Crain's Cleveland Business

VOL. 39, NO. 39

Entire contents © 2018 by Crain Communications Inc.

SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2018

Fall Culture Guide PAGES 12-18

Illustration by Daniel Zakroczemski for Crain’s

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CONTENT

SPONSORED BY

NEWS AND TRENDS FROM NORTHEAST OHIO’S TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

TECH MATTERS GRASSROOTS INNOVATION

the board of park commissioners.

“There was a mountain biking organization and a hiking club there as well, and those organizations were really interested and offered their own input about how the site could be enhanced for mountain bikers and hikers,” Joy said. “We’re also looking at how we can incorporate ADA and virtual reality, so someone who’s not physically able to climb the Fort Hill stairs, for example, could still have an incredible experience.”

Joy said the Cleveland Metroparks is also working with two of the other participating teams on implementing their innovations — a low-cost sensor that collects soil and moisture data to analyze water flow and erosion, which relays that data back to a dashboard, and a bird migration visualization solution.

“An added benefit of the hackathon was that some of our participants were formerly non-park users, and have since become more engaged with the parks and recreation,” Joy said.

He said the Cleveland Metroparks is planning to host another hackathon, likely in 2020, and aligned with the organization’s strategic plan in is exploring a larger collaboration with park either conservation, nature education, health systems in the region and/or surrounding states.

GiveBackHack, which launched in Columbus and fitness, or open track challenges, Joy said.

“We wanted to gauge the creativity of in 2015 and has expanded into eight cities, including Cleveland, has a similar mission Northeast Ohio,” Joy said.

The Cleveland Metroparks’ winning project of enlisting passionate socially driven was an interactive website that links panoramic entrepreneurs to develop a technology to solve images with a virtual trail tour. In late August, a problem within their community. One of this the team’s participants presented the website to year’s GiveBackHackCleveland winners — Wild Tiger Tees — used its $2,500 cash prize to launch its social enterprise to employ and empower homeless youth through screenprinting T-shirts.

“It is one of the most inspiring events I’ve participated in, without a doubt,” said Mark Harwood, a staffing executive for Robert Half Technology’s Northeast Ohio and Pittsburgh regions. “It can be a stressful weekend, and the organizers do a good job at keeping spirits high, but people are there because they want to make a solid PHOTO PROVIDED change in their community.”

Hackathons, hack days spark new solutions

T

he Cleveland Metroparks is committed to conservation, education and recreation, all afforded through access to its nationally acclaimed zoo, 300 miles of trails, eight golf courses, eight lakefront parks and its Cuyahoga River-facing restaurant, Merwin’s Wharf. The Cleveland Metroparks is also committed to using technology to support operations and amplify visitor experience — think interpretative technologies (3-D printing, holo-lens and holograms), air and water quality sensors, ecological and geographic sensitivity analyses, 3-D visualizations and drone geographic data collection, to name a few.

“People don’t often think of the Cleveland Metroparks as a tech organization, but bringing more tech to the table is a secondary goal to our mission,” said Anthony Joy, chief information officer.

Last April, Cleveland Metroparks leaders were exploring the best way to build new customized solutions that enhance nature with technology.

Talks with vendors yielded high prices and applications that weren’t exactly conducive to the Metroparks’ needs.

The organization pivoted, and set its sights on launching its first hackathon to crowdsource innovation from within Northeast Ohio’s entrepreneurial community. Hackathons, hack days, hack fests and codefests convene software developers who work in a crunched timeframe to develop an IT solution or prototype that solves a problem for a company, organization or their community.

The Metroparks’ hackathon committee canvassed local high schools, colleges, coding schools, tech clubs and other community organizations for its inaugural hackathon. Once teams were formed, the Cleveland Metroparks’ hackathon committee assigned to each team a resident expert in natural resources, education and health. The eight, four-person teams were challenged with solving a problem that

SPARKING INGENUITY AMONG NORTHEAST OHIO’S CREATIVES

C

reativity and innovation take center stage during this weekend’s IngenuityFest, set for Sept. 28-30 at the Hamilton Collaborative, a creative and economic hub located at 5401 Hamilton Ave. in Cleveland’s St. Clair Superior neighborhood. This year’s theme, FuturePast, is a nod to Cleveland’s heritage, progress and future as displayed through the lenses of art, science and technology.

CALENDAR OF

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A dozen artist entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of the Ingenuity Labs Incubator’s access to shared workshop space and resources will occupy an exhibit at IngenuityFest’s main stage. This year marks the second rotation of incubator occupants who were accepted for this past summer’s residency.

“The goal is to promote artists and entrepreneurs who are ready to scale up or hobbyists who are

ready to transition their passion into a business.

We are a community-facing company that offers shared tools and resources to help entrepreneurs realize their vision,” said programming coordinator Violette Robinson.

After the festival, the projects — which range from performing arts to a multimedia video company and a virtual reality art creator — are reviewed and offered the chance to

receive additional incubator support through the following April. The application process, however, is continual. “Ingenuity Labs gives special consideration to interdisciplinary works, community outreach projects and businesses focused on civic progress,” Robinson said.

For more information about the Ingenuity Fest Incubator program, visit ingenuitycleveland. com/ingenuity-labs-incubator-program/.

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THE STATE OF TECH MARKETING AFTER GDPR: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., 7100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. The recent implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is creating stress and confusion for tech marketers, even for organizations that don’t do business in the EU. This session will review practical solutions for must-have GDPR requirements. Info: jumpstartinc.org/ events/the-state-of-tech-marketing-after-gdpr/

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This advertising-supported feature is produced by Crain Content Studio-Cleveland, the marketing storytelling arm of Crain’s Cleveland Business. The Crain’s Cleveland Business newsroom is not involved in creating Crain Content Studio content.

9/21/18 9:29 AM

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Westlake evaluating golf course addition

By KEVIN KLEPS kkleps@crain.com @KevinKleps

The struggles of Meadowood Golf Course in Westlake are all too familiar in the industry.

The number of rounds played at the city-owned course dropped 7.4%, to just 14,534, in 2017. The grounds are in need of some major upgrades, but that task is compounded by the golf course’s shaky finances.

“It’s currently losing money each and every year because it doesn’t get played as often as we’d like and there are some improvements that need to be made,” Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough said.

The city, boosted by the 2017 renewal of a 0.125% municipal income tax, is considering a big investment in golf. Should it go that unconventional route — building during an era in which many courses have shut down — Westlake might enlist the help of Jimmy Hanlin.

Hanlin told Crain’s that his group, which includes Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design, expected to submit a couple proposals to the city by the close of business on Friday, Sept.

21. One will include the construction of a nine-hole course and indoor-outdoor practice facility on the grounds of Meadowood, located at 29800 Center Ridge Road. A second proposal would involve the construction of a new 18-hole course and practice facility.

The nine-hole option would be a loop course that would play in different directions, depending on the day. Customers could play three holes, or six, instead of the customary nine or 18.

“The whole theory is that they have an hour and just want to play a few holes,” said Hanlin, who hosts two national and two regional TV shows (on Fox Sports Ohio and SportsTime Ohio), plus a weekly radio show on WTAM-AM, 1100.

In addition to his many on-air roles, Hanlin is the managing partner of two Northeast Ohio golf courses — Little Mountain Country Club in Painesville and StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights.

“My biggest problem in golf right now is it’s four to five hours if someone wants to come and play 18 holes,” he said.

Clough told Crain’s he was intrigued by the possibility that Westlake could have new, unique options for interested golfers. “(Hanlin) gave us information that seems exciting with the aspect that maybe this golf course could be turned into at least a profit-making enterprise or, if nothing else, a breakeven type of operation,” Clough said.

That hasn’t been the case at Meadowood — a 27-hole course that is comprised of two nine-hole, par-3 layouts and a standard nine-hole option — for quite a while.

