Workforce Solutions in a Child Care Crisis
PRESENTER BIOS
FRAMING THE ISSUE: THE CHILDCARE CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY
RONALD H. PAYDO
Akron/Canton Market President
Ron serves as Market President for Huntington Bank’s Akron/Canton area, enabling Huntington’s ability to drive the bank’s vision to become the country’s leading ‘People-First, Digitally Powered” bank. Previously, Ron worked as the Dedicated Business Banking Group Director and Community President in Medina, Ohio. Ron has been with Huntington or previous banks since 1987, when he began his banking career as a Management Trainee with FirstMerit Bank.
Ron was a Regional President for FirstMerit covering Medina, Richland, and Ashland counties, before becoming the Director of Small Business Banking until 2016. He became the Area Manager for Canton, Akron, and the Mahoning Valley upon the FirstMerit merger with Huntington. During his tenure, he’s held regional leadership roles since the merger.
Ron is very active in the community and serves on several boards including the American Red Cross of Summit & Media; Boy Scouts of America Great Trail Council; Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; Greater Medina Chamber - President; Medina Economic Development Corporation - Board Development Committee; Medina Hospital/Cleveland Clinic; Salvation Army Wadsworth Corp; United Way of Summit & Medina - Executive Committee. He is also a founder of the Blue Coats and Downtown Wadsworth organizations.
Active in mentoring youth, Ron and his wife Kathleen have fostered more than 160 children. Together, they also hosted seven exchange students through the local Rotary Club. Ron lives in Wadsworth, Ohio with his family.
LYNANNE GUTIERREZ President & CEO, Groundwork Ohio
Lynanne Gutierrez is at the helm of Groundwork Ohio asPresident & CEO, leading the organization’s statewide mission to advance early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age five that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. As a visionary leader and dedicated child advocate, Lynanne guides the overall strategic direction of Groundwork Ohio, overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, policy agenda, and initiatives. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering state and national partnerships and coalition development, driving impactful advocacy efforts, and ensuring the effective implementation of research and datadriven strategies to benefit young children and their families. A pivotal figure in Groundwork’s strategic growth and transformation for more than seven years, Lynanne played a crucial role in expanding the organization’s Statehouse footprint, relationships, and reputation across the state. Additionally, her efforts were instrumental in the successful transition to a standalone 501c3 in 2021.
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Lynanne’s has also led the growing statewide prenatal-to-three coalition, Groundwork’s unique commitment to the needs of pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Recognized as a respected early childhood expert in Ohio and nationwide, Lynanne is frequently sought out to address diverse audiences on early childhood policy advocacy. Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, she has served as a member since 2019. She has been recognized for her statewide leadership and received the Children’s Champion Award for the Ohio Head Start Association in 2024. Lynanne also participates in servant leadership, as an Ohio Victim Witness Association board member since 2025. She also serves as a board member for Communities in Schools - Ohio and for Ohio Kids First. Lynanne’s commitment to eliminating racial disparities in Ohio’s early childhood system is evident through her leadership in the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity project. She pioneered the creation of the Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Dashboard, a groundbreaking initiative that highlights challenges and broad inequities faced by families in the state through more than 60 metrics across six domains.
The rigor with which she approaches authentically engaging Ohio parents and families as experts in policies impacting their children is creating a model for community-based and state government partners alike. Lynanne’s professional journey includes prior roles in advocacy and private law practice focused on children and families. Before becoming a licensed attorney, she served as a Senior Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate. A distinguished alumna of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School, Lynanne is also a 2023 graduate of the prestigious Leadership Ohio program. Lynanne, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, shares life with her husband Anthony and their three young children, Gabe, Arlo, and Phoebe, the cherished architects of early childhood wisdom in their home. She is an avid reader and amateur quilter. Just as each quilt piece contributes to the whole, Lynanne draws strength and connection from the diverse experiences, stories, and relationships she encounters at Groundwork and in her local community, explored anew through the eyes of her children.
LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVES: POLICIES AND PATHWAYS TO CHANGE
LIZ HIBBS
Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Alliance
Manages the SPARK program in Alliance, Marlington, and Sebring. SPARK has been in Alliance since 2007, started in Sebring in December 2019, and began in Marlington in 2022. SPARK stands for Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids and is a home-based program that focuses on kindergarten readiness. Mrs. Hibbs is in her ninth year with ECEA and has over 20 years of experience in education. She holds master’s degrees in Educational Administration, Technology, and Curriculum and Instruction. Currently, she is a doctoral student at Youngstown State University. In 2020, Mrs. Hibbs was chosen to participate in the first-ever fellowship program for Groundwork Ohio. Through this fellowship, she worked with early childhood leaders and Ohio state legislators to influence policy and promote change through amplified voices. She continues this work today in her community as well as at the state and federal levels. In her free time, Mrs. Hibbs enjoys spending quality time with her family and going to local festivals. She and her husband, Jesse, have been married for 21 years. They have two daughters. Her mother, Patricia, also lives with them. Mrs. Hibbs supports the mission of ECEA, which is to educate, advocate, and collaborate on behalf of quality early learning and experiences. At home, her mission is to put family first.
