Want to discover the personalities, leaders, and voices who are making things happen and making a difference in our region? Welcome to Dreamers, Drivers, and Doers, where Greater Akron Chamber CEO and President Steve Millard engages in conversations with business owners, influencers, and government officials to discover what makes a group of people come together, the possibilities on a local and regional level, and the potential of an area that pulls together. Fascinating journeys, strong op ...
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The official podcast of the Greater Akron Chamber. Subscribe for audio recordings of our speakers, highlights of our events, and more!
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Smart Leaders from Smart Business Network features interviews with the people driving change, innovation and growth in the local business communities we cover.
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Ep. 83 - National Black Business Month: How The Tea Lady Found Success in Downtown Akron
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Renea Woods-Baylor is the third of five generations of entrepreneurs, and she’s been learning about business ever since she was a young girl sitting at the dinner table. She owned an accounting firm for 22 years before stepping away to pursue her true passion: tea. The Tea Lady Inc. is a luxury style English tearoom offering a unique experience for…
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Ep. 82 - Howard Parr on how Entertainment Helps Drive the Local Economy
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The Akron Civic Theatre has had a successful few years following the pandemic, the $9 millionof renovations donein 2021, and the addition of the Knight Stage. And with programming and consulting also done for the GoodyearTheatre and E.J. Thomas Hall, around 550 events are put on each year in total. In this episode, Executive DirectorHoward Parr exp…
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Ep. 81 - Akron RubberDucks: More than America’s Favorite Pastime
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Akron RubberDucks President and General Manager Jim Pfander has been with the AA baseball team for 12 years.Canal Park has changed a lot in that time, mainly in its marketing and operations-Jim positions the RubberDucks asnot just a baseball team, andmore of a “collective spirit” for downtown. In this episode, Jim and Steve discuss howthe RubberDuc…
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Ep. 80 - Tony Troppe on Developing Attractive Assets in Downtown Akron
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Tony Troppe is known throughout Akron for donning various hats: owner, proprietor, developer, creative director, musician... there’s no easy way to explain exactly what Tony does day-to-day. But on a larger scale, he's a passionate change maker looking to make Greater Akron a bright, asset-filled city via arts and entertainment venues and community…
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Ep. 79 - ConxusNEO, Ohio TechCred, and Building up Northeast Ohio’s Workforce
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The United States’ labor market is continuing to reshape and heal itself following 2022’s “Great Resignation,” butconnecting workers to good in-demand jobs has always been difficult. ConxusNEO seeks to solve this issue inNortheast Ohio by working with partners to generate awareness of in-demand jobs, develop a competitive talent pool,and upskill em…
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Ep. 78 - PGA Golf in Akron – The Kaulig Companies Championship
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PGA Golf at Firestone in July has been a mainstay in the Akron community for over 70 years. In this episode, Steve sits down with Don Padgett, Executive Director of the Kaulig Companies Championship to discuss how the championship and Firestone Country Club delivers visibility, community engagement, and charitable support to the Greater Akron commu…
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Ep. 77 - Everything AI: From the Classroom to the Jobsite
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Each day we get closer to an AI driven world–and that’s no more apparent than in education and the businessworld. Stark State College has taken a forward-thinking approach in developing programs specifically oriented to AIlearning career readiness. Inthis episode, President of Stark State College Para Jones and ConxusNEO Tech SectorPartnership Seni…
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Ep. 76 - Mark Greer on the 2025 Akron Bicentennial
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Akronites know that our city has a deep and colorful history that's shaped the fabric of our region. In July 2025, the City of Akron will celebrate its 200th birthday with a much-anticipated Bicentennial Celebration! A number of events and historic celebrations will take place aimed at bringing the city together. In this episode, Mark Greer, Execut…
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Ep. 75 – Dr. Cliff Deveny Discusses Summa Health’s Acquisition by HATCo
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Dr. Cliff Deveny is the President and CEO of Summa Health, a healthcare delivery system in Northeast Ohio thatserves around 1,000,000 people a year and stands as Greater Akron’s largest employer in the region. Like allindustries, healthcare is continually changing with our evolving world; technology and practices continue to improvealong with cost.…
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Ep. 74 - Connecting a Franchisee to the Community
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Rick Small is the Chief Marketing Officer at Grube Inc., a franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings with 68 total locations,including a new sports bar in Cuyahoga Fallsand one of the first Buffalo Wild Wings "Go" locations in country here inAkron. Small champions the importance of connecting with the community despite being a part of a national brand.High …
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Ep. 73 - Small Business Growth – Collaboration Over Competition
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Amy Mucha can be found at many Greater Akron Chamber events, but there's a chance you've heard of her referredto as the "cake pop lady" more than her actual name. She's the owner of Daisy Pops, a Kent-based cake pop shopthat sells a number of cake-based delicacies and services. If you've ever talked to her, you knowthat "pop" hasbecome a part of he…
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Ep. 72 – Apple Growth Partners Merger: More Resources, Happier Clients
