Cincinnati 300 - 2022

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THE PAST YEAR HAS SEEN INCREDIBLE CHANGES IN Cincinnati’s business community, most of them connected in some way to the COVID pandemic. Business leaders have been buffeted by one tumultuous wave after another since 2020: the pandemic itself shutting down entire industries while declaring others “essential” and requiring 24/7 dedication, the resulting slowdown creating bottlenecks and ruptures in supply chains, new attitudes about and new technology to promote workfrom-home, rampant inflation as consumer demand kicked back in, the “great resignation” and “quiet quitting” undercurrent among employees, and climate crises that disrupted everything from travel to insurance costs.

During this challenging time, as happens every year, a number of Cincinnati area companies made changes in leadership. Taking over the top spot in any organization presents its own difficulties, but imagine navigating that transition while also trying to steer your business through the pandemic. A few dozen area CEOs can now tell that story, and we highlight six of them on the cover of this year’s Cincinnati 300. They represent a variety of large and small businesses and nonprofits, as well as the City of Cincinnati itself, and their journeys are by no means unique in these strange times.

This is the third year that Cincinnati 300 has asked the region’s most powerful business leaders to share insights about how they’re steering their businesses and workers through the pandemic. I’m again impressed with the humility and positivity these CEOs offer in their comments, as well as the credit they give to their teams for pulling together. I sincerely hope we can ask them a completely different set of questions next year that don’t include the word “pandemic.”

The leaders featured in Cincinnati 300 are pulled from the region’s largest public, private, and nonprofit companies, as well as professional service organizations supporting them. We considered those who serve on key business-re lated oversight boards at the Chambers of Commerce, 3CDC, United Way, and ArtsWave. We sought broad representation across the business community, so we limit the profiles to one person per organization, with rare exceptions, and highlight similar numbers of companies in all eight categories.

JOHN FOX EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

1818 Race Street, Suite 301 Cincinnati, OH 45202-2039 (513) 421-4300

CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM/CINCINNATI300

Carlie Burton, Logan Case, Jessica Dunham, Jen Kawanari, Wesley Koogle, Emi Villavicencio CONTRIBUTING

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Andrew Doench, Jeremy Kramer

SALES

Products issued by member companies of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.

KNOW

B A N K I N G & BANKING F I N A N C E FINANCE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP MANAGER

Fidelity Investments

Auzenne-Swan has worked for the Boston-based financial services giant for almost 23 years. The local office based in Covington has more than 2,200 brokers and 4,800 employees providing investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, and benefits outsourcing.

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida Education: Florida A&M University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? In 2021, we welcomed more than 16,600 new employees, many of whom have never been in our offices. We’re committed to blending the best of both onsite and offsite work going forward. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’m passionate about mental health and wellness. My objective as a servant leader is to remove barriers, foster connections, reflect on what we’ve learned, and inspire to move forward.

Ballinger has been with the company since 1994 and held the top job since 2015. It’s expanded membership to more than 200,000 members and has $4 billion in assets. The company has been moving employees to a new corporate office in a 90,000-square-foot building in Blue Ash it bought in 2019. It has more than 10 branch offices, plus multiple ITM (Interactive Teller Machines) and ATM (Automated Teller Machines) throughout the region.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA), University of Delaware (master’s)

PRESIDENT AND CEO First Financial Bank

Brown has led the bank since it merged with MainSource Financial of Greensburg, Indiana, in 2018. Last year, First Financial acquired Summit Funding Group, the Mason-based equipment financing company led by Rick Ross and co-founders Louis Beck and Harry Yeaggy of Union Savings Bank; they remain with the firm as an independent subsidiary. Brown is a new board member of the Cincinnati branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Georgia (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? In many respects, the current situation has been a catalyst for innovation. We’ve learned how to apply technology in ways that transform the manner in which we serve our clients, whether that’s applying for a loan, closing on a loan, or opening a new account.

PRESIDENT AND CEO General Electric Credit Union

Timothy Ballinger

Archie Brown

Natalie AuzenneSwan

Timothy Elsbrock

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JP Morgan Chase Private Bank

Dolle leads the team that offers brokerage and advisory investment products to highwealth individuals and families from its Kenwood office. He joined JP Morgan Chase after almost nine years as managing director of Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth. Dolle began his banking career with Fifth Third, where he worked for 19 years.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Ohio Wesleyan University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

REGIONAL PRESIDENT

Fifth Third Bank

Elsbrock leads the Greater Cincinnati operations of the region’s largest locally based bank. He oversees retail, mortgage, and commercial banking operations in addition to investment advisors. As the official bank of the Bengals, Fifth Third went all in on the team’s journey to the Super Bowl. The day after the AFC Championship victory, the Cincinnati native came to work dressed as Paul Brown, complete with fedora, sweater vest, and checked sport coat.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Bahl & Gaynor

Groenke was named in April to lead the investment advisory firm founded in 1990 by William Bahl and Vere Gaynor, who remain as principals and directors emeritus of the employee-owned company. It manages or advises clients on $49 billion in assets, up from less than $19 billion five years ago.

Education: University of Michigan (undergraduate), University of Chicago (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We continue to deepen our commitment to the highest level of excellence in client service. To that end, we are focused on attracting the most talented professionals to join our team and adding to our investments in cutting-edge technology. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. My mission is to empower and enable our team to provide the very best experience for our clients through trusted, innovative advice based on our unique income growth investment philosophy.

CEO Bartlett Wealth Management

Hagerty, who took over for longtime leader Kelley Downing in 2021, leads the management committee and is responsible for the firm’s strategy while President Holly Mazzocca leads daily operations and the company’s managing directors. Hagerty began his career at Fifth Third Bank before joining Bartlett in 1994. It is the seventh-largest money management firm in Cincinnati with almost $6 billion in local assets managed.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. It’s even more important than ever to lead by example. As we pivoted to a hybrid schedule, I generally work at our downtown office every day so that I’m present and available to all employees, regardless of what days they’re in the office.

REGIONAL PRESIDENT Truist

Hawking, who led the regional operation of BB&T since 2015, remained the local leader for the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank after the merger with Sun Trust in late 2019. It switched its signage from BB&T to Truist this year at the Northern Kentucky University arena and its 21 area branch locations. It is the seventh-largest bank in the region with almost $2 billion in local deposits.

Education: Indiana University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Federal Home Loan Bank

Howell joined the bank in 1989 and has led the regional wholesale operation for Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee since 2012. FHLB provides community investment, advance programs, mortgage repurchases, and correspondent services to its 650 member stockholders. The system was created by Congress in 1932 to support financing for local housing. The downtown-based facility is one of 11 in the U.S.

Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (MBA)

Andrew Hawking

Bob Groenke

Andrew Howell

Patrick Dolle

Jim Hagerty

honoring Michael McCuen for his influential business leadership.

Congratulations to KeyBank teammate Michael McCuen for being recognized as one of the Cincinnati 300. .

At KeyBank, we know that the best leaders thrive in a culture where every person feels included, valued, and empowered.

Mike is a role model in his community and to all of us at Key. Thank you for your consistent hard work and your dedication to being a great leader.

Michael McCuen President Southwest Ohio Market

Johnson Investment Counsel

Jackman is also chief investment officer for the company he joined in 1993. The region’s third-largest money management firm, headquartered in Green Township, controls more than $17 billion in local assets. The firm has 125 employees, 50 of whom have joined the company since 2020.

Hometown: Howell, New York; Rochester, New Hampshire; Pittsburgh Education: Wittenberg University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The pandemic pulled back the curtain on employees’ home lives. It was quite literally right there on the Zoom screen! I have a greater appreciation for the entirety of employee lives, the challenges they face, and the importance of getting work/life balance right.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Sharefax Credit Union

Kremer leads the company founded in 1960 by employees of the Ford Motor plants located in Sharonville and Fairfax. The Clermont County-based operation, which has about $430 million in assets, serves more than 31,000 members and 400 companies and organizations with six locations in the region. It opened its new 30,000-square-foot headquarters at Ivy Gateway in 2021.

Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

McCuen has led the Cleveland-based company’s local operations since 2017. He is also the commercial sales leader for Key, which has more than $1.6 billion in regional deposits. The local headquarters are in Great American Tower, where it moved its downtown branch office last year. As part of the move, KeyBank presented a $150,000 grant to Over-the-Rhine Community Housing for its support of low-income residents.

Hometown: Doylestown, Ohio Education: John Carroll University (undergraduate), University of Michigan (MBA)

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

PRESIDENT

SOUTHWEST OHIO MARKET PRESIDENT KeyBank

Arthur Kremer

Michael McCuen

Jason Jackman

Eric Meilstrup

PRESIDENT AND

LCNB Bank

CEO

Meilstrup, who has worked at the Lebanon-based bank for more than 30 years, has led it since 2019. It has more than $932 million in deposits and $1.85 billion in assets. After more than a decade of acquisitions, LCNB has 30 locations in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Chillicothe. In February, the bank bought back more than 1 million shares of stock from its largest shareholder, John Lame of Cincinnati, for around $21 million.

Hometown: Dexter, Michigan Education: Bowling Green State University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

Prescott

REGIONAL EXECUTIVE / EAST U.S. Bank

Prescott has led the local market of the Minneapolis-based bank since 2011. U.S. Bank is No. 1 in local deposits with more than $73 billion and employs more than 3,000 people at almost 80 locations in Greater Cincinnati. Prescott was formerly regional group president for Huntington Bank and the head of the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority before joining U.S. Bank.

Hometown: I grew up all over the Midwest and South Education: Ohio Northern University (undergraduate), Ohio State University (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. COVID affected our dayto-day interactions but not our commitment to our clients, employees, or communities. Over the last two years, we’ve found new ways of connecting and collaborating.

Maribeth Rahe

AND CEO Fort Washington Investment Advisors

Rahe has led the subsidiary of Western & Southern Financial Group since 2003. Fort Washington is the largest money management firm in Greater Cincinnati, tending to more than $78 billion in assets for its clients. Rahe was previously President of United States Trust of New York and worked for the Harris Bank of Chicago and J.P. Morgan Asset Management early in her career.

Hometown: Evanston, Illinois Education: Bowling Green State University (undergraduate), Thunderbird School of Global Management (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? How we communicate with our associates and onboard our new associates. We will continually revamp our process and improve our effectiveness for all of our associates.

McDonald

tired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: sity Best advice received or fa with the end in mind. graduate about entering your field of business: life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. golf, reading Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Miami University Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael

PRESIDENT

MARKET HEAD UBS Wealth Management

Ramey leads the company’s operations in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indiana from its Kenwood office. Three of the firm’s employees were ranked by Forbes as the top women advisors in Ohio in a February story: Karen Breed was No. 3, Kelly Wittich was No. 5, and Jackie Kunkel was No. 8. In addition, Breed was ranked 76th nationally in the poll conducted by Shook Research.

CEO Summit Funding Group

The equipment financing and leasing company with a portfolio of more than $4 billion in lease and finance originations was acquired by First Financial Bank at the end of 2021. Founded by Ross, Harry Yeaggy, and Louis Beck (the latter two own Union Savings Bank) in 1993, it will remain an independent subsidiary of First Financial. It’s the fourth-largest independent equipment financing platform in the country.

PRESIDENT Bank of America Cincinnati

Last year, Ryan added bank president to his title of market leader for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management (a subsidiary of BoA), which he has run since 2016. Ryan is overseeing the Bank of America expansion from one ATM in 2018 to 16 newly built offices and 82 ATMs by the end of the year. It has committed to pay its more than 350 local employees at least $25 per hour by 2025.

Education: Loyola University Chicago (undergraduate)

Sigler joined the company in 2002 and was named its leader in 2011. Cinfed was founded in 1934 to serve members of Local 75 of the Federation of Federal Employees Union. In 2018, it received approval to expand its charter, opening membership to people in 17 counties in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. It has more than $580 million in assets and almost 38,000 members.

Hometown: Wooster, Ohio Education: Bowling Green State University (undergraduate and MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Attracting and retaining talented employees has gotten increasingly difficult during the pandemic. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We have increased our flexibility pertaining to work schedules and work-from-home policies. The tight labor market makes it imperative that we keep the lines of communication open with all our employees.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Fifth Third Bancorp

Spence, the former chief strategy officer who was named president in 2020, took over in July as CEO from Greg Carmichael, who remains executive chairman of the parent company of the largest locally-based bank. It had almost $46 billion in local deposits and more than $200 billion in total assets in 2021. In July, Fifth Third announced it set a target of $100 billion for investment in environmental and social issues through 2030, more than 10 times the original goal of $8 billion set in 2020.

Education: Colgate University (undergraduate)

Sutton has led the company, chartered in 1934 when employees organized the Kroger Employees Mutual Benefit Association, since 2018. It moved into is new headquarters, the tallest building in West Chester Township, late last year. After acquiring New Horizons Credit Union in January, Kemba has $1.4 billion in assets and serves 116,000 members from 12 branch offices.

Hometown: Indianapolis Education: Mount St. Joseph University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? It forced us to embrace newer technology at a faster rate and find different and more efficient ways to work and serve our members. We’re now better prepared to overcome future disruptions that may impact our business or impede member service.

Hometown: Crawfordsville, Indiana Education: Wright State University (undergraduate)

CEO Cinfed Credit Union

PRESIDENT AND CEO Kemba Credit Union

Rick Ross

Tim Spence

Mark Ryan

Daniel Sutton

Jon Ramey Jay Sigler

CEO Heritage Bank

In 2020, Wallace became leader of the Erlanger-based regional bank that was founded by Arthur Caddell in 1990. It invested $1 million in the Catalytic Fund, a group that manages underutilized sites in Covington, Newport, Ludlow, Bellevue, and Dayton. It has $1.25 billion in local deposits and 19 locations and holds the naming rights to downtown’s multipurpose venue, now called Heritage Bank Center.

Hometown: Princeton, Kentucky Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We bet on technology to enhanced the customer experience without supplanting the human relationships that have always differentiated Heritage.

REGIONAL PRESIDENT PNC Bank

Weber, who was the company’s local corporate market executive, succeeded Kay Geiger in August following her 25 years with PNC in Cincinnati. He’s held a number of positions with the Pittsburgh-headquartered operation, which is the third-largest bank with more than $9 billion in local deposits and more than 50 area locations.

Hometown: Louisville Education: Indiana University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The entire financial services industry is adapting to changing consumer behaviors and preferences that are shifting toward digital banking. We’re converting branches to meet our customers’ evolving needs and provide the right mix of digital tools and experiences, with more personalized human interactions.

President

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Warren Weber

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

David Wallace

Michael McDonald

Barbara A. Turner

and Chief Executive Officer Ohio

National Financial Services

IN-PERSON, IN

HELP BRING AND KEEP CONVENTIONS IN CINCINNATI

It’s time to get back to meeting in person. And, in Cincy. In-person meetings are how business thrives, stimulates our economy and supports local businesses and workers. How can you help? It's easy. Just tell us about people or groups we can invite to Cincy. After you give us their contact info, we'll take care of the rest!

Jose Mesa Photography

Congratulations to Julie Calvert on being included as one of Cincinnati’s 300 most powerful business leaders.

C O N S U M E R G O O D S CONSUMER GOODS

PRESIDENT AND CEO Clarke Power Services

Andreae is the third-generation leader of the company founded by his grandfather as Clarke GM Diesel in 1964. The organization includes Clarke Fire Protection Products, Clarke Power Generation, VehiCare Fleet Management, and Clarke Heavy Duty. It has more than 800 employees, 180 mobile service units, 21 locations, two manufacturing plants, and a call center to serve clients in more than 150 countries. It reported almost $265 million in revenue in 2021.

Education: Union College (undergraduate)

GENERAL MANAGER DHL

Billingsley, who has worked for the global cargo carrier for more than 20 years, replaced Joanie Arias in 2019. The world’s largest package carrier has expanded its operations at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport multiple times since moving from Wilmington in 2009. Its CVG super-hub is one of only three in the world and employs more than 4,400 in the region.

Hometown: Florence, Alabama Education: University of South Alabama (undergraduate)

Jungle Jim’s International Market

The founder of the independent grocery store with locations in Fairfield and Eastgate set up a produce stand at Erie and High streets in Hamilton in 1971. From that humble beginning, he built his store at Symmes Road and Route 4 in Fairfield in 1975. Today, it’s grown into a destination that offers classes, events, hard-to-find items, and even a podcast. Jungle Jim’s is one of the Top 100 local private companies with more than $135 million in revenue in 2021 and almost 700 employees.

Hometown: Lorain, Ohio What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Because our business is international, we could still fulfill a lot of our customers’ needs during the pandemic. Whenever we’d run out of the American option, they would shop our international products, and so I’d say our biggest change is what our customers are buying.

Jim Bonaminio

CEO

Jeff Billingsley

Kirk Andreae

J.B. Buse

CEO School Outfitters

Brennan founded the company that provides furniture, supplies, and support to schools in 1998. The firm, which works with 97 of the country’s 100 largest districts and many smaller ones, helps manage purchasing programs, offering co-op programs and stocking more than 300 products. Betsy Neyer, who joined the company as COO in 2004, has been president since 2018. The company reported almost $150 million in revenue in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Indiana University (undergraduate)

CHAIRMAN AND CEO LOTH Holdings

Since 1990, Buse has led the company that traces its roots to1891 as an office furniture supplier. It’s grown into a firm that works with corporate, education, and healthcare clients to provide furniture, design, and technology products from more than 400 manufacturers in addition to supply chain logistics services. Keith Weyeler was named president in 2020 after roles as president of Loth Cincinnati and as chief financial officer.

Hometown: Cincinnati

Dan Busken

PRESIDENT AND CEO Busken Bakery

Busken is the third generation to lead the company founded by his grandfather Joe in 1928. The baked goods provider is one of the city’s iconic food businesses with Skyline and Gold Star chilis, Montgomery Inn ribs, and Graeter’s ice cream. Busken opened a walk-up window at the Hyde Park store in 2021 to offer people walking the Wasson Way trail a respite and a doughnut.

Hometown: Cincinnati

Castrucci’s family has been in the car business since 1958. He had hopes of becoming a veterinarian, but went to work for his father after college graduation. The dealership has Ford and Chevrolet locations in Milford, Ford in Alexandria, and Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Ram on the Red Bank Road site of the former Swallen’s store in Fairfax. The dealership sold more than 6,000 vehicles in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (undergraduate)

Cicchinelli has led the company founded by his mother Patty Brisben since 2007. It’s the world’s largest in-home party company, with independent contractors selling intimacy products. In 2021, it began renovation of a three-building complex at Third and Main streets across from Great American Ball Park for its new headquarters. It is the largest woman-owned company in Greater Cincinnati and reported more than $280 in revenue in 2021.

Hometown: Milford Education: University of Mount Union (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT Cohen Recycling

The family-owned company, which was founded in 1924, is one of the largest metal recycling operations in North America, processing over 1.25 million tons annually. It employs more than 300 people at 20 facilities in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee and provides customer service around the world. Members of the fourth generation (Andrew Cohen and Adam Dumes) now work in management.

Hometown: Middletown, Ohio Education: University of Pennsylvania (undergraduate)

Ken Cohen

PRESIDENT AND CEO Pure Romance

Chris Cicchinelli

PRESIDENT Mike Castrucci Automotive

Mike Castrucci

Tom Brennan

Toby Coston

GENERAL MANAGER Heidelberg Distributing

The company, founded by Al Vontz in Dayton in 1938, was sold to Maryland-based Redwood Capital Investments. Chris Rammel, who led the Dayton warehouse, was named president of the company in July, and Coston oversees the Greater Cincinnati operation with almost 1,700 employees distributing more than 18,000 beverages to 26,000 retailers.

Hometown: Middletown Education: Thomas More University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? From working remotely, supply chain issues on goods and equipment, COVID policies, and a challenging labor market, we found new ways to support our retailers and suppliers. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We’ve always had strong core values at our company to lean on as a leader: teamwork, excellence, communication, integrity, pride, knowledge, family, and respect. During the pandemic, we embraced “grace and gratitude” as additional values.

Dever

CEO Performance Automotive

Dever has been in the automobile business for more than 45 years. The company has 18 dealerships in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Salt Lake City as well as state-ofthe-art collision repair facilities and a motorsports dealership for motorcycles and ATVs. It’s the third-largest auto dealer in the region with more than 12,600 vehicles sold in 2021. It posted $2 billion in revenue for 2021.

Leigh Fox

Brian Habegger

PRESIDENT Topicz

Greenberg is the grandson of Marvin Schwartz, who in 1983 acquired the convenience-store distributor that was founded in 1926 by the Topicz family. It serves more than 900 customers across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The firm, which operates from a 120,000-squarefoot facility in Amberley Village, has 160 employees and posted $450 million in revenue for 2021.

Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois Education: University of Denver (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Habegger Corp.

Habegger, grandson of company founder Fred Habegger Sr. and son of Fred Jr., leads the family-owned HVAC company founded in 1952. It’s the largest independent Bryant brand distributor in North America and one of the largest distributors of HVAC products in the U.S., with more than 550 employees at 40 locations in eight states. The company posted revenue of more than $425 million in 2020, up from $380 million the previous year.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

Fox has led the former Cincinnati Bell since 2017 and guided the company through its $2.9-billion acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners in 2021. In March, it became altafiber, a name he says reflects the firm’s focus on building its fiber network among customers in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. The company still owns Hawaiian Telecom and CBTS, its IT consulting business. More than 2,000 people work for altafiber in Greater Cincinnati.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (MBA)

Brian Hodgett

DIRECTOR, OHIO GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS Procter & Gamble

Hodgett is the community connection of the worldwide consumer products giant that has a long tradition of supporting multiple organizations and efforts in its hometown. He is the board chair-elect (2021–22) and member of the executive committee of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati and serves on the executive committees of REDI and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Hometown: Middleburg Heights, Ohio Education: Ohio State University (undergraduate), Florida State University (master’s)

Adam Greenberg

PRESIDENT AND CEO altafiber

Michael

Joseph is the majority shareholder in the family-owned business, founded as Columbia Oldsmobile in 1938 by his father. He took over in 1966, expanding the company to 17 dealerships in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus. The company sells Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen brands.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (undergraduate and MBA)

CEO Castellini Group of Companies

Larsen, the former CFO, succeeded Brian Kocher earlier this year after he was named CEO of California-based Calavo Growers. Larsen worked for Chiquita and Fresh Express before joining the 125-year-old fresh produce distributor that also provides transportation, warehousing, and leasing services from its location in Wilder. Bob Castellini, Reds majority owner and CEO, is chairman of the company, which posted revenue of $700 million in 2021.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

CEO United Dairy Farmers

Lindner is the third-generation leader of the family-owned retail chain that was founded by Carl Lindner Sr. in 1940. In May, UDF introduced Main Avenue Creamery, a super-premium brand of ice cream, its first new brand in 40 years. Named after the street of the first store location in Norwood, it comes in eight flavors. UDF has more than 200 locations, employs about 3,000 people, and posted revenue of more than $455 million in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati

Maas is the second-generation leader of the family-owned company that started in a Delhi Township butcher shop in 1960. The seven children of Jack and Joann Maas and 15 grandchildren have been involved with the operation that employs almost 600 people. It’s built new manufacturing and distribution facilities at its Harrison location in the past five years, expanding its footprint by almost 200,000 square feet. JTM posted $250 million in revenue in 2021.

CEO McCluskey Automotive Group

McCluskey runs the company founded by his father, Dan, in 1973. The new car showroom is at Kings Automall, with used-car locations in Reading and Groesbeck. The company, which employs about 500 people, sold almost 9,500 vehicles in 2021, making it the fifth-largest automotive dealer in Greater Cincinnati. Ohio’s No. 1 volume Chevrolet dealer posted almost $390 million in revenue last year.

CHAIRMAN AND CEO Kroger Co.

McMullen, who began his career as a parttime stock clerk, has led the country’s largest traditional supermarket operator since 2014. It increased its quarterly dividend by 24 percent in June, the most in 10 years. Kroger is Greater Cincinnati’s largest company, reporting net income of almost $1.65 billion on about $138 billion in revenue. It’s also the region’s largest employer with 20,000 workers.

Hometown: Williamstown, Kentucky Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate and MBA)

Rodney McMullen

Hometown: Cincinnati

Keith McCluskey

CEO JTM Food Group

Hometown: Cincinnati

Tony Maas

Brad Lindner

CEO Joseph Auto Group

Ronald Joseph Chris Larsen

Kenny McNutt

PRESIDENT AND CEO Chemed

Chemed is the parent company of VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s largest hospice organization, and Roto-Rooter, North America’s largest plumbing and drain cleaning provider. McNamara, who has been with company for more than 40 years, is also chairman of VITAS. It posted more than $2.1 billion in revenue in 2021 and employs more than 14,000 people throughout its subsidiaries.

