Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

What does it actually look like to use AI inside a growing business? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode features a candid conversation with leaders who aren’t just talking about AI—they’re actively using it to drive results. Moderated by Jay Mellon, President of ATNETPLUS, panelists Mike McGill (Medical Service Co...

Get an inside look at how the next wave of polymer solutions is taking shape and the people drivingit forward. This special episode features a clip from an Elevate Greater Akron webinar centeredonthe region’s “Global Polymer Capital” priority. Hans Dorfi,Executive Director and Chief InnovationOfficer of the Polymer Industry Cluster (PIC), sets the conversation witha look at the region’sstrategy, f...

Supporting brain health at work starts with awareness, action, and the right resources. Steve Millard sits down with Lindsay Walker, State Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ohio, to discuss the growing impact of Alzheimer’s on employees, families, and employers. Together, they explore how workplaces can become more brain-healthy, why early detection matters, and what business le...

What does it take to lead through the decisions that define growth? Recorded live at the Greater Akron Chamber’s inaugural Business Growth Symposium on June 12, 2026, this special episode brings together three leaders who have navigated growth from the front lines: Ben Boyer, Prospector Baseball Group; Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, Apex Skin; and Tia Ramlow, GreatWork Employment Services. Moderated by...

What started as a routine visit to the library with her children turned into a powerful production rooted in memory, family, and love. Ashley Moore Dunson, executive producer and partner at MooreDunson Co., shares the story behind The Remember Balloons Live! and how it grew from an emotional encounter with a children’s book into a moving performance created, produced, and choreographed by Akron ar...

Where research and development dollars are invested, jobs and economic growth follow. Ohio Representative Jack Daniels joins John Rizzo, VP of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance (ACAA), and Dreamers, Drivers, Doers host Steve Millard to discuss Ohio’s proposed R&D tax credit modernization and what it means for companies across industries—not just technology. From manufacturers to trucking firm...

From access to capital to navigating uncertainty, small businesses are looking for real solutions, right now. In this episode, host Steve Millard sits down with Brad Zaun, Acting Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes and Regional Administrator for the Great Plains, to unpack how the U.S. Small Business Administration is stepping up. They explore SBA programming, services, the recent limit inc...

As employee benefits continue to evolve, employers are rethinking how to take care of their most valuable asset—their people. In this episode, Steve Millard talks with Grey Kennedy of CAPTRUST, plan administrator of the Greater Akron Chamber’s 401(k) MEP, and Chrissy Myers of AUI/Clarity HR, who brings the perspective of both an adopter and advisor. Together, they explore how the MEP helps busines...

Think “fun at work” means a foosball table and a snack bar? Think again. Employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and turnover don’t operate in silos—and the impact shows up in real outcomes. In this episode, University of Akron Professor Dr. Steven Ash breaks down what truly drives employee engagement—from the fundamentals of self-determination theory to the outsized role of managers—and why...

District energy is a strategic economic and infrastructure advantage, and Akron Energy Systems (AES) has helped Akron punch above its weight. AES executives Mark Divis, President & CEO and Kevin Felder, VP of Sales, talk about how AES uses carbon‑free aggregation, water reuse, and major investments in efficiency to remove upfront capital barriers and support downtown and regional growth across...

A recent Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for U.S. businesses to recover money paid on certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), creating a significant refund opportunity for importers. In this episode, Damon Piatek, President and CEO of Piatek Customs & Logistics, breaks down what this means for business owners, who may be eligible, how the refund...

For growing companies, legal strategy should be part of the plan, not something considered only when problems arise. In this episode, John Hill, Partner at Lewis Brisbois, unpacks common legal missteps businesses make as they scale—from misalignment with partners and not fully understanding governance documents to sticking with outdated processes simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.”...

What happens when a growing business is ready to expand but can't find the right location? Inthis special episode, Elevate Greater Akron (EGA) partners explore site readiness and selection as a core strategy for supporting and coordinating local business growth. Facilitated by EGA partner Jason Dodson (Roetzel & Andress), panelists Camille Billups (Team NEO), Joan Chase (Cuyahoga Land Bank), a...