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Headquartered in Akron, Apple Growth Partners (AGP) is an accounting and business advisory firm thatoffers a fullrange of services, primarily to privately held small and mid-size businesses. In this episode, Chairman Chuck Mullen sits down with Steve Millard to discuss how in our ever-changing world, complete with AI other modern technologies ,clie…
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Ep. 71 - Small Roots, Large Growth – Expanding a Small Business Outside of our Region
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Expanding a Small Business Outside of our RegionLeppo Rents was started nearly 80 years ago by Roy and Stella Leppo as a small Oliver Farm Equipmentdealer. A few decades later, a shift in focus to construction equipment rentals propelled the business intoyears of dynamic growth and expansion. Today, the company has expanded to 10 locations across t…
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Ep. 70 - The People and Work Behind the Polymer Industry Cluster
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If you follow the Greater Akron Chamber or the Akron business community in general, you may have heardof the Polymer Industry Cluster. Akron has deep rootsin rubber and material science, and today, the regionhas hundreds of businesses, manufacturing plants, and research institutions focused on polymer-basedproduction and sustainability efforts. Thi…
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Ep. 69 - Crisis Intervention through the Victim Assistance Program
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Each year, thousands of Summit County individuals are victims of crisis, violence, and tragedy, and manyare unprepared and unequipped to deal with the fallout. Luckily, Summit County has the Victim AssistanceProgram (VAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit unattached to law enforcement and the court system that offersnonjudgemental crisis intervention and emo…
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Nothing is certain in life and in business. In this episode of the Dreamers, Drivers, Doers podcast, SteveMillard sits down with Schauer Group President and CEO Joe Schauer to talk about theintricacies ofcommercial insurance and risk management, and the impact Schauer Group has made in Akron, Cantonand Cleveland. The pair also discuss culture in th…
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Ep. 67 - The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse and its Impact on Greater Akron
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Northeast Ohio is on the verge of a historic event-the first total solar eclipse since 1806 is happening onApril 8, and Greater Akron sits in the 115-milewide "path of totality" where the eclipse is viewable. Anothertotal solar eclipse won't happen until 2099, making it a must-see event for people across the country.Hundreds of thousands of guests …
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Ep. 66 - Commercial Real Estate Trends in Relation to Economic Development
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Since the pandemic, businesses have been struggling to figure out the hybrid work environment and how it relates to their commercial spaces. As may be obvious, many businesses have decided to scale down their properties and invest more in other quality of life improvements for their employees, essentially doing more with less. Meanwhile, unused off…
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Ep. 65 - Preserving and Renovating a Historic Piece of Greater Akron
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Offering a unique historic experience does numbers in attaching citizens to their community andencouraging outsiders to visit. Greater Akron is chock full of attractionslike this, and the Cuyahoga ValleyScenic Railroad (CVSR) is one that continues to preserve the past while constantly changing andimproving. From the North Pole Adventure to Dinner o…
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Ep. 64 - Fighting the Stigma and Managing a Wide Range of Services at Planned Parenthood
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There's often more to an organization than initially meets the eye. Many of them offer services and products that the public may not even be aware of, making it of utmost importance to market these services to their communities. Steve Millard sits down with Erica Wilson-Domer, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, to discuss how th…
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Ep. 63 - Evolving Business to Attract New Markets
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Malleability is an important quality for any business to display-it's not often that you'll find a successfulbusiness that says no to change. Oftentimes, that need for changecomes from adversity or strife, something we've recently seen on a large scale as businesses exited the Covid pandemic with vastly different operations, goals, and functions, a…
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Ep. 62 - The Importance of Exit Strategies in Business
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Interested in buying a business but unsure where to start? Or, are you a business owner without a clear exit strategy in place? While it seems counterintuitive to open a business and think about how you leave the business at the same time, it's important for business owners to be prepared when the unexpected happens. Steve Millard explores the worl…
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Ep. 61 - How Digital Solutions are Empowering Employees and Improving Efficiency in Business
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Investing in new business processes, especially those using technology, is intimidating to many business owners and leaders, especially in the world of AI. Rest assured, the team of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP has you covered. What started as a primarily accounting-focused business has evolved into a team of trusted advisors helping their clients in all…
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Ep. 60 - Shopping Small and Supporting Local Artists in Greater Akron
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There’s never a wrong time to shop small, as said by Justin Lepley, Director of Northside Marketplace,Founder of Lepley & Co. and Solidago Business Advisors. And he’s not wrong. As we head into the holidayshopping season, Steve Millard sits down with Justin and Heather Meeker, Executive Director at SummitArtspace, to talk about Small Business Satur…
