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Business briefs

BEST IN CLASS: Larry Moliterno, president and CEO at Meridian HealthCare, has been recognized as one of Crain’s Cleveland Business 2026 Notable Leaders in Healthcare. This honor highlights the exceptional leadership and widespread impact of Moliterno’s work within the northeast Ohio healthcare community.

Moliterno has served as president and CEO at Meridian HealthCare for more than 21 years, spearheading strategic direction and leadership for the organization. He oversees a $23 million budget and more than 250 employees across four sites in two counties. Under his leadership, Meridian HealthCare has expanded services, strengthened operations, advanced innovative care models, and improved patient outcomes by removing barriers and aligning services across its integrated, comprehensive care model.

“This recognition reflects the incredible work that happens every single day at our facilities,” Moliterno said. “It’s rewarding to be part of a team that is deeply committed to improving access to care while supporting each patient’s physical, social, and emotional needs. I’m honored to receive this award and to work within an organization that is making a real difference in our community.”

One of Moliterno’s most significant accomplishments is the implementation of an integrated, comprehensive care model for Meridian patients. This type of coordinated system model encompasses services that include physical health, behavioral support, education, financial literacy, housing, criminal justice involvement and other essential supports.

PARTNERSHIP: Aim Transportation Solutions has announced the approval of its annual registration in the SmartWay Transport Partnership.

SmartWay, a public-private partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the freight industry, is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses and fleets to drive supply chain efficiency and resiliency, while protecting public health, reducing air pollution, and restoring American energy dominance.

As a SmartWay partner since 2009, Aim will continue to contribute to the Partnership’s growing savings of 397 million barrels of oil and 170 million metric tons of CO2. This is the equivalent of the annual electricity use in 26 million homes. By registering in the SmartWay Transport Partnership, Aim demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.

“At Aim, we understand the role we play in shaping a more sustainable future,” said David Gurska, COO of Aim Integrated Logistics. “Through the SmartWay Transport Partnership, we’re taking meaningful steps to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and make smarter decisions across our operations. We’re proud to be part of this initiative and remain focused on doing our part to move the industry forward while continuing to deliver strong results for our customers.”

WORK NEARS COMPLETION: American Transmission Systems Inc., a FirstEnergy Transmission company, is wrapping up major upgrades to the local power grid in Trumbull County.

The upgrades underway in Ohio Edison’s service area are designed to reinforce the electric system and deliver more reliable service to more than 16,000 residents and businesses in and around Howland and Bazetta townships.

At the heart of the project is the rebuild of nearly three miles of the Niles Central-Packard 138-kV Transmission Line. The upgrades will help reduce the number of outages customers experience and speed restoration when outages occur.

The rebuild replaces aging wooden poles with 22 steel structures set in concrete foundations. Crews are also installing modern, thicker wire capable of carrying more electricity and withstanding severe weather, falling trees, vehicle accidents and wildlife interference. Together, these improvements will make it easier to reroute power during emergencies or maintenance, support growing energy use and provide a sturdier backbone for future development in the Mahoning Valley.

Construction began in the fall and is expected to finish by the end of this summer.

This approximately $24 million project is part of Energize365, FirstEnergy’s long-term investment program to modernize and strengthen the electric grid. FirstEnergy plans to invest $36 billion between 2026 and 2030 to build a smarter, more resilient grid that meets the evolving needs of communities across the service area.

YSU FARES WELL: Youngstown State University students earned global recognition for their innovation, teamwork and strategic thinking by placing ninth out of 61 teams from more than 10 countries in the Global Scaling Challenge 2026, an international competition focused on real-world business growth and scalability.

The YSU team — Akriti Parajuli, Tanishka Agnihotri, Aleen Kanan and Lojein Yacoub — developed a comprehensive global scaling strategy for Applied Surface Engineering. Their work addressed real-world challenges across multiple industries and culminated in a professional presentation delivered to a panel of industry experts. Their placement in the Global Finals marks a significant accomplishment and highlights the students’ dedication, collaboration and strategic insight.

“Placing ninth in such a highly competitive, global field is an achievement we are incredibly proud of,” said their faculty adviser, Omer Genc. “The students demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the entire challenge and represented Youngstown State University with professionalism and excellence.”

Beyond the final ranking, participation in the Global Scaling Challenge provided the students with a valuable experiential learning opportunity. They were able to apply classroom concepts to real-world business problems while developing critical skills such as market analysis, strategic planning, teamwork and professional communication.

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BOYARKO, FOSTER NAMED: Leadership Mahoning Valley has appointed two new members to its board of directors: Sarah Boyarko, vice president of Economic Development, Lake to River Economic Development, and Jessica Foster, senior manager, Assurance, Cohen & Co.