Denison University (undergraduate), Cornell University (J.D.)

Founded in 2013 with Brady Duncan, MadTree is the area’s second-largest craft brewery, selling more than 25,000 barrels in 2021. In addition to its taproom and production plant in Oakley, the company opened the Alcove on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine featuring cocktails and a farm-to-table menu from Chef Stephen Williams.

What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? In a time when companies were becoming defensive and reactive, MadTree hit the accelerator and experienced our own “Great Reawakening.” Our company and culture have shifted to really focus on growth and our social and environmental impact work. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We’ve become a much more nimble company because we had to look for creative ways to reduce some of our expenses, increase our revenue, and also invest in things for future growth.

Melendez is Amazon’s top local official at its Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport operation. The online retailer opened its $1.5 billion hub in 2021. The 800,000-square-foot sorting building is the focal point of its presence at CVG that includes a seven-building complex covering more than 3 million square feet, plus a tarmac with parking for more than 100 cargo planes.

University of Louisville (undergraduate)

CHAIRMAN, CEO, AND PRESIDENT Procter & Gamble

The new leader of the consumer products giant replaced David Taylor as CEO in 2021 and Chairman in July. It posted more than $76 billion in revenue for 2021 and employs more than 100,000 people around the world, including about 10,000 in Greater Cincinnati.

Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota Education: Cornell University (undergraduate and MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We have become more agile and flexible and more willing to find new ways of doing things constructively. Decisions that used to take weeks can now take days, and decisions that used to take days can now take hours. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic.I wouldn’t say it’s changed much, but it has confirmed my belief that people are capable of amazing things. The best way I can lead is to generously give responsibility, establish clear expectations, and get out of the way and let them lead.

Parks was hired last year to oversee the brewing operation created by Bob Bonder and Bryant Goulding in 2013. Rhinegeist made 2,000 barrels in its first year and now produces more than 100,000 annually, making it the second-largest craft brewery in Ohio. It has 250 local employees in 10 divisions, from events to distribution. It began an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) in 2020 to transfer ownership of the company.

Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate), Bellarmine University (MBA)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Totes-Isotoner

Rajczak, who spent 17 years at Procter & Gamble, became the top executive in 2016 after two years as president of Shaklee, Inc. The easy-to-carry rubber rain boots were created in Oakley in 1924, and the company introduced the easy-to-fold collapsible umbrella in 1970. It’s the largest manufacturer of weather apparel, with six facilities around the world and revenue of more than $175 million in its latest public posting.

Education: University of Waterloo, Canada (undergraduate)

Daniel Rajczak

CEO Rhinegeist

Mike Parks

Jon Moeller

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Amazon Air

Hometown:

Adrian Melendez

CO-FOUNDER MadTree Brewing

Education:

Kevin McNamara

Robert Reichert

CHAIRMAN Kenwood Dealer Group

In 1975, Reichert bought Schenke Lincoln Mercury in Kenwood and built it into one of the largest local auto dealerships with 15 locations. He opened Kings Toyota in 1987, the first at Kings Auto Mall, and now oversees a company with more than 1,000 employees in sales, service, and repair roles. Kenwood sold more than 26,200 cars in 2021, the most in the region, posting revenue of over $1 billion.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Southland University (J.D.)

CEO Braxton Brewing

Jake Rouse

Satterwhite and Scott Robertson, owner of Globe Business Interiors, formed RCF in 2003 to provide workplace solutions for office furniture, architectural services, and facilities maintenance in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Louisville. RCF posted revenue of almost $44 million in 2021, making it the sixth-largest Black-owned business in the region. Satterwhite and Robertson will co-chair ArtsWave’s 2023 fundraising campaign.

The Rouse family, including brother Evan and father Greg, created the company after experimenting with beer recipes in a garage. Greg Rouse parlayed a lifelong hobby of collecting sports cards into Hit Seekers, a store in Ft. Mitchell, and his personal collection numbers more than 2,000. Braxton was early to the hard seltzer craze, introducing Vive in 2019. It’s the third-largest local craft brewery with 17,500 barrels sold in 2021.

Hometown: Union, Kentucky Education: Indiana University (undergraduate)

William Rumpke Jr.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Rumpke Waste and Recycling

Rumpke became the third-generation leader of the company when he replaced his father in 2014. It acquired more than 460 acres in Whitewater Township to expand its existing landfill and plans to build a $50 million facility in Columbus that will be the fifth-largest recycling center in the country. Rumpke posted revenue of almost $885 million in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The waste and recycling industry was designated an essential service by the federal government early in the pandemic, so we had to rethink protection for our team. We launched a campaign to educate customers not only about the value of the work we do but also about the opportunities customers have to improve safety by exercising proper disposal and recycling practices.

CEO Cintas Corporation

Schneider, who has worked at the company since 1989, took over the top job last year from Scott Farmer, who remains executive chairman. The Mason-based uniform and workplace supply giant reported more than $7 billion in revenue in 2021 and employs more than 40,000 workers, including 1,335 in Warren County. Schneider, like his predecessor, is a graduate of the Farmer School of Business at Miami University.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

CEO

Home City Ice

Sedler is the latest family member to run the company founded in Riverside in the 1890s and bought by the family in 1924. It’s one of the largest packaged ice manufacturers in the U.S., operating plants and distribution centers from New York to Arkansas that produce more than 7,000 tons of ice per day. The company posted revenue of more than $240 million in 2020 and employs about 1,400 people.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (undergraduate)

Todd Schneider

PRESIDENT AND OWNER RCF Group

Carl Satterwhite

Tom Sedler

Robert Slattery

CEO Slatts Group

Slattery’s entrepreneurial empire covers advertising and publishing, hospitality, pets, and manufacturing. The company produces ValPak coupons in six markets and HouseTrends in Cincinnati. It operates 50 West Brewing in Cincinnati and Chillicothe and Slatts Pub in Blue Ash. Perimeter Technologies includes Pet Stop (dog fences) and Wagspark, a private dog park in Newtown.

Hometown: Cleveland Education: Miami University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Most of our non-hospitality businesses shifted to a work-fromhome model, and we’re in the process of re-balancing that with continued efficiency and sustained work-life balance. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Taking a page from Phil Knight, “Hard work is critical, a good team is essential, brains and determination are invaluable, but luck may decide the outcome.”

Amy Spiller

Michael Stagnaro

PRESIDENT AND CEO Stagnaro Distributing

Spiller has worked for the company for more than 15 years and has led the local operation since 2018. The North Carolina-based provider serves about 910,000 electric customers and more than 545,000 natural gas consumers. She joined the board of Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority this year and was a YWCA Career Women of Achievement honoree in 2021.

Hometown: Gaylord, Michigan Education: Albion College (undergraduate), Wake Forest University (J.D.)

Stagnaro and his brother, Chris, who is vice president, manage the business that their father, Arthur, started in the 1970s when he bought Hamilton Distributing. It annually distributes more than 7 million cases of beverages from breweries and other manufacturers to about 3,500 retail locations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana from facilities in Cincinnati and Erlanger. It posted revenue of $115 million in 2021.

The family has been in the automobile business launched by Walter Sweeney, the city’s first licensed used-car dealer, for more than 100 years. Jake Jr. joined the business in 1971 after teaching junior high at the former St. Margaret Mary School in North College Hill. The group sells new and used cars at 11 locations, including a Jeep dealership in Springdale that opened in 2021. The company sold more than 11,100 vehicles in 2021.

Trant has worked at Pepsi for 25 years and took over the top job from Tim Hardig in 2021. G&J is the largest family-owned and operated product franchise bottler in the U.S. and employs more than 1,600 people at 13 locations in Ohio and Kentucky, including production facilities in Columbus and Portsmouth, Ohio, and Lexington and Winchester, Kentucky. It posted almost $440 million in 2021 revenue.

University of Dayton (undergraduate and MBA)

CEO AAA Club Alliance

Wiedemann leads the country’s thirdlargest AAA club that added repair and retail operations to its traditional membership services more than a decade ago when it bought Bob Sumerel Tire & Service. Craig Sumerel, who was president of the family operation for almost 10 years before it was sold to AAA, is president of the Club Alliance’s car care and auto wash divisions. The company bought Glenway Auto Center in Florence and Delhi Auto Service in 2021, bringing its number of local locations to 29.

Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate)

Education:

Tom Wiedemann

CEO G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers

Education:

Tim Trant

CEO Jake Sweeney Automotive

Jake Sweeney Jr.

PRESIDENT, OHIO AND KENTUCKY REGION Duke Energy

Wood started the company as a one-bay shop in 1976 and today operates 150 stores in six states, posting revenue of $400 million in 2021. In June, it struck a deal with Butler Tire and Wheels of Atlanta, which focuses on highend sports cars, SUVs, and trucks that provides a new niche for the company. Tire Discounters plans to open a 75,000-square-foot warehouse, distribution, and training facility in the Georgia capital.

The company that began by selling 180 cars at a Clermont County Chevrolet dealership in 1973 has grown into the second-largest in the region, selling almost 18,000 vehicles in 2021. After buying Mercedes Benz of Louisville in December 2021, Wyler acquired Superior Automotive Group’s seven locations in Cincinnati and Dayton in February. It reported revenue of more than $1.8 billion in 2021 and expects the Superior deal to add about $400 million annually.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee

Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, ac-

Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and

MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO GAMBLE. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-589-9966.

Michael McDonald

Hard Rock Cincinnati is your Ultimate Entertainment Destination with Fine-Dining, First Class Gaming and LIVE Concerts happening right now! #DiscoverYourRhythm

cincinnati

CEO Jeff Wyler Automotive Family

Jeff Wyler

CHAIRMAN Tire Discounters

Chip Wood

C U LT U R E & CULTURE

L E I S U R E LEISURE

Berding

The former professional opera singer joined the organization in 2016 from Ballet West in Salt Lake City. He oversaw the $31 million Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance that opened in September. Victoria Morgan, who transformed the company during her 25-year tenure as artistic director, retired in July and was replaced by Jodie Gates, the founding director of the University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

Hometown: New York City Education: UNY Purchase (undergraduate), Manhattan School of Music (master’s)

Berding was the original president and general manager of the professional soccer team that joined Major League Soccer in 2019 and began play in its privately financed TQL Stadium in 2021. He was promoted to co-CEO with Carl Lindner III, the managing owner and CEO, in January.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We introduced a more flexible work environment for our employees, balancing differing requirements for stadium, soccer, and business staff members. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We’re listening to our employees even more about work environment and culture. I invest more time to be visible in our growing organization and “skip a level” to be more available to mid-level managers and front-line employees.

Booth manages operations at the region’s largest meeting venue for OVG360, the company than runs the city-owned venue hosting an array of events that include conventions, trade shows, charity benefits, and fundraisers in a space occupying three city blocks, with three exhibition halls, 750,000 square feet of event space, and 30 deluxe meeting rooms. It was named one of North America’s top 30 venues by Exhibitor Magazine, a trade publication.

Phoenix Education: Northeastern State University (undergraduate)

Scott Altman

PRESIDENT AND CEO Cincinnati Ballet

Ric Booth GENERAL MANAGER Duke Energy Convention Center

Hometown:

Jeff

PRESIDENT AND CO-CEO FC Cincinnati

Paula Brehm-Heeger

DIRECTOR

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Brehm-Heeger moved into the director role in 2018 after leading the customer experience and strategy and technology departments. The organization has more than 40 branches, including the main one downtown and a distribution center. Voters approved a tax levy in 2018 that will provide $190 million over 10 years to improve facilities throughout the county.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Indiana University (master’s), Northern Kentucky University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We have always been focused on people and service, but during the pandemic our staff and leadership felt daily the Library’s profound importance as an information source and anchor for the community. The Library is here for you.

PRESIDENT Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Brown

PRESIDENT AND CEO Flying Pig Marathon

Simpson Bush

Calvert

PRESIDENT AND CEO VisitCincy

The organization that helps maximize the region’s travel, tourism, and convention industries rebranded itself in March, changing out the quasi-governmental sounding Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau name for VisitCincy, short and succinct. Calvert, who has led the agency since 2018, emphasizes its mission to bring conventions and visitors to the region, which includes the northern suburbs and Northern Kentucky.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our team gives more grace toward each other, and cross-departmental collaboration has never been stronger. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’ve learned to accept that I don’t have to have all of the answers.

Brown has led the NFL team since the 1991 death of his father, Paul. The team made its third trip to the Super Bowl in February after winning the AFC North Division, then beating Las Vegas, Tennessee, and Kansas City to win the AFC Championship. The Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 on a touchdown with less than 90 seconds to play. In August, the team sold Paul Brown Stadium’s naming rights to Paycor.

Hometown: Massillon, Ohio Education: Dartmouth College (undergraduate), Harvard University (J.D.)

Since 2003, Bush has led the organization that organizes the region’s signature race and its related events. Postponed to October 2021 because of the pandemic, it returned to its first weekend of May schedule this year. Two local athletes making their debut, Zac Holtkamp of Alexandria and Grace McCarron of Loveland, finished first in the men’s and women’s races. More than 27,600 people participated in 10 events organized by Pig Works.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Bob Castellini

CEO Cincinnati Reds

After making the playoffs in 2020, the team faded in 2021, which led to the departure of popular players in the offseason (Jesse Winker, Nick Castellanos) and at this year’s trade deadline (Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle). The team struggled to a 3-22 start but played better as the season progressed behind a core of young players that include Jonathan India, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, and Hunter Greene.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Georgetown University (undergraduate), University of Pennsylvania (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. There is more emphasis today than ever before on accommodating the personal and safety needs of our fans, employees and players. It’s important we accomplish these objectives while still meeting our goals as an organization and working as a team.

GENERAL MANAGER Westin Hotel

Coleman has led the high-profile downtown hotel since 2016. It has more than 450 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of event space across Fifth Street from Fountain Square, the city’s public gathering spot. In-house restaurants include Ingredients, a casual breakfast and lunch spot in the lobby; McCormick & Schmick’s, an upscale seafood venue on the corner of Vine and Fifth streets; and Over Vine, a lounge on the Skywalk level offering handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and wine.

Julie

Iris

Jon Coleman

Roger David

PRESIDENT AND CEO GSR Brands

David’s father was one of four brothers who founded the Gold Star restaurant chain in Mt. Washington in 1965. GSR Brands was created to oversee the chili parlors that have added hamburgers and chicken sandwiches to the menu, as well as Tom & Chee, the tomato soup/grilled cheese restaurants it acquired in 2017. There are six local Tom & Chee locations (from Newport to Kings Island), plus two in Oklahoma City.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

CHEF AND OWNER JR Group

Jean-Robert de

Cavel

James Downton

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sharonville Convention Center

Downton has managed the suburban facility owned by the city of Sharonville since 2012. It’s the centerpiece of the Northern Lights District along Chester Road near the I-75 and I-275 interchange. Megen Construction is building the $21 million expansion that had been planned for years but delayed by COVID. The new exhibit hall space will be named after former Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, who died in 2020.

Hometown: Ft. Mitchell Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Hosting large public and private events attended by hundreds and thousands of people, of course, was no longer feasible. We had to become innovative “event creators” if we were to survive.

The native of France, who came to Cincinnati in 1993 as Chef de Cuisine at the fivestar Maisonette, was named a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber for his impact on a generation of Cincinnati chefs and entrepreneurs. He and his wife, Annette Pfund, founded the de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation after the death of their daughter, Tatiana, in 2002. He currently operates French Crust Café & Bistro near Findlay Market and La Bar a Boeuf in Walnut Hills.

Lille, France

Richard Eiswerth

Andrew DeWitt

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN Dewey’s Pizza

DeWitt opened the first Dewey’s restaurant in Oakley in 1998. As president and CEO, he grew the chain to 24 locations before promoting COO Chuck Lipp to run day-to-day operations in 2019. Dewey’s sold a vacant lot east of its Clifton location near the corner of Ludlow and Clifton avenues to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in 2020 to build a new home that’s expected to open next year.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Denison University (undergraduate)

Eiswerth has led the nonprofit radio group that operates classical music WGUC (90.9 FM), NPR affiliate WVXU (91.7 FM), and Miami University-affiliated WMUB (88.5 FM) since 1998. It bought a site on Dana Avenue in Evanston near the I-71 interchange where it plans to build a two-story, 30,000-square-foot headquarters that will house radio studios, offi ces, and performance space.

Hometown: Williamsport, Pennsylvania Education: Syracuse University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Maintaining a healthy corporate culture is complicated and difficult with so many staff working odd hours; we are a 24/7 operation, after all. I’m making a concerted effort to engage with staff more frequently when they’re present and in more informal, off-the-cuff ways.

CHEF AND OWNER Boca Restaurant Group

The experienced entrepreneur operates three restaurants on Sixth Street near the Aronoff Center: Boca, the classic flagship that occupies the former Maisonette location; Sotto, an Italian trattoria; and Nada, the Mexican eatery on the corner of Walnut Street. Falk has expanded the Nada concept to Columbus, Indianapolis, Nashville, and North Bethesda, Maryland. Boca and Sotto made OpenTable’s list of 100 most romantic dining spots this year.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Culinary Institute of America

David Falk

Hometown:

PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER, AND CEO Cincinnati Public Radio

George Goldhoff

PRESIDENT Hard Rock Casino

Goldhoff led the rebranding and renovation of the venue to its pandemic-delayed opening in 2021. In addition to the namesake Hard Rock Café, dining options include Council Oaks Steaks & Seafood, Brick’d Pizza, and YOUYU, an Asian street food-inspired restaurant. Live music has returned to the event center, with acts that include LeAnn Rimes, Dwight Yoakam, and Clint Black.

Hometown: Saratoga, New York Education: University of Massachusetts–Amherst (undergraduate), Columbia University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The values that were established over 50 years ago are enduring truths that still resonate and are practiced today. Health and wellness are hot-button topics in our team member survey each year, but they were amplified over the past 24 months thanks to COVID.

Colleen Houston

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO ArtWorks

Houston started with the public art nonprofit as a youth apprentice and took over for founder Tamara Harkavy in 2020. Youth artists collaborated with Kolar Design on a 27-foot mural, “The Fountain of Life,” at the new Critical Care Pavilion at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. It initiated “Wet Paint,” a quarterly event that introduces the public to meet a project designer for a talk and Q&A session.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Warren Wilson College (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? ArtWorks moved to Walnut Hills in 2021 to activate formerly vacant storefronts and help grow its arts vibrancy and renaissance. We launched its first year-round studio employing 11 muralists to respond to growing community requests and create more significant jobs for area artists as well as to create even more murals.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Graeter’s Ice Cream

Richard Graeter

Ray Harris

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Nederlander/Heritage Bank Center

Graeter is the fourth-generation family member to lead the company that’s made and sold ice cream, candies, and baked goods since 1870. It recently spent $4 million for an expansion at its Bond Hill manufacturing facility and moved its headquarters under one roof to Gilbert Avenue in Walnut Hills. It has 56 retail locations in five states (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania), including 22 in Greater Cincinnati.

Hometown: Cincinnati

Alecia Kintner

PRESIDENT AND CEO ArtsWave

Kintner has led the country’s largest united community arts fund since 2014. It supports more than 150 cultural organizations and projects in the community. After Flow, an African American Arts Experience debuted in early 2020 with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the series was postponed because of the pandemic and finally returned with musical theater star Norm Lewis in December and jazz singer Jazzmeia Horn in April. Carl Satterwhite and Scott Robertson of RCF will co-chair the 2023 ArtsWave campaign.

Hometown: Los Angeles Education: University of California–Riverside (undergraduate), University of Redlands (MBA)

Nederlander Entertainment and Anschutz Entertainment Group own and operate the facility, which changed its name in 2019. It’s home to the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones, who returned to the ice for the 202122 season with Jason Payne, the first Black head coach of a professional hockey team, behind the bench. This year’s concerts included Roger Waters and Kevin Hart, with Carrie Underwood scheduled for 2023.

Hometown: Indian River, Michigan Education: Walsh College (undergraduate)

Cameron Kitchin

DIRECTOR Cincinnati Art Museum

Kitchin has led the ambitious reimagining of the building’s presence in Eden Park. After opening Art Climb, 165 steps from the street to the parking lot lined with sculpture, in 2020, the museum opened the new Wyler Family Entrance from Eden Park Drive this summer. Both projects were part of “A New View,” a $65 million fundraising effort that paid for the strategic plan to increase accessibility, enhance visitor experience, and expand its audience.

Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia Education: Harvard University (undergraduate), William & Mary (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The pandemic proved the resilience of our region’s arts sector and how our arts leaders lean forward during times of greatest need. The cultural sector leads the way in our region’s ongoing recovery, rebalance, and growth.

Mike Koontz

VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER Kings Island

Koontz became the top executive of the Mason venue in 2016. The largest amusement and water park in the Midwest features 15 roller coasters among the more than 60 rides, including those in Soak City. After Halloween Haunt and WinterFest returned from the pandemic hiatus last year, concerts resumed at the TimberWolf amphitheater this year. For the first time, a park admission wasn’t required to see live music acts such as the Avett Brothers and Daryl Hall.

Michael LaRosa

Gretchen Landrum

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Northern Kentucky Convention Center

Landrum has managed the Covington venue since 2006 after a six-year stint as director of sales and marketing. The 200,000-square-foot facility has 110,000 square feet of meeting and display space, the second-largest meeting facility in the region behind Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center. An expansion is part of the master plan for the development spurred by the demolition of the former IRS site between Third and Fourth streets.

Michael and brother Mark, who is president, are sons of founder Buddy LaRosa. Each has worked at the family restaurant business for more than 40 years. It closed its Boudinot Avenue location in July for a $1 million renovation that includes adding party and meeting rooms and updating the décor of the building that replace the original pizzeria in 1996. LaRosa’s, which employs 1,700 people, reported revenue of more than $180 million in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We worked to become more agile than ever to embrace changes and challenges. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I know we’ve become more collaborative than previously and include the voices of all stakeholders in decision-making.

Loftin leads the organization that oversees the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall and hosts the Broadway Series and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops, among other performing arts groups. CAA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year as performing arts return to normal following the pandemic’s disruption. The Broadway Series season opened with an almost monthlong run of Hamilton (September 6–October 2).

Nashville, Tennessee

Joe Lanni

CEO Thunderdome Restaurant Group

Lanni, his brother John, and Alex Blust created the company in 2012 after the brothers started Currito in 2005. It includes Bakersfield, The Eagle, Pepp & Dolores, Krueger’s Tavern, Maplewood, City Bird, and SoHi Grilled Sandwiches. After weathering the pandemic, it announced an ambitious plan to add more than 145 new locations, including a City Bird on Fountain Square next year, in addition to new dining concepts that would quadruple its revenue over the next decade.

Education: Cornell University (undergraduate)

Beryl Love

Enquirer Media

Love returned to his hometown as the newspaper’s editor in 2017 after serving as editor of The Reno Gazette-Journal and executive editor of USA Today. Paul Daugherty, the sports columnist since 19943, retired in June and was replaced by Jason Williams, who had been political columnist.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The expectation to be “at the office,” whether that be our newsroom or another location, to work effectively no longer exists. Flexibility for our employees is here to stay, and that’s a good thing. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’m more conscious of the need to be available to people and check in on how they’re doing, how they’re feeling, and what’s going on in their lives.

CEO LaRosa’s

EDITOR AND MARKET LEADER

Steve Loftin

PRESIDENT Cincinnati Arts Association

Hometown:

Jonathan Martin

PRESIDENT AND CEO Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Martin has led the country’s sixth-oldest orchestra since 2017. Music director Louis Langrée, who has been at the podium since 2013, will depart after the 2023–24 season. In April, John Morris Russell, who has conducted the Pops since 2011, signed a two-year extension. CSO musicians also accompany the May Festival, Cincinnati Opera, and Cincinnati Ballet.

Hometown: Atlanta Education: Georgia State University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? To stay connected with our audiences and supporters and expand our service to our community, we quickly pivoted by building a robust digital streaming product line, reaching over 1.7-million viewers worldwide during the pandemic, and radically expanded our performances in dozens of venues across a broadened region. Both have imbedded as a permanent part of the CSO.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Wings & Rings

Nader

Masadeh

Brent McClellan

PRESIDENT Coney Island

McClellan replaced Rob Schutter, who left last year after six years of managing the venerable Anderson Township destination. Schutter changed the face of the operation by removing the rides and enhancing the water park. Improvements include the 16,000-square-foot Typhoon Tower, new bath house, bar and entrance to Sunlite Pool, which will mark its 100th anniversary in 2025.