THERESEA VARRASSO
Legislative Liaison for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)
In her role, Theresea works with the Governor’s office and the state legislature to craft and implement policies for infant vitality, childcare, and child protection. She previously worked in the Ohio Senate for seven years. Her previous role was as Deputy Press Secretary for the Majority Caucus, in which she assisted numerous members with their communications and outreach strategies. Prior to that, Theresea was a legislative aide for several senators.
JANE TIMKEN
Ohio Senate, District 29
Senator Jane Timken was appointed to the Ohio State Senate representing the 29th District. She is currently the Republican National Committeewoman representing Ohio. Timken was the Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party from 2017 to 2021, the first woman elected to that position. She led the Republican Party to great electoral success — winning all statewide offices in 2018, retaining the Congressional delegation, and delivering Ohio for President Trump. In 2022, she ran for the U.S. Senate.
Timken began her legal career with the firm Black McCuskey, which included civil litigation, employment law, workers’ compensation, and medical malpractice defense. She served as a magistrate and law clerk to the Honorable Judge Sara Lioi in the Court of Common Pleas, Stark County, Ohio, and worked with the Soles Law Offices.
The senator has served on numerous community and charitable boards in Ohio — Henry and Loise Timken Foundation, ArtsinStark, Trillium Family Solutions, Center for Grief Counseling & Education, Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, North Canton Medical Foundation, Stark Education Partnership, and the board of Trustees of Kent State University.
Timken is a graduate, cum laude, of Harvard College. She received her J.D, summa cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jane lives in Stark County, Ohio with her husband W.J. Timken, Jr. (Tim). She is a mother of two children.
CASEY WEINSTEIN
Ohio Senate, District 28
Senator Casey Weinstein was elected to represent Ohio’s 28th Senate District in 2024. He previously served three terms in the Ohio House. His priorities include advocating for veterans, improving public education, and expanding healthcare and renewable energy. He serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, & Public Safety Committee and the Government Oversight and Reform Committee. He was appointed by Governor DeWine in 2020 and again in 2024 to serve on Ohio’s Holocaust and Genocide Education and Memorial Commission.
Before state office, Weinstein was a Hudson City Councilman (2016–2019). A 2004 Air Force Academy graduate, he served on Active Duty at Los Angeles and Wright-Patterson Air Force Bases, and earned a M.B.A. from The Ohio State University. Recognized as a “Top 40 Under 40” leader by the Dayton Business Journal and a “30 for the Future” by the Greater Akron Chamber, he also works as a Director at ServiceNow, managing defense sector business development.
Casey is married to Dr. Amanda Weinstein, a Director of Research at the Center on Rural Innovation and fellow Air Force Academy classmate. Together, they have three children: Nora, Emilia, and Brady.
SCOTT OELSLAGER
Ohio State House of Representatives, District 48
State Representative Scott Oelslager is serving his fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives, after serving multiple terms in both the Senate and House previously. He represents the 48th House District, which includes portions of Stark County. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee, Oelslager is a member of the House General Government, Judiciary, and Medicaid committees.
Prior to embarking on his legislative career, Oelslager worked as an aide to former Ohio Congressman
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Ralph Regula, and later served as director of public relations for Malone College. He was appointed to the Ohio Senate in 1985, where the people of Stark County subsequently returned him for four additional terms. In 2002, Oelslager was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the Civil and Commercial Law Committee. Because of his strong leadership and experience, Stark County voters once again elected him to represent them in the Ohio Senate in 2010. Following the redistricting of the state in 2010, Oelslager was elected in 2014 by the newly formed 29th Senate District.
Representative Oelslager has been honored numerous times for his work in the General Assembly, most recently being named 2015 Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Association of County Boards, which serves people with developmental disabilities. He was also recognized as the 2015 Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio for his legislative leadership supporting children and families. In 2014, Oelslager was named Alumni of the Year for Community Service by Capital Law School and was the 2014 Boys & Girls Club Appreciation Award recipient. He has been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Nurses Association, and previously received the Community Partnership Award from the Canton Professional Educators’ Association.