Westlake’s 2018 State of the City said the number of rounds played at Meadowood the previous year had plummeted by 1,166. The facility’s junior golf members decreased 14.7%, to 145, and its six organized leagues were down from seven in 2016.

Asked if the golf course was on track for even fewer rounds in 2018, Clough said, “That’s what I heard.”

Hanlin is hopeful that, should Westlake select and approve one of his group’s proposals, the new facility would reverse the downward trend.

“We want to get more people in the city to be able to become better players and want to play more golf,” Hanlin said. “That’s the whole theory behind

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this thing. This place is going to be designed to make people want to play more golf — whether they’re beginners or experienced players.

There would be so many more opHanlin tions for them.”

A key part of the plans being proposed by Hanlin and Fry Straka — a Dublin, Ohio-based firm whose vast portfolio includes Little Mountain and StoneWater — is a state-of-theart practice facility that would be covered and included heated areas at which golfers could hit balls.

“It would be a learning center with instruction,” Hanlin said.

Ideally, the addition of the practice facility would lengthen Westlake’s golf season, with customers possibly more inclined to start playing in February and March, and continue playing until November.

Hoping to hit it big Exploring the possibility of a new golf course is quite a bit different than a master plan Westlake unveiled for its parks and recreation departments in 2015. The plan included a sports park that would be constructed on Bradley Road, adjacent to the golf course property, which led to questions about Meadowood’s future.

“One of those scenarios was if you were to put in a sports park, this is one location where it could be,”

Clough told Crain’s. “Nothing was ever set in stone.”

After Issue 53, the municipal income tax renewal that would finance the recreation projects, passed last November, Westlake began to take a deeper look at options for its flagging golf course.

Earlier in 2017, the city and the Westlake City School District agreed to a land swap in which the city would trade 29 acres next to Westlake Porter Public Library for 42 acres on Bradley Road. The latter property is “immediately adjacent to the golf course,” Clough said, which increases the city’s options as it studies a series of recreation projects that originally were estimated to cost $34.5 million.

If Westlake agrees to build a new 18-hole course, Hanlin said his group would propose that the golf course’s

property extend beyond the current grounds. The nine-hole option would encompass the existing Meadowood property.

Clough said whether the city decides to proceed on a redesign of its golf course will depend on the costs and the feedback Hanlin’s proposal receives.

“This might be a great asset for the community and might be one that fits nicely for people that only want to play nine,” the mayor said.

Hanlin — the ubiquitous, flashily attired entrepreneur and media personality — is eager to get involved.

“This wouldn’t be Westlake just building a golf course,” he said. “This would be the city building a state-ofthe-art, new-wave facility that’s different than anything you’ve seen anywhere else.”

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By DAN SHINGLER dshingler@crain.com @DanShingler

Akron’s not Cleveland — it’s years behind its big sister in terms of downtown development and its bar and restaurant scene.

But that’s no reason to downplay the Rubber City’s ability to provide space and amenities for a corporate headquarters, its backers say.

Many in Akron were confused when Myers Industries Inc., a plastics manufacturer and tire service supply company, said it was picking up stakes and moving to the big city on the lake. They were sad to lose a company with an 85year history in town, but more upset that Myers made it sound like Akron didn’t have space for such a company.

“They made their decision, I’m sure, based on lots of different reasons. But globally, I agree with other folks — we have space for a corporate headquarters in downtown Akron,” said James Hardy, chief of staff to Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan.

Hardy and others were struck when Myers vice president Kevin Gehrt told Cuyahoga County officials that the company “tried really hard to stay in Akron … (but) we just weren't able to find the right property with the right owner, or the metrics and financials to make it work.”

Myers did not return a call or email requesting an interview to discuss its move.

The company is not small. Myers is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

But it’s not huge, either. It had net sales of $547 million in 2017 and only needs 40,000 square feet of space for an initial 120 employees in Cleveland.

Commercial real estate professionals in Akron say the city would have no trouble finding space for a company of that size — and that Myers had numerous opportunities in Akron if it wanted to stay. Privately, at least five sources who spoke to Crain’s said they believe the real reason for the company’s move was that some of its executives, including CEO R. David Banyard, live in Cleveland’s wealthy suburbs.

“There’s an old adage in real estate that if you look at where the CEO lives, you know where the company is going to locate,” said Tom Fox,

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At first, things went well.

“The CEO was very upfront that they wanted to find another location for their corporate headquarters and to their credit, at least in the beginning, they were very clear that they wanted to give Akron first shot at it,” Hardy said.

The city worked for months to put together a package it hoped would keep the company in town, he said, including a $750,000 loan from the Akron Chamber’s Development Fund to pay for improvements at the AES Building, $200,000 in workforce assistance from Summit County, $150,000 from the county and an offer from the city to take Myers’ old building.

Ultimately, the company took a deal that included a $400,000 loan from Cuyahoga County and $2.6 million in improvements by the landlord of North Point Tower in Cleveland, Myers’ future home. The company also expects the city of Cleveland to OK a $405,000 loan and grant package and is working with JobsOhio for more support.

But Akronites don’t think the decision came down to a six-figure loan, or even building improvements.

Many suspect Myers had made up its mind and was heading to Cleveland.

They were still shocked.

“Honestly, everybody felt like ‘We’re good to go.’ We thought in a matter of weeks we’d hear that the lease was signed. … We were not even aware there was a competition going on within the region,” Hardy said.

Some say they understand Myers’ reasoning, though. Cleveland does have more to do downtown than Akron at the moment — and Akron’s promise of a vital downtown surrounding its big, mixed-use Bowery Project and other developments requires a wait and is no sure thing.

“There’s no question that Akron doesn’t have the downtown vibe that Cleveland does, and maybe that’s what these guys are looking for,” Fox said.

Akron can’t let this slow it down, though, Hardy said. If anything, Myers’ move to Cleveland only affirms the wisdom of the city’s drive to develop its downtown into a mix of apartments, retail, restaurants and other amenities.

“Cleveland, you’re right, it’s about 10 years ahead of us. We’ve been stepping on the gas full bore to catch up and build out the Akron urban core — and this is why,” Hardy said.

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Fox noted that he was speaking generally. He didn’t work with Myers on a search of local properties. But like others, he disagrees there are no good places in Akron to locate a midsize corporate headquarters. Downtown, for example, there’s the AES Building, he said, which is offering 65,000 square feet of Class A space on Main Street.

That’s something Hardy and others say Myers looked at, initially showed interest in, but then dropped.

He also noted that the city has land available right downtown for new construction, thanks to the closing of the Innerbelt highway, and said the city would have worked with any company seeking to build a headquarters there — a point on which Hardy concurred.

But developers note that the cost of new construction is currently extremely high. “The cost of OSB board (particle board used in construction) has doubled in the last few years,” said Akron developer Tony Troppe.

Jerry Fiume, managing director at SVN Summit Commercial Real Estate Group in Akron, says there are still spaces in Akron that Myers could have used.

“I would thoroughly disagree with the CEO of Myers Industries,” Fiume said when asked about Akron’s ability to host the company. “There’s East End (Stuart Lichter’s development) in Akron, there are all kinds of options in downtown Akron. There’s a building right here at Ghent in Fairlawn that’s available,” Fiume said.

Lichter’s East End, along with the AES Building, were among the most viable locations for Myers, said real estate sources and Hardy. It’s built around Goodyear’s former headquarters in Akron and has 1.4 million square feet of space, luxury apartments, restaurants and amenities, including a theater.

“We clearly could have accommodated them at East End. They were not interested,” Lichter said.

It’s not as if the parties didn’t have time to work on something. Hardy said the mayor began courting Myers about two years ago, after it hired Banyard.

“We had a good amount of notice.

The mayor suspected it was time to pay a visit when the new CEO came in, because he was not from Akron and we’d been noticing that the C-suite members were less from,” Hardy said.