Hometown: West Union, Ohio Education: Ohio University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The workforce’s wishes and desires have changed drastically, so I listen to employee wants and needs and ensure the needs of the business are met. We’ve successfully introduced flexible work arrangements and utilized virtual meetings to accommodate those schedules.

The restaurant that began serving wings with homemade blue cheese dressing in 1984 has gone through a number of changes since then. Masadeh, who bought the company with two partners in 2005, became CEO in 2014. It dropped Buffalo from its name last year after rebranding to separate itself from competitors. It posted almost $160 million in revenue in 2021 from 56 locations in the U.S. and 24 more around the world.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

Kevin McDonnell

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Skyline Chili

McDonnell leads the iconic restaurant chain founded in 1949 by Nicholas Lambrinides. He was part of the management team that gained controlling interest in 2010. McDonnell and his wife Erica donated ownership shares to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in 2019 to establish the Skyline Chili Community Fund. There are more than 160 of the iconic diners in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida that posted $200 million in revenue in 2021 and employs about 4,500 people.

Thane Maynard

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Since 2007, Maynard had led the renowned organization where he has worked since 1977. Fiona, the hippo that captivated people around the world when she was born prematurely in 2017, was joined by a brother when mother Bibi gave birth in August to a full-term calf, Fritz, who weighed about 60 pounds. Work continues on the venue’s largest-ever habitat, Elephant Trek, a $50 million project scheduled for completion in 2024.

Hometown: Winter Park, Florida Education: Rollins College (undergraduate), University of Michigan (master’s)

D. Lynn Meyers

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati

Meyers has led the Over-the-Rhine troupe since 1996. Among other awards during her tenure, Ensemble won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education in 2019. She has directed more than 100 world and regional premieres for the theater, and made her Cincinnati Opera directing debut this year with Fierce, the acclaimed story of four teenage girls trying to navigate school, family, and social media.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Thomas More University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our audiences have been loyal and been in touch, but we’re struggling to get back to the number who attended before the forced shutdown. Our commitment to safety for our staff and audiences allowed us to perform last season without interruption, and we have a full sixshow season this year.

Britney Ruby Miller

CEO Ruby Culinary Entertainment

Miller, Jeff Ruby’s oldest child, took over leadership of the company’s in 2020. She worked in the restaurants as a teenager and joined the corporate office in 2011. The company has grown to seven venues and moved its main downtown location to The Foundry across from Fountain Square this fall; the previous location at Seventh and Walnut streets will become an event center. Miller’s brothers Brandon and Dillon are executive vice presidents.

Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Bimal Patel

Christopher Milligan

GENERAL DIRECTOR AND CEO Cincinnati Opera

Milligan replaced longtime CEO Patricia Beggs in 2020 shortly before its 100th anniversary season was canceled by the pandemic. Two years later, the Opera celebrated its return in style with two world premieres and three classic productions in Music Hall and a number of community events.

Hometown: Kettering, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve become more focused on the essentials, which means world-class opera experiences that connect our community and bring positive attention to our city. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Time and again, I find that our best results come from collaborative decision-making.

CEO Penn Station

Jeff Osterfeld

Brian Isaac Phillips

Osterfeld opened the first Penn Station restaurant in downtown Cincinnati in 1985 after being inspired by the Bagel & Deli Shop in Oxford while in college at Miami. The company embraced delivery services and carry-out during the pandemic that led to more than a 20 percent increase in revenue in 2021, to more than $255 million. It added 13 new franchise stores last year and expects to add another 20 this year.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Paying respect to societal changes during the pandemic related to off-premises consumption. Delivery mainly, but also various forms of electronic ordering and technology platforms aimed at avoiding contact with restaurant employees throughout both the order process and consumption of our products.

Patel founded the company in 2005 to build, renovate, and manage hotels and the food and beverage operations in them. It has 15 locations in Ohio and Kentucky, including the Holiday Inn & Suites in downtown Cincinnati and eight venues in Northern Kentucky. He is the Ohio Hotel Association’s representative on the Convention Facilities Authority that oversees the Duke Energy and Sharonville convention centers.

Hometown: Williamstown, Kentucky Education: Transylvania University (undergraduate)

Phillips, who has been the creative leader since 2003, was instrumental in creating the Otto M. Budig Theater in 2017. Its Shakespeare in the Park series, which began as outreach of its education program, visited more than 40 locations this summer from Portsmouth, Ohio to Richmond, Indiana, performing Twelfth Night for free.

Hometown: Pittsburgh Education: Morehead State University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We were able to use part of the time when we couldn’t produce live theatre to do a strategic plan, which resulted in profound changes to several aspects of the company. I’m most excited by how many new plays we have commissioned and workshopped, allowing CSC to be an incubator for the classics of tomorrow.

Pierce took over the top spot in 2015 after leading the campaign for a $228 million renovation of the iconic Union Terminal. This year, it mounted America’s Epic Treasures Featuring ‘Preternatural’ by Michael Scott, a display of more than 30 large-scale nature paintings by the artist who has a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate), George Washington University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We got very lean, maybe too lean, but our ambitions are high. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We were well-practiced in resilience and anticipating disruption and change. My personal approach has been to seek clarity over certainty, to understand that which we can control versus not, and managing energy and emotion in a productive way.

Hometown:

CEO Rolling Hills Hospitality

Elizabeth Pierce

PRESIDENT AND CEO Cincinnati Museum Center

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

GENERAL MANAGER Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

Pinto has run the venue across Fifth Street from the Duke Energy Center since 2018. The Hyatt, the closest hotel to then-Paul Brown Stadium, sold out its 450 rooms for January’s NFL playoff game against Las Vegas. The Red Roost Tavern and Bar is a popular spot for convention-goers. He was elected to the board of the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau (now VisitCincy) last year.

Education: Michigan State University (undergraduate)

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

This spring, Robison will unveil the Mainstage Theatre Complex featuring Mo and Jack’s Place: The Rouse Theatre, which follows renovation of the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre in 2019. The $50-million construction project also includes a new main entrance to the Playhouse and multiple improvements to backstage technical operations.

Hometown: Middlebury, Vermont Education: Williams College (undergraduate), University of North Carolina (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve become much more nimble: changed venues, changed performance schedules, and changed our customer service. Whatever it takes to stay ready and relevant.

CEO Music and Event Management, Inc.

MEMI is owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which also owns Riverbend Music Center, PNC Pavilion, and the new Andrew J Brady Music Center downtown. In addition to managing those venues, the organization oversees booking for the Taft Theatre, the Longworth-Anderson Series at Memorial Hall, and the Rose Music Center near Dayton. It bounced back from the pandemic with more than 250 live shows this year.

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Adam Symson

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township sity First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

Blake Robison

Mike Smith

Joe Pinto

The E.W. Scripps Company is proud of Adam’s leadership in our region and his entrepreneurial vision as we serve our growing audiences across the country now and in the future.

Adam Symson

PRESIDENT AND CEO E.W. Scripps Co.

Since 2017, Symson has led the media company that traces its local history to 1883 when it bought The Cincinnati Penny Press, later renamed The Post. It owns more than 50 local TV stations, including WCPO (Channel 9), and reaches almost every home in the U.S. through nine networks that include Court TV, Newsy, and ION. The company administers the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the culmination of a literacy effort that reaches 11 million students annually.

Hometown: Los Angeles Education: University of California–Los Angeles (undergraduate)

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township Painting houses Toughest challenge faced received or favorite inspirational quote: What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: make sure you love what you do.

Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater CincinDown’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

James Walker William Yung

Walker took over the regional restaurant chain in August, the third leader in 14 months of the beloved local dining spot that’s now owned by NRD Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity company. He was CEO of New York grocery startup Buyk, Inc., and previously worked for Subway, Cinnabon, and Nathan’s Famous. Frisch’s has more than 100 locations and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Yung founded the Crestview Hills-based company in 1972 with one hotel and has expanded it to more than 40. Locally, the company runs the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cincinnati and four other venues in Mason, West Chester, and Hebron. He donated $7 million to help St. Elizabeth Healthcare build the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute (named for his mother), which opened last year in Edgewood.

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township

Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or fa with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and re-

CEO Frisch’s

Education: Duke University (MBA)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Columbia Sussex

E DU C AT I O N EDUCATION & H E A LT H HEALTH

Jennifer Agnello

VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL MARKET Dental Care Plus Group

Agnello joined the company recently to replace Robert Hodgkins as leader of the Sharonville location of the dental insurance provider founded in 1986. Sun Life Financial acquired DentaQuest, the group’s parent company, this year. Dental Care Plus offers access to more than 275,000 providers for more than 400,000 dental- and vision-plan members. It has annual revenue of more than $112 million.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Being in the employee benefits business since 1985, my leadership approach constantly evolves as the industry continues to become more complicated and legislated. In times of adversity, how we handle ourselves in difficult situations is a sign of our character.

PRESIDENT AND CEO AtriCure

Carrel has led the Mason-based medical device company that provides solutions for Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) since 2012. His focus on innovation, clinical science, and education has helped develop surgical treatments and therapies for left atrial appendage management and post-operative pain management. The company employs 875 people worldwide, with offices in Minnesota, California, and Amsterdam, and posted revenue of almost $275 million in 2021.

Education: Penn State University (undergraduate), University of Pennsylvania (MBA)

PRESIDENT Thomas More University

Since 2019, Chillo has led the Catholic school in Crestview Hills founded 100 years ago by the Benedictine Sisters as Villa Madonna College. It broke ground in April on a 34,000-square-foot building to house its business college, among other disciplines. The school bought the naming rights to the minor-league baseball Florence Y’alls’ stadium for five years, and the university team will play its home games there starting next year.

Hometown: Mahopac, New York Education: Binghamton University (undergraduate), Long Island University (master’s), Northeastern University (DLP) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We continue to be a mission-driven institution, but we’ve changed how we support our students and community by being more agile and intentional.

Michael Carrel

Joseph L. Chillo

Mark Clement

PRESIDENT AND CEO TriHealth

Clement leads the healthcare provider that operates seven Greater Cincinnati hospitals and nearly 125 other locations in the region. It plans to build a $30-million ambulatory center near Ronald Reagan Highway in Springfield Township that will consolidate three current buildings in the area. It’s the region’s fourth-largest employer and has almost 600 doctors.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The pandemic showed that our system of providing care in this country is broken, focused on episodic care instead of promoting healthy behaviors. The first line of defense for the vulnerable, and for all of us, is to manage chronic conditions so they can better withstand a viral attack.

PRESIDENT AND CEO St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Garren Colvin

Jonathan Cooper

SUPERINTENDENT Mason City Schools

Colvin began working at St. Elizabeth as a co-op student in 1983 and has led Northern Kentucky’s largest healthcare provider since 2015. It’s spending more than $90 million to expand and renovate its Florence hospital and another $30 million to build a dedicated cancer center in Dearborn County, Indiana. It is the largest employer in Northern Kentucky with more than 9,500 workers.

Hometown: Ludlow Education: Thomas More College (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (MBA)

Cooper, who has led the district since 2018, came to Mason in 2014 as the Chief Innovation Officer. He was an elementary teacher in Centerville, where he was an Ohio Teacher of the Year nominee, and a principal in Kettering. Mason has more than 10,100 students in its four schools (K-12). Its average teacher salary of more than $75,000 is one of the highest in the area.

Hometown: Upland, Indiana Education: Ball State University (undergraduate), University of Dayton (master’s), Miami University (Ed.D.)

Steve Davis, MD

PRESIDENT Miami University

Since 2016, Crawford has led Miami, one of the county’s oldest public universities. It plans a $60 million renovation of Bachelor Hall, which houses a number of academic departments that includes mathematics, English, and the Humanities Center. Miami is the largest employer in Butler County with more than 4,300 workers at its four campuses: Oxford, Middletown, Hamilton, and West Chester (Voice of America).

Hometown: Elyria, Ohio Education: Kent State University (undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D.)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Davis, who was COO at the region’s largest healthcare system for five years, took over for Michael Fisher, who retired this year after 12 years as CEO. Davis is a pediatric critical care doctor by trade and was co-chair of the region’s COVID steering committee during the pandemic. Children’s is the second-largest employer in Greater Cincinnati with more than 16,700 workers.

Hometown: Revere, Massachusetts Education: Johns Hopkins University (undergraduate), Carnegie Mellon University (master’s), Michigan State University (master’s), University of Vermont (MD) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. My leadership style hasn’t changed much, but checking in on the team is more important than ever. I’m a critical care physician, which involves relying on other experts and often making decisions with limited information. That was good preparation for a pandemic.

PRESIDENT Gateway Community & Technical College

Figueroa has led the school that has grown to more than 4,000 students on campuses in Covington, Florence, and Edgewood since 2016. It offered free tuition for the spring semester this year to first-time students or those who had sat out at least a year to remove financial barriers caused by the pandemic. Figueroa has nurtured initiatives around workforce development and diversity with K-12 schools and local colleges and universities.

Hometown: New Orleans Education: Louisiana State University (undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D.)

Gregory Crawford

Fernando Figueroa

Christopher Garten

HEAD OF SCHOOL Seven Hills School

Garten has led the private pre-K through 12 school since 2009. More than 1,000 students attend classes at two campuses, Hillsdale on Red Bank Road and Doherty in East Walnut Hills. Classes are held for 2-year-olds through Grade 5 at each location, then middle and high school is taught at the 25-acre facility in Madisonville. It was ranked the second-best private school in Ohio this year by Niche.com. Garten has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Hometown: New York City Education: Princeton University (undergraduate), Columbia University (master’s)

PRESIDENT Xavier University

Colleen Hanycz

Deborah Hayes

PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Christ Hospital

Hanycz is in her second year at the Jesuit school in Evanston. The former president of La Salle University in Philadelphia is the first woman and layperson to lead the university in its 190-year history. Hanycz made two high-profile hires in her first year: Rachel Chrastil was named provost, and Sean Miller returned as men’s basketball coach.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada Education: University of Toronto (undergraduate), Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada (J.D.), Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto (Ph.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? As difficult as COVID has been, the agility and resilience it leaves in its wake are valuable institutional competencies. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Leading through this moment in history has underlined the importance of listening and responding with clarity under pressure.

Hayes became the only woman to lead a major local healthcare system last year. She began her career at Christ as a student nurse aide in 1987 and moved through the ranks to COO. The hospital became the first in the Midwest to join the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Care Collaborative that allows Christ physicians to access support services and educational resources.

Education: Xavier University (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our experiences accelerated our adoption of technology (i.e. virtual care) and required us to embrace changing care models to better serve our communities and address health inequities. Our dedicated team members have shown that they’ll do everything it takes to fulfill our mission of improving the health of our community.

Rick Hinds

INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO UC Health

Hinds, the CFO and an executive vice president, took over in March from Dr. Richard Lofgren, who left for OU Health in Oklahoma after eight years at the helm. Hinds has been with the University of Cincinnati-affiliated healthcare provider for more than 25 years. It’s in the midst of a $220-million construction and renovation project transforming its Uptown campus.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The pandemic exacerbated existing staffing challenges across the healthcare industry nationally and locally, and that forced us to develop new and innovative ways to deliver high quality care to our patients. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Healthcare leaders need much more flexibility today than we did pre-pandemic.

Gail Kist-Kline

PRESIDENT Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Kist-Kline, who was formerly superintendent of Mason and Wyoming city schools, became leader of the college of The Christ Hospital Health Network in 2018. The pandemic shined a spotlight on the shortage of nurses and the critical role they provide. Founded in 1902, the school offers degrees in nursing, healthcare administration, and medical assisting for more than 1,000 students.

Hometown: College Corner, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? One of the biggest challenges in this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous time is to have clarity about where we are headed as an organization. Adapting quickly to changing dynamics with student interests and needs as well as faculty and staff have become our hallmark for success.

Alan Martin

Martin is responsible for mail-order, over-the-counter, retail, engineering, and specialty operations for the Louisville-based company that has call center and distribution facilities in Springdale and West Chester. After joining the company in 2010, he now oversees operations at 40 sites in eight states, managing more than 2,000 employees.

Hometown: Independence, Ohio Education: Ohio Northern University (undergraduate)

VICE PRESIDENT PHARMACY OPERATIONS Humana

Lakota Local Schools

Miller leads one of Ohio’s largest school districts with more than 16,700 students, 1,000 teachers, and 700 support personnel in 25 buildings. He has emphasized technology in the schools and social media (#WeAreLakota) to keep families involved in policy decisions. He was named Digital Superintendent of the Year by associations of school technology leaders (CoSN) and superintendents (AASA).

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate and master’s)

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy

Nicholas, who has worked at the school for 25 years as both Assistant Head of School and Upper School Principal, replaced Randy Brunk last year. More than 1,300 students from age 2 through grade 12 represent 140 area churches at the private institution’s Symmes Township campus and downtown location. CHCA has a robust international program with students from more than 25 countries attending classes.

Education: Wheaton College (undergraduate and master’s), Hebrew Union College (Ph.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We learned to be flexible and rethink what was necessary to educate a student vs. “the way we’ve always done it.” We leveraged technology to create access so time and space need not be limiting factors and discovered learning can happen beyond those former educational barriers.

Jane Peterson

PRESIDENT Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Ohio

The former regional vice president for Ohio sales replaced Steve Martenet, who was promoted to a corporate job with the parent company after leading the Mason-based state operation since 2017. Peterson had held several senior management positions in finance, sales, and underwriting with the insurance provider that has more than 5 million members. It employs more than 2,500 people locally and 4,200 across the state.

Hometown: Coldwater, Ohio Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA)

We ensure that each child, 18 months to 18 years, will be known, nurtured, and inspired. Few schools are better equipped to connect students both academically and personally. Whether in the classroom or on our 62-acre campus, we are designed to help cultivate a passion for learning, independent thinking, and self-discovery that guides students to be scholars, athletes, artists, innovators, and leaders.

Country Day is The Place to Be

mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering

mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college

SUPERINTENDENT

Dean Nicholas Matt Miller

Neville Pinto

PRESIDENT University of Cincinnati

Pinto has led the public research university since 2017. It welcomed its largest freshman class this fall to push enrollment to more than 48,000, up almost 6,000 during the past decade. Last year’s undefeated Bearcats made the college football playoffs for the first time.

Hometown: Mumbai, India Education: Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, India (undergraduate), Penn State University (master’s and Ph.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? COVID emphasized and confirmed the value of digital innovation. I’ve charged task forces to study the opportunities for digital transformation on the core academic experience as well as the larger campus experience for students. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The pandemic reinforced leading confidently and spreading hope.

Monica Posey

PRESIDENT Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

Posey, who has led the school since 2016, was rewarded with a new five-year contract in 2021. It was one of five Ohio community colleges authorized by the legislature to offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing to help alleviate the shortage caused by the pandemic. Its Bethesda School of Nursing has offered associate degrees and certificates in practical nursing since 1989. More than 8,000 students attend classes in Clifton, Harrison, Evendale, and Middletown.

Hometown: Philadelphia Education: Cornell University (undergraduate), University of Pennsylvania (MBA), University of Cincinnati (Ed.D.)

PRESIDENT St. Xavier High School

Reilly, a 1976 graduate, became the first lay leader of the all-male Jesuit school, the largest private high school in the area with more than 1,400 students in grades 9-12. Founded in 1831, it has a student body from 76 Zip codes in Greater Cincinnati. Harry (Class of 1959) and Linda Fath donated $50 million, the lead gift for the $200 million 200-year fund drive, and it will go for tuition assistance.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate), Xavier University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve embedded policies and practices that increase the health and safety of our students, employees, and volunteers. We’ve also increased our capacity to promote mental health, spiritual vitality, and companionship on the journey.

Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting

Tim Reilly

Kelley Schiess

CEO Health Carousel

The former president of the company’s travel nursing division and chief digital officer took over for Bill DeVille, the founder who stepped aside in February but remains chairman of the board. Sebastian is a former Procter & Gamble branding executive who joined the company in 2016. It reported almost $470 million in revenue in 2021, more than a 50 percent increase over 2019.

Hometown: Hinsdale, Illinois Education: University of Notre Dame (undergraduate), University of Michigan (master’s) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Health Carousel is now a hybrid organization, which balances individual productivity with in-person growth, collaboration, and connection. This has required all of us to change our approach to ensure we stay close to our teams no matter where they are.

HEAD OF SCHOOL Summit Country Day School

The former assistant head of school in charge of enrollment management and community engagement for more than 20 years at the private Catholic school in Hyde Park replaced Rich Wilson this spring when he retired after 12 years. It traces its history to 1890 when the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur created the Academy of Our Lady of Cincinnati for 20 girls in grades 1-12. The Summit has grown to more than 1,000 students from 18 months old through grade 12.

Education: Ball State University (undergraduate and master’s)

Kate Schroder

PRESIDENT AND CEO Interact for Health

Schroder succeeded Dr. O’dell Owens, who retired in January after four years with the organization. She previously served as interim chief strategy officer at the Health Collaborative. Interact for Health was founded in 1997 as the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and serves 20 area counties to reduce tobacco use, address the opioid epidemic, and provide access to care via school health centers.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Indiana University (undergraduate), University of Pennsylvania (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve been stretched to increase our flexibility, urgency, and humility to respond to evolving community needs. We know that those closest to the problem are closest to solutions, and the pandemic has pushed us to center listening and trust at the core of how we work.

John Sebastian

August Troendle Matt Turner

PRESIDENT AND CEO Medpace Holdings

Troendle founded the clinical research company in 1992 and led it to record revenue of more than $1.1 billion in 2021, up from than $925 million the year before. Medpace stock increased 54 percent in value last year, the best performance of any local company. Troendle is the only area person on Forbes’ list of billionaires, with a net worth of $1.3 billion.

Education: University of Maryland (M.D.)

Boone County Schools

Turner, who was principal at Ryle High School for 14 years, was named in 2020 to lead Kentucky’s third-largest district with an enrollment of about 21,000 students and 4,000 staff members. It includes Ryle, Cooper, Conner, and Boone County and Boone County Technology high schools. His career includes assistant principal jobs at Lloyd high school, where he was also athletic director, and Ryle.

Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate and master’s)

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced received or favorite inspirational quote: mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading nati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Ashish Vaidya

PRESIDENT Northern Kentucky University

Since 2018, Vaidya has led the region’s third-largest university that has almost 16,000 students. Financial planning website SmartAsset ranked NKU No. 1 in the state for value. On average, students receive almost $7,600 in scholarships and grants, then begin their career with an average salary of more than $53,000. Last year, the board of regents renewed Vaidya’s contract through 2027.

Michael McDonald

SUPERINTENDENT

to President Colleen M. Hanycz, PhD and the many Xavier alumni being recognized among the region’s 300 most powerful business leaders.

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California Education: St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India (undergraduate), University of California Davis (Ph.D.)

James Williams Iranetta Wright

PRESIDENT Mount St. Joseph University

Since 2016, Williams has led the Delhi Township school founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1920 as the first Catholic college for women in southwestern Ohio. It went coeducational in 1986, achieved university status in 2013, and has grown to more than 2,000 students, including graduate and doctoral programs. The school is exploring the possibility of building a dedicated baseball stadium at Delhi Park.

Education: North Carolina A&T (undergraduate), University of Wisconsin (MBA), Georgetown University (J.D.), University of Georgia (Ph.D.)

SUPERINTENDENT

Cincinnati Public Schools

Wright, the formerdeputy superintendent for Detroit Public Schools Community District, was chosen this spring as the permanent replacement for Laura Mitchell. The district serves almost 36,000 students in 65 schools. Wright spent her first 100 days on a “listen and learn” tour of each school in the system.

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Education: University of North Florida (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? While I wasn’t at CPS during the bulk of the pandemic, we faced the same challenges in Detroit. Similar to nearly every school district in the U.S., we had to completely adjust the way we operated, moving students to learning from home, which meant ensuring our students had access to the resources they needed to learn from home, including meals, computers, wifi, and more.

HEAD OF SCHOOL Cincinnati Country Day

Zimmerman, a CCD graduate and a former attorney with Dinsmore & Shohl, is in his second year at the helm of the K-12 private school in Indian Hill. The school was founded in 1926 and has an enrollment of 870. Notable alumni include U.S. Sen. Rob Portman; Veena Sud, an Emmy Award-nominated TV writer and producer; and Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National rock band.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Vanderbilt University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I value empathy and emotional intelligence more than ever before. I’ve come to agree with the old cliche that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township Education: Miami UniverPainting houses Toughest challenge faced vorite inspirational quote: Begin What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you

Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

H.

