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AMERICA MAKES LEADERSHIP: America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, has announced its new chairpersons of the Roadmap Advisory Group and the Institute's executive committee.

Andrew Thompson, deputy chief engineer, additive manufacturing, at Northrop Grumman Space Systems, has been appointed RMAG chair. He will lead the group's strategic direction, drive key initiatives, recruit new members, engage working groups and organize meetings.

Rick Russell has been named the chairman of the America Makes executive committee. In this role, he will lead a group of industry experts across academia, government, workforce and economic development organizations, ensuring that the right strategies, policies, and advocacy efforts are in place to advance the Institute's mission. This committee plays a critical role in guiding America Makes as it works to accelerate AM adoption and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness globally.

Russell is with Barnes Global Advisors and specializes in Metal AM certification and qualification.

Alongside Russell's leadership, Sandra DeVincent Wolf, Ph.D., will serve as secretary of the executive committee. Wolf is the executive director of the Carnegie Mellon University Manufacturing Futures Institute, where she works to identify, connect, leverage and accelerate manufacturing research at CMU. She also is the executive director of the CMU NextManufacturing Center, a hub for AM research. She leads the center's activities, partnerships, and industry consortiums while also serving as Director of the metals AM laboratories.

WALLEY HONORED: Capriotti's Sandwich Shop franchise partner Amber Walley has been honored as a 2024 Franchisee of the Year at the 65th International Franchise Association Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

The Canfield native operates the Capriotti's at 6442 S. Raccoon Road near state Route 11 in Canfield.

The award recognizes franchise owner-operators who exemplify excellence within the franchising community.

Walley's journey with Capriotti's began in 2008 while working in Las Vegas' hospitality industry. She opened her own Capriotti's franchise in 2023.

"Amber Walley exemplifies what it means to be a Capriotti's franchise partner; her passion, dedication, and commitment to both her team and her community are truly inspiring,"Ashley Morris, CEO of Capriotti's, said. "She has elevated the Capriotti's experience in her hometown, building a loyal following and setting a benchmark for operational excellence. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized as a Franchisee of the Year and look forward to her continued success growing the brand in Ohio."

RECOGNIZED: Three attorneys in the Youngstown office of Roetzel & Andress recently received national recognition by Best Lawyers in America.

Timothy M. Reardon and Matthew G. Vansuch were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and Brian A. Coulter was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review / feedback received from lawyers already highlighted in their publication. It highlights the top 5% of private practicing attorneys in the United States.

Reardon was recognized in two separate practice areas, both for corporate law and bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights /insolvency and reorganization law. He also was named the Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Right / Insolvency and Reorganization Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Akron, which includes the Youngstown area. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.

Vansuch and Coulter were recognized for commercial litigation.

SUMMIT AT EASTWOOD: Valley Partners will present its second annual Women's LeadHERship Summit 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at the Eastwood Event Centre.

The event celebrates the strong, dynamic female leaders in the Valley for National Women's History Month. The evening will feature dinner, panel discussion, keynote speaker, live entertainment and networking.

Tonia L. Farmer, MD, will be this year's keynote speaker. Farmer is a board-certified otolaryngology / head and neck surgeon with 23 years of experience in private practice. She is known online and within the local community as Dr. Nose Best with a strong social media presence of more than 750,000 followers across multiple platforms.

The title sponsor is the Cafaro Foundation.

For more information, visitt valleyedp.com/summit2025.

"SWEET NEWS": Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy, located at 1282 Trumbull Ave., Girard, marked its two-year anniversary this month with a celebration of community, charity, and new partnerships.

Sweet Memories presented $20,040.25 for Akron Children's NICU. Since 2020, the company has raised $66,597.09 to help provide resources for neonatal care.

In its news release, Sweet Memories said its the nation's largest woman-owned manufacturer of officially licensed ice cream and candy apparel lines that support charities.

The company also launched a T-shirt partnership with Cockeye Creamery.