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9/21/18 1:19 PM

CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

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Political ad spending is increasingly digital jmiller@crain.com @millerjh

Anyone who spends time watching television is about to be hit by a blast of political advertising. The purchase of time on broadcast and cable programming will consume the lion’s share of the millions of dollars that candidates are expected to spend to get people to vote for them by Nov. 6.

But the persuaders will be paying increasing attention to reaching voters online, spending money with the new forms of digital advertising.

Borrell Associates, a research and consulting firm in Williamsburg, Va., estimates that $240.4 million will be spent on political advertising in Ohio by the time the last vote is cast Nov. 6.

If Ohio matches the national norms, 51% of that will go to broadcast and cable television. But a growing amount — 20%, Borrell predicts — will be spent on relatively new forms of digital advertising, especially Google, Facebook and Twitter, despite concerns that the sites increase the spread of political misinformation.

A comparison to the last midterm election in 2014 is difficult because there was no Ohio Senate seat at stake that year.

The allure of the digital space is the ability to precisely target voters. Because television and even cable are “shotgun” media — to reach a voter who hasn’t decided who to vote for, a candidate must pay for an audience that includes children and other nonvoters, as well as voters who have made up their minds for whom to vote.

Political consultants have not been able, until experiments in the last several election cycles, to provide their candidates with any cost-efficient way to reach the small number of voters the candidates seek to motivate. Now, following the success of President Donald Trump’s online campaigning, politicians eagerly are moving to new, low-cost ways to reach voters on their computers and smartphones.

“Social media is a revolution from television and other formats because you’re only paying for when somebody sees you,” said Marvin Hayes, vice president of business development for Data Genomix, a Cleveland data mining firm. The firm’s Topplr product allows political candidates to target persuadable voters. “The ability to tailor and customize an audience is based on any range of variables that you can feed into a platform like Facebook.”

So their media buyers will be making greater use of campaign ads placed in the pages potential voters browse on their devices, including social media like Facebook and Twitter.

“Five years ago, we were spending a lot of time convincing people to go online,” said Vanessa Tey Iosue, president of Burges & Burges Strategists, a political consultancy in Euclid.

“Now it’s almost like people are over-relying on online, thinking that’s the answer. It’s cheap, and they see everybody is on Facebook.”

The ability to make sure you’re sending your campaign messages to the right people is becoming irresistible.

“It used to be that digital was looked down upon because more than half the ads went to bots (a computer using a software application that runs automated tasks),” said Alex Wenzel, chief digital strategist for Ring LLC, a communications consulting company based in Columbus. “In the 2016 (election) cycle, people discovered that you could target by household, by

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“Social media is a revolution from television and other formats because you’re only paying for when somebody sees you.”

— Marvin Hayes, VP of business development for Data Genomix

IP (Internet protocol) address. Now it’s like a mail piece.”

An IP address is assigned to each device connected to a computer network. Once a campaign knows a computer’s IP, there are programs that will match voter registration data from election boards to IP addresses, Wenzel said.

Wenzel said a campaign can start by sorting voter registrations, which identify whether a voter is a registered Republican or Democrat or is unaffiliated. These lists, which include addresses, are then run through an IP mapping system in which the IP addresses are matched with physical addresses. “Once the two addresses append (match), then you can begin inserting your display or video banner ads using the IP address of the home or office building,” he said.

Wenzel said the use of digital has been evolving since the campaign for George W. Bush was able to give people going door-to-door the ability to know what issues to bring up to which voters.

“It’s a really good tool to use,” Tey Iosue said. “On social media, you’re

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able to target very precisely. A decent one-week cable buy for a local candidate in one geography would be like $10,000, where a week online could be $500 or $1,000 and you can really, really impact a lot of people.”

Both Facebook and Google have created archives of political ads that allow any user to see which campaigns are using their ads and, within broad parameters, how many people saw the ad and how much those viewer impressions cost.

For example, an ad run on Facebook by Friends of Sherrod Brown, the Ohio Democrat who has held a Senate seat since 2006, carried a picture of Brown’s Republican opponent, Rep. Jim Renacci, and was headlined, “Jim Renacci is failing Ohio students.” The Facebook ad ar-

chive reported on the evening of Sept. 20 that the ad got between 500,000 and 1 million impressions and cost the campaign committee between $5,000 and $10,000. Other similar ads drew fewer clicks and were curtailed quickly Ring ran 19 digital campaigns in recent Oklahoma primaries and won 17 of 19, Wenzel said. “The folks we advertised to turned out to vote 32% higher than folks that were not seeing our ads.”

Still, television advertising is not ready to die.

“It’s a really good tool to use,” said Tey Iosue. “On social media, you’re able to target very precisely. But then with cable, it’s flashy and sometimes it just adds legitimacy to a campaign — ‘Oh I saw his cable commercial, he must be doing well,’ or ‘He has a lot of money.’ ”

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Cleveland-based Fairmount Properties, which earlier this year opened the $240 million Pinecrest mixed-use project in Orange Village, is lining up a joint venture to land its next big Northeast Ohio real estate development.

Fairmount is in talks to form a partnership to undertake what has most recently been called “Rockside Crossing” in Seven Hills with the Boca Raton, Fla.-based developers who own the property in the suburb’s northeast corner through LSB Seven Hills LLC. Led by developers Louis Beck, a hotel developer who owns the Holiday Inn and SpringHill Suites in Independence, and Jeffrey Graef, president of Focus Development, LSB Seven Hills in 2015 bought the site for more than $2 million. LSB demolished a dozen houses on the site that had been acquired as the property’s prior owner, Atlantis Development Group of Cleveland, cobbled together properties for a prior realty development plan.

LSB secured planned unit development zoning for the parcel two years ago in a drive to resurrect development of the site that has been in the works for a decade.

“Due to this being a large piece of land and project and our being located in Florida, we feel the best course of action is to partner with a top-rated local firm,” Graef said. “They’ve completed a huge undertaking at Pinecrest. They’ve already brought a new perspective to this project.”

Emerick Corsi, a Fairmount partner, said he pursued the partnership with LSB because he grew up in Sev-

40

en Hills and believes the site has “a lot of opportunity.”

Neither Corsi, formerly an executive at Forest City Realty Trust who operated on a national basis, nor Graef would detail terms of the partnership.

“Something great can happen on that site,” Corsi said.

However, both he and Graef said it is too soon to say what components of the project will be as they are undertaking a joint planning process.

Both said they also want to share plans first with Seven Hills city officials, whose support they will need so the final project can secure planning and zoning approvals.

Seven Hills council president Tony Biasiotta said the project is an important one for the suburb.

“The leadership of Seven Hills wants to see the property developed in a way that makes economic sense for the city and the developers,” Biasiotta said. “It’s better to get it done right than get it done quick. It’s the last major developable piece of land in the city.”

Seven Hills Mayor Richard Dell’Aquila said in a news release on the suburb’s website that at a joint meeting Aug. 27, Fairmount made an initial conceptual presentation of their development plans for the site with office, retail and residential uses, including a grocery store and hotel.

“Where others saw the site topography as a challenge, Fairmount sees it as an opportunity to create a unique development that will enhance the beauty of the city at its very entrance,” the mayor wrote on the city website.

“And there will be some great views from the top of the hill, too.”

The mayor did not return three messages from Crain’s Cleveland

Business by 1 p.m. last Thursday, Sept. 20, to discuss the plan.

Graef and Beck had earlier scrapped plans to put as much as 600,000 square feet of retail in an earlier version of the project due to its topography. The southern end of the site is 100 feet above the potential access to the project on the south side of Rockside Road near Crossview Road.

Graef and Corsi both said the next iteration of plans may be ready for the city to begin reviewing them in October. Fairmount has long pursued efforts to gain a footing in the south suburb. It previously partnered with the city of Independence on a city-owned site there, but parted ways last year.