Rob Zimmerman

M A N U F AC T U R I N G MANUFACTURING & T E C H TECH

Mark Anderson

PRESIDENT AND CEO ProMach

Anderson has led the fast-growing Covington-based packaging materials and machinery manufacturer since 2005. It acquired 10 companies in the past few years, including Italy-based Reepack and Wisconsin-based TechniBlend in 2021. The company has more than 3,200 employees and 2021 revenue of more than $952 million, with 60 manufacturing facilities and 29 sales and support offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Education: University of Nebraska (undergraduate), Northwestern University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We serve the consumer products industry, which has been active during the pandemic working furiously to keep items on the store shelves to help consumers live their daily lives.

PRESIDENT HBH Holdings

Scott Anderson

CEO Cintrifuse

Anderson was named president of HBH, the Spring Grove Village-based parent company of Enerfab, in 2020. He had served since 2017 as CEO of Enerfab, where he was employed for 30 years. HBH is a privately held investment company that focuses on fabrication, maintenance, and construction for the heavy industrial and utility markets.

Hometown: North Benton, Ohio Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Since 2018, Blackshaw has led the organization created by the Cincinnati Business Committee and supported by Kroger, Procter & Gamble, Western & Southern, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to access cutting-edge technologies by leveraging its venture fund. It’s funded more than 200 tech startups in its 11 years.

Hometown: Pasadena, California Education: University of California Santa Cruz (undergraduate), Harvard University (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Our mission is to connect and catalyze the startup ecosystem to make Cincinnati the No. 1 startup hub in the Midwest, though the pandemic created significant challenges to the ability to collaborate while also presenting new opportunities—for example through the adoption of new technology platforms.

Pete Blackshaw

CHAIRMAN Ferno Group of Companies

Bourgraf has led the manufacturer of emergency patient handling and physical therapy equipment since 1991 while also leading two Ferno subsidiaries: VRpatients, which provides virtual simulation training, and Acetech Global, a supplier of software to the EMS market. Clients of the Wilmington-based company founded in 1955 include fire rescue, police, and military in more than 70 countries.

PRESIDENT Gold Medal Products

Browning joined the family-owned company in 2010 as a vice president and was tapped in 2017 to lead the Sharonville-based manufacturer and distributor of concession food equipment and supplies. The third generation of the family is in management, working alongside the fourth generation. Sales have almost doubled in the past decade as it employs 460 people across 16 U.S. locations, posting $135 million in revenue in 2021.

Hometown: Dayton Education: Centre College (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (MBA), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? COVID tested our business assumptions and created a greater willingness (and need) to experiment and change our thoughts and methods. It also affirmed our core values and approaches.

CEO Budco Group

Budig took over the top spot in the transportation, logistics, and equipment leasing firm his grandfather started as a trucking company in 1949. His father, Otto M. Budig Jr., is one of the largest arts supporters in the region, with his name on Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s theater and Cincinnati Ballet’s academy. He is leading the capital campaign for The Carnegie, the historic Covington arts venue, and fundraising to build a new Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

Cahill has led the hardware supplier to retailers that include Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart since 2019. He took the company public in July 2021 when it joined the Nasdaq (HLMN), reporting revenue of $1.4 billion and more than 4,200 employees before the IPO. In May, Hillman announced plans to move its headquarters from Springfield Township to Forest Park and add 60 high-paying jobs as well as expand its packaging facility in Springfield Township.

Hometown: St. Henry, Ohio Education: Bowling Green State University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO LSI Industries

Clark joined the Blue Ash-based leader in lighting and graphic solutions for commercial and industrial buildings, petroleum and convenience stores, and retailers in 2018. The publicly traded company bought Maine-based JSI Store Fixtures in 2021 for $90 million. Founded in 1976, LSI employs 1,335 people at 11 manufacturing plants in six states and Ontario, Canada.

Education: State University of New York at Albany (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Empowering our people to make decisions quickly and locally was a big win. Just prior to the pandemic, we started reshoring much of our materials sourcing, which proved to be a prescient move. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We must always be ready for the unexpected, so the best way to prepare is to ensure your company’s foundation is solid.

Clark became the top executive at the West Chester Township-based maker of disulfonates for the manufacturing and personal care industries in January, succeeding Pamela Butcher. Pilot was a financial beneficiary of the pandemic as its virus-killing biocide products increased sales five-fold. It posted 2021 revenue of $323 million. Clark, who joined the company in 2018, oversees 415 employees at nine locations in the U.S. and Mexico.

Hometown: Hamilton Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO Hillman Group

CEO Pilot Chemical

Adam Browning

James Clark

David Budig Mike Clark

Joe Bourgraf

Doug Cahill

The former Bengals wide receiver and current NBC Sunday Night Football commentator saw the value in analytics early. He bought a majority interest in the company founded by Englishman Neil Hornsby, who relocated to Cincinnati in 2014. In 2021, Western & Southern Financial Group and private equity firm Silver Lake invested $50 million in the company, representing at least one-third of ownership. In July, Hornsby stepped down after taking a six-month sabbatical.

Richard Corrado

PRESIDENT AND CEO Air Transport Services Group

Corrado joined the Wilmington-based public company in 2010 as chief commercial officer and succeeded Joe Hete, who retired in May 2020. ATSG provides leased air cargo transportation for customers such as DHL, Amazon, and the U.S. military, posting revenue of $1.7 billion in 2021.

Education: Harvard University (undergraduate), Boston College (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Most of our businesses, our airlines, our maintenance operations, our logistics operations, and even our leasing company were considered “essential” during the pandemic, and we all went to work every day. I’m so proud of the resilience, creativity, and grit that all of our employees showed. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I had the good fortune of assuming my role as CEO right at the start of the pandemic, so it helped me define a more inclusive communication process.

PRESIDENT AND CEO BlueStar

Cuntz joined the Hebron-based global provider of solutions-based electronics such as bar-code scanners and inventory tracking devices to resellers as controller in 1985, then became CEO in 2008. Revenue was $365 million in 2009, but Cuntz helped BlueStar grow into the region’s third-largest private company with more than $2.35 billion in revenue in 2021. It has 33 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

Education: Xavier University (undergraduate and MBA)

Gelwicks leads the employee-owned company that has supplied raw materials (from carbon and steel production products to metals and alloys) to the foundry industry since 1890. The firm, founded in Louisville, has seven regional sales offices in the United States and Canada, three manufacturing plants in La Porte, Ind., Birmingham, Ala., and Fontana, Calif., and its corporate headquarters in downtown Cincinnati. It posted revenue of almost $140 million in 2020.

Gohr, who joined CECO in 2014, is the ranking executive in the Madisonville office that shares headquarters functions with the Dallas office. As CAO since 2017, he oversees the company’s global accounting function and compliance. CECO, publicly traded on the Nasdaq (CECE), provides environmental technology expertise to improve air quality and engineer solutions for industrial partners in oil and gas, power generation, water and wastewater, and chemical processing.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Standard Textile

Heiman leads the Reading-based business his grandfather launched in 1940. He became president in 1988 and CEO in 1994. Under his leadership, the company has grown sales from $100 million in 1988 to more than $800 million in 2020 and now operates more than 20 manufacturing and distribution centers in 11 countries. In 2021 and 2022, it was named to the U.S. Best Managed Companies list, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal.

OWNER AND CHAIRMAN Pro Football Focus

Hometown: Titusville, Florida Education: University of Florida (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.)

PRESIDENT Hickman, Williams & Co.

Education: Michigan Tech (undergraduate)

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Washington University (undergraduate), Georgia Institute of Technology (master’s)

CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER CECO Environmental Corp.

Paul Gohr

Steve Cuntz

Gary Heiman

Cris Collinsworth

David Gelwicks

PRESIDENT AND CEO Hightowers Petroleum

Hightower founded the Middletown-based wholesale fuel distribution business in 1982. With $309 million in revenue in 2021 and 48 employees, Hightowers Petroleum is one of the region’s top private companies and the second-largest minority-owned business. It supplies gas for new General Motors, Honda, and Nissan cars and counts Kroger, FedEx, and Waste Management among its fleet customers.

Hometown: Middletown What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We now know how resilient we can be through stressful situations. Our employees’ entrepreneurial spirit and dedication helped us maintain our business while ensuring quality customer service. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Sustenance and sustainability were key for the company during the pandemic, and daily Zoom meetings helped keep us all updated.

Jim Jurgensen II

CEO Jurgensen Companies

Jurgensen is the third-generation leader of the family fi rm founded by his grandfather as a small construction contractor in 1934. He joined the company in 1990 as a laborer and has been CEO since 2013. The Sharonville-based firm has grown to more than 25 companies providing services from asphalt paving to tank, barge, and rail transloading. Recent projects include the Fast Park & Relax facility at CVG and Western Row interchange in Mason.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Lafayette College (undergraduate), Washington University (MBA)

CEO Meridian Bioscience

Kenny has led the company that manufactures and distributes diagnostic test kits and biopharmaceutical technologies to hospitals, research facilities, and doctors since 2017. In July, Meridian agreed to be acquired by two South Korean-based firms, SD Biosensor and SJL Partners, for $1.53 billion cash. The deal would end Meridian’s standing as a public company, but it will maintain its corporate headquarters in Newtown.

Hometown: Southfield, Michigan Education: GMI Engineering & Management Institute, now Kettering University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We played a key role in helping companies develop COVID tests (both molecular and lateral flow), which enabled us to transform our life science business. New tools helped us move the business forward during the pandemic, but at the end of the day the fundamentals of how we run our business haven’t changed.

PRESIDENT CBTS

Lackey, who joined Cincinnati Bell Technical Solutions in 2016, held a number of executive roles before taking the top job in 2020. CBTS is the IT business for altafiber, formerly known as Cincinnati Bell, and is the region’s third-largest IT consulting firm with $345 million in revenue in 2021 and 25 offices worldwide. In 2021, CBTS announced the creation of more than 100 jobs after an agreement with the Ohio Tax Credit Authority and JobsOhio.

Hometown: Bunker Hill, Indiana Education: Indiana University (undergraduate)

CEO AND PRESIDENT Enerfab

Landolt served two years as president before he succeeded Scott Anderson, who was promoted to president of Enerfab’s parent company, HBH Holdings. St. Bernard-based Enerfab provides fabrication, construction, and maintenance services for the heavy industrial and utility markets. It has 3,800 employees, including 550 locally, with offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi and 2021 revenue of $360 million.

Hometown: Arlington, Ohio Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We learned to leverage a variety of technology to adapt our ways of working, investing in additional laser scanning equipment to allow our construction teams to perform virtual project walkthroughs, estimating, and planning.

PRESIDENT Meyer Tool

Lang joined the company in 1981 after its owner, Arlyn Easton, purchased his business, Lang Tool Design. The Purcell High graduate was named top executive of the Camp Washington-based company in 2016. Founded in 1951, Meyer provides precision components to the aerospace and gas turbine manufacturing sectors. It employs more than 1,500 people at 13 locations in the U.S., Canada, and Poland and posted revenue of $222 million in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Aaron Landolt

Jack Kenny Doug Lang

Stephen Hightower

Jeff Lackey

PRESIDENT AND CEO Gorilla Glue

Mercurio has worked at the manufacturer since 2014 and moved into the top job in 2019. The family-owned company with catchy name and television commercials traces its roots to 1983, when Nick Ragland bought Lutz Tool and then a small adhesive company and changed the operation’s name. Gorilla Glue products include glues, adhesives, tapes, sealants, and fillers. It moved its headquarters from Madi sonville to Gateway 75 in Sharonville in 2015.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Uni versity of Virginia (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Lessons I leaned on: values-based decision-making trumps financials-based decision-making, especially during times of crisis; let leaders lead; and you can’t communicate enough.

MANUFACTURING & TECH

Nies

CEO AND PRESIDENT Michelman

Michelman succeeded Steve Shifman, who transitioned to executive chairman after serv ing as president and CEO of the family-owned enterprise since 2003. Michelman is the for mer chief technology officer and executive vice president for the Americas, joining the company in 1996. The Blue Ash firm, found ed in 1949, manufactures water-, vapor-, and grease-resistant coatings for the packaging industry and has seven facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Cornell University (under graduate), University of California–Berkeley (Ph.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, body language and facial expressions provided additional context clues during face-toface discussions. When meeting with team members remotely, I appreciated the opportunity to use video discussion to capture their reactions and engagement in team dialogues.

CEO Cincom Systems

Nies was working for IBM in 1968 when he and two partners founded the Spring dale-based company. Today it’s one of the largest international independent software companies in the world. Cincom’s best known product is Total, the first commercial database management system that was not bundled with manufacturer hardware and proprietary software. Cincom employs 500 workers at 17 locations around the world.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate and MBA)

CHAIRMAN AND CEO

Total Quality Logistics

Oaks has grown the privately held company he founded in 1997 into the largest in Greater Cincinnati and second-largest freight bro kerage firm in the U.S. The Clermont County firm has more than 10,000 employees at 56 locations in 26 states, including 3,000 locally. The company is the naming rights partner of FC Cincinnati’s West End stadium. It reported revenue of $7.8 billion in 2021, nearly double from $4.1 billion in 2020.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate)

CEO Prysmian Group North America

Pirondini, who joined the company as COO in 2014, was promoted in 2021 to oversee North American operations of Prysmian Group, the Italian company that owns Highland Heights-based General Ca ble. He succeeded Massimo Battaini, who was moved to global responsibilities within Prysmian. The company manufactures un derground and submarine cables and sys tems for power transmission and distribu tion, and optical fiber and copper cable for voice, video, and data transmission.

Hometown: Torino, Italy Education: Bocconi University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organiza tion changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve learned a lot in terms of resilience: how to organize and work effectively while fully remote and now how to adapt to a hybrid working environment. A “one size fits all” approach isn’t for us.

CHAIRMAN SugarCreek

Since 1990, Richardson has led the food manufacturing business started by his father in 1966. In 2021, the company announced plans for a new headquarters campus in Blue Ash, in cluding an events center. SugarCreek employs 2,800 people at six manufacturing plants and packaging facilities in Ohio, Indiana, and Kan sas and posted 2021 revenue of $1.1 billion. In May, Richardson acquired Cincinnati Beverage Co., which continues to operate on its own.

Hometown: Washington Court House, Ohio Education: Illinois State University What’s the main way your business organiza tion changed over the past two years of the pandemic? While we already considered ourselves an agile company, we had to become even more flexible to respond to changes in customer demand. We also grew to appreciate our work base or our “everyday heroes” even more than before.

Rick Michelman

Andrea Pirondini

Tom

John Richardson

Mark Mercurio

Ken Oaks

PRESIDENT AND CEO Hillenbrand

Kimberly Ryan Ryan Rybolt

CEO Payload

Rosenbeck was one of three founders of the copper wire manufacturer in 1982. After buying out his partners, Republic started to manufacture multiple kinds of aluminum and copper wire for distributors, utilities and municipalities, eventually expanding to a 400,000-square-foot operation in West Chester Township and a network of 20 sales representatives covering the U.S. Republic posted revenue of $400 million in 2021, up more than 53 percent from $260 million in 2020.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

Ryan was promoted from executive vice president in December to succeed Joe Raver, who retired after leading the world’s largest casket company and diversified manufacturer of industrial equipment and technology for eight years. Ryan, the region’s only female CEO of 24 public companies that trade on an exchange, oversees the daily operations of the $2.5 billion Batesville-based corporation.

Hometown: Ottumwa, Iowa Education: Iowa State University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Now more than ever, associates want to grab on to something bigger than them, which is why I made it a priority to refine our company’s purpose to highlight the importance of our work and show the value we bring to the world.

Rybolt leads the fast-growing, financial technology payments startup, which he co-founded in 2019. In March, the company announced it had raised $1.5 million from investors, the first investment round of outside money for the Blue Ash-based company that provides digital payment capabilities for real estate transactions. Payload’s revenue skyrocketed more than 800 percent in 2021.

Hometown: Harrison Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We launched Payload shortly before the pandemic began, and it ultimately changed our overall business strategy as we shifted over to deliver electronic payments to the residential real estate community, which was significantly impacted by social distancing.

Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: sity

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line

Painting houses Toughest challenge faced received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure

Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater CincinDown’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Anderson Township

Michael

CEO Republic Wire

Ron Rosenbeck

Phil Schneider

PRESIDENT BGR

Schneider took the helm of the West Chester Township-based packaging supply chain company in March. The move was part of a transition plan announced by founders and brothers Allen and Dean Backscheider, who stepped down as co-presidents but continue as co-chairmen. Schneider had been chief sales and marketing officer since 2020. Among his first hires were Jeff Dickson as chief customer officer and Tom Metz as vice president of supply chain.

Cincinnati Education: Franklin College (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT Journey Steel

Barbara Smith James (Jay) Stahl III

PRESIDENT CBT Co.

Smith and Tom Garten founded the steel fabrication and erection company in 2009. In 2021, she was inducted into the African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Hall of Fame. In 2020, Journey opened an office in Kansas City, its first outside of its Roselawn headquarters. In 2019, she participated in a roundtable discussion on small business with President Trump at the White House. Journey reported 2021 revenue of $3.7 million.

Cincinnati Education: Eastern Michigan University (undergraduate)

Stahl was promoted in April from senior vice president and general manager, succeeding his father, James Stahl Jr., who grew the distributor of electrical and mechanical parts from five employees to 264 today. Founded in 1921 as the Belting Company of Cincinnati and owned by the Stahl family since 1975, CBT reported record-setting revenue of $270 million in 2021. Headquartered in Columbia Township, CBT also has locations in Springboro and Sidney, Ohio.

Hometown:

Hometown:

Education: Georgetown University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO RelaDyne

Stoddard, who has led the company since 2010, has grown the producer of lubricants, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, and industrial reliability services to become one of the largest private businesses in Greater Cincinnati with more than $2.4 billion in 2021 revenue. It’s continued an aggressive acquisition strategy, buying Farley Co. of Kent, Ohio in February and Orange Line Oil Co., which expands it reach into Southern California.

Hometown: Atlanta Education: Auburn University (undergraduate)

CEO ProAmPac

Tucker leads the Springdale-based flexible packaging company owned by Pritzker Private Capital. He oversees a growing operation that has almost 50 locations on three continents with more than 5,800 employees serving over 5,000 customers in 90 countries. It acquired Belle-Pak Packaging of Canada and Specialty Packaging of Fort Worth, Texas, this year. Since Tucker’s arrival in 2015, annual revenue grew from $446 million to more than $1.9 billion last year.

Hometown: Boston Education: Worchester Polytechnic Institute (undergraduate)

CEO CincyTech

Venerable leads the firm that galvanized the growth of high-potential startups in Greater Cincinnati. His fingerprints are all over the seed fund’s mission of working with entrepreneurs, investors, research institutions, and community stakeholders to fund technology and life science start-ups. It filed to raise $100 million for Fund VI, its largest seed-money goal to date. As of July, it has 20 active portfolio companies.

Hometown: Hamilton Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate)

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie

Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township Education: Miami UniverPainting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

Greg Tucker Mike Venerable

Larry Stoddard

Verst has led the Walton-based company, founded by his father in 1966, since 1993. He has helped grow it into a multi-faceted fulfillment, packaging, transportation, and warehousing operation. In March, Verst signed a lease to open a 394,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Boone County equipped with Locus robots. The region’s second-largest logistics firm reported revenue of $280 million in 2021. In July, Verst was appointed to a three-year term on Xavier University’s board of trustees.

Longtime executive Vinecombe returned as CE O in 2019 to the Batavia-based label manufacturer. The publicly traded company is one of the world’s largest producers of pressure-sensitive, in-mold, and heat-transfer labels for the food and beverage, wine and spirits, home and personal care, and hardware and specialty markets. MCC was sold in 2021 to Clinton, Dubilier & Rice, a private equity firm. Founded in 1916, MCC employs 10,000 at 86 facilities in 26 countries.

Education: University of South Australia (undergraduate and MBA)

CEO Pomeroy

In 2021, Watts succeeded Chris Froman, who transitioned to executive chairman before retiring in June. Prior to joining Pomeroy as chief information officer, Watts was CEO of Vivitec, a cybersecurity firm he founded in 2014. He also serves on Pomeroy’s board of directors. The Hebron-based provider of IT infrastructure, staffing, procurement, and logistics services reported 2021 revenue of $400 million with 2,500 employees, including 211 locally.

Education: U.S. Military Academy (undergraduate), University of LaVerne (master’s)

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown:

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Anderson Township Education: Miami University

Nigel Vinecombe

Michael McDonald

Bob Watts

Michael McDonald

Paul Verst

Michael McDonald

CEO Verst Logistics

Hometown: Cold Spring Education: Xavier University (undergraduate and MBA)

CEO Multi-Color Corp.

Welsh has led the chemical manufacturing company since 2008, when it was sold to a private equity firm. It’s now owned by Toron to-based Atlas Partners. In addition to its cor porate office in Sharonville, DuBois operates 37 technical centers, manufacturing sites, and warehouses across the U.S. and Canada and reported revenue of $670 million in 2021. In 1920, it was founded as the DuBois Soap Com pany to make powder for the growing restau rant trade.

Wittekind was promoted in January from COO to president and CEO of the Harri son-based petroleum wholesaler and retailer founded in 1981 that does business as Tri umph Energy Corp. Wittekind, who joined the company in 2013, succeeded his father, Ronald, who transitioned to executive chair man. The company represents the Shell, BP, Sunoco, and Marathon brands by operating 45 retail locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (under graduate)

CEO 80 Acres Farms

Since 2015, Zelkind has led the Hamil ton-based startup, which he co-founded with Tisha Livingston. It operates eight farms, including four locally, that grow produce in doors year-round, using a combination of LED lighting, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Its farms produce up to 300 times as much food per square foot as traditional farms. Two other facilities, under construction in Boone Coun ty and Covington, Georgia, are expected to be among the largest vertical farms in the world.

Hometown: Minsk, Belarus Education: University of Minnesota (undergraduate), Emory University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? It turned out to be an accelerator for us. More people were cooking at home and looking for fresh, nutritious produce as well as for ways to support local businesses.

Under Tim’s leadership, Matthew 25: Ministries continues to grow and help more people in need, including right here in Greater Cincinnati. Tim’s innovation and dedication have made enormous contributions to our community, the environment, and the world.

PRESIDENT AND CEO DuBois Chemicals

Education: University of Toronto (undergraduate and MBA)

CEO Hawkstone Associates

Jason Wittekind Mike Zelkind

Jeff Welsh

N O N P R O F I T & NONPROFIT

G OV E R N M E N T GOVERNMENT

GENERAL MANAGER TANK

Aiello joined the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky in 2004 and was named to the top spot in 2010. TANK, founded in 1973, has a fleet of more than 100 buses that serves Campbell, Kenton, and Boone counties. In August 2021, the Southbank Shuttle Trolley (accessing Covington, Newport and downtown Cincinnati) returned after the pandemic halted service in March 2020. Three directors from each county make up the board that sets policy for the system.

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (MBA)

ADMINISTRATOR

Hamilton County

Aluotto, the county’s top administration official since 2016, previously managed the Solid Waste District, then served as assistant administrator. He is responsible for coordinating elected and independent agencies as well as overseeing the management of departments such as finance and budgeting, community development, and social services functions. More than 4,500 people work for the county, among the region’s largest employers.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate and master’s), Xavier University (MBA)

CEO Lightship Foundation

In 2017, Brackeen created the foundation that offers an accelerator, boot camp, and pitch program for women and minority founders. The foundation acquired Black Tech Week, a minority tech ecosystem-building festival that featured Serena Williams as keynote speaker in Cincinnati in July. Lighthouse will move into new headquarters in Mt. Auburn next year. Brackeen is also managing partner of Lightship Capital, a venture capital firm that has additional offices in Detroit and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Jeffrey Aluotto

Andrew Aiello

Candice Matthews Brackeen

FOUNDER Brisben Foundation

Brisben was a single mother when she began selling intimacy products to women at inhome parties in 1983 to support four children. Ten years later, she founded Pure Romance and built it into a multimillion-dollar company. The foundation, founded in 2006, collaborates with universities and research organizations to direct resources to advocate for women’s sexual health and advance the understanding of issues facing women’s sexuality.

Hometown: Cincinnati What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our core fundraising has always been achieved through an annual gala and several events throughout the year, so we all had to get creative in engaging our supporters and communicating the value their contributions adds to our cause. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’ve always felt strongly about showing gratitude and appreciation for my team.