TAX ASSISTANCE: Youngstown State University's Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance will serve as a site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which will occur every Friday until April 11.

VITA provides free assistance to all taxpayers, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, students and senior citizens. For more than 30 years, trained business students and community volunteers have provided income tax preparation and electronic filing at no charge to members of the community.

Taxpayers must provide wage and earnings statements -- form W-2 -- from all employers, interest statements from banks -- forms 1099 -- a copy of last year's tax return if available and other relevant information about income and expenses. Taxpayers also need to bring Social Security cards for all people on the tax return and a photo ID card. Taxpayers with complex returns may need to see an accountant.

The Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership also will host a Financial Fair on March 14, at YSU. Ten partners from the Financial Stability Partnership will be vendors at this event to provide financial education and support to all individuals in attendance.

Drop off and pick up will be at the Williamson College of Business Administration building at a designated appointment time. No walk-ins will be accepted.

For questions, call 330-941-2507.

ATHENA NOMINATIONS:Nominations are being accepted for the 32nd ATHENA Award program with the winner being named May 15 at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.

The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator are co-sponsors.

Lauded as one of the Top Five largest in the country for its number of nominees and attendees, more than 1,000 women have been honored at the local celebration. Potential candidates will demonstrate professional accomplishment, community leadership and mentorship of other women.

To obtain a nomination form, visit https://regionalchamber.com/initiatives-programs/athena-awards or contact Kim Calvert, Regional Chamber senior vice president of marketing and member services, at 330-744-2131, ext. 1235. The deadline for nominations is March 3.

NEW NAME: TEDxYoungstown, the platform for sharing "ideas worth spreading," has changed its name to TEDxColumbiana. While the transition reflects a change in location, the group said in a news release it will maintain its dedication to fostering innovation, collaboration and thought leadership throughout greater Northeast Ohio.

The decision to rebrand comes as the group expands its mission to reach a larger audience and celebrate the vibrancy of Columbiana County along with neighboring counties.

The next TEDxColumbiana event will take place Sept. 20 at The Columbiana Arts Theater, 5 N. Main St., Columbiana.

GRAND OPENING IN AUSTINTOWN: The Body Shop fitness center opened its new smoothie bar this month.

The Froze Smoothie Bar is located at 1741 S. Raccoon Road.

REAL-WORLD COMPETITION: Youngstown State University's Civil and Construction Engineering Technology students recently presented at the Ohio Contractors Association Estimating Competition.

The event challenges students from across Ohio to apply their project estimation skills in a real-world context. YSU's team demonstrated not only its technical expertise but also its ability to collaborate under pressure and learn from industry professionals.

Each team was tasked with submitting their bid for a construction project, aiming to be the closest to the actual estimate. The event provided a comprehensive experience, with teams working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day to prepare their bids. On the second day, teams presented their bids to a panel of judges, who evaluated them based on accuracy, organization, and communication skills.

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NEW ON BOARD: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber has announced the addition of Jim Gasior and Ron Selak.

With a long career in the banking industry, Gasior heads the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Foundation as its new president. Selak, an award-winning journalist hailing from the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator, is the Chamber's communications manager.

Gasior oversees the Chamber's nonprofit fundraising arm in its work to support economic and workforce development initiatives, including population and talent attraction, housing and developing the next generation of business and community leaders.

He joined Cortland Bancorp in 1992 as director of internal audit and served in executive-level positions at the company, including chief financial officer. In 2009, he became president / CEO, a role he held for 12 years until Cortland merged with Farmers National Banc Corp. With the merger, Gasior joined Farmers as its senior executive vice president and corporate development officer.

Gasior, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Youngstown State University, lives in Canfield with his wife,TinaMarie. They have a son and a daughter.

As communications manager, Selak works closely with Kim Calvert, the Chamber's executive vice president of membership, events and MarComm.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Selak spent 24 years in journalism. During his career, he served in multiple roles, including reporter, metro editor and business editor, and earned several Ohio Associated Press awards.