Pinecrest, which Fairmount developed in a joint venture with the Valley View-based DiGeronomo family, occupies a site in Orange Village at 27349 Harvard Road that is just 8 acres larger than the site in Seven Hills. It has 400,000 square feet of retail space occupied by stores such as REI and West Elm, as well as restaurants, 150,000 square feet of office space, an AC Hotel and apartments.

Besides Pinecrest, Fairmount has also crafted other projects in the region, such as First and Main in Hudson, and, as partners with the Wolstein Group of Cleveland, the first and second phases of Flats East Bank Neighborhood near downtown.

Regardless of what the final mix may be, the Rockside Crossing site perched on the west end of the Rockside Road office corridor likely will be a project of scale.

LSB’s earlier plan forecast it would cost $100 million to develop the site, and with Fairmount in the picture, it’s unlikely to wind up any smaller.

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PA G E 7

Akron aims for more career-oriented schools

By RACHEL ABBEY McCAFFERTY rmccafferty@crain.com @ramccafferty

Akron is trying to tie the lessons its public high school students learn in the classroom to potential career paths in hopes that stronger engagement will translate to better attendance and academic performance.

“If we can make learning relevant and meaningful, then they’re going to engage in their learning in a deeper way, so that they’re learning what they need to be successful on outcomes,” said Rachel Tecca, director of the College & Career Academies for Akron Public Schools.

The College & Career Academies initiative is transforming Akron’s high schools from more traditional designs to career-focused programs.

In spring 2017, the Akron schools network became part of the Ford Next Generation Learning community — a national initiative, which also includes the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, backed by Ford Motor Co. that is pushing more schools to become career-oriented academies. In Cleveland, career-focused academies are just part of the district’s portfolio of options at the high school level, but they are an important one for students pursuing career-technical education.

Ford Next Generation Learning’s most recent annual report noted 51 districts were involved in the effort in 2017. That adds up to more than 540 academies.

And, according to the report, the academies are seeing success. For example, attendance for students at its academies was almost 92% in 2017.

In Akron, the most recent state report card noted 22% chronic absenteeism, which the state defines as missing 10% or more of the school year, for the whole district.

The model was piloted in Akron starting in 2016 and is now being implemented districtwide at its high schools. The freshman academies started this year and career- and college-focused academies will be rolled out next fall. Currently, the district lists 15 career-focused academies at seven of the high schools, associate degree options at Akron Early College High School and no such academies at the Akron Alternative Academy. The academies include focuses ranging from health and human services to advanced technology to applied engineering, with more specific career pathways students can follow within. Students are assigned to a neighborhood school but have the option to enroll at another district school, an option that could take on more importance under the new academies model.

Partnerships with local businesses and institutions are a big part of the model, helping to give students hands-on experiences in their fields of interest. Already, the district has partnered with a variety of local organizations and businesses, most recently announcing partnerships with the University of Akron and KeyBank.

For the University of Akron, the partnership could help it develop a

Akron Children’s Hospital started working with North High School in 2016 as part of the district’s College & Career Academies model.

(Shane Wynn)

“pipeline” of students, said interim president John C. Green. That makes it more competitive, but it also gives it the chance to recruit students who historically may not have gone to college.

The university, for example, is serving as a “sister university” to the three high schools: Ellet High School, NIHF STEM High School and Akron Early College. The university had already been working with the latter two schools, but this will expand upon its partnership.

University of Akron faculty will work with teachers in the high schools and make its facilities available to the district. And just exposing students to a college campus is important. Green said that for many, being on a college campus is as unfamiliar as being in a foreign country.

“And these partnerships give us an opportunity to introduce people to that foreign country,” Green said.

Kent State University, which officially partnered with Firestone Community Learning Center in February, attaching its name to the school’s academies, already started that work this past spring. The university invited eighth grade students who would be attending Firestone to campus to learn more about the different career options they could study. It was a way to introduce and welcome students to a “big world,” said Melody Tankersley, senior associate provost and dean of graduate studies at Kent State.

Then, over the summer, the university hosted a week-long residential camp for a smaller group of students. The program gave participants the chance to more fully explore the pathways in Firestone’s academies in areas like aerospace and visual art and design, areas where the university is strong. Students had the chance to do everything from fly drones to learn about movie-making.

The academies model is important because it helps students learn about their post-high school options, whether students choose to attend college, enter a career or enlist in the military, Tankersley said.

“You know, hopefully, people will come to Kent State. That would be awesome. But that’s not our bigger goal here,” Tankersley said. “I mean, our big goal is to make sure that,

really, the kids in Northeast Ohio know that they have every opportunity available to them. And we see it as our mission to make sure they know about that.”

A variety of factors went into the selection of the academic pathways, including projected workforce demand in Northeast Ohio, enrollment numbers and student interest. Tecca said the district will continue to mon-

itor the workforce and enrollment data going forward, updating pathway options as career choices arise, evolve or become outdated.

Bridgestone Americas Inc. is one of the district’s industry partners, working with East Community Learning Center. There’s a national need for auto mechanics, said Steven Charles, vice president of research and development and polymers, and the company has a similar program in Nashville. Working with Akron in a similar way seemed like a good idea, particularly since it has an existing relationship with the schools.

Most of what Bridgestone offers the Akron schools is through in-kind resources or personnel, not direct monetary gifts, Charles said.

“That’s how you get things done,” Charles said. “Anybody can write a check, and obviously that’s appreciated, but at the end of the day, our team really is dedicated and passionate about trying to make these people successful.”

Akron Children’s Hospital is a partner at North High School — the school that started serving as the academies’ model pilot in 2016 — and accompanied the district on a trip to Nashville to see how the model works in their schools. It was an enlightening experience for Bernett

L. Williams, the hospital’s vice president for external affairs. The hospital had wanted to be involved with the district’s efforts, but wanted Akron Public Schools to outline a plan for involvement. After visiting Nashville, Williams realized there’s no set template for these partnerships.

“The partners can help shape what that relationship looks like with the students, with the schools, with the teacher,” she said.

For North High School and Akron Children’s Hospital, which has lent its name to the school’s academy of health and human services, that relationship has included opportunities for students to give presentations to hospital employees to an experiential learning day, Williams said. The hospital also plans to work with small cohorts of students who are interested in pursuing health careers to get them internships and job shadowing experiences. The goal is to expose students to health professions at their level of interest and, possibly, to jobs at Akron Children’s Hospital, Williams said.

Ideally, the College & Career Academies model could give students a “competitive advantage,” Tecca said, helping them to graduate with college credit or an industry credential or, at least, a clearly defined career path.

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Corrections  An article in the Sept. 17 edition of Crain’s Cleveland Business miscalculated the total value of Timken Co.’s recent transactions. The three deals the company is completing this fall total about $855 million in purchase prices, including stock swaps.

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 Incorrect information appeared Sept. 17 in the Katie Watts’ Notable Women in Real Estate profile. Watts, along with her partner Russ Rogers, is representing the city of Cleveland on a $60 million transaction for the new Cleveland police headquarters.

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PA G E 9

At the Table

Naf Naf adds Middle Eastern flair to crowded fast-casual scene Who could have foreseen the portals of culinary imagination Chipotle has opened?

The fast-casual, Mexican build-your-own Joe c o n c e p t Crea spawned imitators of all kinds of stripes: Italian (Piada), pizza (Blaze Pizza, Pizza Fire), Indian (Choolaah) and healthy (Core Life Eatery). Now there’s Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill.

Since first opening in 2009 in the Chicago area, the chain has spread into nine heartland states, including Ohio. (The chain’s website hints at eyes set on Florida and California, too.) The first of two Ohio locations is up and running at 6714 Rockside Road in Independence, with a second slated to open this fall at The Shoppes of Parma (formerly Parmatown Mall).

Presumably, you’re familiar with the Chipotle model. With Naf Naf, dishes are custom-built with classics like shawarma (dry-rubbed chicken, marinated overnight and roasted through the day), grilled marinated beef steak and falafel (ground chickpea balls blended with onion and jalapeno and deep-fried). Those classics are spooned over steamed basmati rice, couscous or greens; spread over hummus; or stuffed into a pillowy pita, then guests choose toppings — anything from chopped salad or purple cabbage, sumac-marinated onion or Middle Eastern pickles. Pick a finishing sauce, then dive in.