Oelslager has also been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, the 2011 Champion for Children’s Health from VOICES for Ohio’s Children, and twice received the Friend of Public Education Award from the Ohio Federation of Teachers. He also received the J.S. “Sandy” Sanders Award of Merit from the Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce, the Emergency Nurses’ Award, and was named Legislator of the Year in 2012 by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. Additionally, the Society of Professional Journalists - Central Ohio Chapter has honored him with the First Amendment Award. Additionally, Oelslager was named the 2014 Hope Award recipient. This recognition came from the Ohio State University Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital & Richard Solove Research Institute.
Representative Oelslager received his bachelor’s degree from Mount Union and earned his law degree from Capital University Law School. He and his wife, Elsie, reside in North Canton.
BILL ROEMER
Ohio State House of Representatives, District 31
State Representative Bill Roemer is currently serving his fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 31st House District, which includes northern and western portions of Summit County.
A longtime community leader in Summit County, Roemer served as a member of Summit County Council and as Vice President of the Summit Educational Service Center Board of Governors, which helps provide important educational services to children throughout the community. For the last 16 years, Roemer has worked as a substitute teacher in the Revere School District, teaching students in upper level math and tutoring children as well.
Active in the local community, Roemer volunteered as president, treasurer and commissioner of Revere Baseball over the last 27 years. As manager of the high school travel program, his teams have four championships in the last ten years. Additionally, Roemer served on the executive committee of the Cuyahoga Valley Regional Council of Governments and the Akron General Hospital Member Advisory Committee.
Roemer has a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Weatherhead School of Management of Case Western Reserve University. He is a former instructor of finance at Myers University.
Roemer is a retired AT&T sales director and a Certified Public Accountant, who previously worked in regulatory accounting. His family has owned a farm in Summit County for over 80 years and he continues to protect the ecologically sensitive land as a member of the Summit County Farm Bureau.
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For the 136th General Assembly, Roemer is serving on the following committees: Chairman of Ways and Means, Finance, Medicaid, and Public Insurance and Pensions.
Rep. Roemer is married to Josie Roemer, a member of the Summit County ESC, and resides in Richfield with his family.
FAMILY VOICES:
REAL STORIES, REAL IMPACT
ALICIA ROBINSON
Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Summit Education Initiative
Alicia Robinson is the Senior Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Summit Education Initiative (SEI), where she leads countywide collaborations that prepare students for success from cradle to career. She brings more than a decade of experience in higher education and community leadership, advancing student success, leadership development, and equitydriven initiatives. At SEI, Alicia champions data-informed strategies that improve kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading, and college and career preparation—creating pathways for students to reach their full potential. Her deep belief in equity and opportunity fuels her mission to unite communities, ensuring that every child has the resources and support needed to thrive.
AMY WISE
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Early Childhood Resource Center
Amy Wise leads strategic planning and professional development initiatives that support early childhood educators and families across Summit County. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Akron and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. With over 14 years of experience as a Program Administrator, Amy brings a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and system-level change in early childhood education.
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: HOW EMPLOYERS / COMMUNITIES ARE RESPONDING
JOSEPH R. LUCKRING
Regional President, PNC Bank, Akron
Joe Luckring is regional president of PNC Bank, Akron. In this role, he is responsible for PNC’s sales and marketing efforts for all lines of business including Corporate & Institutional Banking, PNC Private Bank and Institutional Asset Management. He also has direct responsibility for the region’s sponsorship and philanthropic endeavors. Prior to being named regional president in April 2020, Luckring served as senior vice president of Corporate & Institutional Banking having responsibility for managing and developing middle market banking efforts in Stark, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Holmes and surrounding counties. He joined PNC in 1990 and has held positions of increasing responsibility throughout the organization including credit analyst, branch manager, commercial relationship manager, team leader, and regional retail banking executive.
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Luckring is very active in the community. He currently serves as vice-chair for the Early Childhood Resource Center and is a board member for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community Moving Forward of Stark County, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton. He has served as a volunteer for the Canton YWCA and the United Way of Greater Stark County. He also serves as treasurer for his church. Previously, he served on the City of Massillon Park & Recreation Board and was treasurer of the Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board. Luckring holds a B.A. in economics from the College of Wooster and a MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
RICK BAXTER
President of the Alliance Area
Chamber of Commerce
Rick Baxter, is a graduate of Marlington High School’s Class of 1989 and a graduate of Milligan College in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing. He had a very successful career as a commercial banker spanning 16 years, during which he has forged numerous impactful relationships within Stark County, embodying an unwavering dedication to excellence, leadership, and community engagement. As the current President of the Alliance Area Development and the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce, Rick plays a pivotal role in bolstering the Alliance area’s business sector and its broader community.