PRESIDENT AND CEO

NKY Chamber of Commerce

Cooper, founder of C-Forward Information Technologies in Covington, has led the chamber since 2017. The organization advocates for and provides services to more than 1,600 businesses with more than 200,000 employees in the region. It reported revenue of $2.4 million in 2021. In January, the chamber named Ashleigh DuBois as its first diversity director. Last fall, it named Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, board chair through 2024.

Hometown: Covington Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Northern Kentucky Tri-ED

Crume has led the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, the primary economic development company for Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties, since 2019. Prior to that, he was Global Director of Business Development for five years with JobsOhio. In January, an industry and employment analysis showed that employment in the three counties increased by 11,000 between 2015 and 2020, the strongest growth in the commonwealth during that period.

Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Education: Western Kentucky University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The primary change is the size and scope of our services. We’re hiring four new employees to work on our Build + Elevate NKY campaign as a direct response to the pandemic.

Fisher has led the Amberley Village-based organization, which celebrates Jewish life and welcomes people of all ages regardless of race, religion or ability, since 2012 while also serving as a partner with Fisher Investment Group. JCC offers programs for students, seniors, and people with special needs that includes stateof-the-art fitness centers, award-winning early childhood and senior centers, arts, and cultural events, plus a day camp, outdoor pool, playgrounds, and basketball and tennis courts.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Michigan (undergraduate), Northwestern University (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. It’s led me to seeing the need to surround myself with great people who are there to support one another. The result has been the realization that I alone can’t be the only one driving change. I have to let others be empowered to help carry the torch.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER

Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council

Griffin was elected to the top labor leadership position last year when Peter McLinden returned to AFSCME Ohio Council 8 as director of its Dayton Region. The Cincinnati council represents 35,000 members from more than 100 unions. Its mission is obtaining economic justice in the workplace and social justice for working families. Griffin also serves on the city of Cincinnati’s Civil Service Commission and United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s board of directors.

Hometown: Gallipolis, Ohio Education: Ohio University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Most of my career has been in communications, so it wasn’t as much about organizational change as it was to refocus on making sure we were at the center of the storm as the communication conduit for labor and the community. It was an essential step in making sure that resources were known and shared.

GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO Metro/SORTA

Haley has worked for the transit organization that provides bus service in Hamilton County and commuter routes from Clermont, Butler, and Warren counties into the city since 2006. He was promoted in 2020 after serving as interim leader. In August, Cincinnati Public Schools approved a contract with SORTA, allowing students to ride Metro buses to school and ending a year of uncertainty around student transportation. Metro has been expanding service throughout Hamilton County in the past year.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

CEO Mayerson JCC

Brent Cooper

Brian Griffin

Lee Crume

Darryl Haley

Patty Brisben

Marc Fisher

PRESIDENT AND CEO Cincinnati Development Fund

Huber succeeded Jeanne Golliher, who retired in April after 24 years leading the nonprofit lending institution. Huber had previously served as chief lending officer and chief operating officer for the agency, which administers a $34 million loan portfolio from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build affordable housing in the city.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Butler University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The pandemic exposed significant societal challenges related to the need for housing that’s affordable and accessible and illuminated the wealth disparities and lack of financial opportunity for people of color. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. With the changes related to hybrid work schedules and new routines, I’ve become better about listening to ideas from my team and trusting their judgment.

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Since 2015, Katz has led the leading community foundation that brings together donors, nonprofits, and changemakers to improve the region. Founded in 1963, the agency connects people in eight counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and has awarded more than $1.44 billion in grants, including $126 million in 2021. In April, GCF was among dozens of local companies that signed a pay equity pledge aimed at ending gender and race-based disparities in compensation. Katz recently announced that she will leave GCF by June 2023.

Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut Education: University of Vermont (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (master’s), Xavier University (MBA)

PRESIDENT AND CEO African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky

Since 2016, the former Ohio state senator has led the organization that advocates for African American-owned businesses with programs, events, and resources. In February, Kearney added a part-time role at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce as its director of diversity and inclusion. While Kearney has been at the African American chamber, membership has increased by 50 percent and a $300,000 endowment has been created.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Dartmouth College (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We survey our members more to understand their needs. We’ve also provided data from UC Center of Economics on the economic impact of Black-owned businesses. And I seek to gain a deeper understanding of why the Chamber provides certain services, programs, and opportunities.

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Kuhns, an attorney and former executive at UC Health, succeeded Eddie Koen in June after serving as interim president and CEO since January. In May, she helped launch an initiative designed to double the number of minority business enterprises with two or more employees in Cincinnati over the next five years. The league serves 12 counties in Ohio and Kentucky.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate and J.D.)

PRESIDENT UC Foundation

The former Dean of UC’s College-Conservatory of Music has led the school’s leading philanthropic operation since 2017. The foundation is spearheading “Next Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati,” which has a goal of $2 billion by 2024. The money will provide scholarships, fellowships, research, and healthcare initiatives to attract top talent. Last fall, LeAnne Anklan, former director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, became senior director of integrated marketing for the foundation’s Alumni Association.

Hometown: Rochester, New York Education: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO REDI

Since 2018, Lauterbach has led the Regional Economic Development Initiative, launched in 2014 to advocate for companies locating or growing in Greater Cincinnati’s 15-county region. Since its creation, REDI has helped bring $2.4 billion in capital investment and 22,000 jobs to the area. The agency provides help in finding sites, securing financing and tax incentives, and connecting with business leaders.

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate), Indiana University (master’s) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Perhaps my leadership style has morphed a bit since prior to the pandemic, but my overall approach has continued to emphasize encouragement, recognition, and acknowledgment of each person’s contribution toward achieving our mission and metrics.

Ellen Katz

Peter Landgren

Kimm Lauterbach

Joe Huber Christie Kuhns

Eric Kearney

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Cincinnati Business Committee

Lindgren, former Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, leads the downtown-based organization that was founded in 1977. He directs the business community’s collective efforts to identify and provide leadership on issues important to the economic vitality of Greater Cincinnati. He helped launch the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee in 2012, which includes CEOs from nearly 100 mid-size Cincinnati companies, and continues to lead that group.

Cincinnati Education: Indiana University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Alloy Development Co.

Longo, who has worked at the former Hamilton County Development Company for more than 20 years, took over the top spot in 2018. In March, the lender merged with West Chester-based Access Business Finance and rebranded as Alloy. The partnership will help grow its U.S. Small Business Association 504 program in Southwest Ohio to finance up to $5 million for fixed-asset projects that promote business growth and job creation.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: John Carroll University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Alloy is focusing more on customer service and aligning our internal processes to create better, more timely results for our clients. And we’re touching base with the businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities that we serve more frequently.

CEO Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

McGraw, who has led CVG since 2011, helped create the largest North American cargo operation for both Amazon and DHL. In 2021, cargo represented 69 percent of the landed weight at the airport. Last fall, CVG was again the top-ranked regional airport in North America, based on passenger surveys, according to London-based Skytrax.

Hometown: Pittsburgh Education: Duquesne University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The airline and cargo industries have undergone immense changes as a result of the pandemic, and airport operations have had to adjust. We were fortunate, however, that pre-pandemic the airport had made a concerted effort to diversify our business by engaging with a number of passenger carriers, growing our cargo footprint, and developing hundreds of acres to support a variety of both aviation and non-aviation related businesses.

McKay was named leader of the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation in March, succeeding Tim Maloney, who retired after more than 15 years. McKay previously was a partner for 28 years at Frost Brown Todd. At the Haile Foundation, McKay oversees more than $300 million in assets.

Hometown: Maysville, Kentucky Education: Morehead State University (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The needs of the charities we support changed swiftly, and our team creatively pivoted our approach to philanthropy to ensure we continued to be a supportive partner. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The pandemic cast a spotlight on my need to expand the definition of “workplace freedom” insofar as team members were working remotely and at different hours while continuing to deliver a stellar work product.

CEO Matthew 25: Ministries

Since 2012, Mettey has led the Blue Ashbased charity, founded by his father, Rev. Wendell Mettey, in 1991. Its mission is to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament by providing food, water, medical care, and humanitarian supplies to those in need. M25M has distributed 265 million pounds of aid across the U.S. and into about 70 countries.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? As a disaster response organization, Matthew 25 launched a large-scale response to COVID within days of the WHO declaring it a global pandemic. We already had essential supplies stocked in our warehouse, like sanitizer, masks, gloves, and paper products. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. My leadership style has always been and continues to be hands on. I encourage team-building over micromanagement.

CEO Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Meyer has led the organization, which advocates for more than 3,500 businesses, since 2015. She collaborates with public officials to develop plans on issues such as transportation, healthcare, and education to fuel economic growth. The chamber is in the forefront of the campaign for a new Brent Spence Bridge. With 2021 revenue of $25.6 million, it is the region’s largest chamber. Brendon Cull became president in July, taking on a role previously held by Meyer.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Mount St. Joseph (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.)

Hometown:

PRESIDENT AND CEO Haile Foundation

Patrick Longo

Tim Mettey

Candace McGraw Jill Meyer

Gary Lindgren

Bernie McKay

Aftab Pureval

MAYOR City of Covington

Meyer was first elected in 2016 to lead the Northern Kentucky city of 41,000, the fifth-largest in the commonwealth. In April, the city committed an estimated $10 million to a $25-million research and development lab in Northern Kentucky that’s considered to be a potentially “catalytic” project for the city and region. In 2021, it was named “City Government of the Year” by the Kentucky League of Cities for its pandemic efforts.

Hometown: Covington Education: Bellarmine University (undergraduate), St. Louis University (master’s), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.)

CEO Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

In 2021, Minson became the first female leader in the organization’s 125-year history. She was named chief development officer for the advocacy agency in 2005 and managing director in 2018 before moving into the top job. She was the architect of creating new revenue streams in addition to the annual campaign that doubled the federation from a $10 million to $20 million institution that promotes community education, engagement, and programming.

Education: Ohio State University (undergraduate), Yeshiva University (master’s)

MAYOR City of Cincinnati

Pureval, previously Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, became the city’s first new mayor in eight years in fall 2021 when he defeated veteran council member David Mann 66–34 percent to succeed John Cranley. Pureval, whose father is from India and mother is from Tibet, is Cincinnati’s first Asian American mayor. He visited the White House for meetings on gun violence this past summer and announced the hiring of Sheryl Long as the new City Manager in September.

Hometown: Xenio, Ohio Education: Ohio State University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.)

Reiber took over the agency that provides food and services to help people create stability in their lives in 2011 after an almost 30-year career with Key Bank. It’s one of the state’s largest foodbanks, providing more than 37 million meals each year in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 100 employees and 10,000 volunteers partner with about 540 community agencies.

Hometown: Avon Lake, Ohio Education: Baldwin Wallace University (undergraduate), University of Toledo (MBA and J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We immediately transitioned from a choice pantry model of food distribution, where our families can come and shop for their groceries, to utilizing prepacked emergency boxes distributed via large scale drive-thru food distributions, where our team served upwards of 3,000 families at each event.

Robinson has led the nonprofit community development corporation, whose members include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, TriHealth, UC Health, the University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to collaborate on projects, since 2009. It is working on five different development efforts supporting the Innovation Corridor in Uptown. The consortium relocated from the Oak Building in Avondale to an office building on Burnet Avenue that’s owned by Cincinnati Children’s.

Hometown: Georgetown, Ohio Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate and master’s)

ARCHBISHOP Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The Most Rev. Schnurr has led the archdiocese of about 450,000 Catholics in 19 Southwest Ohio counties across 208 parishes since 2009. For the past two years, he has overseen Beacons of Light, a major reorganization process that’s remaking archdiocese parishes and schools in response to changing demographics, shrinking church attendance, and a priest shortage.

Hometown: Sheldon, Iowa Education: Loras College (undergraduate), Gregorian University (master’s), Catholic University of America (Ph.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The Catholic faithful have renewed their trust in the Lord during the pandemic. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The work of the Church, proclaiming the Truth of the Catholic faith, endures through times of both difficulty and prosperity.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Freestore Foodbank

PRESIDENT AND CEO Uptown Consortium

Danielle Minson

Beth Robinson

Dennis Schnurr

Joseph Meyer Kurt Reiber

Tome founded the Oakley-based nondenominational megachurch in 1996. It now has 10 campuses in Ohio and Kentucky, an online streaming platform that reaches more than 6,000 each week, and prison ministries at seven facilities in Ohio and Kentucky. He has written four books; helped launch Ocean in 2014, the first faith-based business accelerator; hosts the Aggressive Life podcast; and produced Phantom Lake, an adventure motorcycle TV show on Amazon Prime.

Hometown: Pittsburgh Education: Robert Morris College (undergraduate), Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (master’s)

Weir, who previously led Hamilton County Jobs & Family Services for 12 years, took over as top leader of the local United Way in March 2020. She succeeded Ross Meyer, who served as interim CEO for 14 months. In August, the agency named Greg Carmichael, who retired as CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp, to lead the 2022 fundraising campaign. UWGC serves 87 partners across nine counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Hometown: Philadelphia Education: Simmons College (undergraduate), Thomas Moore (MBA), Bryn Mawr College (master’s)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mortar

Woods, Derrick Braziel, and William Thomas II founded the urban business incubator in 2014 to help marginalized entrepreneurs find resources and partners. The organization has grown to seven cities in six states, with plans to expand to 15 new cities within five years. Its Entrepreneurship Academy is designed for people starting or growing a business. Alumni include Brian Jackson, CEO and head brewer of Walnut Hills’ Esoteric, one of the few minority-owned breweries in the nation.

Hometown: Indianapolis

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael McDonald

Moira Weir

Allen Woods

Brian Tome

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald

SENIOR PASTOR Crossroads Church

PRESIDENT AND CEO United Way of Cincinnati

P R O F E S S I O N A L PROFESSIONAL

S E RV I C E S SERVICES

Allen founded the search firm in 1996 for clients seeking executives and board members for companies that range from startups to Fortune 500 sized. It placed 65 C-level executives in local firms in 2021, No. 1 in the region. Its nine local recruiters specialize in manufacturing, business-to-consumer, and omnichannel marketing. It’s evolved into an advisory firm and strategic partner to clients it has served in Cincinnati and Nashville for more than 25 years.

CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER VMLY&R

Baker, who joined the Mt. Adams-based company in 2017 as managing director, was named to the newly created position in June. She oversees the global firm’s Cincinnati and Minneapolis offices. VMLY&R launched in Cincinnati in 2010 as Rockfish, a digital marketing agency, became part of Kansas City-based VML, and merged with Young & Rubicam to form VMLY&R.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), University of Phoenix (MBA) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. My leadership approach has always been rooted in the importance of meaningful connectivity across teams, geographies, and disciplines. Ensuring teams feel connected to each other and everyone has a deep sense of connection to the organization and our culture at large is how my time and energy is best spent.

CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT, AND CEO Western & Southern Financial Group

Barrett leads the financial services giant that operates six insurance companies, three investment firms, and a realty group. In 2021, its net income soared 228 percent to a record $1.2 billion; revenue rose 17 percent to $9.5 billion, placing W&S No. 374 on the Fortune 500. Assets under management rose to $111.6 billion, the most in its 134-year history. This year, W&S invested in three startups: Fabric Technologies Inc., Micruity, and Afficiency.

Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

John Barrett

Hometown:

Jacquelyn Baker

Michael Allen

CEO Allen Associates

Patty Basti

MANAGING Partner KPMG

Basti, who has been with KPMG for 21 years, succeeded Michael Comer in October 2020 as the first female leader of the international accounting firm’s local office. She continues to lead the firm’s Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk department, a role she’s held since 2007. KPMG has 75 CPAs among its 185 employees, which ranks No. 4 locally.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

Dosker heads the office founded in 1953 by Orville Troy; his son Ken; Eugene Ruehlmann, who was Cincinnati mayor from 1967 to 1971; and Lucien Strauss. Dosker worked at Strauss Troy during college and was named president 24 years later. The firm sponsors the Strauss Troy Market on Fountain Square during the summer and is the region’s ninth-largest law firm, with 53 local attorneys at offices downtown and in Covington.

Hometown: Louisville Education:University of Louisville (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Leadership today requires greater collaboration, sharing of thoughts, receiving constructive input, and challenging our practice groups to help our clients and each other overcome the challenges of a historical event like the pandemic. The business model has changed, and we’ve worked to change with it.

Mike Debbeler

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR Graydon Law

Debbeler, who has been with one of the city’s largest firms since 1998, became leader last year. He specializes in bankruptcy, banking, and real estate law and is a longtime organizer of the Midwest Bankruptcy Seminar. Graydon acquired the boutique workers compensation firm of Hunter Brill LLC in December. The firm, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, has five offices for its 80 attorneys.

Hometown: Ft. Thomas Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We quickly shifted our focus to remote/work-from-home and provided our teammates with technology to work seamlessly. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’m much more intentional about having direct in-person contact and ensuring that everyone’s mental health is good after two brutal years.

CEO Leadership Excelleration

Egbers founded the company in 1997 before the term “executive coach” was in vogue after three years as vice president of human resources of Flagship Financial. The Kenwood-based firm provides leadership development, team coaching, and organizational culture development for clients such as GE Aviation and Fifth Third Bank. She also is founder and board chair of Grant Us Hope, a youth suicide prevention nonprofit.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate), Xavier University (master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve become adaptable and innovative in response to the changing needs and conditions of our clients, adopting new, automated technology to improve our responsiveness and efficiency and delivering many of our programs virtually.

MANAGING

DIRECTOR Grey Midwest

Desjardins was named to lead the local marketing hub of the New York-based Grey Group advertising and communications firm in 2018 after more than four years at Possible. Grey is the region’s fourth-largest marketing firm with 110 employees and the fifth-largest web design firm with 10 designers. Its clients include Procter & Gamble, Discover, Volvo, and AARP. In March, Grey won three gold and eight silver Addy Awards at AdClub Cincinnati’s annual event.

Education: Wright State University

CEO Barefoot Proximity

Evans joined Barefoot Proximity in 2005 after co-founding Ethos Interactive and leading Eviciti. He held a number of positions, including president, before being named CEO in 2013. Barefoot, founded by Doug Worple in 1993, is the region’s largest web design fi rm with 25 designers among its 150 employees. Clients include Procter & Gamble, Bayer, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Harley-Davidson, and Andersen Windows.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT Strauss Troy

Marshall Dosker

Diane Egbers

Chris Evans

Tony Desjardins

Crystal Faulkner

CINCINNATI MARKET LEADER MCM CPAs & Advisors

Faulkner has led the local office of the Louisville-based firm since Cooney Faulkner & Stevens merged with it in 2016. She also chairs the Ohio Society of CPAs, writes a weekly column for The Enquirer, and hosts BusinessWise Radio with Tom Cooney. Her experience in tax and accounting led her to become an implementer on the Entrepreneurial Operating System, which advises clients on how to increase value in their companies.

Hometown: Proctorville, Ohio Education: Marshall University and California State University–Fullerton (undergraduate)

Tom Gilman

CEO Gilman Partners

Gilman purchased the Fairfax-based executive search, talent acquisition, and leadership development firm in 2004 and has been building senior leadership teams at regional and national organizations for more than 40 years. In 2021, the firm promoted Angel Beets and Marci Pfeifer to co-managing partners to oversee daily operations. Clients include ArtsWave, Corporex, Skyline Chili, and Towne Properties.

Hometown: Upstate New York Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We pivoted quickly to remote operations and to communicating by video conference. It’s an unintended consequence, but the pandemic has made us better. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’ve tried to be more purposeful, spending time on what matters and where I can have the biggest impact.

Alan Fershtman

MANAGING PARTNER Keating Muething & Klekamp

Fershtman joined the firm in 1994 and succeeded Paul Muething in 2017. He leads the region’s fourth-largest law firm, which employs more than 120 attorneys at its office downtown. He’s also a Certified Public Accountant. In June, former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley rejoined KMK, where he practiced before being elected to public office, as an attorney of counsel in its real estate group.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Increased investment in remote connectivity to cloud-based technology and increased focus on employee flexibility. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Increased flexibility to remote work and corresponding increased focus on firm culture.

Megan Glowacki

PARTNER-IN-CHARGE Thompson Hine

Glowacki has been at the firm for more than 10 years and succeeded Todd Schild in July. She is a partner in the labor and employment group for the Cleveland-based operation that has more than 55 lawyers in its offices downtown. Glowacki is pro bono chair for the local office, a trustee for Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation, and serves on the Pro Bono Partnership of Greater Cincinnati Advisory Council.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. The pandemic required leaders to broaden their thinking and outreach to others. We can’t simply retreat into the pre-2020 world. Instead, leaders must focus on engaging with others in multiple different ways, which may continue to shift with time.

Chip Gerhardt

PRESIDENT AND CEO Government Strategies Group

Gerhardt, former vice chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party and deputy director of the Regional Economic Development Office under George Voinovich, founded the bipartisan government relations group in 2007 after working seven years for KMK Consulting. The firm provides legislative and executive lobbying services, issue management, and communication strategies.

Education: University of Notre Dame (undergraduate), Saint Louis University (J.D.) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The response to COVID showed most people just how pervasive government can be in their lives. Our responsibility was to interpret and explain the government response in an understandable way. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I believe that if you hire the right people who understand their work responsibilities, you should trust them to do what needs to be done.

CEO Frost Brown Todd

Hall leads the region’s second-largest law firm that has 140 local attorneys at its downtown headquarters and offices in West Chester Township and Florence. He joined FBT in 1991 and succeeded George Yund in 2017 at the company with 14 offices in eight states and Washington, D.C. In May, American Lawyer magazine ranked FBT No. 133 among U.S. law firms based on revenue ($260 million in 2021).

Hometown: Grove City, Ohio Education: Ohio State University (undergraduate), Case Western Reserve University (J.D.)

Adam Hall

MANAGING PARTNER DBL Law

Robert Hoffer

Terence Horan

PRESIDENT AND CEO Horan

Hoffer leads the largest Northern Kentucky-based law firm (No. 10 in Greater Cincinnati) that was founded in 1955 by judges Bill Dunn and Jim Dressman Jr. He joined the firm in 1980 and succeeded James Dressman III in 2019. DBL has 52 lawyers in its Covington, Cincinnati, and Louisville offices. Last fall, DBL moved its headquarters into the renovated Monarch Building on East Fourth Street in Covington.

Education: Xavier University (undergraduate), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.)

In 1973, Horan joined the family business that started when his father Jack joined the Great-West Life Assurance Company of Canada’s office in Cincinnati in 1948. The business grew and diversified and in 1981 was rebranded as Horan, which provides healthcare, investment, and insurance products. It’s the second largest employee benefits provider in the region with more than 150 advisors. In addition to new headquarters in Kenwood, it has offices in Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Fairfield University (undergraduate). What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We found new and different ways to do business. Our employees never stopped working for our clients, we just worked differently. Accessibility has been our top priority.

MANAGING PARTNER Grant Thornton

Jessup joined the firm more than 20 years ago and has been its leader since 2017. An audit services partner and practice leader, he manages more than 90 local employees, including 40 CPAs and 55 tax and audit professionals. Previously, he was a senior manager for 10 years at Arthur Andersen’s Cincinnati office. He is a board member of JDRF’s Southern and Central Ohio Chapter.

Hometown: Cleveland Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The hybrid work approach has been the biggest change in the way we do business. It’s still evolving, but there are elements that are here to stay. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. In the past you could guide a practice largely by what you saw and heard. In this environment you must rely a lot more on what the metrics are telling you. It’s like flying with only instruments.

Johnston has led the parent company and its lead subsidiary, Cincinnati Insurance Company, since 2011. The Fairfield-based property and casualty insurer posted $9.6 billion in revenue in 2021, up nearly 28 percent from 2020. It is the region’s third-largest public company, behind Kroger and Procter & Gamble. Steven Spray was elected president of the company at its May board meeting.

Education: Otterbein College (undergraduate)

Kwasniewski is in his ninth year leading the Blue Ash-based office of the international engineering, consulting, and technical recruiting firm, where he’s worked for 22 years. Belcan has 10,000 employees worldwide serving the aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial markets. It ranks as the region’s 15th-largest private company with 2021 revenue of $919 million.

Hometown: Pittsburgh Education: University of Pittsburgh (undergraduate and master’s)

MANAGING PARTNER

Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease

Lampley has led the local office of the Columbus-based firm since 2006. He specializes in labor and employment law and litigation. He was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2021 and received the American Jurisprudence Award upon graduation from University of Cincinnati College of Law. Vorys is the region’s fifth-largest law firm with more than local 80 attorneys and 360 in the fi rm. Founded in 1909, it has eight U.S. offices.

Education: University of Dayton (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.)

Nathaniel Lampley Jr.