Price points are in the Chipotle neighborhood, too. My wife and I sampled the Naf Naf menu (a big steak pita, enough for two meals, and a cabbage-and-salad-topped hummus-and-shawarma bowl, plus a couple of falafel and a soft drink) and left about $20 at the register.

It was a meal worthy of a return visit, though I remain a big fan of Northeast Ohio’s hometown spot, Aladdin’s Eatery. (There’s a location basically across the street, in Rockside Commons.)

A Lotus blooms in Parma Speaking of Parma, the city recently saw the debut of Lotus Thai House at 5869 Broadview Road, the former home of restaurateur Eddie Ripepi’s popular Verso Restaurant.

Sound familiar? A Cleveland Heights Lotus Thai House operated for a little over four years at 1918 Lee Road (the former Mekong River restaurant) before relocating earlier this year.

The independently operated eatery is a welcome addition to the area, which sports the excellent Charm Thai Restaurant at 7426 Broadview Road (near Pleasant Valley Road). In contrast to Charm’s feeling of a lovely hideaway, Lotus Thai is a more unassuming neighbor: several tables clustered into a fairly open room, punctuated by bright pools of light and a few adornments on the walls.

Food on an initial visit was quite satisfying. We came up against a seductive three-for-$12 appetizer special that enticed us into sampling excellent fresh gyoza, a quartet of crispy

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and artfully constructed summer rolls, and Lotus curry puffs, satisfying if stodgy fried pastries crammed with ground chicken, onion, cilantro and tasty lumps of sweet potato. Together they could have composed a light meal for two.

But a shared serving of Thailand’s national dish, Pad Thai, was a happy addition to the menu. Lotus Thai offers a “pick your protein” approach, so prices range from $10 for chicken, pork or tofu to $14 for beef or shrimp, or higher. We opted for the seafood medley (shrimp, sliced oysters and wonderfully plump shelled mussels).

We ended up taking home leftovers and plan to go back.

Food trucks lining up Crocker Park’s fourth annual Food Truck Challenge is slated for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Westlake lifestyle center. Nearly 30 trucks from around Northeast Ohio will be lined up and down the center’s Main Street.

Want an abbreviated lineup of participating trucks? On tap are Proper Pig, Hatfield’s Goode Grub, Hatfield’s Sweet Tooth, Wrap It Up, Boca Loca Burrito Factory, Smash Time, Wild Spork, Krav, A Taste of Nawlins, Pierogi Joes, Sauce and Fire Truck Pizza.

Vote for your favorites in a variety of categories, including “best on a bun,” “best veggie,” “best through a straw,” “best-looking truck” and “happiest endings,” among several categories. Celebrity judges from Cleveland area TV and radio stations and other media will announce their winners at 3 p.m. at the center’s Main Stage.

For a complete list of competing trucks and other details, go to tinyurl. com/cpfoodtrucks.

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From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, a selection from Clubhouse Brewing Diamond, Ohio 44412 Co., a veteran-owned brewery based in Warren, will be featured.

“We’re taking a three-pronged approach to supporting veterans,” said Zach Dean, a West Point graduate and co-owner, in a statement. “In addition to donating a portion of our profits to Veterans Outreach, our ongoing goal is to provide meaningful employment to veterans. We’re also looking to eventually launch a nonn 51.2 acres profit that provides business mentoring to veterans.” n Retention and drainage in place Dean will kick off a tasting recepn Easy access off I-76 tion at 6 p.m. with a charcuterie display of Na*Kyrsie meats presented n Centrally located between Youngstown and Akron with a selection of preserved local fruits and samplings of Bissell Maple Farm’s bourbon barrel-aged maple SVN SUMMIT COMMERCIAL syrup.

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Seats for the evening are $59 per person, plus tax. If you care to linger, the Lodge is offering a “Beer Tasting Dinner Package for two,” which includes the tasting, dinner, a onenight stay and breakfast the following Laura Picariello, Reprints Sales Manager morning, with prices starting at $305.

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April 16-22, 2018

Sponsored Content

Acquisition helps keep Ramco on growth track VOL. 39, NO. 16

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April 16-22, 2018

Acquisition helps keep Ramco on growth track

VOL. 39, NO. 32

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2018

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“The predictive modeling approach is being adopted by other groups, from redefining onboarding for new hires, to streamlining the training modules that impact per performance, to prioritizing workload for compensation reviews,” the nomination stated. “Candidate ex experience work will result in more quality candidates in our recruiters’ pipelines and improve our employ-

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gan to focus more on engineering

By DAN SHINGLER and less on producing common, low-priced parts like simple nuts. dshingler@crain.com “That’s a race to the bottom,” @DanShingler Melick said of the highly commodHudson-based Ramco Specialties itized realm of simple nuts and bolts, where foreign and domestic suppliis on an automotive roll.

VOL. 39, NO. 16 April 16-22, 2018 Sponsored Content After building and moving into a ers most often compete primarily on 185,000-square-foot headquarters and price and the cheapest part wins.

The company has found OEM more on engineering gan toitsfocus main plant a little over two years ago,

By DAN SHINGLER and less their on big producing common, the company has increased its size automaker customers,and with Ramlow-priced parts like simple nuts. with the acquisition of Michigan-based suppliers, willing to work dshingler@crain.com co’s engineers earlier in“That’s their own a race to the bottom,” Copa Tool earlier this month. @DanShingler allows Melick saidthe of the highly commodGrowth in Ramco’s automotive design processes. That to offer fastening systems itized realm of simple nuts and bolts, business, by far its largest Hudson-based end market, company Ramco Specialties can be integrated intoforeign other and domestic suppliwhere is fueling it all, Jeff Melick, Ramco’s di- thatroll. is on an automotive which can themost entireoften au- compete primarily on rector of sales and marketing, Aftersaid. building parts, and moving intomake a ers manufacturing process the cheapest part wins.

“This year, we’re up185,000-square-foot about 15%,” tomotive headquarters and price and Specialties’ 185,000-square-foot headquarters and main plant has andyears moreago, efficient.

Plus, they Ramco The company has found its focus OEM more on engineering gan to Melick said, adding that theplant compamain a littlefaster over two of warehouse room, too. (Dan Shingler for Crain’s) DAN SHINGLER notBydepend whollyautomaker on price customers, to plentyand and their less big on producing common, ny has been experiencing a similar hasdoincreased the company its size sales, Melick said.suppliers, willing to work with Ramlow-priced parts like simple nuts. growth rate since about 2008, when gain with the acquisition of Michigan-based dshingler@crain.com growing faster overall must be working, because while earlier co’s engineers in“That’s their than own a race todomestic the bottom,If ” the state’s automotive compait began focusing onCopa more Toolengiearlier thisItmonth. @DanShingler growth onlycommoddo nies as a whole can fare that well, it some other companiesdesign are alsoprocesses. find- production That allows theofrates Melick said the can highly neered products than a simple Growthnut. in Ramco’s automotive would be a good thing for Ohio, in two ways: They are either a bolts, growth inmarket, automotive, the induscompany to offersofastening systems itized realm of simple nutson and Copa Tool is a significant pickup business, by far itsing largest end Hudson-based Ramco Specialties which still has a huge automotive small where number of hotand products or asupplias is a whole has onroll. a downthat can be integrated into foreign other domestic for Ramco. Its $14 million in annual is fueling it all, Jefftry Melick, Ramco’s di-been on an automotive according to the Ohio number of where a industry, trend, said Edward “Ned” Hill, parts, which can make the entireoften au-products most compete primarily on sales will be added torector Ramco’s an-andward of sales marketing, Aftersaid. building and moving intolarger a ers few are picking marketpart share. a well-known Ohio economist and tomotive manufacturing process price and theupcheapest wins. Manufacturers’ Association. nual revenues of about $100 million.