Board members play a vital role in guiding the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring its long-term growth and sustainability. Responsibilities include participation in quarterly board meetings, engagement in committee work, support of organizational initiatives, and a personal commitment to advancing LMV’s mission.

In her position as vice president of Economic Development at Lake to River, Boyarko leads all aspects of the economic development team which is focused on job growth and investment throughout the four-county region.

She is 2009 graduate of Leadership Mahoning Valley and 2009 honoree of the Mahoning Valley Young Professional’s 40 Under 40 Award.

A lifelong resident of Girard, Foster is a senior manager in the Assurance department, focusing on assurance work for privately held companies as well as various firmwide initiatives.

She has served as a board or committee member of various nonprofits including Alta Care Group, Beatitude House/Ursuline Sisters, the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, Junior League of Youngstown, and Junior League of Akron.

Her honors include being a 2018 Mahoning Valley Young Professionals 25 under 35 honoree, a Foster is a graduate of the Leadership Mahoning Valley Class of 2024.

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED: Forty Two Inc., a national event production and AV technology company based in Boardman, has formed a strategic partnership with 898 Marketing LLC, a full-service marketing and creative agency with offices in Canfield and Hudson.

The partnership brings together production, creative direction and marketing under a single, integrated approach to event delivery.

Through this collaboration, Forty Two Inc. will expand its core services to include event marketing, content production and creative direction, delivered in partnership with 898 Marketing and fully integrated into Forty Two Inc.’s existing production and systems workflows.

“We’ve always believed great events require more than just equipment — they require intention,” said J. Anthony Ferrello, CEO of Forty Two Inc. “This partnership allows us to design and deliver the full experience – from how people hear about the event, to how they experience it, to how it lives on after. It’s one plan, by one crew and executed at the highest level.”

For 898 Marketing, the alliance broadens its services to a national stage.

“Forty Two Inc. is the standard for event production and delivering experiences people remember,” said Jeff Ryznar, president/CEO of 898 Marketing. “We’ve earned the opportunity to bring our team’s award-winning marketing, strategy, and creative into their process as a partner so that clients get even more from what Forty Two Inc. already does best. Two brands built on service and innovation, now working as one strategy, one team and one shared goal to drive real results for clients before, during and after the event.”

COUNTRY CLUB PICK: Nate Frick has been selected as Youngstown Country Club’s new golf course superintendent.

Following a comprehensive national search, Frick emerged as the top candidate to lead the club’s golf course operations into its next chapter.

The search was conducted through a structured process led by the PGA of America’s ExecuSearch Team in partnership with the Club’s Search Committee. The process began with 25 applicants and progressed through multiple rounds of evaluation, including virtual interviews with 10 highly qualified candidates.Four finalists were then invited to Youngstown Country Club for in-person interviews in early December, where leadership, agronomic philosophy, and alignment with the club’s long-term vision were evaluated.

“From the outset, our goal was to identify a leader who not only brings technical expertise, but also shares our commitment to excellence and the future of Youngstown Country Club,” said Scott Schulick, club president. “Nate distinguished himself throughout every stage of the process.”

A 2020 graduate of Delaware Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Management, Frick also competed as a four-year collegiate golfer.

Prior to joining Youngstown Country Club, Frick served as senior assistant superintendent at Somerset Hills Country Club in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

“From the moment I arrived, it was clear there was something special here,” Frick said. “My team and I are focused on building a strong foundation for the 2026 season.”

TOP FIVE: Two students from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration were selected as top five undergraduate finalists at the Spring 2026 Supply Chain Management Symposium Poster Competition, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.

Rosetti Johnson, junior supply chain management major, and Tanishka Agnihotri, junior finance major, represented YSU with their research project, “Regulatory Impact on Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chains,” which examines how differing regulatory frameworks between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency affect global supply chain operations.

Their research explores how regulatory differences contribute to logistical, economic and resilience challenges within the pharmaceutical industry, an issue with implications for both public health and business performance.

“We were inspired to tackle the topic of global pharmaceutical supply chains because we wanted to challenge ourselves and stand out from the crowd,” Johnson said. “The experience allowed us to apply what we’ve learned in the classroom to a complex, real-world problem.”

Agnihotri emphasized that the research was driven by a shared interest in understanding how regulation shapes global operations. “We wanted to explore how policy decisions affect supply chains and impact both companies and consumers,” she said.

The competition provided opportunities for students to present research to an academic and professional audience while strengthening key communication and analytical skills. Johnson noted that participating as a finalist helped her refine her ability to present technical supply chain data clearly and professionally, an experience she plans to carry into her upcoming procurement internship.