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Ep. 59 - A Glimpse at the 2024 Economic Forecast
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The 2024 economic forecast is “cautiously optimistic” as told by panelists Brian Pietrangelo, ManagingDirector of Investment Strategy at Key Private Bank, and Jacob Duritsky,Vice President, Strategy,Research and Talent at Team NEO, during the Greater Akron Chamber’s annual Economic Outlook eventon November 3, 2023. Following the event, Steve Millar…
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Ep. 58 - Reimagining Public Transit in Summit County
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Did you know that every $1 invested in public transportation generates $5 in economic returns? On thisweek’s episode, Steve Millard chats with METRO RTA CEO Dawn Distler and ValerieShea, Director ofPlanning and Strategic Development, about the role public transit plays to drive and support economicdevelopment, how the transit agency’s redesigned bu…
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Ep. 57 - Exploring the Evolution of Retail with Celeste Brown
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Celeste Brown is a go-getter–when she sees a problem, she comes up with a solution from the lenseofan entrepreneur. On this episode, Celeste shares the “aha moment” behind the launch of her businessDefining Enterprises, LLC., how one email led to the placement of two automated retail machines in theAkron-Canton Airport, and the future of retail wit…
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Ep. 56 - A Conversation on Fractional HR Services with Chrissy Myers
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Becoming a leader was always in the cards for Chrissy Myers, but after a run of undesirable jobs as ayoung adult while working for her dad, she was adamant about not returning to work for the familybusiness. You can probably guess where this story goes, but what you don’t know is the how: HOW shedoubled her business in size and opened a fractional …
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Ep. 55 - Law and Leadership with Amanda Leffler
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Thinking through a problem and coming up with a solution is second nature to Amanda Leffler, ManagingPartner of Shumaker's recently-established Akron office. Amanda sits down with Steve Millard to talk abouther role as a connector within the legal realm, how Shumaker offers a variety of services for businesses of all sizes, and their unwavering com…
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Ep. 54 - Developing Talent at a Young Age Through College & Career Academies
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Exposing students to experiences beyond the classroom in their early years is crucial–not only for personal development but also to ensure continuous growth of the local talent pool. On this episode, Marcie Ebright, Director of the College & Career Academies of Akron Public Schools, and Jobs for Ohio Graduates Executive Director, Chris Canova, talk…
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Ep. 52 - Impacting the Community Beyond Fundraising
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United Way's evolution from a traditional fundraising organization to a community impact-driven entity reflects the changing landscape in the nonprofit sector, yet there is still a lack of awareness around the dynamic work that United Way of Summit & Medina leads and supports. President and CEO Jim Mullendives into how United Way collaborates with …
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Ep. 53 - Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape with Bill Manby
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While venture capital is historically concentrated in the West Coast, experts have witnessed a gradual shift in investments in the Midwest and Ohio specifically. Plus, with startup support from Bounce Innovation Huband Akron's position as Rubber Capital of the World, Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio has potential to be a premier startup hub in the …
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Ep. 51 - Addressing the Opioid Epidemic with CHC Addiction Services
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On August 8, 2023, Summit County Public Health issued a public health alert following seven suspected overdose deaths in one weekend and a steady increase in overdose-related Emergency Department visits over the last month. Leaders from CHC Addiction Services sit down with Steve Millard to talk about the dangers facing the community, how employers …
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Ep. 50 - Revitalizing Kenmore with Tina Boyes
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Did you know that Kenmore is the largest business neighborhood district and the second-largest neighborhood in Akron? For the past five years, Tina Boyes, a fifth-generation Kenmore resident who formerly led the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, has poured her heart and soul into the revitalization of Kenmore Boulevard. In this episode, Tina shares ho…
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Ep. 49 - How You Can Help ‘Keep Akron Beautiful’
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A clean and beautiful community instills a sense of pride and ownership among its residents, and when residents have that sense of pride, they tend to be more responsible and respectful of personal and public spaces. Jacqui Ricchiuti, CEO of Keep Akron Beautiful, and Akron Police Officer Aaron Brown dive into the details of their partnership, the o…
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Ep. 48 - Trading Guitar Strings for Food Bank Leadership
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If you were to ask college Dan Flowers, who was strumming his guitar at local gigs and teaching guitar lessons, if he’d be leading, let alone working, at a food bank, he probably would have laughed. But like many leaders featured on this podcast, the role seeks you out when you least expect it. In this episode, Dan takes listeners on a motivational…
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Ep. 45 - Ground-Up Construction Services with Julie Brandle
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As the President and co-founder of Metis Construction Services, Julie Brandle did not set out to become a part of the building industry. Finding her path in Real Estate sales, it was then she caught the bug for new home construction. Enduring the recession of 2007, she changed her focus to start a business in property management which eventually gr…