“This year, we’re up185,000-square-foot about 15%,” headquarters and Specialties’ 185,000-square-foot headquarters a huge partand main plant has Seeing that the overall Ramco tide bouncprofessor public administration faster and years moreago, efficient.

Plus, they The company has is found its OEM“Auto supply remains Copa’s 40 employees bring Ramco’s Melick said, adding that theofcompamain plant a little over two plenty of warehouse room, too.

(Dan Shingler for Crain’s) of Ohio’s enormous manufacturing ing around dead low … they either and city regional atits size doplanning not depend whollyautomaker on price to customers, and their big headcount to about ny 175 haspeople, been experiencing a similar the and company has increased sector. State data has shown increasgood boatwilling or have Ohio State University’s gain sales,John Melickhave said.asuppliers, toattached work witha RamMelick said. growth rate sincethe about 2008, when with the acquisition of Michigan-based ingoverall investment among all decent boatengineers towhile a goodearlier motor.”

Glenn College ofearlier Publicthis Affairs. growing domestic If transporthe state’s automotive compaIt month. must be working, because co’s infaster theirthan own The acquisition brings things that it began focusing onCopa more engiTool tation Ramco is not at allows least Asked whether Ramco or any sinproduction growth rates equipment can only do manufacturers, nies as a whole can fare that well, it some other companies are also find-unique, design processes.

That the might be more important than just than neered products a simple nut.in Growth Ramco’s automotive and are jobeither growth been steady amongcompany Northeast supplicompany’s recent growth in aube a good thing for Ohio, soauto in two ways: They on ahas would growth inmarket, automotive, the industo Ohio offer fastening systems sales, too, such as increased CopamanuTool is agle significant pickup business, by far itsing largest end transportation equipment ers.

Some report they are also other tomotive is annual due to Jeff a rising or has still has a huge automotive small number ofamong hot products or a which try as atide, whole onothers acan downthat be integrated into facturing capacity. While forRamco Ramco.traIts $14 million in is fueling it all, Melick, Ramco’s di-been manufacturers, employwell. just to a well-run boat, Hill hadtrend, a ready according to the Ohio number products wherepresently a industry, ward said Edward “Ned” Hill,canlarger parts, which make the entireofauditionally has focused sales on thewill female be added Ramco’s an- and rector of sales marketing, said.doing ing 125,000 OMA Association.

Adler, president of Cuyahoga “It’smillion. the boat.”

Manufacturers’ few are picking up over market share. Ohioans,” a well-known OhioBill economist and tomotive manufacturing process end of fasteners — nuts and related of answer: nual revenues about $100 “This year, we’re up about 15%,” Ramco Specialties’ 185,000-square-foot headquarters spokesman Augsburger Heights-based Products, Overall, domestic auto production “Autosaid. supply remains a huge partand main plant has thatPlus, the overall tide is Ryan bouncprofessor public administration faster andStripmatic more Seeing efficient. they threaded assemblies Copa’s — Copa has 40 employees bring Ramco’s Melick said, adding that theofcompaplenty warehouse room, for Crain’s) For… itsthey part,of Ramco expects itstoo. re-(Dan Shingler also sells heavily thearound automohas been in apeople, slump, Hill said.

He and notof Ohio’s enormous manufacturing dead to low either and city regional planning atintoing do not depend wholly on price high-volume screw machines headcountthat to about 175 ny has been experiencing a similar growth to continue and isState worktive industry, supplying a range data from Federal Reserve data has shown increashave a goodof boatcent or have attached a sector. the Ohio State University’s John gain sales, Melick said. can produce bolts and othersaid. small ed thatgrowth Melick ratethe since about 2008, when ing hard to earn its place supplying parts.

He, too, said Bank of Louisthat shows thaton U.S. auto- engiing overall investment among all decent boat towhile a good motor.”

If transporthe state’s automotive compagrowing faster than domestic Glenn College ofsmall, Public tubular Affairs.

It must be working, because precision parts Ramco does curcur The not acquisition brings things it St. began focusing more parts for up-and-coming vehicles, business is any good as of late. makersneered went from about tation equipment Ramco is not unique, at least nies as a whole can fare that well, it production growth rates can only do manufacturers, Asked whether Ramco or sinsome other companies are also findrently make, Melick said. might be more important than just making products than a simple nut.

Melick said.

Copa’s and on has “Stripmatic is at 15% over ourindus350,000 automobiles month be-pickup and are job either growth been steady among Northeast Ohiosoauto supplibe a good thing for Ohio, in two ways: presence They a would company’s recent growth in auing growth inleast automotive, the presAnd it never hurts tosales, havetoo, a pres such as increased manumanu Copa Tool is per agle significant added connections and around first-quarter and last year’s tween 2013 and tra2016 totomotive now making transportation equipment ers.been Some reportsmall they are also in still has a huge automotive number ofamong hot products or a which is to a rising or has try as tide, aforecast whole onothers a downence in the metropolitan Detroit facturing capacity.

While Ramco tra for Ramco.

Its $14 million in due annual Detroitlarger should only of help, since where it presently sales,” Adler “The short-term abouton 250,000 units month. manufacturers, employdoing well. according to the Ohio a industry, number products just atowell-run Hill hadtrend, a said. ready ward said Edward “Ned” Hill, area, where Copa is based, alongside ditionally has focused thewill female sales be per added Ramco’sboat, anputs few Ramco toshare.Ohioans,” backlog through June looks prettypresident other words, company isthe boat.” over 125,000 OMA Association.

Billeconomist Adler, of Cuyahoga Manufacturers’ are physically pickinging upcloser market “It’smillion. a well-known Ohio and domestic automakers end and ofmany of —In fasteners nuts andrevenues related ifofaanswer: nual about $100 many Seeing of itsProducts, big customers, hetide added. solid as well.” growing, they40 must be doing somespokesman Augsburger Heights-based Stripmatic “Autosaid. supply remains a huge part that the overall isRyan bouncOverall, domestic auto production professor of public administration their suppliers that arethreaded all potential assemblies — Copa has Copa’s employees bring Ramco’s “Ouring product development who said hisregional products most thingmachines right.

For … its engipart, either Ramco expects itsenormous realso sells heavily at into the automoof Ohio’s manufacturing around dead low they has been in apeople, slump,Adler, Hilland said.

He notcity and planning Ramco customers, he noted. high-volume screw thatto about headcount 175 neers have area very excited to able to theirState waytive into pickups, supplying a supplier is from a typically growth to continue and isState work-data has shown increasindustry, range ofboatcent a good orbe have attached a sector. ed that data the Federal Reserve thefind Ohio University’s John Ramco hopes to bring bear itsbolts “How cantoproduce andMelick other small performs said. offer He, domestically SUVs and heavy commercial function of not which itofisSt.things suping hard to earn its place tubular too,boat saidto amanufactured ing supplying investment among all transpordecent good motor.”

Bank Louis that shows that U.S. autoGlenn College ofsmall, Publictrucks, Affairs. parts. chief strength to Copa’sprecision existing cuscus parts Ramco does curcurvehicles The acquisition brings engineered assemblies and compothinks new taxabout laws and a reduction plying and how those important vehicles went sell,” for up-and-coming vehicles, business is good as of late. equipment manufacturers, Ramco is notparts unique, at least tation makers making Asked whether Ramco or any sintomer base, Melickrently said.make, That Melick said. might be more thanfrom just nents quickly toour our Tier 1 automoof regulations are having a big posi-in Hill to said intoo, email corresponMelick said.suppliCopa’s presence “Stripmatic is at leastamong 15% over and job and growth has been steady Northeast Ohio auto 350,000 automobiles per beglemonth company’s recent growth austrength is engineering, And he said.