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MVMC RECOGNIZED: The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition has again earned The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s Industry Sector Partnership endorsement, reaffirming its position among a statewide network of manufacturer-led collaborations focused on workforce development and industry growth.

The renewal recognizes MVMC’s continued work to bring employers, educators and workforce partners together to address the talent needs of the Mahoning Valley’s manufacturing sector.

“Being an OMA-endorsed industry sector partnership is an important affirmation of MVMC’s mission and the collaborative work taking place across our region,” said Alex Hertzer, executive director of MVMC. “This partnership amplifies our efforts, strengthens our ability to advance workforce development and supports our shared goal of building a strong manufacturing industry in the Mahoning Valley and beyond.”

Based in Columbus, The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is a statewide organization that supports, advocates for and advances Ohio’s manufacturing industry.

ON THE MOVE: Seven Seventeen Credit Union has announced recent promotions and hirings.

Amber Price has been promoted to Cortland Branch manager. Price has been with 7 17 for four years. As branch manager, she will oversee member service and maintain daily operations of the branch.

Aaron Shaw has been promoted to Larchmont assistant branch manager and has been with the company for seven years. Shaw will assist in overseeing member service and maintaining daily operations of the branch.

Jerry Eisen has been recently hired as market manager, Geauga. Eisen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green University. In his position, he is responsible for driving growth, profitability and community impact across assigned markets.

Cheri Dodson has been named Wallhaven Branch manager, one of 7 17’s newest branches in Akron. Dodson has been with 7 17 for 28 years. As branch manager, she will oversee member service and maintain daily operations of the branch.

Lindsay Coles has been promoted to Central Lending manager and has been with the credit union for eight years. In her position, she will manage and promote quality service within the Central Lending staff.

Kristy Fisher has been promoted to director of Human Resources and has been with 7 17 for nine years. Fisher will oversee the functional responsibilities of labor/employee relations, benefits/payroll and HRIS administration.

De’Andre Davis recently has been hired as director of Digital Projects and Innovation. Davis earned a Master of Science Degree in Accounting from University of Akron. His responsibilities include shaping the credit union’s end-to-end digital member experience and digital strategy.

7 17 is slated to open new branches in Streetsboro and Stow; both due to open mid to late summer. Derrick Thomas has been recently hired as Streetsboro branch manager. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Youngstown State University.

Dan Dudley has been named Stow Branch manager. Branch managers will oversee the member service and maintain daily operations of the branch.

NAMED TO BOARD: Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries has announced the appointment of Kriss Richey‑Wolford and Heather McCowin to its board of directors.

Richey‑Wolford brings more than 20 years of experience in health care and behavioral health. She spent 22 years in radiology and X‑ray services at Akron Children’s Hospital and currently serves with Alta Behavioral Healthcare. Since 2016, she has also been a dedicated family advocate for children with mental health and developmental disabilities, working to improve access to resources and support for families across the region.

McCowin serves as Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, where she provides executive leadership for nursing operations and patient care strategy. She began her career as a registered nurse in emergency services and has advanced into senior leadership roles overseeing complex systems and large clinical teams.

Both new board members share a strong commitment to service and to Goodwill’s mission of empowering individuals and strengthening communities.

“We are honored to welcome Kriss and Heather to our board of directors,” said Dr. Shelley Murray, CEO of Goodwill. “Each brings valuable experience, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to helping individuals and communities move forward. Their service will help us continue building pathways to opportunity and expand the impact of our work across the communities we serve.”

HARVEY AWARDS: Nearly 200 people gathered March 19 at The Barn at Firestone Farms for the 73rd Annual Harvey Awards, a celebration of the people and organizations driving Columbiana forward.

The annual event honors those whose work strengthens education, inspires young leaders, fuels entrepreneurship, advances business growth and improves quality of life across the community.

Award recipients were Brian Frederick, The Eldritch Bazaar, Business Development Award; Garwood Arena, Justin Garwood and Ashley Tyler, Business of the Year Award; Michael Clark, Citizen of the Year Award; Amanda Moore, Joshua Dixon Elementary, Educator of the Year Award; Taylor Yuhanick and Katie King, Unsung Hero Award; Dylan Fletcher, Young Citizen of the Year Award; an Lilly Quetot, Main Street Esthetics, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Sponsors of the event were Compco Industries, HBK CPAs and Consultants, Humtown, MS Consultants, #1 Cochran, AIM Transportation Solutions, Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, Cafaro Company, HD Growth Partners, HSH Contractor, Huntington, Trumbull Industries, Vallourec, WesBanco, Window World, Windsor House, Platz Realty Group and Advanced Technology Partners.

