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Business briefs

NATION’S BEST: Akron Children’s Boardman emergency department was recently named a 2025 Lantern Award recipient by the Emergency Nurses Association.

This year a record 96 Lantern Awards were given to emergency departments that demonstrated outstanding leadership, practice, education and advocacy that resulted in improved patient care and staff well-being.

“This award is a testament to the skill, compassion and innovation our nurses and staff bring to every patient encounter,” said Paul Olivier, vice president of Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley enterprise. “To be one of only two pediatric hospitals in Ohio recognized on the list, underscores the high standards of care we strive for every day. We are proud to serve our community with this level of excellence.”

TOP DEALER: YALCARS, an auto dealership with locations in Austintown and Youngstown, was recognized as a 2025 Top Dealer by CarGurus.

In its 11th year, the program spotlights dealerships that consistently deliver exceptional customer service, value and trust while embracing digital retail tools that enhance the shopper experience. YALCARS earned honors in the 2025 Top Digital Dealer category.

“We’re proud to showcase dealers, such as YALCARS, who are meeting shoppers where they are and delivering standout experiences across the online to in-store experience,” said Sam Zales, CarGurus president and chief operating officer.

Selections are informed by verified customer reviews and analysis of vehicle listings data in the CarGurus platform. Top Digital Dealer celebrates U.S. dealerships that prioritize a seamless and efficient digital retail experience, answering consumer demand to handle more steps online.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts to provide dependable, top-tier service have resonated with our customers,” Yigit Yalcin, YALCARS CEO, said. “We look forward to continuing to uphold these values and serving our community with excellence.”

ON BOARD: 7 17 Credit Union recently announced the addition of Brian Williams as senior vice president, market executive — Western Region, and Matt Walsh as wholesale and servicing director.

Williams joined the credit union’s leadership team June 23 and brings with him a wealth of experience in community development and financial services.

A graduate of John R. Buchtel High School, Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University and a Master of Business Administration from Kent State University. He most recently served as senior vice president in community development banking at PNC Bank, where he led efforts to drive impact through financial inclusion and local investment.

“Brian’s background in community development and his dedication to creating lasting relationships make him an ideal fit for our team,” said John Demmler, president and CEO of 7 17 Credit Union.

In his new role, Williams will lead efforts to expand member engagement, strengthen community partnerships and deliver on 7 17’s promise to support financial wellness.

Walsh earned an Agile Project Management Certification and previously worked as a Sr. Consumer Modeling Analyst at A+ Federal Credit Union in Texas.

In his new position, Walsh will be responsible for managing 7 17’s indirect lending staff as well as loan servicing staff.

HOWLAND PRESENCE: Sweet Melissa’s Good Eats announced it will open its third location this October in Howland’s Giant Eagle Plaza.

Featuring salads and wraps, the newest Sweet Melissa’s joins cafes in Boardman and Columbiana.

Applications for the Howland store can be found at https://forms.gle/tnePFoGpowgu5wjv9.

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Business briefs

ALTA CARE NAMES COO: Alta Care Group has hired Stephen Inchak as the organization’s new chief operating officer.

Inchak brings with him more than two decades of experience in behavioral health care, social work and case management to the role. Before joining Alta, Inchak worked as a chief officer in behavioral health care and worked in roles as case management, social work and adjunct faculty, where he taught social work.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a master’s degree from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.

“His passion for this field of work, along with his extensive experience in operational leadership and education, make him a perfect fit to help lead the organization and continue in our mission of supporting children and families throughout the Valley,” Vince Paolucci, chief executive officer of Alta, said.

Inchak will work in partnership with the CEO and senior management team to guide daily operations and advance the agency’s mission, assisting in implementing the organization’s strategic plans, helping scale the organization to meet the needs of the community, assisting in leading the executive management team and cultivating a high-performing staff.

Alta serves nearly 4,000 clients between Alta Behavioral Healthcare and Alta Head Start at locations across Mahoning and Trumbull counties and is home to nearly 350 employees.

CARNEY WAGYU OPENS STOREFRONT: Carney Wagyu Cattle Ranch, a third-generation family cattle farm in Trumbull County, is bringing its online shopping experience in-person with the opening of its first location, Carney Wagyu Butcher Shop, at 115 State Road NW, Champion.

Carney Wagyu Butcher Shop is a full-service, Italian-influenced butcher shop where owners Michael Carney and Sandra Clark share their passion for Wagyu beef. The shop will feature Wagyu items along with chicken, pork, in-house sausage recipes, the original Brier Hill sausage, hotdogs, smoke sticks, a full deli, pantry staples, breads and other specialty items.

