEADERS + CONNECTING LEADERS = BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTING LEADERS One of the most valuable aspects of the alumni experience is the opportunity to link with other leaders who share common interests in our community’s well-being. Numerous events throughout the year drew total attendance of about 750 alumni connecting with one another. Some highlights ... Ellen McIntyre Golf Outing Record-breaking attendance continues as 83 alumni participated in the 22nd Ellen McIntyre Golf Outing on July 17 at Silver Lake Country Club. The CHAMPION TEAM of Scott Armstrong '96, Bill Lowery '01, Val Geiger '99 and Barb Evans ’94 paced the field. The RUNNER-UP TEAM of Dave Hicks ’02, Jack Juron '01 and Jim Nilsen ’87 were at the acme of their games as well. We are very grateful to all the sponsors who made this event possible:
Riley Lochridge ’86, Chair Leadership Akron Class President Luncheon
In May, LAAA gathered the Leadership Akron Alumni class presidents
for a special meeting. The presidents brought great enthusiasm for
the work of Leadership Akron and the LAAA, and had many ideas to
share. A new listserv tool was introduced to encourage communication
among classmates. Thanks to Bill Lowery ’01 of Annaco, Inc. for
sponsoring and hosting the luncheon. Breakfast Club In January, nearly 60 alumni gathered to hear Akron General Medical Cardiologist Dr. Terry Gordon speak on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). He shared his efforts to make defibrillators available in schools, police cruisers and workplaces. Sue Hobson ’04, Chair Holiday Party & New Class Reception In December, over 120 alumni celebrated the season at the Akron Zoo’s new Komodo Kingdom Education Center. Alumni mingled while observing Komodo Dragons, Galapagos Turtles and Chinese Alligators. Dan Sveda ’93 and Margaret Tramontine ’05, Co-chairs New Community Leaders’ Reception In November, over 130 alumni gathered at The University of Akron’s Student Union to welcome 30 new community leaders to their positions and to the community:
Alice Luse ’95 and Meg Matejkovic ’95, Co-chairs
DEVELOPING LEADERS + CONNECTING LEADERS = BUILDING COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMUNITY As Leadership Akron alumni, our individual graduates build community in countless ways through their volunteer and professional lives. Below are some examples of how the alumni as a whole cooperated to build community… Community Issues Programs Over 120 alumni and friends attended two very compelling events that focused on significant issues in our community. In March, presenters Tony O’Leary ’98, Ken Stapleton ’04, Robert DeJournett ’05 and Jeff Wilhite ’91 spoke on the work of revitalizing neighborhoods. As new buildings and landscapes take shape throughout the community, they commented on their impact upon the lives of residents with services to increase their self-sufficiency. Featured projects included AMHA’s Hope VI initiative, the University Park Alliance, and other Akron neighborhoods. In June, hospital CEOs Alan Bleyer ’00, Bill Considine and Tom Strauss ’01 came together to share an important community need. Currently in Summit County there are 65,000-70,000 people who do not have health insurance. This group increasingly uses the Emergency Room for their primary care and often delay care until the situation is chronic and more expensive to treat. They stressed that while area hospitals are working together to address the problem, it will take a community wide effort. Nick Browning ’01, Chair Get Fit Akron On October 1, 2005, Leadership Akron celebrated the www.GetFitAkron.com website at the Akron Road Runner Marathon. Hundreds of participants stopped by to learn more about the website and register for gift baskets. Many thanks to the many Leadership Akron Alumni volunteers who supported GetFitAkron.com and to Rick Krochka from Triad Communications for all they did to make the effort successful. Alice Maher Luse ’95 and Margaret Mascio-Medzie '05
A very special thank you to those alums that have faithfully assisted us with the planning and orchestration of alumni events throughout the year. It is only with the assistance of the more than one hundred alumni volunteers that serve on various committees that LAAA can fulfill its mission for our member and our community. Thanks to the staff and especially to Heidi Roane for the tireless dedication and hard work that makes every event special.
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I am happy to report that it has been another successful year for
the Alumni Association. Our membership continues to grow, we are
financially solid and our programs just keep getting better.
Scott Read ’03 and
Jeff Satterfield ’01 created TorchBearers to
identify, develop and connect young leaders within the community. As
a result, young leaders continue to learn and serve in our
community. Selected by a committee of past LAAA Award winners, Scott
and Jeff were honored at the National Leadership Conference, April
26-30 in Hartford Connecticut.