Selak, a Walsh University graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, lives in Warren with his wife, Jill, and their two children.

MERIDIAN PROMOTIONS: Meridian HealthCare has announced the promotion of Tiffani Clayton as chief quality officer, Mark Gallagher as chief business officer and Paige Rota as chief programming officer.

As chief quality officer, Clayton will oversee all quality and compliance functions within Meridian. During her six years with the company, Clayton has progressed from health information supervisor to executive director of the Meridian Road and Warren campuses. In addition to her decade of experience specializing in health information and compliance, Clayton holds a master's degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor's in psychology from Kent State University.

Gallagher leads business analytics, benchmarking and operational growth strategies as chief business officer. Gallagher's seven-year career with Meridian began when he was an administrative / operations intern. He has advanced to roles such as special projects coordinator and executive director of the Judge Joseph Donofrio Center. He also serves on the board of directors for Alta Care Group and holds an MBA from Pace University and a bachelor's from Cleveland State University.

As chief programming officer, Rota manages the care coordination, prevention and criminal justice departments. In her four years with Meridian, Rota served as the site administrator and director of integrated care. A licensed independent social worker supervisor and licensed chemical dependency counselor III, she specializes in mental health, addiction treatment and youth prevention. She holds a master's in social work from Youngstown State University.

ACCOMPLISHED: Two Mahoning Valley business owners have received national recognition.

Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, president and owner of MARQUEE Creatives LLC, has graduated from the U.S. Small Business Administration's T.H.R.I.V.E. 2024 Emerging Leaders Reimagined.

This seven-month, MBA-equivalent training series is designed to accelerate the growth of select small businesses in their first decade of operation. Heschmeyer was among 24 business owners chosen for the Cleveland Cohort, with 20 completing the program.

T.H.R.I.V.E., an acronym for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture and Elevate, is an executive-level training series designed to help high-potential small businesses realize their growth plans. Each graduate completes a three-year growth plan.

Founded in 2005, MARQUEE is a marketing agency based in Youngstown. The 11-member firm specializes in marketing and events.

Mark Wolanzyk, president of Mr. PC Inc., also graduated from the T.H.R.I.V.E program. Mr. PC Inc. is an information technology firm located on Courthouse Square in Warren.

Wolanzyk was among the approximately 25 small business owners accepted into the 2024 Northeast Ohio cohort.

Founded 26 years ago, Mr. PC has spent the past eight years in downtown Warren providing a spectrum of IT services, from cybersecurity solutions and network installation to managed services and hardware support. Wolanzyk previously participated in the SBA's Emerging Leaders program in 2016 and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

CERTIFIED: Lisa O'Bryant, a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley's Canfield office, has been awarded the CFP certification.

O'Bryant has worked at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2021. In addition to providing financial planning services, she provides other advisory and nonadvisory financial services, including brokerage services.

The CFP designation identifies individuals who have met experience and ethical requirements; successfully have completed financial planning coursework; and have passed the CFP certification examination. CFP certificants also must agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and to uphold the Certified Planner Board of Standards Inc.'s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards.

CAREER CENTER TALK: The Mahoning County Career & Technical Center's recruiting and marketing coordinator for its adult career program will offer a presentation at 11 a.m. Monday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield.

Jodi Glass will discuss the Center's role as a post-secondary Ohio technical center serving adults in the Mahoning Valley.

The school offers full- and part-time career training programs; customized training for business and industry; professional development opportunities; special interest classes; and Aspire classes for adult basic literacy.

Glass also will discuss the growing need for technical training instructors in health care, fire and EMS, and skilled trades as well as a need for special interest instructors.

This is a free community outreach social program offered to senior citizens. No reservations are required. For more information, call 330-533-3531, option 4, or email gpcanfield@gmail.com.

A box lunch will be provided.

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GOODWILL BOARD: Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries named Joseph P. Lyons and Trish Mossor to its board of directors for 2025.