CEO Belcan

Lance Kwasniewski

CHAIRMAN AND CEO Cincinnati Financial

Steven Johnston

Matthew Jessup

Carl H. Lindner III

CO-CEO American Financial Group

Lindner and his brother, Craig, have led hold ing company AFG, the region’s sixth-largest public company and parent of Great American Insurance Group, since 2005. He also serves as CEO of Great American Property and Casual ty Group. He is the Co-CEO and controlling owner of FC Cincinnati. AFG ranks No. 454 on this year’s Fortune 500. In May, AFG paid shareholders the second-biggest dividend in company history.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (un dergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Adopting new and effective ways to work from home and remote locations, like most employers. We relied more than ever on our strong company culture, the value of collaboration, and a trusted technology infrastructure to facilitate a flexible, innovative approach to our work.

S. Craig Lindner

CO-CEO American Financial Group

AFG was formed by Lindner’s father, Carl Jr., and traces its roots to 1872 as the Great Ameri can Insurance Company. He also serves as CEO as Great American Insurance Group Annuities, overseeing its investment portfolio. Lindner and his wife, Frances, founded the Lindner Cen ter of HOPE, a comprehensive mental health fa cility, in Mason. In May, the center announced a $30 million campaign to expand its facilities, the largest since the hospital opened in 2008.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. In many respects, our principles of leadership didn’t change. Given the great deal of uncertainty and fear brought on by the pandemic, however, we knew that the need for empathy, communication, and understanding was elevated, so we all developed a deeper appreciation for the diverse gifts and abilities that each of us contribute.

Jason McCaw

PRESIDENT AND CEO 84.51

Mahadevan leads a team of more than 1,200 employees providing customer data, predictive analytics, and marketing strategy to drive sales and customer loyalty for 1,250 clients. In 2020, he succeeded Stuart Aitken, who was named Kroger’s Chief Merchant and Marketing Of ficer. Mahadevan joined DunnhumbyUSA in 2000 and held several positions, including Vice President of Client Solutions and Capabilities, before it was acquired by Kroger in 2015.

Hometown: London, UK Education: Imperial College London (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve been more intentional about driving connec tions across our company in a remote world. This company is built on collaboration, and our associates are the heartbeat of our culture. It became clear how reliant we are on technology and when it’s critical to meet in person.

CEO BelFlex Staffing Network

McCaw leads the Sycamore Township company founded by his parents, Candace and Mike McCaw, to provide workforce solutions. With 2,500 employees at more than 25 U.S. locations, BelFlex works with client partners that include Crocs, DHL, and Wayfair. In March, he became CEO of Intellex Talent (formerly YourEncore), a company BelFlex acquired in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Kenyon College (under graduate) What’s the main way your business organiza tion changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our biggest change has been the acquisition and launch of our sister company, adding an entirely new brand to the BelFlex family. We’ve made investments in company growth, opening several new branch offices since 2020, and have made significant investments in our tools and technology. to lead with a “people first” mentality, though finding new ways to express it.

Jr.

Luken joined the region’s largest intellec tual property firm when he graduated from law school in 1986. He leads the firm with its executive committee of John Davis, David Fitzgerald, and Greg Ahrens. The practice’s 35 lawyers work with 150 independent associates in more than 50 countries. The firm, founded in 1868, moved into its new headquarters in August at the Center at 600 Vine Street after being headquartered at Carew Tower since that building opened in 1930.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (under graduate and master’s), Northern Kentucky University (J.D.)

Tony Munafo

PRESIDENT AND CEO ProLink Staffing

Munafo leads the fast-growing company that he and his brother, Michael, launched in 2011. The firm initially focused on medical staffing before expanding to manufacturing, construc tion, and architectural industries in 2013. To day, it is the region’s second-largest staffing firm with $1 billion revenue in 2021 and 257 lo cal employees. ProLink moved its headquarters from Montgomery to Norwood in 2020.

Hometown: West Chester Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I developed a greater appreciation for the support everyone needed, both personally and professionally. The pandemic brought pain points to the surface, which allowed me opportunities to support my team I likely would not have thought of otherwise. This new support system has worked incredibly well and will continue to be a major component of my leadership moving forward.

Milen Mahadevan

SENIOR PARTNER Wood Herron & Evans

Clement Luken

Gus Perdikakis

PRESIDENT AND CEO Gus Perdikakis Associates

Perdikakis founded the eponymous staffing company in 1979 with his wife, Jo Ann, and one employee. The company has grown to more than 350, including 275 locally. The couple’s three children (Lynn, Mandie, and George) work with their parents, and grandson Gus is the third-generation in the family business. Focus industries include engineering, professional, consumer products, manufacturing, supply chain, and administrative.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Direct placement has become a major part of our business, and clients are offering increased salaries, more benefits, and the flexibility of working from home. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. None. We continue to put our employees first and pride ourselves on continuing to treat everyone as family.

Jim Price

PRESIDENT AND CEO Empower Media

Price, who joined the company in 2005, has served as its leader since 2009. The firm was founded by Price’s mother, Mary Beth, in 1985 and is the region’s second-largest marketing and advertising firm with 175 employees working in Over-the-Rhine and 50 more in Chicago. Clients include Brooks Running, Ashley HomeStore, Fifth Third Bank, TriHealth, and Wendy’s.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Presbyterian College (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The employer/employee relationship had to hit reset. Some changes were good, and some were hard to accept on both ends. All in all, it required us to think differently and push for changes. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Excuse my over-simplification but, if asked to compare, nothing really changed except how much time we spend meeting over Zoom vs. in person.

Rammes

MANAGING DIRECTOR Barnes Dennig

Rammes is in his fifth year leading the region’s second-largest locally based accounting firm, which has 140 local employees, including 59 CPAs. The firm, founded in 1965, has offices in downtown, Crestview Hills, Dayton, and Indianapolis. In 2021, it merged with Dayton-based Thorn Lewis + Duncan to add 25 employees.

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? How much we now lean on technology to communicate and less in-person contact. Time will tell how staff development and personal relationships change under this new reality, but it’s something most leaders worry about. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. In some regards, oddly, I feel more connected. We have four offices in three states, and now I actually can see and meet with everyone easier via remote platforms.

Regina Carswell Russo

CEO Game Day Communications

Reau and Betsy Ross, a former Channel 5 sports anchor, founded the media and marketing firm in 2002. Reau worked in marketing for The Christ Hospital and Cincinnati Art Museum before launching the company, one of the first female-owned firms that focused on sports and entertainment. She serves as board chair of the Greater Cincinnati Sports Commission.

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio Education: Ohio University (undergraduate and master’s) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We became overly nimble, offering 24/7 crisis communications management. I’m also proud of our creative and critical thinking to help clients pivot to new or virtual events and marketing opportunities. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. With our new hybrid work approach, I’d rather have a colleague pitching media stories for our clients than spend an hour stuck on I-75 trying to get to the office.

Roe joined the largest locally based accounting firm in 1995 and has led it since 2017. The downtown-based firm has 75 local CPAs and 159 employees. In January, Phil Hurak was named to the new position of Shareholder-in-Charge of Advisory Services. In 2021, CSH acquired Strategic HR, a Sycamore Township-based human resources and services firm. It has eight other offices in West Chester Township, Ft. Mitchell, Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Springfield, and East Lansing, Mich.

Hometown: Lima, Ohio Education: Wilmington College (undergraduate)

FOUNDER AND CHIEF STRATEGIST RRight Now Communications

Carswell Russo launched her communications firm in 2014 after spending two decades in broadcast media as well as serving in communications and marketing at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Contemporary Arts Center. The Black- and woman-owned certified agency led the Regional COVID Communications Center throughout the pandemic. Clients include Procter & Gamble, Fifth Third Bank, and Cincinnati Public Schools. She is a 2022 YWCA Career Woman of Achievement and a board trustee with Cincinnati Opera.

Hometown: Detroit Education: Purdue University (undergraduate)

Kerry Roe

Jackie Reau

PRESIDENT Clark Schaefer Hackett

Jay

Larry Sheakley

CEO Sheakley

Sheakley has spent his career with the family-owned human resources, payroll, and risk management business founded in 1963. The firm is one of the region’s largest private companies with $750 million in 2021 revenue and 400 local employees. His son, Matt, has been president since 2005. The Sheakley name is associated with many community endeavors, including Cincinnati Ballet and Lighthouse Youth Services. Sheakley is also a member of the Reds and FC Cincinnati ownership groups.

James Sowar

PARTNER Deloitte

Sowar, who joined Deloitte in 2002, has led the local office of the international accounting firm since 2013. It’s the region’s largest with 181 CPAs and 537 total employees. He is the company’s national tax leader for the Health Care Provider sector. In February, Deloitte became the first tenant to move into The Foundry downtown.

Hometown: Coldwater, Ohio Education: University of Notre Dame (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Our workplace has shifted to a hybrid model with a combination of working from our office, from client sites, and from home. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’m not sure my leadership approach has changed, but due to our hybrid model I’m probably more intentional about giving my colleagues the right amount of my time and attention.

CEO D.E. Foxx & Associates

Sparkman has been CEO of the region’s largest minority-owned business, which includes FX Facility Group, XLC Services, and Versatex, since 2012. Previously, he was an executive at Cincinnati Bell. The company provides facility and construction management, manufacturing services, and sourcing and supply chain management. The downtown firm reported revenue of $327 million in 2021 and has 1,700 employees. In January, Foxx teamed with the Cincinnati Reds to create the Reds Workmanship Program, a worker training initiative.

Hometown: Chicago Education: Anna Maria College (undergraduate), University of Notre Dame (MBA)

Diane Surette

Sarah Tomes

Surette leads the employee-owned firm founded by Alberta Burke in 1931. She’s been with the company since 1996 and was named president in 2018 and CEO in 2019. It’s among the region’s top 100 private companies with 2021 revenue of $90 million and 277 local employees providing research and insight, strategy and innovation, and education and training. In May, Burke launched the Alberta Burke Academy, a two-year program that empowers students through project-focused mentorships.

Hometown: Lewiston, Maine Education: Bentley University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I feel it’s critically important for us to preserve a culture of collaboration and community regardless of where, how, and when we work. We continue to lead with integrity, a belief in ourselves and in our ability to overcome any challenge.

Since 1996, Tomes has led strategic vision, business processes, and organizational design for the employee-owned brand design firm that has five locations worldwide. The company was founded in 1983 by five employees in the local office of Young & Rubicam, who set out to make Cincinnati a branding center. LPK’s clients include the Contemporary Arts Center, Titleist Golf, J.M. Smucker Co., and GE Appliances. It is the region’s third-largest design firm with 130 employees.

Hometown: Alexandria, Kentucky Education: Thomas More University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Day in and day out, we use creativity and innovation to help our clients. The pandemic forced us to point that creativity and innovation back on ourselves.

Turner is the first woman and person of color to lead the life insurance company, which was founded in 1909. She joined the firm in 1997 and succeeded Gary Huffman in 2021. Ohio National, Cincinnati’s 10th-largest company with $2.2 billion in 2020 revenue, was acquired by New York-based Constellation Insurance Holdings for $1 billion in a deal that closed March 31; it will continue to operate independently from its Montgomery office.

Barbara Turner

PRESIDENT AND CEO Ohio National

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

CEO LPK

PRESIDENT AND CEO Burke, Inc.

Hometown: Cincinnati

MANAGING

Gerald Sparkman

CEO trustaff

Valdez has taken over day-to-day leadership responsibility from Sean Loring, who led the Blue Ash-based healthcare staffing firm since 2005. Trustaff and its affiliate, CardioSolution, were acquired by Cornell Capital and Trilantic North America in 2021, and the firms continue to operate from their Cornell Road offices. The company is the third-largest local staffing firm with $679 million in total revenue in 2021.

Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado Education: Colorado State University (undergraduate), University of Colorado (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We made investments prior to the pandemic that helped us guarantee delivery of nurses even in the most critical of situations, which was put to the test when COVID arrived in the U.S. We were able to scale to three times the number of working nurses in the pandemic’s earliest days of the pandemic, sending nurses nationwide within 24-48 hours.

MANAGING PARTNER Ernst & Young

Vaughan assumed leadership of the international accounting firm’s local operations in 2020, succeeding Julia Poston, who retired after 18 years. The native of England moved to Cincinnati in 2010 and now manages the second-largest local accounting office, with 179 CPAs, 211 audit and tax professionals, and 357 total employees.

Hometown: Maidstone, England Education: University of Nottingham, England (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Never has our purpose of “Building a better working world” been so relevant. We’ve done so much to support our people, our communities, and our clients, and we’ve changed how we work in so many ways. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’ve come to really value some of the things we used to take for granted: conversations in the corridor, catch-ups over lunch, getting to know people beyond just the work at hand.

Nick Vehr

CEO Vehr Communications

Vehr is a former member of Cincinnati City Council who launched his fi rm in 2007. He previously worked for Dan Pinger Public Relations and was a vice president for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. He was instrumental in bringing the World Choir Games to town in 2012, serving as Managing Director.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Notre Dame (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We have become more nimble for the safety and well-being of our team and because COVID-influenced business conditions required us to do so. I think we rapidly found our “best way to work” for the future as a result. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’ve always tried to be a collaborative and intuitive leader, listening to others before making a change or deciding. I think I’m still that, but now on steroids.

Villar succeeded founder Bob Coughlin in 2019 and guided the payroll and human resources firm through a $459 million initial public offering on the Nasdaq exchange in 2021. In August, Paycor and the Cincinnati Bengals announced a 16-year naming rights partnership for Paycor Stadium. Founded in 1990, the company is the region’s 15th-largest public firm with 2021 revenue of $353 million.

Hometown: Marlborough, Connecticut Education: Bryant University (undergraduate), University of Connecticut (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Paycor shifted to a remote-first work environment to support our team during COVID, and the results were fantastic. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. In a virtual environment, we’ve found that digital technology allows us to connect and impact more people in a different but more efficient manner.

MANAGING PARTNER Dinsmore &

Shohl

Vincent, who joined the firm in 1982, oversees the region’s largest law practice with 217 local attorneys. At the end of the year, he will leave the position he’s held since 2007 following his 65th birthday but will continue to practice at the firm. During his tenure, Dinsmore merged with seven firms and expanded into 16 new markets. In May, American Lawyer ranked Dinsmore No. 112 among U.S. law firms based on revenue ($325 million in 2021).

Hometown: Detroit Education: University of Michigan (undergraduate and J.D.)

MIDWEST MARKET MANAGING PARTNER PwC

Wasson, in her 30th year with PricewaterhouseCoopers, has led the local operation of the international accounting company since 2019. In 2021, PwC ranked as the third-largest accounting firm in the region with more than 90 CPAs and 235 total employees. A partner since 2005, she oversees operations of about 2,500 employees in 11 locations. Last fall, PwC announced it would allow its 40,000 continental U.S. employees to work remotely on a permanent basis.

Hometown: Georgetown, Kentucky Education: University of Kentucky (undergraduate and master’s)

CEO Paycor

Raul Villar Jr.

George Vincent Melissa Wasson

Jeremy Vaughan

Bart Valdez

Zalla has been the managing director of the local Landor office since 2011 and remains the international leader of consumer brands for the combined divisions of WPP, the largest specialty branding and design group in the world. Zalla is a member of the firm’s Team Health and its healthcare industry lead. Clients include Ethicon, Abbott, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Lilly, Procter & Gamble, and S.C. Johnson.

PARTNER-IN-CHARGE

Zimmerman has been in charge of the local office of the national firm that traces its roots to 1885. It is the region’s third-largest law firm with 133 attorneys. In September, it announced a merger with Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss of Detroit to add more than 120 attorneys, bringing its total to 800. American Lawyer ranked Taft No.100 among U.S. firms in revenue ($415 million in 2021).

Hometown: Atlanta until 14, then Cincinnati Education: Vanderbilt University (undergraduate and J.D.) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I don’t know if I have a different approach, but the pandemic has underscored the importance of some leadership basics for me: being authentic, communicating clearly and consistently, and making value-driven decisions.

Than 65 Years

GLOBAL PRESIDENT CONSUMER BRANDS Landor & Fitch

Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate)

Mary Zalla

James Zimmerman

Taft Stettinius & Hollister

CELEBRATING 85 YEARS

R E A L E S T AT E REAL ESTATE

Jeffrey Anderson

PRESIDENT AND CEO Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate

Anderson launched the Norwood-based firm in the 1970s while working with Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, focusing on site selection for fast-food restaurants. In the 1980s, the company shifted to neighborhood retail centers. Signature projects include The Banks and Kenwood Collection. Sons J.R. and Anders Anderson serve as the company’s vice president of development and managing director of strategic investments, respectively. The firm reported revenue of $225 million in 2021.

CEO

Towne Properties

Adam Bortz

CHAIRMAN Corporex Companies

Bortz’s father, Neil, started the real estate development and management company in 1961 with a few buildings in Mt. Adams. The company that the younger Bortz runs oversees more than 14,000 apartments, 113,000 commercial and homeowners association units, and 600,000 square feet of office space. The company operates seven management offices in Ohio, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Two brothers, Brian and Chris, oversee the company’s construction arm and legal matters, respectively.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Kenyon College (undergraduate)

Butler founded the W.P. Butler Construction Company in 1965, which grew into Corporex, a group of six firms that control more than $1 billion of real estate investments in 20 markets across the U.S. Corporex announced it will build a Residence Inn by Marriott at the Gallery at Kenwood in Sycamore Township. It’s master developer of the Ovation in Newport.

Hometown: Covington Education: University of Cincinnati (associate’s in civil engineering technology) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? In addition to the financial impacts experienced, the pandemic caused us to look at our culture to define the key cultural traits for the people we’ll seek to add. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. There has been no real change in our leadership approach, as we’ve always been oriented to providing pathways to growth and development.

William Butler

Education: University of Virginia (undergraduate)

OPERATING PRINCIPAL/BROKER

Keller Williams Advisors Realty

Close, the third generation of her family in the real estate business, began her career in 1992. She was one of five agents who founded the first local Keller Williams Realty office in 2005. Now located in Columbia-Tusculum, Keller Williams is among the region’s top residential firms with more than 5,700 transactions, more than $41 million in local home sales, and an average sales price of $250,200 in 2021.

Hometown: Centerville, Ohio Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve unified three real estate companies under one brand, creating economies of scale that have enabled us to offer a more robust agent support system. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. Overall, the foundational principles are unchanged, though our leadership team has a sharpened focus on agility, flexibility, and responsiveness to fluid conditions.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Huff Realty

Close Brad DeVries

CO-OWNER/BROKER RE/MAX Victory + Affiliates

Dailey, one of three owner/brokers of RE/ Max Affiliates with Rod Fussinger and Jim Schack, became COO when the Kentucky and Ohio operations merged in 2020. The company has seven offices and sold $950 million in homes, completing 5,439 transactions with an average sales price of more than $242,000.

Hometown: Taylor Mill Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We had to rely greatly on working remotely, and many clients needed remote interactions as well. That’s eased now, and everyone seems comfortable again with in-person interaction. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We now have an online office that connects all of our offices and associates, so many of our leadership interactions are now accomplished virtually.

CEO Danis Building Construction

Danis is the third-generation family member to lead the privately owned company, founded in 1916 by B.G. Danis. The firm offers design and construction expertise for the corporate, healthcare, senior living, education, retail, hospitality, entertainment, and industrial markets. It has five offices in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida. Current projects include the $200 million Mercy Health-Kings Mills Hospital in Mason, a 60-bed facility scheduled to open in 2023.

Education: Cornell University (undergraduate)

The fi rm founded by Jim Huff in 1975 has grown into the fourth-largest local residential real estate broker with $1.39 billion in sales in 2021, operating as the Berkshire Hathaway company HomeServices Kentucky. It closed on 5,439 transactions last year with an average price of nearly $256,000. It has 13 offices in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. HomeServices of America is the nation’s largest, full-service real estate brokerage firm based on transactions.

Hometown: Naples, Florida Education: Centre College (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. While we much prefer to work with our folks in person, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, video, and text have become the primary form of communication with our team members. We’ve chosen to accept the change, as it’s very important to them.

Drees

PRESIDENT AND CEO Drees Homes

Theodore Drees’ grandson is the third family member to lead the Ft. Mitchell homebuilder, which was founded in Wilder in 1928. Today it is Greater Cincinnati’s eighth-largest private company, with 2021 revenue of $1.44 billion, up from $1.25 billion in 2020. Drees has 900 employees, including 268 in Northern Kentucky.

Hometown: Crescent Springs Education: Trinity University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The home building industry has seen an unprecedented demand for new homes, and we’ve posted record results while achieving a 90 percent customer satisfaction score. We remain committed to our customer and our core values: doing the right thing and building exceptional homes.

MARKET LEADER Turner Construction

Fitzwilson replaced David Spaulding in August as the top local executive for the New York City-based global firm. She joined the company in 2007 as a project manager and most recently served as business manager. Turner moved its office to The Foundry, 3CDC’s $51-million redevelopment of the former Fountain Place Mall. Turner is the region’s second-largest general contractor with 2021 local billings of almost $300 million.

Education: Northern Kentucky University (undergraduate)

Kent Dailey

David

John Danis

Jessica Fitzwilson

Sarah

Louis Guttman

CEO TriVersity Construction

Gravely is majority owner of the firm that moved its headquarters from Norwood to the Five Points area of Walnut Hills. In May, the Cincinnatus Association honored TriVersity for promoting diversity and inclusion at the annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards dinner. TriVersity was recognized for its commitment to community service organizations by allowing its employees to volunteer. It’s the 10th-largest general contractor in Cincinnati.

Hometown: Canton, Ohio Education: University of Mount Union (undergraduate), Kent State University (MBA), Union Institute and University (Ph.D.)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Hills Properties

Guttman is the son of Murray Guttman, who founded the Blue Ash-based real estate company in 1958. It specializes in development, construction, financing, and management of single-family homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. It’s developing Graphite Oakley, its first project in Cincinnati in decades, a $59 million, 316-unit, luxury apartment community that will offer access to dining, shopping, entertainment, and employers.

Greg Hammond

CEO Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors

Hammond joined Hixson in 2001 and has been CEO since 2018. The architecture, engineering, and interior design firm specializes in projects for corporate office environments, retail projects, and research and development facilities. Founded in 1948, the Mt. Adams-based company is the region’s third-largest architecture firm with $22 million in 2021 local billings and 20 registered architects.

Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Hawksley leads the largest local homebuilder, which reported a record $1.21 billion in revenue in 2021, a 35 percent increase from 2020. The Erlanger-based company has built more than 30,000 homes since its founding in 1980. It employs 650 and has more than 150 new home communities in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, and Missouri. In June, Michael Kady was named to succeed Todd Huss, who retired, as president of Grand Communities LLC, Fischer’s development team.

Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida Education: University of Florida (undergraduate)

CEO Huseman Group

Huseman, named CEO in 2020, is the third generation to lead the Walnut Hillsbased business, founded in 1931. The company changed its name from HGC Group of Companies last year. The company includes Structural Systems Repair Group, HGC Construction, Stewart Iron Works, Trade31, Boldcastle, and Stanton Millworks. Together, they provide construction services such as structural repair, general contracting, management, and general trades. HGC Construction, the largest subsidiary, reported revenue of $119 million in 2021.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Xavier University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT BHDP

Johnson took over day-to-day responsibilities at the downtown-based design firm after Mike Habel became chairman. Founded in 1937, it’s the region’s second-largest architecture firm with $26.6 million in 2021 local billings and 28 registered architects. It also has offices in Columbus, and Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. It’s a continual effort to inspire others to be their best selves while at the same time achieving our common goals. This approach used to be focused on in-person relationship building and support, but now it reaches our people where they are.

CEO Fischer Homes

Mike Huseman

David Johnson

Mel Gravely Robert Hawksley

GROUP PRESIDENT Coldwell Banker Realty

King has led the parent company’s Cincin nati, Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indi ana, and Columbus operations since 2005 and added the Pittsburgh market in 2021. Locally he leads 1,088 agents, more than any other real es tate firm, while the Columbus and Pittsburgh offices have more than 2,100 agents. Cold well Banker Realty has grown to No. 1 in local market share, closing 19,000 transactions in the area in 2021 with an average sales price of $295,474.

PRESIDENT AND CEO 3CDC

Leeper has guided the nonprofit develop er since 2004. In 2021, 3CDC signed a record number of leases, with a total of 33 restaurants, retailers, companies, and organizations locat ing in Over-the-Rhine or downtown. Current projects include the $51-million Foundry mixed-use development.