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Ep. 46 - What is Heart to Heart Leadership? with Jeremy Lile
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Jeremy Lile grew up with entrepreneurial parents who started a fundraising business in their basement. His path took a turn when he was called to pastoral ministry, yet he also had that entrepreneurial mindset and started a nonprofit in West Akron. Fast forward to the present day, Jeremy is the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Leadership, engag…
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Ep. 47 - Protecting Your Data and Recycling Old Electronics
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What really happens when your old computer is recycled and how is your data protected? Jeff Detkuliak,Director of Operations for Ohio at ARCOA, talks about responsible recycling, compliance with stringent data security norms, and navigating the complex landscape of data privacy laws. Whether you’re running a small business or an enterprise, Jeff an…
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Ep. 44 - A Deep Dive into Stark State College’s Mission with Dr. Para Jones
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In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, and Doers, Steve Millard engages in a conversation with Dr. Para Jones, the President of Stark State College. Hailing from the Akron-Canton area, Dr. Jones has been at the forefront of education and career planning in the region, emphasizing the significance of the college's mission: catering to the needs of st…
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Ep. 43 - Inspiring Community Philanthropy with John Petures
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John Petures, serving as the President and CEO of the Akron Community Foundation, is fortunate to witness the remarkable endeavors taking place in our area on a daily basis. In a conversation with Steve Millard, John delves into his career, which has spanned from grassroots public service to nonprofit philanthropy.…
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Ep. 42 - Leading the University of Akron with Dr. Gary Miller
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As the President of the University of Akron, Gary Miller came on board just at a very challenging time in the history of the institution. In this conversation, Gary and Steve Millard discuss how he sees his role as a leader and the University's part in the Akron community.
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Ep. 39 - Navigating the New Workplace Culture with Jon Clifton
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This podcast was recording on the morning of the Greater Akron Chamber’s 2023 Annual Meeting (March 15th) with the event’s keynote speaker Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, and author of the recent Wall Street Journal Best Selling book, "Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed It". Jon and Steve Millard discuss some of the data …
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Ep. 40 - Energy Advice and Support with John Verdile
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Today Steve Millard chats with John Verdile, Founder and President of XpenseSolutions, an energy advisory firm. John talks about his history in the energy business and how that industry has changed over his career. John also discusses some of the services that he is helping bring to members of the Greater Akron Chamber.…
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Ep. 41 - Signal Ohio: Reporting Live from Akron with Rita McNeil Danish
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Rita McNeal Danish is spearheading a new way to deliver news across the State as the CEO of Signal Ohio. Her background as an attorney has helped her understand the importance of communicating with people who live in our communities and are directly impacted by events big and small. Steve Millard discusses with Rita how the non-profit Signal Ohio w…
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Ep. 37 - Reinventing the Urban Environment with Tony Troppe
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It's hard to sum up what Tony Troppe brings to the community as a developer, business leader, architectural preservationist, and creative idea guy. Steve Millard goes one on one with the Akron region's "out-of-the-box" thinker for one of the most inspirational episodes of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers yet. Akron is going places and Tony will tell you wh…
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Ep. 38 - Selling Akron as a Destination Spot with Gregg Mervis
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Gregg has had two jobs in his life. Both of them have involved welcoming people to Akron. Steve Millard has a one-on-one with the President and CEO of the Akron Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau. Gregg talks about how he found his career path within our community and the part his organization plays in bringing people to Akron to live, work, and…
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Ep. 36 - Employee-Owned Companies and Promoting from Within
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If you are an Akron-area resident, you know Davey Tree. You have seen the trucks and THINK you know everything they do. Today, Steve is joined by Executive Vice President Dan Joy, and Sandee Reid, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning. During the program, Dan and Sandee share a whole lot more about this employee-owned co…
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Ep. 35 - Making a Presence in the Community as a Leader
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This week, Steve sits down with Marcella Granick, the Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Synthomer, supporting North American business units. Marcella has worked across various industries and has mentored and coached across numerous career levels. On today's episode, she discusses her passion for working with, and developing people to re…
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Ep. 33 - Making a Presence in the Community as a Leader
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Bernett Williams is a go-to leader in the Akron region through the roles she has played at organizations such as The Urban League, Leadership Akron, United Way, and the Greater Akron Chamber. As the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; Vice President for Community Initiatives at Akron Children's Hospital, Bernett is helping pave the way f…
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