Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

The Conversations podcast is revisiting a compilation of a few of our favorite conversations that bring a local perspective from the past year. Each guest brings a unique viewpoint, but together they tell a larger story about what makes northwest Ohio so special. They remind us that strong communities are built when institutions, leaders and people invest in one another. It's a belief that shapes...

Five years ago, Dr. Dione D. Somerville became president of Owens Community College. Since then, Owens has continued building on its long history of serving students, employers and communities across Northwest Ohio. In this special episode of the award-winning Conversations podcast, 13abc Anchor Kristian Brown turns the tables, interviewing Dr. Somerville about the lessons she has learned during h...

Owens Community College has celebrated 60 years of service to our students and our region during the 2025-26 academic year. As we wrap up our celebrations, we have brought together voices from across our institution and our community to share the Owens story. Listen for a reflection on the values that have guided Owens and continue to shape our future. Guests in this episode: Randy Gardner, former...

Dr. Veronica Motley is originally from northeast Ohio. She attended the University of Akron, where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s and later her doctorate in educational administration. She has served students and their families for 35-plus years. Dr. Motley has served in four culturally and economically diverse school districts, which has allowed her to hone her skills and expertise. She has...

Vince DiPofi, PE, is the Chief Executive Officer of SSOE Group, a nationally ranked architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. ENR ranks SSOE as one of the Top 5 firms in the country, in the design of Manufacturing, Automotive and Semiconductor facilities. In 2025, Fortune Magazine named SSOE as one of the Top 25 professional service organizations in the country. With over 40...

Neil A. MacKinnon III is a lifelong Rossford resident, civic leader and business professional whose career reflects a deep commitment to community, service and thoughtful growth. A graduate of Rossford High School’s Class of 1986, MacKinnon went on to attend Defiance College, further shaping the values of leadership and service that have defined both his professional and public life. In 2024, he w...

Ed Ewers is the Superintendent of Penta Career Center, a career-technical education institution serving more than 2,700 high school students and thousands of adult learners across five counties in Northwest Ohio. A lifelong educator and native of the region, Ed has spent over 25 years advancing student-centered, workforce-aligned education that connects learning to real-world opportunities. Ed beg...

Dr. Tom Brady and Betsy Brady are entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community leaders whose work has influenced business, education and the arts across northwest Ohio. As co-founders of Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI), they built a global leader in plastics packaging, while also dedicating decades of service to higher education and cultural institutions. Tom earned bachelor’s and master’s degree...

Brian Treece is the president & CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. In this role, he provides leadership and direction to fulfill and advance the Foundation's mission. He is responsible for leading the Foundation in its achievement of its operational and strategic goals, including the success of the Foundation’s fund and donor development, fiscal management, grants and prog...

Jami Williamson, M.S., CSCS, TSAC-F is a professor and program facilitator of Exercise Science at Owens Community College, where she brings more than 30 years of experience in health, fitness and education to the classroom. A passionate educator and mentor, Jami was honored with the 2025 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges, a national...

Dr. Karen A. Stout has served as president and CEO of Achieving the Dream since 2015. Achieving the Dream is a network of over 300 community colleges working to become profoundly accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility that eliminate inequities in educational and workforce outcomes. Dr. Stout has received national recognition for her achievements and accomplishments in hig...

Kristi Clouse is the senior managing director of Talent at JobsOhio, where she leads the organization's efforts to develop and implement innovative talent strategies that support business growth and workforce development across the state. In this role, she oversees JobsOhio’s Talent Acquisition Services (TAS) program, a unique incentive offering designed to help companies attract, hire and train s...

Wendy Gramza is the President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She assumed this role on July 1, 2014, after serving as Executive Vice President for 11 years. During her over 25 years as a Chamber professional, she has also served as vice president of Business Development Services and held several other positions within the organization. She is a graduate of the University of Tol...

Dave Robinson is the founder and principal of The Montrose Group, LLC, a national economic development and public affairs consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of government, business and public policy, Dave is a recognized leader in economic development strategy, corporate site location and advocacy. Dave has guided Fortune 500 companie...

Avi Zaffini serves as president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, leading efforts to support and advocate for Ohio’s 23 community colleges and their leadership teams. Since stepping into the role in 2023, Avi has focused on strengthening workforce development initiatives, expanding partnerships and ensuring that Ohio’s community colleges remain a vital pathway to economic oppo...

Mike Duffey was appointed the 11th Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) in January 2024. In this role, he oversees Ohio’s two-year and four-year colleges, universities and Ohio Technical Centers, providing policy guidance to the Governor and General Assembly while implementing state higher education policy. Prior to becoming Chancellor, Duffey served ODHE for five years as...

Arturo Polizzi is the president and chief executive officer of ProMedica, a leading not-for-profit healthcare system headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Polizzi is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. He is highly skilled in nonprofit organizations, strategy, operations, team building and business development. A first-generation colleg...

Carla Benjamin is a dedicated community leader and advocate for hope, equity and opportunity. She is a graduate of the University of Findlay, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Business with a minor in Business Administration. Her educational foundation, combined with her lived experience, has fueled her passion for supporting individuals and families striving for a better future. As...

Toledo Tomorrow was founded in 2018 as the northwest Ohio region’s first College & Career Access Group, and has worked to build broad and diverse educational & community partnerships, and achieved good changes and progress. Toledo Tomorrow’s mission is to eliminate barriers to student success and ensure that all students and adults, regardless of race, ZIP code or life circumstance, have a...

Laura Koprowski is the chief executive officer of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). She has amassed more than 20 years of leadership in transportation, strategic planning, communications and public policy. Her career is marked by successful collaborations with public officials, civic organizations and businesses, driving partnerships that fuel organizational growth and regional t...

Jim Hoffman, retired president of KeyBank in Ohio, has made a lasting impact on the financial industry and the broader Ohio community over his distinguished career. His leadership and dedication to fostering economic growth in the region have earned him a reputation as a trusted figure in banking and finance. Jim's educational background laid the foundation for his successful career. He attended t...

Roger Smith has been a key figure in the glass industry of Northwest Ohio for more than 20 years. His journey began with an associate degree from Owens Community College, followed by a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo. Roger then went on to earn his MBA from Bowling Green State University. Throughout his career, Roger has held various influential roles, including...

Nicole Buchanan is a dedicated and accomplished professional in dental hygiene. A 2013 graduate of Owens Community College in dental hygiene, Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in public health from the Northwest Ohio Consortium for Public Health. Nicole began her career at Owens as an adjunct faculty member in 2014 and was promoted to den...

In this episode of the Conversations podcast, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jason Mesteller, a seasoned plant manager and director of operations with more than 17 years of experience at First Solar, a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions. His professional journey began with a solid educational foundation. He holds an Associate of Science degree...

In this episode of the Conversations podcast, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, the president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System in Findlay. Blending clinical expertise with strategic and operational leadership, he has served in many leadership capacities and provided direct patient care as a social worker and counselor. Lewis specia...