Business briefs
LOCAL MEN APPOINTED TO BOARD: The board of directors of Team NEO, a private, nonprofit economic development organization for the northeast Ohio region, has elected six new members, including three with ties to the Mahoning Valley.
The three are Robert Davis, president, Aqua Ohio’s Water and Wastewater Utility at Essential Utilities Inc.; James Gasior, senior executive vice president and corporate development officer, Farmers National Bank; and Charles T. George, chief executive officer, Hapco Inc., Strangpresse and Triptech.
Davis leads strategic, operational and administrative activities for Aqua Ohio’s 33 water and five wastewater treatment facilities, which serve approximately 500,000 residents. He previously worked as director of Warren’s water department.
Gasior previously served as president of Cortland Savings and Banking Company prior to its merger with Farmers National Bank in 2021. He also is a member of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber board.
In 2007, George became chief executive and majority shareholder of Hapco Inc., the largest independently owned provider of industrial heat tools and extrusion supplier in the world. He also is chief executive of Strangpresse, which manufactures extrusion heads for the additive manufacturing industry, and chief executive of Triptech, which produces thermoplastic filament and welding rod used in the oil and gas, textile, 3D printing and additive manufacturing industries. He also serves on the Youngstown State University board and other various community organization boards.
EGCC PROGRAM GETS FUNDING: Eastern Gateway Community College campuses in Youngstown and Steubenville have received funding through the Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) Grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
The $224,000 grant partners the Youngstown campus with Youngstown State University while the Steubenville campus partners with Belmont College, Washington State and Zane State to improve local workforce efforts.
Both campuses are purchasing equipment for health care programs that impact in-demand jobs in Ohio and Mahoning Valleys. Educational mannequins will be utilized for multiple programs such as EMT / EMS, medical assisting, nursing, practical nursing, radiology and respiratory therapy.
FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE: Credit Union of Ohio will offer several free virtual workshops this week.
At noon Wednesday, a brief workshop will help attendees learn how credit cards work, including covering important information about different types of cards, minimum payments, finance charges and how to be aware of hidden fees.
At 6 p.m. Wednesday, a workshop on learning how to select individual health care and insurance will take place.
On Thursday, one will be offered on Medicare to explain different options and answer questions. It is at noon.
Registration is required to attend each virtual workshop. Those interested can view Credit Union of Ohio’s full workshop schedule and get registered at cuofohio.org.
EGCC GRADS EARN PERFECT SCORE: Eastern Gateway Community College Spring 2022 Youngstown and Steubenville practical nursing graduates passed their National Council Licensure Examination with a 100 percent pass rate.
The exam is needed to enter the field of practical nursing.
The one-year certificate program in practical nursing at EGCC prepares students to specialize in providing basic essential care to patients.
LPNs work in long-term care facilities, acute care, home health and physician offices.
LAW FIRMS JOIN: Akron-based Brouse McDowell, which has an office in Youngstown, and Ekker, Kuster, McCall and Epstein have announced lawyers of Ekker, Kuster, McCall and Epstein will join Brouse McDowell on Jan. 1.
The combined firm will operate under the name Brouse McDowell LPA and will add eight attorneys, giving it nearly 90 attorneys in six offices, including four in Ohio — Akron, Cleveland, Toledo and Youngstown — and Sharon, Pa., and Naples, Fla.
FOUNDATION COMMITS $50K: The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is bringing back its monthlong Giving Tuesday campaign that will see donations to its agency funds matched up to $50,000.
Starting on Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29 and running through the end of the year, all donations made to any of the agency funds at the foundation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2,000 per fund. At the end of the campaign, any remaining funds in the $50,000 allotment will be divided between all nonprofits that received a donation, whether it was one or 100.
Last year’s match campaign brought in $76,048 in donations and $47,226 matching dollars to 15 agency funds, resulting in $123,274 being given to nonprofit organizations in the Valley.
Donations can be made online at CFMV.org/agency-funds or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, 201 E. Commerce St., Suite 150, Youngstown, OH 44503 with the agency fund’s name in the memo line.
People on the move
NEW CEO PICKED: GBS Corp, a national information solutions provider that has an office in Youngstown, recently announced Michele Benson has been appointed to lead the company as its new CEO effective Jan. 1.
As GBS’ chief financial officer and treasurer, Benson has taken on a variety of roles and responsibilities throughout her 28 years with the organization.
Benson, who began at GBS in 1994 as a staff accountant, will lead the planning, development, implementation and direction of GBS’ operational and fiscal functions and performance as CEO.
GBS CEO / president, Eugene Calabria, will continue the role until his retirement Dec. 31.
JP Schippert was brought on in July as chief financial officer to replace Benson.
ATTORNEY JOINS FIRM: John Martynyszyn has joined Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell Ltd. as an associate attorney. He will support the firm in multiple practice areas at its Warren office.
Martynyszyn graduated recently from the Capital University Law School in Columbus after earning his undergraduate degree at Ohio University in Athens. He is a Howland resident.
Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell Ltd. is a regional law firm with offices in Youngstown, Warren and Salem.
FARMERS FORTIFIES DIVISION: Farmers National Bank recently welcomed two new hires to its Treasury Management division in Raymond Mahoney and Michael Mariano as assistant vice presidents, relationship managers.
In the roles, Mahoney and Mariano are responsible for developing strategies that manage and grow Treasury Management client relationships.
Mariano is a 15-year banking industry professional with experience in retail banking management. Prior to joining the team at Farmers, he served as a branch manager for a regional bank. He is based out of the bank’s Niles Main Branch.
Mahoney has 11 years of banking experience and most recently held positions as a payment adviser for Elan Advisory Services and branch manager with a national bank. He is based out of the bank’s Hudson office.
Submit items for business briefs, new businesses and people on the move to business@tribtoday.com, fax to 330-841-1717 or online at www.tribtoday.com. The deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday.
Read More: Business briefs