Lyons is an associate professor of health professions and director of the Master of Health and Human Services Program at Youngstown State University. Lyons also is the principal investigator for the YSU Senior Youth Mentorship Program and is a board of director for Gateways to Better Living in Austintown.

Mossor is the business development manager at Aim Transportation Solutions. She previously led the truck rental branch at Enterprise. Mossor also serves as an ambassador for the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber and as a member of the Women In Trucking Association Inc., where she will serve on the content committee in 2025.

"Joseph and Trish bring an incredible depth of knowledge and passion to our board of directors," said Dr. Shelley Murray, Youngstown Goodwill CEO of Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries. "Joseph's dedication to mentorship and education, and Trisha's dynamic leadership and industry expertise perfectly complements our mission."

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD WINNER: Ashley Roberts, a Premier Bank assistant vice president and commercial construction draw supervisor, recently received the eighth annual Jeff Vereecke Community Impact Award.

The award recognizes an associate who shares in a Premier's dedication and passion for spreading kindness, doing good deeds and making their communities stronger by demonstrating superior service to the community in which they work and / or live.

Roberts was selected by Premier's executive management team and by Karen Vereecke, widow of Jeff Vereecke, former executive vice president and Northern Market Area president for Premier, who lost his battle with cancer in 2014.

Roberts' nomination highlighted her community involvement throughout the Mahoning Valley, which includes Alta Head Start Pre-School Program, American Cancer Society, Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio, Mahoning County Saint Vincent de Paul Society, the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown City School District and the Youngstown Community Garden Association.

She actively volunteers for and participates in many bank-sponsored events.

As part of the award, Roberts received $2,500 to donate to nonprofit organizations of her choice. She chose to donate $2,000 to the Autism Society Mahoning Valley and $500 to Common Wealth, Inc. to benefit The Baldwin Community Garden.

SECOND TERM FOR CAFARO: Dr. Michael J. Cafaro, director of Occupational Health and Chiropractic at Meridian HealthCare, has been elected to serve a second term as president of the Ohio State Chiropractic Association.

With more than a decade of service on the association's board of directors, Cafaro has held multiple leadership roles, including assistant district director, District 4 director and chair of the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee. He has served on the association's executive committee as secretary, treasurer and vice president before becoming president in January 2024.

"Serving as president of OSCA is the ultimate way for me to give back to the profession," Cafaro said. "I have dedicated my career to serving my patients, and now I am proud to give back to the profession that has shaped me into the doctor I am today."

Larry Moliterno, Meridian HealthCare's president and CEO, praised Cafaro's leadership.

"His role as president strengthens the chiropractic profession in Ohio while supporting our commitment to integrated health care," he said. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and the positive impact this will have on our organization and the community we serve."

PROMOTION, ADDITION ANNOUNCED: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber recently promoted Monique Bennett as its director of marketing and added Nico Morgione as its director of government affairs.

In her new role, Bennett will work with Kim Calvert, the chamber's senior vice president

of marketing and member services, to create effective marketing strategies for the organization among other chamber-related duties.

Bennett joined the chamber in March 2023 as a marketing and graphics specialist. Previously, she served as creative director for a Twinsburg-based construction company and had been art director for The Gold Clipper Magazine, where she worked for 21 years.

Joining the chamber in November, Morgione coordinates legislative efforts with Lyle

Huffman, the chamber's vice president of government affairs. The pair works with local, state and U.S. government officials to meet the organization's legislative goals of advocating for and creating public policy that benefits members and the business community across the greater Valley.

He also manages the chamber's Lattes and Legislators, a successful public speaker series.

Morgione earned his bachelor of science in business administration in marketing management in 2021 and MBA in 2023, both at Youngstown State University. He serves on the board of Mahoning Valley Young Professionals.

PETRONY SELECTED: Attorney John F. Petrony of Poland has been selected for the 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list. He is listed in the practice area of Mergers and Acquisitions.

Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.

Petrony practices through Petrony Law, LLC which focuses exclusively on providing business law and real estate law services. For more information, visit www.petronylaw.com.