Hometown: Pittsburgh Education: Ohio University (under graduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? With the support and partnership of the City of Cincinnati on a number of projects, 3CDC managed to move forward an aggressive development pipeline in the Convention Center District, Central Business District North, and Over-the-Rhine north of Liberty. We alsocontinued to host events at 3CDC-managed civic spaces, recognizing that active civic spaces are critical to the vibrancy of the urban core.

CEO Model Group

Maly succeeded Steve Smith as CEO in 2020. Model, founded in 2001, focuses on develop ing urban neighborhoods. Current projects include a $125-million redevelopment plan in Walnut Hills, including transforming the former Kroger into a four-story apartment building, and a $50-million redevelopment of the Mercantile Library Building and ad joining Mercantile Center at Fourth and Wal nut streets. In June, Model Group and 3CDC finished the Willkommen, a $50-million mixed-income development scattered across Over-the-Rhine.

Education: Miami University (undergraduate), University of Maryland (master’s)

Steve Leeper

Bobby Maly Joe King

CEO Miller-Valentine Construction

Ten years after joining the company, Mangan assumed the helm of the firm founded in 1963. It has since developed more than 100 million square feet of commercial real estate and more than 15,000 multi-family housing units from its Ohio locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton, and Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. The firm is among the top local general contractors, with 2021 revenue of $274 million, up 33 percent from 2020.

Hometown: Nitro, West Virginia Education: West Virginia University (undergraduate), Georgetown University (J.D.)

PRESIDENT Star One Realtors

Meinhardt worked with his father, George, who was a founding partner of Star One in 1990, and took over leadership of the Fairfield-based company after his death in 2011. Meinhardt began his career in 1987 at West Shell. Star One has 232 local agents and was No. 6 in 2021 in sales volume with $524 million on 2,138 transactions with an average price of $245,000.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Divisions Maintenance Group

Mitchell founded the facilities provider in 1999. Today, DMG serves more than 100 national customers and is one of the region’s largest private companies. It reported revenue of $505 million in 2021, up from $430 million in 2020. Last fall, DMG announced it will move its headquarters from Newport to The Foundry on Fountain Square.

Hometown: Cold Spring What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? We’ve transformed into a product-led company. Many of our core functions are now owned by a product team to make us more efficient for our future. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I’m mindful of giving people autonomy and ownership and really “turning them loose” with no constraints on the work that needs to be done.

sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee oor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Mark Meinhardt

Michael McDonald

Gary Mitchell

Elizabeth Mangan

Robert Myers

CEO Comey & Shepherd

Murphy began his career as an investment broker with West Shell Commercial. He bought the company in 2000 before it joined Colliers in 2010. In March, Colliers International announced it had purchased Colliers Greater Cincinnati and Colliers Cleveland, which were previously affiliate operations. It manages 145 properties in Greater Cincinnati.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The most significant impact was remote work or facilities closing because of local regulations dealing with the pandemic. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. In our business, people make the business, both our internal team and our clients. Our team embraced the pandemic as an opportunity to learn and adjust.

Myers has served as COO since 2010 and oversees the local headquarters of the real estate investment firm that went public on the Nasdaq exchange (PECO) in 2021, raising more than $475 million in its initial public offering. The firm owns 269 properties (mostly grocery-anchored retail centers) across the U.S. Its market cap and stock price grew 282 percent in the first four months of this year.

Hometown: Van Wert, Ohio Education: Huntington College (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We’ve always led with a people-first approach, placing a priority on transparency, communication, and collaboration. The pandemic served to strengthen that commitment and help us further embrace the ways in which technology can help us remain nimble and efficient.

Nelson is the son of Roy Nelson, who bought the company in 1968 from founders Harold Comey and Edward Shepherd. He has served as CEO of the firm with operations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana since 1990. Nelson and Terry Hanker run the largest residential real estate brokerage in Greater Cincinnati, which has 12 local offices and reported sales of $2.6 billion in 2021 on 8,800 transactions with an average price of $295,454.

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or fa

What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line

Anderson Township Education: Miami University

Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater CincinDown’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Michael McDonald

VICE CHAIRMAN OHIO Colliers International

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Phillips Edison

Scott Nelson Shenan Murphy

PRESIDENT AND CEO Neyer Properties

Neyer has worked in commercial real estate development for more than 35 years. He started his own company in 1995 and has been personally involved in more than 500 projects that total more than $1.5 billion in value. Local projects include Montgomery Quarter, a $150-million mixed-use development, and the former Hasbro site in Oakley, a $137-million multi-phased, mixed-use project. The Evanston-based firm is also the largest office landlord in Blue Ash.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate)

North has led the employee-owned firm since 2015. Founded in 1894, it’s grown to 168 employee-owners, up from 43 in 2014 when the ESOP was created. Last fall, Melissa Johnson, formerly an executive with the Port of Greater Cincinnati, was named vice president of real estate development. Current projects include the Approach, the first phase of development in the Neighborhoods at Summit Park in Blue Ash. The firm reported local billings of $144.5 million in 2021.

Hometown: Wilmington, Ohio Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

Nwankwo founded the company in the basement of his home in 1993. The native of Nigeria has overseen $2.5 billion in projects en route to becoming one of the top five minority-owned businesses in the region. Megen expanded and renovated its headquarters in Forest Park last year and had almost $45 million in billings. Current projects include Live Oaks Career Campus in Milford and renovation of the Walnut Hills Branch Public Library.

Education: Texas A&M University (undergraduate)

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading nati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Anderson Township Education: Miami University First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory floor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and sleep doctor, and blew through my deductible before March Madness. Plus one more tk line goes here.

Hometown: Anderson Township Education: Miami University

First job: Painting houses Toughest challenge faced Best advice received or favorite inspirational quote: Begin with the end in mind. What you’d tell a recent college graduate about entering your field of business: Your work life last 30 or 40 years, so make sure you love what you do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

Hometown: Anderson Township Miami University

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Hometown:

Molly North

Michael McDonald

Evans Nwankwo

Michael McDonald

Dan Neyer

Michael McDonald

CEO Al. Neyer

PRESIDENT AND CEO Megen Construction

PRESIDENT AND CEO ERA Real Solutions Realty

Raby launched ERA in 2007 and oversees four offices and 180 local agents, which makes the Montgomery-based firm this region’s ninth-largest residential real estate seller. In 2021, it closed on 1,352 transactions with $356 million in sales and an average price of $263,365. In 2019, the company acquired Right Choice Realty in Fort Myers, Florida, to serve Ohioans buying second homes or relocating.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

CEO GBBN Architects

Schottelkotte has served 27 years as CEO at GBBN, the largest local firm with $31.8 million in billings in 2021 and 39 architects. Projects include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s College Hill campus expansion, Andrew J Brady Music Center at The Banks, and Cincinnati Ballet’s Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Downtown-based GBBN also has offices in Beijing, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis. In July, GBBN promoted Jennifer Sebranek to chief marketing officer.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

MANAGING DIRECTOR CBRE

Schutte has been in the commercial real estate business since 1995, starting at Paul Hemmer Companies as a leasing agent. He’s in his seventh year of leading the local office of the global, publicly traded company that specializes in investment properties, workplace solutions, asset services, and portfolio administration. CBRE manages 13 million square feet of local property across 45 properties, including the GE Global Operations Center, First Financial Center, and Ohio National.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: University of Cincinnati (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT Sibcy Cline

Sheakley is the fourth generation to lead the family business, founded by her great-grandfather in 1930. She runs the daily operations of the third-largest local residential brokerage that posted 2021 sales of $2.3 billion on more than 7,200 transactions with an average price of $334,000. Sibcy Cline ranks among the region’s top 100 private companies, with 2021 revenue of $98 million.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Miami University (undergraduate) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Fostering relationships and networking within our company and industry with events focused on business and wellness. Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. We pay more attention to finding ways to help support agents and employees and deliver education and resources to them.

Smitherman launched Jostin Construction (named after sons Joshua and Justin) in 1998. Local projects include TQL Stadium, Academy Lofts in Over-the-Rhine, and expansion of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Bear Hill habitat. In February, the Zoo and Jostin announced a partnership to help new workers get hired in the construction industry to address a jobs gap. Jostin is among Cincinnati’s largest minority-owned businesses with 50 employees and 2021 revenue of $9.2 million.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Bowling Green State University (undergraduate)

PRESIDENT AND CEO Messer Construction

Steigerwald was named company president in 2018, then CEO in 2019. High-profile projects include the Critical Care Building at Children’s Medical Center and the Andrew J Brady Music Center at The Banks. He chaired ArtsWave’s 2022 fundraising campaign, which surpassed its $11.5 million goal. Messer is the region’s largest general contractor with 2021 billings of more than $491 million.

Hometown: Lawrenceburg, Indiana Education: Purdue University (undergraduate), Xavier University (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? Proactive collaboration with our customers has become even more crucial as we address disruptions to the supply chain and labor market employees’ immediate needs given the competition for talent.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Jostin Construction

Matthew Schottelkotte

Albert Smitherman

Kevin Schutte

Tim Steigerwald

Jeremy Raby

Robin Sheakley

AREA PRESIDENT M/I Homes

Since 2011, Williams has led the local market of the Columbus-based homebuilder founded in 1976. In February, the company opened sales at a record eight communities across Southwest Ohio, seven in Cincinnati and one in Dayton. The company is the third-largest local homebuilder with more than $235 million in 2020 revenue on 535 housing starts.

Hometown: Denver Education: Brigham Young University (undergraduate) Compare your leadership approach today to how you led before the pandemic. I believe there have been some changes to my approach and management style, but I think these have been limited. I’m a believer in keeping ourselves safe, but we have a duty to our customers to be available in person as they buy a house.

Williams leads the family commercial real estate business founded in1954. He is a principal owner of the Cincinnati Reds and in 2021 became a principal owner and board member of Skyline Chili. NAP bought Newport on the Levee in 2018 and invested $100 million to transform the property into a mixed-use destination that reopened in May 2021. NAP also has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, and Fort Myers, Florida, and posted revenue of $256 million in 2020.

Hometown: Cincinnati Education: Georgetown University (undergraduate), University of Cincinnati (J.D.)

PRESIDENT Baker Construction Enterprises

Wucherpfennig joined the company in 2010 after more than a decade on the firm’s advisory board. Dan Baker, who started Baker Cement Contractors in 1968 with brothers Ken and Jim, is founder and chairman of the Monroe-based firm that includes 11 entities. Signature projects include Great American Tower, Phase 2 of The Banks, and a 27-acre expansion of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Education: University of Wisconsin (undergraduate), University of Minnesota (MBA) What’s the main way your business organization changed over the past two years of the pandemic? The lesson we took to heart is that uncertainty is the new constant. We need ensure that we’re positioned to quickly adapt to changing market forces, whether it’s a pandemic-related shutdown or supply chain disruptions or an industry-wide shortage in skilled labor.

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee after standing on a factory fl is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and

Lambcke is deeply tanned, rested, and retired, but drags around a bad hip and knee oor for 38 years. Baskin is sitting out on a recumbent bike, reading Lee Child paperbacks, after getting therapy on his elbow and back. This past year I bookmarked mayoclinic.com, ac-

mayoclinic.com, acquired a cardiologist and

activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

do. Favorite hobbies or leisure activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

activities: Hiking, fishing, golf, reading Favorite Greater Cincinnati charity: Down’s Syndrome Association of Cincinnati

SUPREME LEADER

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Doobie Brothers, Attorneys at Law

Tom Williams

Brad Wucherpfennig

Greg Williams

PRESIDENT AND CEO North American Properties

Index

BY NAME

JENNIFERAGNELLO,DENTALCAREPLUS 31

ANDREWAIELLO,TANK 49

MICHAELALLEN,ALLENASSOCIATES 55

SCOTTALTMAN,CINCINNATIBALLET 21

JEFFREYALUOTTO,HAMILTONCOUNTY 49

JEFFREYANDERSON,JEFFREYR.ANDERSONREALESTATE 65 MARKANDERSON,PROMACH 39

SCOTTANDERSON,HBHHOLDINGS 39

KIRKANDREAE,CLARKEPOWERSERVICES 13

NATALIEAUZENNE-SWAN,FIDELITYINVESTMENTS 05

JACQUELYNBAKER,VMLY&R 55

TIMOTHYBALLINGER,GENERALELECTRICCREDITUNION 05

JOHNBARRETT,WESTERN&SOUTHERNFINANCIALGROUP 55 PATTYBASTI,KPMG 56

JEFFBERDING,FCCINCINNATI 21

JEFFBILLINGSLEY,DHL 13

PETEBLACKSHAW,CINTRIFUSE 39

RICBOOTH,DUKEENERGYCONVENTIONCENTER 21

JIMBONOMINIO,JUNGLEJIM’S 13

ADAMBORTZ,TOWNEPROPERTIES 65

JOEBOURGAF,FERNO 40

CANDICEMATTHEWSBRACKEEN,LIGHTSHIPFOUNDATION 49

PAULABREHM-HEEGER,CINCINNATI&HAMILTONCOUNTYPUBLIC LIBRARY 22

TOMBRENNAN,SCHOOLOUTFITTERS 14

PATTYBRISBEN,BRISBENFOUNDATION 50

ARCHIEBROWN,FIRSTFINANCIALBANK 05

MIKEBROWN,CINCINNATIBENGALS 22

ADAMBROWNING,GOLDMEDALPRODUCTS 40

DAVIDBUDIG,BUDCOGROUP 40

J.B.BUSE,LOTHHOLDINGS 14

IRISSIMPSONBUSH,FLYINGPIGMARATHON 22 DANBUSKEN,BUSKENBAKERY 14

WILLIAMBUTLER,CORPOREXCOS. 65 DOUGCAHILL,HILLMANGROUP 40

JULIECALVERT,VISITCINCY 22

MICHAELCARREL,ATRICURE 31 BOBCASTELLINI,CINCINNATIREDS 22

MIKECASTRUCCI,MIKECASTRUCCIAUTOMOTIVE 14

JOSEPHCHILLO,THOMASMOREUNIVERSITY 31 CHRISCICCHINELLI,PUREROMANCE 14 JAMESCLARK,LSIINDUSTRIES 40 MIKECLARK,PILOTCHEMICAL 40 MARKCLEMENT,TRIHEALTH 32

SARAHCLOSE,KELLERWILLIAMSADVISORSREALTY 66 KENCOHEN,COHENRECYCLING 14 JONCOLEMAN,WESTINCINCINNATI 22

CRISCOLLINSWORTH,PROFOOTBALLFOCUS 41 GARRENCOLVIN,ST.ELIZABETHHEALTHCARE 32 BRENTCOOPER,NORTHERNKENTUCKYCHAMBER 50

JONATHANCOOPER,MASONCITYSCHOOLS 32 RICHARDCORRADO,AIRTRANSPORTSERVICESGROUP 41 TOBYCOSTON,HEIDELBERGDISTRIBUTING 15 GREGORYCRAWFORD,MIAMIUNIVERSITY 32 LEECRUME,NORTHERNKENTUCKYTRI-ED 50 STEVECUNTZ,BLUESTAR 41 KENTDAILEY,RE/MAXVICTORY 66

JOHNDANIS,DANISBUILDINGCONSTRUCTION 66 ROGERDAVID,GSRBRANDS 23 STEVEDAVISMD,CINCINNATICHILDREN’SHOSPITALMC 32 MIKEDEBBELER,GRAYDON 56

JEAN-ROBERTDECAVEL,JRGROUP 23 TONYDESJARDINS,GREYMIDWEST 56 MICHAELDEVER,PERFORMANCEAUTOMOTIVE 15 BRADDEVRIES,HUFFREALTY 66 ANDREWDEWITT,DEWEY’S 23 PATRICKDOLLE,JPMORGANCHASEBANK 06 MARSHALLDOSKER,STRAUSSTROY 56 JAMESDOWNTON,SHARONVILLECONVENTIONCENTER 23 DAVIDDREES,DREESHOMES 66

DIANEEGBERS,LEADERSHIPEXCELLERATION 56 RICHARDEISWERTH,CINCINNATIPUBLICRADIO 23 TIMELSBROCK,FIFTHTHIRDBANK 06 CHRISEVANS,BAREFOOTPROXIMITY 56 DAVIDFALK,BOCARESTAURANTGROUP 23 CRYSTALFAULKNER,MCMCPAS&ADVISORS 57 ALANFERSHTMAN,KEATINGMUETHING&KLEKAMP 57 FERNANDOFIGUEROA,GATEWAYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE 32 MARCFISHER,MAYERSONJEWISHCOMMUNITYCENTER 50 JESSICAFITZWILSON,TURNERCONSTRUCTION 66 LEIGHFOX,ALTAFIBER 15

CHRISTOPHERGARTEN,SEVENHILLSSCHOOL 33

DAVIDGELWICKS,HICKMAN,WILLIAMS&CO. 41 CHIPGERHARDT,GOVERNMENTSTRATEGIES 57 TOMGILMAN,GILMANPARTNERS 57

MEGANGLOWACKI,THOMPSONHINE 57

PAULGOHR,CECOENVIRONMENTAL 41 GEORGEGOLDHOFF,HARDROCKCASINO 24 RICHARDGRAETER,GRAETER’SICECREAM 24 MELGRAVELY,TRIVERSITYCONSTRUCTION 67 ADAMGREENBERG,TOPICZ 15

