Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

If you are an Akron-area resident, you know Davey Tree. You have seen the trucks and THINK you know everything they do. Today, Steve is joined by Executive Vice President Dan Joy, and Sandee Reid, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning. During the program, Dan and Sandee share a whole lot more about this employee-owned company. From Davey's science and research programs,...

This week, Steve sits down with Marcella Granick, the Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Synthomer, supporting North American business units. Marcella has worked across various industries and has mentored and coached across numerous career levels. On today's episode, she discusses her passion for working with, and developing people to realize and achieve their full potential.

In honor of National Wear Red Day on February 3rd, we have two guests this week to help bring greater awareness to the impact of heart disease. Joining Steve Millard in the studio is Val Weber, the Senior Community Impact Director of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the American Heart Association, and Dr. Justin Dunn, an Interventional Cardiologist at Summa and a member of the chapter's board. Both d...

Bernett Williams is a go-to leader in the Akron region through the roles she has played at organizations such as The Urban League, Leadership Akron, United Way, and the Greater Akron Chamber. As the  Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; Vice President for Community Initiatives at Akron Children's Hospital, Bernett is helping pave the way for future leaders in our community. Steve Millard...

As the Executive Director of the Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley Red Cross, Rachel D'Attoma and her team get to offer hope to people who are very much in need during a challenging time in their lives. The Red Cross in our region is making a difference every day. Rachel and Steve Millard also discuss the sense of community in the Akron area and how people can get involved.

In her career, Suzie Graham has always been a supporter of greater Akron through public service. From her work with theater programs for children, to bringing the Lock 3 entertainment space to life. Now, as the President and CEO of Downtown Akron Partnership, she and her team have helped oversee the revitalization of the core of a legendary legacy American city. Steve Millard sits down with Suzie...

This week Steve Millard talks to Towpath Distillery Owner and CEO Anthony Piscazzi, an Akron entrepreneur who comes from generations of family members in both the food and spirits industries. Last September, Towpath Distillery launched their first product and Anthony reflects on that experience along with operating a popular restaurant, The Merchant, during some challenging times.

As the Managing Partner at Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, Steve Dimengo always knew he was going to be a lawyer. Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Steve and discusses how he set himself on this professional path, how he helps others focus on their own expertise, and why he thinks Akron is the place to work and play.

In Akron, the birthplace of Knight Newspapers and the foundation, Knight focuses on downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods through investments in talent, opportunity and engagement. Our guest today, Kyle Kutuchief is the Akron Program Director for the Knight Foundation and has been involved in a number of Akron initiatives including serving as the president of Torchbearers. He has received Akr...

On this crisp Fall day, Steve Millard has a conversation with Chuck Mullen, Chairman of Apple Growth Partners, one of the Akron region's premiere accounting and business advisory firms. Chuck talks about building his career in Akron and how his organization has expanded to other cities and states. His leadership has helped his firm grow and develop a culture that cultivates new talent, as well as...

The Greater Akron Chamber's podcast this week welcomes Meghan Meeker who is the Senior Manager of Social Media at Vericast but also serves as the President of the Board of Directors of Torchbearers here in Akron. Steve Millard discusses her experience growing up in Northeast Ohio and why she decided to stay and network here in our region as a professional and how that brought her to Torchbearers.

In this episode, Steve Millard talks with Gino and Barbara Faciana from the Pleasant Valley Corporation. Their path is an amazing example of entrepreneurship and building upon success after success in the real estate and facilities management industry. Their strategic planning as a company is leaving a legacy for both their family and the greater Akron business community.

Going out to our listeners this week, Steve Millard welcomes Chancellor Dr. K.L. Allen of WGU Ohio, an online undergraduate and graduate degree university for traditional and non-traditional students. Dr. Allen brings a unique perspective on learning in our society today. Specifically, how the accessibility to higher education and workforce development enables WGU to better partner with businesses...

On this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, and Doers, Steve Millard is joined by Renato “Ren” Camacho, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Akron-Canton Airport. Growing up in the Bronx, Ren has had transportation in his blood since an early age.  His career has spanned working in engineering at the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, to Cleveland's Department of Port Control. A job tha...

Our guest today on Dreamers, Drivers, & Doers is Daine Johnson-Owens of the Humane Society of Summit County. Diane has had many stages in her professional career including jobs in the legal and medical professions. But it is her role serving the animal members of our community that is her true passion. Steve has a chance to talk to Diane about the path that led her to where she thought she would b...

This week, Steve Millard has a conversation with Jackie Hemsworth, the Executive Director of ACCESS, an emergency shelter in Akron providing for the needs of homeless single women and homeless women with children. Having been on a path to be of service in this space since entering the workforce after college, Jackie talks about how her various career roles have helped her understand the challenges...

Now serving as the President and CEO of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Joe Mazur has had quite a career in our region from his involvement at Thistledown Race Track, the All American Soap Box Derby, and the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. But it's his involvement at the CVSR that is truly a dream job for Joe. Steve Millard finds out what it takes to run such a equipment and personnel focused o...

When you think about dealing with challenges as a leader, imagine taking the reins of a large cultural venue in the middle of a global health crisis. Our guest today did just that. Jon Fiume is the Executive Director & CEO of the Akron Art Museum. Steve Millard sits down with Jon to talk about the non-traditional path to his current role in our community, and how he and the museum team are making...

As the Executive Director of the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship,  Don  Pagett works tirelessly to bring one of the key annual sporting events in the United States right here to the Akron region.  Don  talks with Steve about growing up in the world of golf and how a major activity like this impacts our community economically and socially. 

With a long history of community involvement, our guest today has worked with individuals from all walks of life as a business counselor and as the Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship at Akron's Bounce Innovation Hub. Steve Millard catches up with Ace Epps and finds out what drives his desire to help people and how business opportunities grow when we come together. 

There are a lot of leaders in the Akron region who impact various aspects of our core industries. President and CEO of ACE Laboratories Erick Sharp has made a name for himself and his company as an innovator and a doer in the field of R&D, and rubber and silicone testing. Steve Millard chats with Erick about his path into the world of business development and being a part of what makes Akron tick.

Not only is our guest on this episode a business owner in Akron (Great Work! Employment Services), but Tia Ramlow is also the current President of the Board at the Greater Akron Chamber. Steve Millard sits down with Tia to discuss what it’s like to manage a company and help others reach their potential as well.

Joining Steve Millard today is Cascade Capital Executive Director Bob Filipiak. Bob has been working with our business community in the commercial financing field helping a range of organizations develop their capital investments for growth opportunities such as owner-occupied real estate and equipment purchases.  

This week's episode brings us a conversation with Parker Platt, the Senior Strategy Manager and Senior Vice President with Citizens Bank. Parker is not only a Board member at the Greater Akron Chamber, he is a mover and shaker in the region helping nurture businesses, talent, and opportunities.

The Dreamers, Drivers & Doers features Nicole Mullet, Executive Director of ArtsNow. The organization leverages the arts and culture sector in Summit County to support and strengthen the region's economic and social vibrancy. Steve and Nicole discuss some exciting things happening in the arts & culture community, including the culture plan.