YSU TEAM TAKES SECOND: Students in Youngstown State University’s Civil and Construction Engineering Technology program earned second place at the Ohio Contractors Association Annual Estimating Competition, held March 13-14.

The two-day competition brought together teams from 10 Ohio universities, challenging students to prepare a comprehensive construction cost estimate under real-world conditions. Participating schools included Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio University, The University of Akron, The University of Cincinnati, The University of Dayton, The University of Toledo and Kent State University.

YSU’s team was mentored by Joe Sanson, associate professor in computer science, information and engineering technology, with additional guidance from industry mentor Joe Brown of Beaver Excavating. Their combined academic and industry support helped prepare students for the competition’s real-world demands.

During the event, teams were assigned a construction project and tasked with developing a complete estimate within a single day. The OCA designed the competition to mirror industry practices, providing subcontractors quotes, addenda and project documentation to simulate an active construction bid.

Following submission, judges evaluated each bid for accuracy and responsiveness. Teams then delivered formal presentations, explaining their estimated process and defending their decisions during a question-and-answer session.

After two days of competition, YSU earned second place, finishing behind The University of Akron and ahead of Case Western Reserve University.

LAMMERS HONORED: Phil Lammers, vice president, senior investment executive of Farmers National Investments, earned the Platinum Qualifier award at Cetera Financial Group’s annual awards conference, Circle of Excellence.

Since 2008, Phil has been affiliated with Cetera, the premiere financial adviser Wealth Hub where financial advisers and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Each year, Circle of Excellence recognizes the accomplishments and leadership of Cetera’s top financial professionals.

“It’s an extreme honor to be part of the Circle of Excellence,” Lammers said. “I’m hoping to be able to be part of this high performing group for years to come.”

Besides participating in the Circle of Excellence awards, attendees to the conference also enjoyed a variety of sessions, networking opportunities and presenters, including informative and inspirational keynote speakers.

Lammers has 26 years of experience in the financial services industry.

INTERVIEW HELP: Students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University are helping local high school students build confidence and career readiness through hands-on mock interview experiences.

Student officers from the Society for Human Resource Management chapter at WCBA recently partnered with Crestview High School to conduct mock interviews for 40 students enrolled in a personal finance and career exploration course. Each high school student participated in a 10-minute interview session with a YSU student, receiving individualized feedback and a formal evaluation of their performance.

Christina O’Connell, executive director of the Center for Career Management at WCBA, attended the event alongside student volunteers, further supporting the college’s commitment to career readiness and employer-aligned learning experiences.

The initiative provided Crestview students with real-world interview practice while allowing WCBA students to apply their human resource management skills in a professional setting.

In addition to verbal feedback, YSU students provided written evaluations to help participants strengthen their communication, professionalism and interview techniques. The collaboration reflects WCBA’s continued commitment to experiential learning and community engagement, connecting college students with opportunities to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation.

ETHICAL PRACTICS: Kimberly-Clark Corporation was recently recognized as one of the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Kimberly-Clark has been awarded this recognition for eight consecutive years and 11 times overall. It is one of only two honorees in the Consumer Products industry. In 2026, 138 honorees were recognized, spanning 17 countries and 40 industries. This year’s class includes 19 first-time honorees, and six organizations recognized 20 times.

“Being named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for the eighth consecutive year is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our teams around the world to lead with integrity,” said Jeff Melucci, Chief Strategy, Business Development and Administrative Officer at Kimberly-Clark. “As we advance the largest transformation in our company’s 154-year history, this honor reinforces that doing what is right is not only essential to who we are, but also fundamental to driving long-term, sustainable growth and delivering better care for our customers, consumers and communities, every day.”

The company is constructing a manufacturing facility in Trumbull County.

CONTRACTS INKED: Vallourec, a world leader in seamless tubular solutions, signed two contracts in February for 14,000 tons of OCTG products, which are part of a series of five contracts signed recently with different operators in Indonesia. These orders represent a total volume of approximately 36,000 tons of premium pipes and connections to support the oil and gas operations of around 140 wells in the region.

Primarily located in deep offshore environments, these projects illustrate the technical challenges of Indonesia’s energy sector that require solutions capable of withstanding high pressures and extreme conditions. To meet these specific requirements, Vallourec will supply a range of its advanced connections, including VAM 21, a leading market standard that delivers safe and reliable performance.

The pipes will be heat treated and threaded at Vallourec’s subsidiary in Indonesia, providing operators with solutions that maximizes local production and brings value to the country.

Vallourec also operates its main U.S. production facility along the Trumbull and Mahoning County border in Youngstown and Girard.

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