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‘30 under 30’ Milford native and UC Blue Ash graduate Ryan Thomas named to Forbes list Madeline Mitchell Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
A University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College 2015 graduate has made Forbes’ “30 under 30“ list for 2020 for reshaping marketing and advertising. Ryan Thomas, of Milford, is one of two Cincinnati natives on the list this year. The other, Erik Zamudio, co-founded a brand campaign delivery company called Fooji. Thomas moved to Austin, Texas, after graduating from UC Blue Ash’s electronic media program and co-founded Subvrsive, a company that produces virtual reality, augmented reality and other content for major brands with business partner Austin Mace. The duo is featured on the 2020 Forbes list and received an Emmy nomination in 2016 for capturing boxing matches in 360-degree virtual reality for Showtime. A press release from UC Blue Ash says Thomas attributes the company’s success to timing and his personal success to his education at UC Blue Ash College. “I was lucky to have wonderful professors during my time at UCBA,” Thomas said in the release. “I’m sure I did not give them enough credit then, but looking back on my time there, I can see what an impact many of them had on me and my professional growth.” Electronic media professor Bill Boyle, who worked closely with Thomas at UC Blue Ash, saw Thomas’ potential early on. “He was one of those students who was constantly pushing the envelope and seeing how far he could take the quality of his work,” Boyle said. “It was fantastic to have someone in the classroom who was so motivated to learn and eager to try out the latest production techniques.” As for Subvrsive’s success, Thomas says the company was born just as 360/
Norwood’s drinking water tanks received short-term repairs Chris Mayhew
Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
Ryan Thomas is a 2015 graduate of University of Cincinnati Blue Ash. PROVIDED/UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI BLUE ASH
virtual-reality video was becoming more viable, and the pair adapted well to that change. Thomas and Mace are always trying out the latest technologies and fi nding new ways to drive results for their clients, he said. “The last fi ve years have been a whirlwind,” Thomas said.
“I am so thankful for the places we’ve been and the people we’ve been able to work with.” Subvrsive is based in Austin, Texas, and has doubled revenue each of the past four years, the release states. Their partners include Amazon, Google, MTV, Showtime and others.
More than six months after inspectors found roof holes in water tanks, the OEPA says Norwood still needs to address its aging drinking water system. The city’s two drinking water storage tanks, including one where a dead bird was found in 2014, have both now been cleaned and repaired under OEPA guidance. The OEPA said Norwood’s drinking water is safe and water quality tests have been performed under the agency’s guidance daily since this summer. A Nov. 18 letter to outgoing Mayor Tom Williams, said the agency was encouraged by the short-term progress the city has made, but offi cials need to make long-term decisions to keep the city’s public water system viable. Williams leaves offi ce Dec. 31. Mayor-elect Victor Schneider takes offi ce Jan. 31. “It is important to note that the storage tanks and distribution lines are just one part of the required asset management program that must address the long-term fi nancial, managerial and technical needs of the water system,” the letter said. “Options discussed so far include replacing the above-ground storage tanks or eliminating the storage tanks if this is deemed advisable after the hydraulic study.” Greater Cincinnati Water Works has estimated it will take eight months to complete a hydraulic study of Norwood’s water system and complete a report with recommendations. Norwood’s drinking water system’s issues came to light after OEPA inspectors looked at Norwood’s water tanks See NORWOOD, Page 2A
“I was lucky to have wonderful professors during my time at UCBA. I’m sure I did not give them enough credit then, but looking back on my time there, I can see what an impact many of them had on me and my professional growth.” Ryan Thomas
Subvrsive co-founder
A screenshot of a photo in an Ohio EPA report shows Norwood's two water storage tanks in May when roof holes were found by inspectors. U.S. EPA/PROVIDED
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