The shop opened to the public Wednesday with a grand opening celebration slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Michael and Sandra transformed the family farm, formerly a Hereford farm, nearly seven years ago when they began the transition to a full Wagyu farm. The Wagyu herd has evolved and has been sold online and supplied to some of the finer restaurants in the Valley and beyond, including The Grand Resort, Heritage Steak and Whiskey, The Last Page, Delmonico’s and Vernon’s.

Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with the store closed Sunday and Monday. Customers also may visit carneywagyu.com.

MERIDIAN PROMOTION: Meridian HealthCare has promoted Victoria Giegerich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC, to the position of chief clinical officer.

With a decade of clinical experience, she is committed to whole-body wellness, patient-centered care and clinical excellence in addiction recovery and mental health.

Since joining Meridian, Giegerich has been an integral part of the organization’s clinical leadership, offering specialized expertise in clinical supervision, counselor education, addiction treatment, trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing. Her work reflects Meridian’s mission of delivering hope and healing through a comprehensive continuum of care.

“Victoria has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion and a true dedication to the community we serve,” said Larry Moliterno, president / CEO of Meridian HealthCare.

In her new role, Giegerich will oversee the integration of clinical services across Meridian’s many programs, including addiction treatment, mental health counseling and primary care, ensuring that individuals receive holistic and coordinated care.

Giegerich holds dual licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisory designation (LPCC-S) and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC). She earned her doctorate and has spent the last 10 years working with individuals affected by substance use disorders and trauma.

DeWINE APPOINTMENTS: Gov. Mike DeWine has made the following appointments of Valley residents Daniel J. O’Connell and Kimberly M. Guarnieri, which were announced earlier this month.

O’Connell, a Girard resident, has been appointed to the Ohio Ireland Trade Commission for a term beginning Aug. 1 and ending July 31, 2029.

O’Connell served as national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic fraternal group, from 2020 to 2024. He works at Youngstown State University as director of support services.

Guarnieri, who lives in Niles, was named to the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports starting Aug. 1 and ending May 27, 2028.

Guarnieri is the regional administrator at Windsor House Inc., which operates in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

The board develops and enforces standards for nursing home administrators; formulates appropriate examinations; and issues, revokes and suspends licenses.

THE BEST: Hynes Industries has been named a 2025 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by Cleveland.com.

This is the second year in a row Hynes has received the Top Workplace honor in its employee size category, reinforcing the consistency of its internal culture and people-first approach.

“Earning this recognition through direct employee feedback means a great deal,” said Rick Organ, president and CEO of Hynes Industries. “It reflects a shared belief that what we’re building together matters. We work hard to maintain a workplace where people feel valued and supported.”

The Top Workplaces program is based entirely on employee feedback collected by the independent firm Energage. The confidential survey measures 15 key areas that drive organizational health and employee satisfaction, including alignment, execution and connection. Recognition is given to companies that score above benchmark levels when compared to peers of similar size and industry.

Hynes Industries employs more than 200 people in Youngstown, Painesville and Kokomo, Indiana. The company’s mission centers on providing highly engineered, custom roll form solutions while remaining value-focused, quality-driven and community-oriented. With a belief that people do business with people, Hynes fosters a culture where relationships matter and reliability is paramount.

PARTICIPATION RECOGNIZED: St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown is among 4,800 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. These health crises require swift and proven treatment to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

Each year, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals across the country for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care.

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED: The Ohio Growth Association, a privately owned organization based in Warren, said it has partnered with a national employees benefits company to offer individualized permanent and term life insurance products.

For more information, call Bob Carr at 330-856-6270 or email education@togabenefits.com.

NOMINATIONS OPEN: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber and MAGNET will partner to honor a Valley manufacturer with the Chamber’s ninth annual Excellence in Manufacturing Award.

Nominations are being accepted for the award, which focuses on a company’s longevity in business, growth, product or workforce innovation and achievement. Nominated manufacturers must be located in Columbiana, Mahoning or Trumbull counties and be a member of the Chamber. Candidates are encouraged to self-nominate.

Past recipients include Boardman Molded Products; Haltec Corp.; Quality Switch; Panelmatic Building Solutions; Commercial Metal Forming; Schaefer Equipment, a division of Wabtec Corp.; Millwood, Inc.; and HYNES Industries.

Nominations are due by Sept. 30. The Chamber and MAGNET will present the award at the Chamber’s economic forecast breakfast Nov. 5 at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles.

To nominate a manufacturer, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025mfgaward.

For more information, contact Kim Calvert at 330-744-2131, Ext. 1235, or Kim@RegionalChamber.com.