AfAf hurts presit never have a an pres sales, such as increased manutive Melickadded said. connections tive impact sales. dence.facturing “An Detroit auto supplier that is 2016 and around forecast and year’s transportation equipment ers.last Some others report they are also inamong tween 2013 and totomotive now on making is duefirst-quarter to a rising tide, or customers,” ter the Great Recession, Ramco bebe metropolitan ence in the capacity.

While Ramco traDetroit should only help, since it presently employsales,” short-term manufacturers, doing well. about 250,000 units per just month. a well-run boat, HillAdler had asaid. ready“The area, where Copa is based, alongside ditionally has focused on the female puts Ramco physically to prettypresident ing closer over 125,000 Ohioans,” OMA Bill Adler, of Cuyahoga other company “It’sisthe backlog boat.” through June looks domestic automakers end and of many of —Innuts fasteners andwords, relatedif aanswer: Reprinted with permission from the Crain’s Cleveland Business. ©be 2018 CrainsomeCommunications Inc. All Rights reserved. many of itsProducts, big customers, he added. solidauto as well.” spokesman Ryan Augsburger said.

Heights-based Stripmatic growing, doing Overall, domestic production their suppliers that arethreaded all potential assemblies — they Copamust has Visit Further duplication without permission www.crainscleveland.com. #CC117 “Ourthe product development Adler, whoHe said his products For itsengipart, Ramco expects its realso sellsmost heavily into automothing right.is prohibited.

Hill said. notRamco customers, he noted. high-volume screw machines that has been in a slump, neers areavery excited to begrowth able toto continue and is work findReserve their waytive into industry, pickups, supplying workrange of cent a supplier is from a typically ed that data the Federal Ramco hopes to bring bear its bolts“How cantoproduce and other small performs offer He, domestically SUVs and commercial ing hard to earn its place supplying small, trucks, tubular parts. too, said manufactured function of which vehicles supBankitofisSt. Louis shows that heavy U.S. autochief strength to Copa’sprecision existing cuscus parts Ramco does not curand compothinksmaking new taxabout laws and a reduction for up-and-coming vehicles, business is goodengineered as of late. assembliesparts plying sell,” from makers went tomer base, Melick rently said.make, ThatMelick said.and how those vehicles nents to our our Tier 1 automoof regulations arebehaving“Stripmatic a big posi- is at Melick said. Copa’s presence and leastquickly 15% over Hill to said in aan email350,000 corresponautomobiles per month strength is engineering, he said.

AfAf hurts And it never have prestive customers,” Melick said. tive impact on sales. added connections in and around first-quarter forecast and last year’s dence.

“An auto supplier that is tween 2013 and 2016 to now making ter the Great Recession, Ramco bebe metropolitan Detroit ence in the sales,” Adler said. “The short-term Detroit should only help, since it area, where Copa is based, alongside about 250,000 units per month.

In other words, if a company is backlog through June looks pretty puts Ramco physically closer to domestic automakers and many of Reprinted with permission from the Crain’s Cleveland Business. © 2018 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights reserved. many of its big customers, he added. their suppliers that are all potential growing, they must be doing some- solid as well.”

Further duplication without permission is prohibited. Visit www.crainscleveland.com. #CC117 “Our product development engiAdler, who said his products most thing right.

Ramco customers, he noted.

“How a supplier performs is a typically find their way into pickups, neers are very excited to be able to Ramco hopes to bring to bear its chief strength to Copa’s existing cus- function of which vehicles it is sup- SUVs and heavy commercial trucks, offer domestically manufactured tomer base, Melick said. That plying and how those vehicles sell,” thinks new tax laws and a reduction engineered assemblies and compoHill said in an email correspon- of regulations are having a big posi- nents quickly to our Tier 1 automostrength is engineering, he said. AfAf tive customers,” Melick said. ter the Great Recession, Ramco be- dence. “An auto supplier that is tive impact on sales.

Acquisition helps keep Ramco on growth track

PROMOTE.

Reprinted with permission from the Crain’s Cleveland Business. © 2018 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights reserved.

Further duplication without permission is prohibited. Visit www.crainscleveland.com. #CC117

Reprinted with permission from the Crain’s Cleveland Business. © 2018 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights reserved.

Further duplication without permission is prohibited. Visit www.crainscleveland.com. #CC142

9/20/18 3:08 PM

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CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

Opinion Personal View

Emerging leaders are shaping Akron’s future

By HILLARY STEWART

Editorial

So, who’s next?

Rarely is the word stable used to describe anything in the health care industry. And at Summa Health in Akron, that’s especially been the case over the last few years, given the rotating cast of characters moving through the C-Suite and a lackluster — and, at times, dismal — financial performance. It appears, though, that Summa is ready to roar once again.

As Crain’s reported last week, Summa Health — under its interim CEO for the last 19 months, Dr. Cliff Deveny — has engineered quite the turnaround. Following a multimillion-dollar loss in 2017, Summa in the first half of this year managed to achieve a $43 million swing and is back in the black.

For some perspective: Summa lost a staggering $33 million during the first six months of 2017 — a move that necessitated the elimination of 300 positions and consolidation or ending of some clinical services. Deveny credited the continued improvement of Summa’s books to a lot “blocking and tackling” and work across the system to lower costs and increase access.

Morale at Summa plunged in the wake of Thomas Malone’s resignation as CEO in early 2017 following a tumultuous two years at the helm. Effects of Malone’s tenure still linger, as the Akron Beacon Journal last week reported Summa lost its bid to re-establish its emergency medicine residency program.

Deveny has moved his staff beyond its darkest days and restored faith Summa’s leadership — albeit, interim leadership.

Last spring, Deveny signed on for a second year as Summa’s interim leader, and Summa insists a search is underway for its next permanent CEO. It’s been about a year since Summa posted the ad for the job. Interim leaders — as demonstrated by Summa and its neighboring University of Akron — can often correct an organization’s course but rarely do they have the backing to plot the entire journey.

Given the Cleveland Clinic’s major play in Summit County with the takeover of Akron General and University Hospitals’ steady encroachment on the territory, visionary leadership is needed to ensure Summa remains a competitive and locally controlled asset in the community.

It’s worth asking whether Summa needs more than a Mr. FixIt and rather someone with a long-term plan. Is Deveny that person? Perhaps, if he wants the job, but the adjective preceding his current title is a bit distracting.

Playing the game

Ohio’s professional sports teams, plus business and community leaders, are putting a full-court press on the state Senate to pass a bill that would increase the amount of money the state could contribute to help cities attract major sporting events.

The House in June passed HB 531, which is co-sponsored by Dave Greenspan of Westlake and Kirk Schuring of Canton. The bill’s primary features include creating an ongoing special fund and diverting sales tax receipts attributable to sports events into that fund, as well as eliminating the annual cap of $1 million and the limit of $500,000 for a single event.

Leaders supporting the bill have signed a letter urging the Senate to pass the bill ASAP so groups including the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission have stronger (and legislatively guaranteed) incentives to offer in trying to land events, including, most immediately, the NFL draft in 2019 or 2020. The Senate has the bill in committee; Gov. John Kasich is said to have reservations about it.

This represents a frustrating conundrum of modern governance. More than 30 states offer similar incentives, so if Ohio's going to stay in the game, it has to keep pace. Yet, given the many needs across the state, it’s hard to argue that the economic benefits of the occasional high-profile event justify even more taxpayer support. The Senate should make a decision quickly so sports event planners know if funds are in place to be competitive in bidding on events.

More broadly, though, Ohio under its next governor needs to get a handle on the smorgasbord of incentives the state offers and whether taxpayers are well served by them.

Publisher and Editor: Elizabeth McIntyre (emcintyre@crain.com)

CLEVELAND BUSINESS

CLEVELAND BUSINESS P010_CL_20180924.indd 10

Managing Editor:

Scott Suttell (ssuttell@crain.com)

Sections Editor:

Timothy Magaw (tmagaw@crain.com)

Contact Crain’s:

216-522-1383

It has been both interesting and exciting to watch as an important conversation unfolds in Northeast Ohio regarding the economic development ecosystem and who will lead the efforts to design solutions to the challenges facing the region.