BRIANGRIFFIN,CINCINNATIAFL-CIOLABORCOUNCIL 50 BOBGROENKE,BAHL&GAYNOR 06

LOUISGUTTMAN,HILLSPROPERTIES 67

BRIANHABEGGER,HABEGGERCORP. 15

JAMESHAGERTY,BARTLETTWEALTHMANAGEMENT 06 DARRYLHALEY,METRO/SORTA 50

ADAMHALL,FROSTBROWNTODD 57

GREGHAMMOND,HIXSON 67 COLLEENHANYCZ,XAVIERUNIVERSITY 33

BY NAME

RAYHARRIS,NEDERLANDER/HERITAGEBANKARENA 24

ANDREWHAWKING,TRUISTBANK 06

ROBERTHAWKSLEY,FISCHERHOMES 67

DEBORAHHAYES,CHRISTHOSPITALHEALTHNETWORK 33

GARYHEIMAN,STANDARDTEXTILE 41

STEVEHIGHTOWER,HIGHTOWERSPETROLEUM 42

RICKHINDS,UCHEALTH 33

BRIANHODGETT,PROCTER&GAMBLE 15

ROBERTHOFFER,DBLLAW 58

TERENCEHORAN,HORAN 58

COLLEENHOUSTON,ARTWORKS 24

ANDREWHOWELL,FEDERALHOMELOANBANK 06

JOEHUBER,CINCINNATIDEVELOPMENTFUND 51

MIKEHUSEMAN,HUSEMANGROUP 67

JASONJACKMAN,JOHNSONINVESTMENTCOUNSEL 08

MATTHEWJESSUP,GRANTTHORNTON 58

DAVIDJOHNSON,BHDP 67

STEVENJOHNSTON,CINCINNATIFINANCIAL 58

RONALDJOSEPH,JOSEPHAUTOGROUP 16

JIMJURGENSENII,JURGENSENCOMPANIES 42

ELLENKATZ,GREATERCINCINNATIFOUNDATION 51

ERICKEARNEY,AFRICANAMERICANCHAMBER 51

JACKKENNY,MERIDIANBIOSCIENCE 42

JOEKING,COLDWELLBANKERREALTY 68

ALECIAKINTNER,ARTSWAVE 24

GAILKIST-KLINE,CHRISTCOLLEGEOFNURSING 33

CAMERONKITCHIN,CINCINNATIARTMUSEUM 24

MIKEKOONTZ,KINGSISLAND 25

ARTHURKREMER,SHAREFAXCREDITUNION 08

CHRISTIEKUHNS,URBANLEAGUE 51

LANCEKWASNIEWSKI,BELCAN 58

JEFFLACKEY,CBTS 42

NATHANIELLAMPLEYJR.,VORYS,SATER,SEYMOUR&PEASE 58

PETERLANDGREN,UCFOUNDATION 51

AARONLANDOLT,ENERFAB 42

GRETCHENLANDRUM,NORTHERNKENTUCKYCONVENTIONCENTER 25

DOUGLANG,MEYERTOOL 42

JOELANNI,THUNDERDOMERESTAURANTGROUP 25

MICHAELLAROSA,LAROSA’S 25

CHRISLARSEN,CASTELLINIGROUP 16

KIMMLAUTERBACH,REDI 51

STEVELEEPER,3CDC 68

GARYLINDGREN,CINCINNATIBUSINESSCOMMITTEE 52

BRADLINDNER,UNITEDDAIRYFARMERS 16

CARLLINDNERIII,AMERICANFINANCIALGROUP 59

S.CRAIGLINDNER,AMERICANFINANCIALGROUP 59

STEVELOFTIN,CINCINNATIARTSASSOCIATION 25

PATRICKLONGO,ALLOYDEVELOPMENT 52

BERYLLOVE,ENQUIRERMEDIA 25

CLEMENTLUKENJR.,WOODHERRON&EVANS 59

TONYMAAS,JTMFOODGROUP 16 MILENMAHADEVAN,84.51 59

BOBBYMALY,MODELGROUP 68

ELIZABETHMANGAN,MILLER-VALENTINECONSTRUCTION 69 ALANMARTIN,HUMANA 33

JONATHANMARTIN,CINCINNATISYMPHONY 26 NADERMASADEH,WINGS&RINGS 26

THANEMAYNARD,CINCINNATIZOO 26 JASONMCCAW,BELFLEXSTAFFING 59 BRENTMCCLELLAN,CONEYISLAND 26

KEITHMCCLUSKEY,MCCLUSKEYAUTOGROUP 16

MICHAELMCCUEN,KEYBANK 08

KEVINMCDONNELL,SKYLINECHILI 26 CANDACEMCGRAW,CINCINNATI/NORTHERNKENTUCKYAIRPORT 52 BERNARDMCKAY,HAILEFOUNDATION 52

RODNEYMCMULLEN,KROGERCO. 16 KEVINMCNAMARA,CHEMED 17 KENNYMCNUTT,MADTREEBREWING 17 ERICMEILSTRUP,LCNBBANK 09

MARKMEINHARDT,STARONEREALTORS 69

ADRIANMELENDEZ,AMAZONAIR 17

MARKMERCURIO,GORILLAGLUE 43

TIMMETTEY,MATTHEW25:MINISTRIES 52

JILLMEYER,CINCINNATIUSAREGIONALCHAMBER 52 JOSEPHMEYER,CITYOFCOVINGTON 53

D.LYNNMEYERS,ENSEMBLETHEATREOFCINCINNATI 26 RICKMICHELMAN,MICHELMAN 43

BRITNEYRUBYMILLER,RUBYCULINARYENTERTAINMENT 27 MATTMILLER,LAKOTALOCALSCHOOLS 34

CHRISTOPHERMILLIGAN,CINCINNATIOPERA 27

DANIELLEMINSON,JEWISHFEDERATIONOFCINCINNATI 53

GARYMITCHELL,DIVISIONSMAINTENANCE 69

JONMOELLER,PROCTER&GAMBLE 17

TONYMUFANO,PROLINKSTAFFING 59

SHENANMURPHY,COLLIERSINTERNATIONAL 70

ROBERTMYERS,PHILLIPSEDISON 70

SCOTTNELSON,COMEY&SHEPHERD 70

DANNEYER,NEYERPROPERTIES 71

DEANNICHOLAS,CINCINNATIHILLSCHRISTIANACADEMY 34 TOMNIES,CINCOMSYSTEMS 43

MOLLYNORTH,AL.NEYER 71

EVANSNWANKWO,MEGENCONSTRUCTION 71

KENOAKS,TOTALQUALITYLOGISTICS 43

JEFFOSTERFELD,PENNSTATION 27

MIKEPARKS,RHINEGEISTBREWING 17

BIMALPATEL,ROLLINGHILLSHOSPITALITY 27

GUSPERDIKAKIS,GUSPERDIKAKISASSOCIATES 60

JANEPETERSON,ANTHEMBLUECROSS 34

BRIANISAACPHILLIPS,CINCINNATISHAKESPEARECOMPANY 27

ELIZABETHPIERCE,CINCINNATIMUSEUMCENTER 27

BY NAME

JOEPINTO,HYATTREGENCY 28

NEVILLEPINTO,UNIVERSITYOFCINCINNATI 35

ANDREAPIRONDINI,PRYSMIANGROUPN.A. 43

MONICAPOSEY,CINCINNATISTATE 35

MICHAELPRESCOTT,U.S.BANK 09

JIMPRICE,EMPOWERMEDIA 60

AFTABPUREVAL,CITYOFCINCINNATI 53

JEREMYRABY,ERAREALSOLUTIONS 72

MARIBETHRAHE,FORTWASHINGTONINVESTMENTADVISORS 09

DANIELRAJCZAK,TOTES-ISOTONER 17

JONRAMEY,UBSWEALTHMANAGEMENT 10

JAYRAMMES,BARNESDENNIG 60

JACKIEREAU,GAMEDAYCOMMUNICATIONS 60

KURTREIBER,FREESTOREFOODBANK 53

TIMREILLY,ST.XAVIERHIGHSCHOOL 35

ROBERTREICHERT,KENWOODDEALERGROUP 18

JOHNRICHARDSON,SUGARCREEK 43

BETHROBINSON,UPTOWNCONSORTIUM 53

BLAKEROBISON,CINCINNATIPLAYHOUSEINPARK 28

KERRYROE,CLARKSCHAEFERHACKETT 60

RONROSENBECK,REPUBLICWIRE 44

RICKROSS,SUMMITFUNDINGGROUP 10 JAKEROUSE,BRAXTONBREWING 18

WILLIAMRUMPKEJR.,RUMPKEWASTE&RECYCLING 18 REGINACARSWELLRUSSO,RRIGHTNOWCOMMUNICATIONS 60

KIMBERLYRYAN,HILLENBRAND 44

MARKRYAN,BANKOFAMERICA/MERRILLLYNCH 10

RYANRYBOLT,PAYLOAD 44

CARLSATTERWHITE,RCFGROUP 18

LARRYSTODDARD,RELADYNE 46

KELLEYSCHIESS,SUMMITCOUNTRYDAY 36 PHILSCHNEIDER,BGR 45

TODDSCHNEIDER,CINTAS 18

DENNISSCHNURR,ARCHDIOCESEOFCINCINNATI 53

MATTSCHOTTELKOTTE,GBBN 72

KATESCHRODER,INTERACTFORHEALTH 36

KEVINSCHUTTE,CBRE 72

JOHNSEBASTIAN,HEALTHCAROUSEL 36

TOMSEDLER,HOMECITYICE 18

LARRYSHEAKLEY,SHEAKLEY 61

ROBINSHEAKLEY,SIBCYCLINE 72

JAYSIGLER,CINFEDCREDITUNION 10

ROBERTSLATTERY,SLATTSGROUP 19

BARBARASMITH,JOURNEYSTEEL 45

MIKESMITH,MEMI 28

ALBERTSMITHERMAN,JOSTINCONSTRUCTION 72 JAMESSOWAR,DELOITTE 61

GERALDSPARKMAN,D.E.FOXX&ASSOCIATES 61

TIMSPENCE,FIFTHTHIRDBANK 10

AMYSPILLER,DUKEENERGY 19

MICHAELSTAGNARO,STAGNARODISTRIBUTING 19 JAYSTAHL,CBT 45 TIMSTEIGERWALD,MESSERCONSTRUCTION 72 DIANESURETTE,BURKE 61 DANIELSUTTON,KEMBACREDITUNION 10 JACOBSWEENEY,JAKESWEENEYAUTOMOTIVE 19 ADAMSYMSON,E.W.SCRIPPSCO. 29 BRIANTOME,CROSSROADSCHURCH 54 SARAHTOMES,LPK 61 TIMTRANT,G&JPEPSI-COLABOTTLERS 19 AUGUSTTROENDLE,MEDPACEHOLDINGS 37 GREGTUCKER,PROAMPAC 46 BARBARATURNER,OHIONATIONAL 61 MATTTURNER,BOONECOUNTYSCHOOLS 37 ASHISHVAIDYA,NORTHERNKENTUCKYUNIVERSITY 37 BARTVALDEZ,TRUSTAFF 62 JEREMYVAUGHAN,ERNST&YOUNG 62 NICKVEHR,VEHRCOMMUNICATIONS 62 MIKEVENERABLE,CINCYTECH 46 PAULVERST,VERSTLOGISTICS 47 RAULVILLARJR.,PAYCOR 62 GEORGEVINCENT,DINSMORE&SHOHL 62 NIGELVINECOMBE,MULTI-COLORCORP. 47 JAMESWALKER,FRISCH’SRESTAURANTS 29 DAVIDWALLACE,HERITAGEBANK 11 MELISSAWASSON,PWC 62 BOBWATTS,POMEROY 47 WARRENWEBER,PNCBANK 11 TOMWEIDEMANN,AAACLUBALLIANCE 19 MOIRAWEIR,UNITEDWAYOFGREATERCINCINNATI 54 JEFFWELSH,DUBOISCHEMICALS 48 GREGWILLIAMS,M/IHOMES 73 H.JAMESWILLIAMS,MOUNTST.JOSEPH 38 TOMWILLIAMS,NORTHAMERICANPROPERTIES 73 RONALDWITTEKIND,HAWKSTONEASSOCIATES 48 CHIPWOOD,TIREDISCOUNTERS 20 ALLENWOODS,MORTAR 54 IRANETTAWRIGHT,CINCINNATIPUBLICSCHOOLS 38 BRADWUCHERPFENNIG,BAKERCONSTRUCTIONENTERPRISES 73 JEFFWYLER,JEFFWYLERAUTOMOTIVEFAMILY 20 WILLIAMYUNG,COLUMBIASUSSEX 29 MARYZALLA,LANDOR&FITCH 63 MIKEZELKIND,80ACRES 48 JAMESZIMMERMAN,TAFTSTETTINIUS&HOLLISTER 63 ROBERTZIMMERMAN,CINCINNATICOUNTRYDAY 38

BY COMPANY

3CDC,STEVELEEPER 68 80ACRES,MIKEZELKIND 48 84.51,MILENMAHADEVAN 59

AAACLUBALLIANCE,TOMWEIDEMANN 19

AFRICANAMERICANCHAMBER,ERICKEARNEY 51

AIRTRANSPORTSERVICESGROUP,RICHARDCORRADO 41

AL.NEYER,MOLLYNORTH 71

ALLOYDEVELOPMENT,PATRICKLONGO 52

ALTAFIBER,LEIGHFOX 15

ALLENASSOCIATES,MICHAELALLEN 55

AMAZONAIR,ADRIANMELENDEZ 17

AMERICANFINANCIALGROUP,CARLLINDNERIII 59

AMERICANFINANCIALGROUP,S.CRAIGLINDNER 59

ANTHEMBLUECROSS,JANEPETERSON 34

ARCHDIOCESEOFCINCINNATI,DENNISSCHNURR 53

ARTSWAVE,ALECIAKINTNER 24

ARTWORKS,COLLEENHOUSTON 24

ATRICURE,MICHAELCARREL 31

BAHL&GAYNOR,BOBGROENKE 06

BAKERCONSTRUCTIONENTERPRISES,BRADWUCHERPFENNIG 73

BANKOFAMERICA/MERRILLLYNCH,MARKRYAN 10

BAREFOOTPROXIMITY,CHRISEVANS 56

BARNESDENNIG,JAYRAMMES 60

BARTLETTWEALTHMANAGEMENT,JAMESHAGERTY 06

BELCAN,LANCEKWASNIEWSKI 58

BELFLEXSTAFFING,JASONMCCAW 59

BGR,PHILSCHNEIDER 45

BHDP,DAVIDJOHNSON 67

BLUESTAR,STEVECUNTZ 41

BOCARESTAURANTGROUP,DAVIDFALK 23

BOONECOUNTYSCHOOLS,MATTTURNER 37

BRAXTONBREWING,JAKEROUSE 18

BRISBENFOUNDATION,PATTYBRISBEN 50

BUDCOGROUP,DAVIDBUDIG 40

BURKE,DIANESURETTE 61

BUSKENBAKERY,DANBUSKEN 14

CASTELLINIGROUP,CHRISLARSEN 16

CBRE,KEVINSCHUTTE 72

CBT,JAYSTAHL 45

CBTS,JEFFLACKEY 42

CECOENVIRONMENTAL,PAULGOHR 41

CHEMED,KEVINMCNAMARA 17

CHRISTCOLLEGEOFNURSING,GAILKIST-KLINE 33

CHRISTHOSPITALHEALTHNETWORK,DEBORAHHAYES 33

CINCINNATIAFL-CIOLABORCOUNCIL,BRIANGRIFFIN 50

CINCINNATIARTMUSEUM,CAMERONKITCHIN 24

CINCINNATIARTSASSOCIATION,STEVELOFTIN 25

CINCINNATIBALLET,SCOTTALTMAN 21

CINCINNATIBENGALS,MIKEBROWN 22

CINCINNATIBUSINESSCOMMITTEE,GARYLINDGREN 52

CINCINNATICHILDREN’SHOSPITAL,STEVEDAVISMD 32

CINCINNATICOUNTRYDAY,ROBERTZIMMERMAN 38

CINCINNATIDEVELOPMENTFUND,JOEHUBER 51

CINCINNATIFINANCIAL,STEVENJOHNSTON 58

CINCINNATIHILLSCHRISTIANACADEMY,DEANNICHOLAS 34

CINCINNATIMUSEUMCENTER,ELIZABETHPIERCE 27

CINCINNATIOPERA,CHRISTOPHERMILLIGAN 27

CINCINNATIPLAYHOUSEINPARK,BLAKEROBISON 28 CINCINNATIPUBLICRADIO,RICHARDEISWERTH 23

CINCINNATIPUBLICSCHOOLS,IRANETTAWRIGHT 38 CINCINNATIREDS,BOBCASTELLINI 22

CINCINNATISHAKESPEARECOMPANY,BRIANISAACPHILLIPS 27 CINCINNATISTATE,MONICAPOSEY 35

CINCINNATISYMPHONY,JONATHANMARTIN 26

CINCINNATIUSAREGIONALCHAMBER,JILLMEYER 52 CINCINNATIZOO,THANEMAYNARD 26

CINCINNATI&HAMILTONCOUNTYPUBLICLIBRARY, PAULABREHM-HEEGER 22

CINCINNATI/NORTHERNKENTUCKYAIRPORT,CANDACEMCGRAW 52 CINCOMSYSTEMS,TOMNIES 43

CINCYTECH,MIKEVENERABLE 46 CINFEDCREDITUNION,JAYSIGLER 10 CINTAS,TODDSCHNEIDER 18

CINTRIFUSE,PETEBLACKSHAW 39

CITYOFCINCINNATI,AFTABPUREVAL 53

CITYOFCOVINGTON,JOSEPHMEYER 53

CLARKSCHAEFERHACKETT,KERRYROE 60

CLARKEPOWERSERVICES,KIRKANDREAE 13

COHENRECYCLING,KENCOHEN 14

COLDWELLBANKERREALTY,JOEKING 68

COLLIERSINTERNATIONAL,SHENANMURPHY 70

COLUMBIASUSSEX,WILLIAMYUNG 29

COMEY&SHEPHERD,SCOTTNELSON 70

CONEYISLAND,BRENTMCCLELLAN 26

CORPOREXCOS.,WILLIAMBUTLER 65

CROSSROADSCHURCH,BRIANTOME 54

D.E.FOXX&ASSOCIATES,GERALDSPARKMAN 61

DANISBUILDINGCONSTRUCTION,JOHNDANIS 66

DBLLAW,ROBERTHOFFER 58

DELOITTE,JAMESSOWAR 61

DENTALCAREPLUS,JENNIFERAGNELLO 31

DEWEY’S,ANDREWDEWITT 23

DHL,JEFFBILLINGSLEY 13

DINSMORE&SHOHL,GEORGEVINCENT 62

DIVISIONSMAINTENANCE,GARYMITCHELL 69

DREESHOMES,DAVIDDREES 66

DUBOISCHEMICALS,JEFFWELSH 48

DUKEENERGY,AMYSPILLER 19

DUKEENERGYCONVENTIONCENTER,RICBOOTH 21

E.W.SCRIPPSCO.,ADAMSYMSON 29

BY COMPANY

EMPOWERMEDIA,JIMPRICE 60

ENERFAB,AARONLANDOLT 42

ENQUIRERMEDIA,BERYLLOVE 25

ENSEMBLETHEATREOFCINCINNATI,D.LYNNMEYERS 26

ERAREALSOLUTIONS,JEREMYRABY 72

ERNST&YOUNG,JEREMYVAUGHAN 62

FCCINCINNATI,JEFFBERDING 21

FEDERALHOMELOANBANK,ANDREWHOWELL 06

FERNO,JOEBOURGAF 40

FIDELITYINVESTMENTS,NATALIEAUZENNE-SWAN 05

FIFTHTHIRDBANK,TIMELSBROCK 06

FIFTHTHIRDBANK,TIMSPENCE 10

FIRSTFINANCIALBANK,ARCHIEBROWN 05

FISCHERHOMES,ROBERTHAWKSLEY 67

FLYINGPIGMARATHON,IRISSIMPSONBUSH 22

FORTWASHINGTONINVESTMENTADVISORS,MARIBETHRAHE 09

FREESTOREFOODBANK,KURTREIBER 53

FRISCH’SRESTAURANTS,JAMESWALKER 29

FROSTBROWNTODD,ADAMHALL 57

G&JPEPSI-COLABOTTLERS,TIMTRANT 19

GAMEDAYCOMMUNICATIONS,JACKIEREAU 60

GATEWAYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE,FERNANDOFIGUEROA 32

GBBN,MATTSCHOTTELKOTTE 72

GENERALELECTRICCREDITUNION,TIMOTHYBALLINGER 05

GILMANPARTNERS,TOMGILMAN 57

GOLDMEDALPRODUCTS,ADAMBROWNING 40

GORILLAGLUE,MARKMERCURIO 43

GOVERNMENTSTRATEGIES,CHIPGERHARDT 57

GRAETER’SICECREAM,RICHARDGRAETER 24

GRANTTHORNTON,MATTHEWJESSUP 58

GRAYDON,MIKEDEBBELER 56

GREATERCINCINNATIFOUNDATION,ELLENKATZ 51

GREYMIDWEST,TONYDESJARDINS 56

GSRBRANDS,ROGERDAVID 23

GUSPERDIKAKISASSOCIATES,GUSPERDIKAKIS 60

HABEGGERCORP.,BRIANHABEGGER 15

HAILEFOUNDATION,BERNARDMCKAY 52

HAMILTONCOUNTY,JEFFREYALUOTTO 49

HARDROCKCASINO,GEORGEGOLDHOFF 24

HAWKSTONEASSOCIATES,RONALDWITTEKIND 48

HBHHOLDINGS,SCOTTANDERSON 39

HEALTHCAROUSEL,JOHNSEBASTIAN 36

HEIDELBERGDISTRIBUTING,TOBYCOSTON 15

HERITAGEBANK,DAVIDWALLACE 11

HORAN,TERENCEHORAN 58

HUSEMANGROUP,MIKEHUSEMAN 67

HICKMAN,WILLIAMS&CO.,DAVIDGELWICKS 41

HIGHTOWERSPETROLEUM,STEVEHIGHTOWER 42 HILLENBRAND,KIMBERLYRYAN 44 HILLMANGROUP,DOUGCAHILL 40

HILLSPROPERTIES,LOUISGUTTMAN 67 HIXSON,GREGHAMMOND 67 HOMECITYICE,TOMSEDLER 18 HUFFREALTY,BRADDEVRIES 66 HUMANA,ALANMARTIN 33 HYATTREGENCY,JOEPINTO 28 INTERACTFORHEALTH,KATESCHRODER 36 JAKESWEENEYAUTOMOTIVE,JACOBSWEENEY 19 JEFFWYLERAUTOMOTIVEFAMILY,JEFFWYLER 20 JEFFREYR.ANDERSONREALESTATE,JEFFREYANDERSON 65 JEWISHFEDERATIONOFCINCINNATI,DANIELLEMINSON 53

JOHNSONINVESTMENTCOUNSEL,JASONJACKMAN 08 JOSEPHAUTOGROUP,RONALDJOSEPH 16 JOSTINCONSTRUCTION,ALBERTSMITHERMAN 72 JOURNEYSTEEL,BARBARASMITH 45 JPMORGANCHASEBANK,PATRICKDOLLE 06 JRGROUP,JEAN-ROBERTDECAVEL 23 JUNGLEJIM’S,JIMBONOMINIO 13 JTMFOODGROUP,TONYMAAS 16 JURGENSENCOMPANIES,JIMJURGENSENII 42 KEATINGMUETHING&KLEKAMP,ALANFERSHTMAN 57 KELLERWILLIAMSADVISORSREALTY,SARAHCLOSE 66 KEMBACREDITUNION,DANIELSUTTON 10 KENWOODDEALERGROUP,ROBERTREICHERT 18 KEYBANK,MICHAELMCCUEN 08 KINGSISLAND,MIKEKOONTZ 25 KPMG,PATTYBASTI 56 KROGERCO.,RODNEYMCMULLEN 16 LAKOTALOCALSCHOOLS,MATTMILLER 34 LANDOR&FITCH,MARYZALLA 63 LAROSA’S,MICHAELLAROSA 25 LCNBBANK,ERICMEILSTRUP 09

LEADERSHIPEXCELLERATION,DIANEEGBERS 56

LIGHTSHIPFOUNDATION,CANDICEMATTHEWSBRACKEEN 49 LOTHHOLDINGS,J.B.BUSE 14

LPK,SARAHTOMES 61

LSIINDUSTRIES,JAMESCLARK 40

M/IHOMES,GREGWILLIAMS 73

MADTREEBREWING,KENNYMCNUTT 17

MASONCITYSCHOOLS,JONATHANCOOPER 32 MATTHEW25:MINISTRIES,TIMMETTEY 52

MAYERSONJEWISHCOMMUNITYCENTER,MARCFISHER 50

MCCLUSKEYAUTOGROUP,KEITHMCCLUSKEY 16

MCMCPAS&ADVISORS,CRYSTALFAULKNER 57

MEDPACEHOLDINGS,AUGUSTTROENDLE 37

MEGENCONSTRUCTION,EVANSNWANKWO 71 MEMI,MIKESMITH 28

MERIDIANBIOSCIENCE,JACKKENNY 42

MESSERCONSTRUCTION,TIMSTEIGERWALD 72 METRO/SORTA,DARRYLHALEY 50

BY COMPANY

MEYERTOOL,DOUGLANG 42

MIAMIUNIVERSITY,GREGORYCRAWFORD 32

MICHELMAN,RICKMICHELMAN 43

MIKECASTRUCCIAUTOMOTIVE,MIKECASTRUCCI 14

MILLER-VALENTINECONSTRUCTION,ELIZABETHMANGAN 69

MODELGROUP,BOBBYMALY 68

MORTAR,ALLENWOODS 54

MOUNTST.JOSEPH,H.JAMESWILLIAMS 38

MULTI-COLORCORP.,NIGELVINECOMBE 47

NEDERLANDER/HERITAGEBANKARENA,RAYHARRIS 24

NEYERPROPERTIES,DANNEYER 71

NORTHAMERICANPROPERTIES,TOMWILLIAMS 73

NORTHERNKENTUCKYCHAMBER,BRENTCOOPER 50

NORTHERNKENTUCKYCONVENTIONCENTER,GRETCHENLANDRUM 25

NORTHERNKENTUCKYTRI-ED,LEECRUME 50

NORTHERNKENTUCKYUNIVERSITY,ASHISHVAIDYA 37

OHIONATIONAL,BARBARATURNER 61

PAYCOR,RAULVILLARJR. 62

PAYLOAD,RYANRYBOLT 44

PENNSTATION,JEFFOSTERFELD 27

PERFORMANCEAUTOMOTIVE,MICHAELDEVER 15

PHILLIPSEDISON,ROBERTMYERS 70

PILOTCHEMICAL,MIKECLARK 40

PNCBANK,WARRENWEBER 11

POMEROY,BOBWATTS 47

PROFOOTBALLFOCUS,CRISCOLLINSWORTH 41

PROAMPAC,GREGTUCKER 46

PROCTER&GAMBLE,BRIANHODGETT 15

PROCTER&GAMBLE,JONMOELLER 17

PROLINKSTAFFING,TONYMUFANO 59

PROMACH,MARKANDERSON 39

PRYSMIANGROUPN.A.,ANDREAPIRONDINI 43

PUREROMANCE,CHRISCICCHINELLI 14

PWC,MELISSAWASSON 62

RCFGROUP,CARLSATTERWHITE 18

RE/MAXVICTORY,KENTDAILEY 66

REDI,KIMMLAUTERBACH 51

RELADYNE,LARRYSTODDARD 46

REPUBLICWIRE,RONROSENBECK 44

RHINEGEISTBREWING,MIKEPARKS 17

ROLLINGHILLSHOSPITALITY,BIMALPATEL 27

RRIGHTNOWCOMMUNICATIONS,REGINACARSWELLRUSSO 60

RUBYCULINARYENTERTAINMENT,BRITNEYRUBYMILLER 27

RUMPKEWASTE&RECYCLING,WILLIAMRUMPKEJR. 18

SCHOOLOUTFITTERS,TOMBRENNAN 14

SEVENHILLSSCHOOL,CHRISTOPHERGARTEN 33

SHAREFAXCREDITUNION,ARTHURKREMER 08

SHARONVILLECONVENTIONCENTER,JAMESDOWNTON 23

SHEAKLEY,LARRYSHEAKLEY 61

SIBCYCLINE,ROBINSHEAKLEY 72

SKYLINECHILI,KEVINMCDONNELL 26 SLATTSGROUP,ROBERTSLATTERY 19

ST.ELIZABETHHEALTHCARE,GARRENCOLVIN 32

ST.XAVIERHIGHSCHOOL,TIMREILLY 35

STAGNARODISTRIBUTING,MICHAELSTAGNARO 19

STANDARDTEXTILE,GARYHEIMAN 41

STARONEREALTORS,MARKMEINHARDT 69

STRAUSSTROY,MARSHALLDOSKER 56 SUGARCREEK,JOHNRICHARDSON 43

SUMMITCOUNTRYDAY,KELLEYSCHIESS 36

SUMMITFUNDINGGROUP,RICKROSS 10

TAFTSTETTINIUS&HOLLISTER,JAMESZIMMERMAN 63 TANK,ANDREWAIELLO 49

THOMASMOREUNIVERSITY,JOSEPHCHILLO 31

THOMPSONHINE,MEGANGLOWACKI 57

THUNDERDOMERESTAURANTGROUP,JOELANNI 25

TIREDISCOUNTERS,CHIPWOOD 20 TOPICZ,ADAMGREENBERG 15

TOTALQUALITYLOGISTICS,KENOAKS 43

TOTES-ISOTONER,DANIELRAJCZAK 17

TOWNEPROPERTIES,ADAMBORTZ 65

TRIHEALTH,MARKCLEMENT 32

TRIVERSITYCONSTRUCTION,MELGRAVELY 67

TRUISTBANK,ANDREWHAWKING 06 TRUSTAFF,BARTVALDEZ 62

TURNERCONSTRUCTION,JESSICAFITZWILSON 66 U.S.BANK,MICHAELPRESCOTT 09

UBSWEALTHMANAGEMENT,JONRAMEY 10

UCFOUNDATION,PETERLANDGREN 51

UCHEALTH,RICKHINDS 33

UNITEDDAIRYFARMERS,BRADLINDNER 16

UNITEDWAYOFGREATERCINCINNATI,MOIRAWEIR 54

UNIVERSITYOFCINCINNATI,NEVILLEPINTO 35

UPTOWNCONSORTIUM,BETHROBINSON 53

URBANLEAGUE,CHRISTIEKUHNS 51

VERSTLOGISTICS,PAULVERST 47

VEHRCOMMUNICATIONS,NICKVEHR 62

VISITCINCY,JULIECALVERT 22

VMLY&R,JACQUELYNBAKER 55

VORYS,SATER,SEYMOUR&PEASE,NATHANIELLAMPLEYJR. 58

WESTERN&SOUTHERNFINANCIALGROUP,JOHNBARRETT 55

WESTINCINCINNATI,JONCOLEMAN 22

WINGS&RINGS,NADERMASADEH 26

WOODHERRON&EVANS,CLEMENTLUKENJR. 59

XAVIERUNIVERSITY,COLLEENHANYCZ 33

p

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I’m Metro CEO Darryl Haley. If high gas prices are affecting your ability to hire and keep employees, the solution may be as close as the nearest Metro stop.

Riding Metro offers savings, stress relief and convenience compared to driving. And improvements like 24-hour service, new routes and free Wi-Fi and charging ports on all buses means there’s never been a better time to ride.

Find out how Metro can customize a program designed for your company by contacting Ridership Development Director Amy Rasmussen at arasmussen@go-metro.com.

Riding is believing. www.go-metro.com