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COMPETITION DEADLINE: MAGNET is accepting applications for its annual Mspire Pitch Competition, Northeast Ohio’s pitch event exclusively focused on manufacturing innovation. Entrepreneurs and startups in hard tech, advanced materials or physical product development are invited to compete for more than $85,000 in services and prizes.

Now in its 10th year, Mspire offers targeted support to manufacturing-focused innovators — whether you’re launching a physical product, solving a production challenge or pioneering a new technology.

Applications are open through Aug. 18. Finalists will pitch live at MAGNET’s headquarters Oct. 16.

Among this year’s awards is the $10,000 Huntington Innovation Award, which supports ideas that bring new energy and inclusivity to the manufacturing sector.

Finalists will gain exposure to industry experts, technical partners, and potential investors — including members of the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, a Northeast Ohio-based venture group backing promising physical-product startups.

Learn more at www.manufacturing

success.org/mspire2025.

AUGUST OPENING: Sierra, an off-price retailer offering active and outdoor products at discounted prices, will open its newest store at Howland Commons, 2356 Niles Cortland Road, Niles, at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

The 18,500-square-foot store will mark Sierra’s sixth location in the state. Its regular hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Sierra will open its doors to the community with a grand opening celebration that includes music, Sierra-branded giveaways and the chance to win a Sierra gift card.

“At Sierra, our goal is to bring communities extraordinary prices on the active apparel, footwear and gear they need to make the most of the activities they love doing every day,” said Amanda Johnson, assistant vice president, Marketing Director Sierra.

To support the community, Sierra made a $10,000 donation to Trumbull Mobile Meals.

Sierra is hiring new full- and part-time store associates. Visit jobs.tjx.com to learn more.

ATTORNEY NAMED: Attorney John Petrony of Poland has been ranked individually in the 2025 edition of the Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide. He is ranked in the area of corporate / M&A work in Ohio.

Petrony Law also was ranked this year for corporate / commercial work in the Chambers USA: Spotlight Guide 2025, which highlights outstanding boutique and mid-size firms across markets in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. The Spotlight Guide highlighted the firm’s M&A expertise in addition to corporate formation work.

Published by independent professional legal research company Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA is an industry-leading directory that highlights the top lawyers and law firms across the United States. Only 2% of lawyers in the United States receive rankings by Chambers USA.

BACK HOME: Business students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University recently returned from an 11-day global learning experience to Japan, where they engaged with global business leaders, innovative startups and cultural institutions across Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

The study tour offered students an opportunity to explore Japan’s distinctive economic landscape, business environment and cultural traditions. Designed to bridge classroom learning with global experience, the itinerary included visits to organizations such as Hosoo, a Kyoto-based textile innovator; Aristol, a cutting-edge technology firm; the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Nissan Yokohama Plant; Kyoto Public Relations; and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

“The GLE program to Japan offered our students invaluable global exposure, helping them broaden their perspectives and better understand the interconnected nature of today’s business world,” said Doori Song, associate professor of marketing. “Experiencing Japan’s business and cultural landscape firsthand equips students with a deeper cross-cultural competence, preparing them to adapt and thrive in diverse professional settings.”

Previous tours have taken students to China, Italy, Turkey and India.

TETER TO TRAIN: Professional master trainer Amy Teter will be coming to Youngstown fitness studio Mega Barre to certify its instructors and new trainees. “Having Amy Teter travel to our small town is a huge deal for us,” co-owner Erica Fleming said. “Having her train our team ensures we maintain the gold standard in instruction and allows us to keep evolving with the best in the industry.”

Mega Barre offers a fusion of low-impact strength training methods, including the Lagree Fitness on the Megaformer.

HYNES HONORED: For the third year in a row and eighth time overall, Hynes Industries has been recognized with the Platinum Supplier Award from Wabash, a manufacturer of commercial truck-trailers and related products.

The award honors top suppliers for excellence in innovation, quality, delivery, cost and service.

Hynes Industries, a custom-roll form metal solutions manufacturer with operations in Youngstown, Painesville and Kokomo, Ind., earned this distinction among 38 companies selected nationwide.

The award highlights Hynes’ continued role in supplying components used in over-the-road trailers and truck bodies for Wabash and produced at the Youngstown and Kokomo locations. This recognition reflects the close, long-term relationship between the two companies and Hynes’ commitment to delivering performance-ready, engineered solutions on-time with superior quality and service.

“In our industry, being consistent isn’t enough — you have to evolve, solve problems before they surface and make your customers’ challenges your own,” said Rick Organ, CEO of Hynes Industries. “That’s the kind of partnership we’ve built with Wabash. This award isn’t just about past performance. We accept it as a challenge to keep raising the bar.”

This milestone award comes as Hynes continues celebrating its 100th year in business.

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