If students can see it, they can be it. A new partnership between Akron Public Schools and the Greater Akron Chamber at Garfield CLC is connecting students to local industries. In this episode, Marcie Ebright, Director of College & Career Academies, and Clay Cundiff, Academy Coach, discuss how the College & Career Academies model links learning to life after high school, providing expanded...

Amidst changing workplace expectations and guidelines, employee resource groups (ERGs) continue to play a vital role in shaping company culture, boosting engagement, and fostering a sense belonging. In this episode, Kevin Clayton, EVP and Chief Impact & Equity Officer at Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers, shares how ERGs can be leveraged as a business strategy to drive real...

In this special episode, we celebrate one of Greater Akron’s most impactful leaders, Dr. Cliff Deveny, Emeritus CEO and Strategic Advisor at Summa Health and the 2026 recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award for his visionary leadership and lasting impact on the region. Under his leadership, Summa Health completed more than $400 million in regional development projects,...

When an issue hits, how you respond can determine whether it fades or becomes a full-blown crisis. In this episode, Bruce Hennes, Chief Executive Officer of Hennes Communications, recognized by Chambers and Partners as one of the nation’s top crisis PR firms, shares best practices for business owners and leaders navigating today’s fast-moving media landscape. From managing brand reputation to unde...

delivered a high-impact year of essential service in 2025. From acquiring the 20,000 sq. ft. former J.M. Smucker’s store in Orrville to shifting from “food receiver to food buyer” and rallying individual donors to help offset cuts, the Foodbank kept its impact growing. Tune in as President and CEO Dan Flowers, recently recognized with the prestigious John van Hengel Fellowship, shares how local su...

What is the Federal Reserve, and how do they know what’s happening in the local economy? Brian Anderson, Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, joins Steve Millard to explain how insights from business owners and leaders feed reports like the Business Outlook and Trends Survey (BOTS) and the Beige Book. By tracking labor markets, prices, demand, and other local business trend...

Akron has always had what it takes to lead in polymers. Building on strong momentum from 2025, the Polymer Industry Cluster looks ahead to 2026 and the next chapter of innovation in Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio. This episode highlights key wins, including the launch of the inaugural Synthe6 Materials Accelerator cohort at Bounce Innovation Hub, R&D funding awarded to 13 companies, and prog...

Affordable childcare remains a major barrier for working parents, with ripple effects across families, employers, and the broader economy. In this special episode, Joel Potts, Chief Government and External Affairs Officer at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), joins Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance Vice President John Rizzo to discuss Ohio’s new 2026 Child Care Cred Program. Together, t...

In the second episode of this special two-part series focused on the Elevate Greater Akron (EGA) priority, Strong Downtown, Strong Region, the conversation shifts from national research to local action. Facilitated by EGA Vice President Emily Lundgard, partners Kimberly Beckett (Downtown Akron Partnership), Suzie Graham Moore (City of Akron), and Chris Hardesty (Downtown Akron Development Corporat...

Downtowns are being re-imagined, and their impact reaches well beyond city boundaries. In this special two-part episode focused on the Elevate Greater Akron priority, “Strong Downtown, Strong Region”, Brookings Metro fellow Tracy Hadden Loh presents national research and local insight into the evolving role of downtowns, breaking down four core dimensions that shape downtown performance: economic...

Step into Greater Akron’s homebuilding landscape with Richard Bancroft, Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association serving Summit & Portage Counties. He explains what the HBA does and why Ohio’s regulatory environment matters, unpacking how tightening codes, material requirements, and labor shortages affect costs and timelines. We explore consumer trends—renovating versus building new—...

Behind every high-performing nonprofit is a board that knows how to listen, lead, and stay in rhythm. In this episode, BVU’s Biz Voudouris joins Steve Millard to discuss the founding of BVU and the growing need for strong, confident governance in today’s challenging nonprofit landscape. Biz breaks down the board chair as “conductor,” the value of clear expectations, and the importance of effective...