FIFFICK PROMOTED: The Youngstown Business Incubator has promoted Chandler Fiffick to senior director of its EVOLVE Technology Entrepreneurship Program.

Fiffick joined the incubator in 2020 and previously served as the EVOLVE program's director. She will oversee the management, operations, administration and strategic execution of YBI's technology-focused incubation model.

"Chandler's innovative approach to startup development and her ability to forge meaningful connections within the technology ecosystem have been instrumental in EVOLVE's success," Colleen Kelly, the incubator's senior vice president, said.

The program works with entrepreneurs of any tech-based startup emphasizing digital or advanced manufacturing. For more information, visit ybi.org/programs/evolve.

WRTA TABS PENNELL: Jordan Pennell, former special projects coordinator / representative for former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, was hired to fill the newly created position of external affairs director at the Western Reserve Transit Authority.

Pennell is a lifelong Youngstown-area resident and graduate of Youngstown State University. Prior to working in Brown's office, Pennell was a legislative aide to former state senator and current Judge Joe Schiavoni.

"Jordan's decadelong experience at both the state and federal government levels will be a great help to us," said Dean Harris, WRTA executive director.

"Now we'll have another voice advocating for public transportation causes in the Valley. Jordan's relationships and his knowledge of how things work will help ensure our participation in many more projects and funding that benefit our residents and our local economy."

"WRTA has a great reputation among state and federal government officials," said Pennell. "WRTA, led by Dean Harris, is seen as being on the forefront of progress in almost every area of public transportation in Ohio and the U.S. I'm looking forward to helping WRTA and the Valley continue moving forward."

JONES NAMED: Gabrielle Jones, development and program coordinator of Leadership Mahoning Valley, has been named a co-chair for the Mahoning-Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals' National Philanthropy Day committee.

In the role, Jones will help lead the 2025 committee in planning and implementing the annual celebration luncheon to honor and recognize local philanthropists.

The chapter supports local fundraising professionals through educational programs, networking and other activities. Chapter members are from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana counties and Mercer and Lawrence counties in western Pennsylvania.

"I am excited and honored to be co-chairing this year's National Philanthropy Day committee," she said. "I always look forward to this event, as it is an opportunity to recognize the impact local philanthropists have on our Valley."

The association represents more than 30,000 members in 240 chapters throughout the world. Members work to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs.

National Philanthropy Day is an annual observance Nov. 15 that is designated by the association to celebrate charitable activities in the form of donated financial, in-kind and volunteering support.

TROMBITAS APPOINTED: Rail industry supplier A. Stucki Company has appointed Cortland resident David Trombita as plant manager for its draft gear and railcar component divisions.

The draft gear operation, formerly Independent Draft Gear, in Farrell, Pa., provides new and reconditioned draft gears for locomotives and railcars.

Formerly American Industries, the railcar component operation has locations in Sharon, Pa., and Jerseyville, Ill., and provides new and reconditioned couplers and yokes, wheelsets, bolsters, side frames and truck assemblies.

"Dave has 27 years of experience with Stucki and has a deep understanding of our operations," said Ron Port, Stucki's chief executive officer.

Trombitas started at Independent Draft Gear in 1998 and later became vice president of strategic sourcing for Stucki's reconditioning and repair services division in 2023.

"I'm excited to work with our talented teams in Pennsylvania and Illinois to help improve productivity and grow the business," he said.

Trombitas earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. He and his wife, Janice, live in Cortland and have four children.

LEADERSHIP LESSON: Michael Ross of HBK High Performance will be the featured presenter at Leadership Mahoning Valley's "Lessons in Leadership" Lunch and Learn Session 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Youngstown Country Club, 1402 Country Club Drive, Youngstown.

For information or to register, contact Gabrielle Jones, Leadership Mahoning Valley's development and program coordinator, at gabrielle@regionalchamber.com or call 330-744-2131, ext. 1109.

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