Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

Matt Dolan, President of Team NEO, joins Steve to share why Northeast Ohio is positioned for long-term growth. From the unique JobsOhio model and Ohio’s strength in manufacturing workforce development to the importance of supporting the industries already thriving here, Matt highlights how regional wins create ripple effects for all communities. He also breaks down grant opportunities and relocati...

Emmanuel Hilton, Vice President of Ecosystem Growth at Bounce Innovation Hub, is helping shape Akron’s entrepreneurial future. From leading SPARK Akron, a strategy under ElevateGreater Akron that connects small businesses with the right resources, to highlighting programs like MORTAR for Black entrepreneurs, Emmanuel shares how Bounce is breaking down barriers and building a stronger support syste...

What happens when your business success starts running you instead of the other way around? JoshMuller, founder of Maple Creek Coaching, shares how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped him break free from burnout, delegate effectively, and transform his company. Josh and Steve dive into the dangers of overworking, the power of curiosity, and the importance of authentic networking and...

House Bill 159 proposes the ManufacturingTechnologies Assistance Grant Program (MTAP) to help Ohiomanufacturers boost productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness while ensuring small and mid-sizedbusinesses have access to vital resources. In this recording from the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliancebriefing session, State Representative Nick Santucci and key stakeholders discuss the bill’s impact on...

What does it take to be a leader who not only drives results but also builds resilience and wellbeing into the workplace? Christine Williams, Associate Vice President of Immersive Leadership at United Way of Summit& Medina, and John Ropar, longtime counselor and therapist, sit down with us to share their perspectives on leadership, growth, and mental health. Together, they explore how immersiv...

To Dominique Waters, sneakers are more than fashion—they’re a bridge to science, self-discovery, and community change. The Akron Sneaker Academy founder shares how his path from luxury fashion to youth mentorship is using sneaker culture to spark interest in STEM, connect students to Akron’s history and polymer industry ties, and inspire the next generation to dream bigger.

What does it take to spark real change in a city’s core? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, newly appointed Downtown Akron Development Corporation Executive Director Christopher Hardesty shares his vision for revitalizing downtown Akron. From transforming historic buildings into housing to reshaping public perceptions of safety and walkability, Chris discusses the power of partnerships,...

What if the key to Akron’s future workforce is sitting in your office right now... as an intern? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, shares how a well-designed internship program can do more than just support young professionals—it can fuel long-term economic growth and keep top talent rooted in the region. From hosti...

What actually gets decided in Columbus and D.C.—and how does it affect your business? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Steve Millard talks with John Rizzo, VP of the Akron Canton Advocacy Alliance, for a deep dive into Ohio’s newly passed state operating budget and the federal reconciliation bill. From expanded tax credits and workforce programs to economic development tools and line-i...

Turning polymers into startups isn’t easy—but Akron is making it faster, smarter, and more collaborative. In this episode, Steve Millard talks with Nick Glavan of Bounce Innovation Hub aboutSynthe6,a new accelerator built to help materials science founders move from breakthrough ideas to real-world impact. With funding, expert mentorship, and connections to the Polymer Industry Cluster, Synthe6 is...

As workforce needs continue to evolve across Ohio, the Ohio TechCred program remains a critical tool for helping employers close skill gaps and invest in their teams. In this episode, Jean Barbato, Senior Manager of the Manufacturing Sector Partnership at ConxusNEO, explains how businesses can take advantage of TechCred to receive up to $2,000 per employee for tech-focused credentials—up to $180,0...

Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is full of flavor... and not just from the popcorn. Kaylee Piper of the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership and Brent Vanfossen, owner of Metropolis Popcorn, join Dreamers, Drivers, Doers to talk about the city’s downtown revival. From DORA and the Riverloop Project, to small business growth and 50+ popcorn flavors, hear how local energy, investment, and creativity are tran...

What do the White House, global trade shows, and Akron’s economic revival have in common? Gregg Cramer. In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Gregg reflects on his 18-year legacy at the Greater Akron Chamber, where he helped launch the “Akron USA” movement and brought global attention and investment to the region. From retaining giants like Goodyear to pitching Akron’s potential overseas, G...

When Zac Kohl bought his East Akron home for $4,500, he wasn’t just investing in property—he was planting roots in a neighborhood he believed in. Years later, that belief has grown into a movement, with community development, housing restoration, and now adynamic new food hall at the heart of it all in this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Zac, Executive Director of The Well CDC, joins Barry D...

What’s holding business leaders back from expanding, innovating, or taking that next big leap? For Chuck Mullen, it often comes down to fear—and he’s here to challenge it. Chuck, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly, joins Steve Millard for a candid conversation on how to lead through uncertainty, navigate mergers, and build trust in a changing world. Drawing from 20+ years in publ...

As the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club from June 18–22, we’re revisiting a conversation with Don Padgett, Executive Director of the tournament. In this episode, originally aired in 2024, Don and Steve Millard discuss the tournament’s deep roots in Akron, its economic and charitable impact, and what makes it more than just a golf event. Whether you’re a fan of t...

In celebration of Small Business Month, this episode, originally spotlights the woman entrepreneurs building community and driving local impact. Steve Millard talks with Tara Mosley and Joelle Diane Zellman about Women Supporting Women, a vendor event that showcased the power of women-led small businesses in Greater Akron.

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Frey Canty, owner of The Soulful Vegan, Downtown Akron’s first Black female-owned restaurant. What began as a personal fitness journey and a love for sharing workouts online turned into a powerful pivot—from running a gym to creating plant-based meals that filled a gap in Akron’s dining scene....

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard talks with Tracy Carter, System Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy at Summa Health. Tracy shares her inspiring journey from a young intern seeking mentorship at 18 to becoming a key voice in healthcare policy and advocacy at one of the region’s leading health systems. Tracy discusses th...

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEOSteve Millard sits down with John Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League. As the Akron Urban League approaches its 100th anniversary, John discusses the organization’s enduring legacy and its evolving role in workforce development, youth engagement, and small business support. From safe spaces for te...

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard sits down with Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, President of Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Lodi Hospitals and President of the South Submarket of the Northeast Ohio Market. Dr. Lash-Ritter shares her leadership journey from growing up in Canton to becoming a key figure in healthcare administration, with a...

In this episode, Steve Millard and John Rizzo talk with Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) about the organization's history and the services they offer. Todd provides insight into various issues that small businesses face such as the Small Business Income Deduction, Corporate Transparency Act, R&D amortization, and other actions they're taking...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to explore how this impactful organization connects communities through history, recreation, and economic development. With over 150 public and private partners, the Coalition works to preserve and promote the rich educational and recreational assets along the Ohio & Erie Canalway like the...

With energy costs set to rise by a whopping 10%-20% this summer, commercial businesses and residences alike are facing mounting expenses. By investing in solar, businesses can lock in energy rates for up to 30 years, take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit, and even benefit from domestic manufacturing incentives. In this episode, Steve sits down with Anthony Manna Jr., President of Hello Sunray...

In this episode, Steve sits down with Michele Maas, President and Founder of Another Act of Kindness, and Jonathan Maas, board member and survivor of a life-threatening battle with COVID-19. After Jonathan’s miraculous recovery, Michelle was inspired to give back to the nurses who saved his life. Together, they launched Another Act of Kindness, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting healthcare worker...