Rick’s commitment to community service shines brightly through his leadership endeavors, notably his role as the 2023 and 2024 Heart Walk Co-Chair for the American Heart Association, his active participation on the Stark/Tuscarawas Workforce board, his valued membership and past presidency in the Rotary Club of Alliance, and his steadfast support of the Alliance YMCA as both a past board chairman and a current board member. Rick’s exceptional contributions and leadership have earned him numerous accolades, including the Consumers National Bank Outstanding Customer Service Award in 2016, the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Respect the Game State Award in 2017, and the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award by the Marlington Alumni Association.
Rick is a devoted family man, treasuring his moments with his wife, Chrissy, and their two children Madison, and Mitchell and their spouses Adam and Taylor and his 3 grandsons Zuko, Zed and Bellamy. He is also a very active member at his church Alliance Friends where he serves as a worship leader.
RICHELLE WARDELL
Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Alliance
Richelle Wardell is a systems thinker and public sector strategist who oversees education and health initiatives for the City of Akron under Mayor Malik. She leads a portfolio of policy and implementation efforts focused on early childhood, K–12, and youth and adult wellness—most notably the design of a Unified Early Learning System and a hospital-based violence intervention program for youth and young adults. Her work centers on building equitable, communityinformed solutions that support children and families across complex systems.
Richelle brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of philanthropy, local government, and community-based service delivery. As a Program Officer for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, she supported early childhood and education investments across multiple counties. At United Way of Summit County, she helped architect the “Bold Goals” agenda and co-designed Family Resource Centers and wraparound supports for the I PROMISE School.
Earlier, she managed the Early Childhood Initiative at the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, where her work earned national recognition. Richelle has served on boards and councils focused on literacy, school readiness, and systems alignment, including Project Learn of Summit County, Great Start for Great Futures, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Impact Council, and Community Action Akron Summit. She holds a Master of Applied Politics from The University of Akron and a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University.
MIKE LAUBER CEO Tusco Display
Mike Lauber is CEO Tusco Display, a leading designer & producer of custom store fixtures and fabricated metal components, with - 100 associates in historic Gnadenhutten, Ohio.
Mike graduated with a BA in Economics & English from the College of Wooster, an MBA from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business Administration. He currently serves as a Trustee of The College of Wooster.
Mike’s community involvement includes serving as Past President & current Trustee of the Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation, being active in a variety of trade associations, charities and being an active member of the New Pointe Community Church. He was named the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2005.
Mike and his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth, live in Dover and Mike is a proud father to four daughters and even prouder”Papa” to six grandchildren.
OUR RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES: HOW THEY CAN HELP
LARA SCHWARTZ
Child Care Services Manager with COAD4kids, a division of the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD)
She oversees the child care resource and referral services in a ten-county region- Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Tuscarawas, and Wayne. Lara has been with COAD for 18 years, and her previous roles, before serving as manager in 2016, include Step Up To Quality Coordinator, Technical Assistance & Training Specialist, and Professional Development Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. Lara resides in Tuscarawas County with her husband and two children, ages 6 and 4.
REGIONAL SUMMIT:
Workforce Solutions in a Child Care Crisis
In partnership with This event brings together leaders from Stark, Summit, Wayne, Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Portage and Tuscarawas counties to explore together the child care challenges and opportunities we face, which are critical to the health of our regional workforce, economy and communities.
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
JEFF DAFLER, President & CEO
MELINDA MCNUTT, VP Development & Partnership Relations
KIM MILLER, Event Manager
KATHY LINDENBERGER, Event Manager
MICHAEL WEISS, Creative Director
ANGIE GLANCY, IT
FROM GREAT START FOR GREAT FUTURES:
KRISTA L. ALLISON, Stark County Educational Service Center
JENNIFER FOX, PNC Financial Services Group
AMY WISE, Early Childhood Resource Center
ROBIN STEINMETZ, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton
ELENA ASLANIDES-KANDIS, Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services
JULIE ABIECUNAS, JRC Learning and Adult Day Care Centers
LIZ HIBBS, Early Childhood Education Alliance / SPARK Alliance
ANGELA MOSES, Early Childhood Resource Center
ADRIANNE PRICE, United Way of Greater Stark County
REBECCA KUZMA, Strengthening Stark
FROM GROUNDWORK OHIO:
VANESSA BUTLER BRITTANY BOULTON
OTHERS:
MICHELLE CORRIGAN, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD4kids)
TIFFANY GERBER, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce
LARA SCHWARTZ, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD4kids)
ALICIA ROBINSON, Summit Education Initiative
RICHELLE WARDELL, City of Akron
KRISTIN WRAY, Strengthening Stark
SARAH SPIES, United Way of Tuscarawas County
SAMIRA ZIMMERLY, President & CEO Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce
BRAD EHRHART, Portage Development Board
JOSH GORDON, Barberton Community Foundation