Most notable among these challenges are those outlined in the Fund for our Economic Future’s “The Two Tomorrows” report. I applaud the many leaders who have courageously carried its message forward in public forums and have been privileged to participate in conversations across multiple organizations regarding these realities. I am optimistic regarding the emerging strategies for how Akron will respond.

Through this conversation, other regional challenges have also emerged. In a Personal View article recently published by Crain’s Cleveland Business, the issue of attracting and retaining young talent was raised, and with it, the need to include I agree that emerging leaders when craftemerging leaders ing a strategic response.

I agree that emerging lead- are vital to a ers are vital to a strategy of attracting and retaining young strategy of talent, but I also believe it attracting and would be short-sighted to stop there. The findings of the “The retaining young Two Tomorrows” report are talent, but I also concerning enough to warrant an all-hands-on-deck ap- believe it would proach, and that includes be short-sighted emerging leaders. Thankfully, in Akron, we have the right to stop there. landscape for these leaders to contribute to solutions across a broad spectrum of economic and community issues.

As an example, young leaders in Akron already are making tangible strides to make this a community that others will want to stay in, often requiring little from the “established” leadership. Younger leaders were the force behind Highland Square’s Porch Rokr, the Akron Children’s Museum downtown, the Halloween Charity Ball, the Northside Marketplace and so many other efforts that make Akron a community that is friendly and exciting for young people and families alike. In short, young leaders have earned their seat at the table, and established Akron leaders have increasingly recognized and welcomed them in recent years.

This representation applies across a broad spectrum of fields in Akron. We are building a culture of inclusion for younger leaders, starting in Mayor Dan Horrigan’s office and extending to the broader community. These organizations range from Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s office, to the University of Akron, to the many nonprofits across our city that have leaders under the age of 40 in key staff positions or on their board of directors. Emerging leaders have been given authority to set strategy, accomplish ambitious goals and make real change. To add to this momentum, young entrepreneurs are building businesses and young leaders are winning elected positions at an accelerated rate. The Akron bench is deep.

I am pleased and confident to assert that Torchbearers has been a significant force in driving this culture shift. Hundreds of Torchbearers members and alumni have undergone leadership training and are now connected to organizations or efforts that they are personally passionate about. And as those hundreds of leaders go out and get to work, they also elevate other emerging leaders.

SEE STEWART, PAGE 11

Write us: Crain’s welcomes responses from readers. Letters should be as brief as possible and may be edited. Send letters to Crain’s Cleveland Business, 700 West St. Clair Ave., Suite 310, Cleveland, OH 44113, or by emailing ClevEdit@crain.com. Please include your complete name and city from which you are writing, and a telephone number for fact-checking purposes.

Sound off: Send a Personal View for the opinion page to emcintyre@crain.com.

Please include a telephone number for verification purposes.

9/20/18 4:20 PM

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Personal View

Economic inclusion is key to regional economic growth

BRONZE KEY GALA NOVEMBER 3, 2018

By BRIAN HALL

RECRES.ORG/BRONZEKEY

As a colleague in Knoxville, Tenn., said to a room of more than 30 regions last year, “Cleveland is the gold Our region is often recognized by others because of standard.” Even with our strengths across the sectors, the infrastructure and relationships we have built to we are not making adequate progress toward more eqimprove inclusion. Now it’s time to determine how we uitable results. It is now time to leverage what we have can use our strengths to both fuel equity and drive built by innovating ways to close the equity gap. economic growth.

It is not a simple task. In our 250-year history as a As the Fund for Our Economic Future’s “The Two nation, we’ve only had about 50 years in which proTomorrows” report illustrates, our region’s economy tections against discriminatory practices have existwill never thrive and outperform our ed, and that legacy can’t be reversed past if we don’t close the gaps in em- It is not a simple by just opening doors. A vivid illustration given in the Racial Equity Inployment, income and wealth betask. In our stitute presentation uses the Motween whites and people of color. nopoly game as an example. One This isn’t just a local challenge. The 250-year history group is allowed to play the game for W.K. Kellogg Foundation estimates the United States could add $8 trillion as a nation, we’ve several hours; then another group is to gross domestic product by 2050 if only had about 50 given “equal access” to play the these inequities were eliminated. The game after the properties have been city of Buffalo projects that “closing years in which bought and wealth has accumulatthe racial equity gap in income and protections ed. The second group of course has wealth would mean an additional $12 little chance of competing and finds billion in wealth for area families.” against itself paying high rents to the first Cleveland can use its strengths to discriminatory group, with very little chance at inlead the nation in solving this longcome or wealth. practices have Unlike the Monopoly game, our standing crisis.

Doing so is a key component of the economy isn’t a zero-sum game but existed, and that instead presents opportunities of Greater Cleveland Partnership’s reexpansion into new areas and cent strategic plan and has been a fo- legacy can’t be growth from existing ones. We must, cus of GCP’s Commission on Ecohowever, focus on growth for those nomic Inclusion since it was founded reversed by just who have been left out of the game in 2001. The commission engages opening doors. and we must do so with equity, not employers to increase board, senior management, workforce and supplier diversity and equality, as our guide. Equity would cause us to fotracks performance via an annual assessment of near- cus disproportionately on the disenfranchised ly 100 of our largest organizations. Despite these ef- group as we fill the thousands of unfilled positions forts and progress, we — like the rest of the nation — in our region, incentivize development in neighborhave failed to close the racial economic gap. We and hoods, expand construction or purchasing in our our partners are poised to seek new and innovative existing areas of strength, invest in training, deploy solutions. capital and seek talent from the boardroom to the In March, the commission hosted 200 CEOs and se- shop floor.

It’s time we take advantage as a region of our nior leaders at a program featuring the co-founder of CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Tim Ryan, U.S. strength, in recognizing the importance of inclusion chairman and senior partner of PwC. Ryan shared his and equity. We must develop new actions with intenpersonal experience developing a more inclusive cul- tionality, not just let “others” play the game, but drive ture at PwC and detailed why 400 companies national- growth in income and wealth among citizens and ly have joined the CEO Action movement. businesses of color which will grow our region and enThirteen peer cities joined us for this event and hance the way our regional economy works to benefit stayed for a full-day session the next day, sharing and everyone. benchmarking each other’s work on economic inclusion. Those regions commended Cleveland for the Hall is senior vice president for the Greater Cleveland work that’s been fostered here and the long-running Partnership and is executive director of the collaboration of our region’s business, philanthropic Commission on Economic Inclusion. He is also chair and political communities. In fact, in my work across of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the the country, the commission is considered a pioneer. Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

STEWART

doors, and wherever there is important work to be done in this city, you’ll find young leaders on the front lines, investing their time and talent. This inCONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 cludes, but is not limited to, the economic develThis is not to say that the landscape of leadership opment ecosystem, and efforts to attract and retain in Akron has yet become what it should be, even for young talent in our region. For many reasons, but young leaders. There is still plenty of work ahead of especially this one, I look forward to Akron’s promus. While Akron is very open to young leadership, ising future, tackling these challenges together. we suffer from rounding up the And so we would like to assert that “usual suspects” of young leaders While Akron is Torchbearers’ hands are also raised every time. And more broadly, there as a regional resource with a track reis a lot of work to be done in im- very open to cord of impact and success. As decisions about the future of Northeast proving the racial representation young leadership, Ohio advance, Torchbearers is comamong the young leaders who are included — a charge that Torch- we suffer from mitted to being where we always have been — on the front lines, sleeves bearers is making a leadership pri- rounding up the rolled up, getting to work. ority for the coming year.

The culture of embracing young “usual suspects” leadership in Akron will continue of young leaders Stewart is president of Torchbearers, to be one of the primary reasons which links young professionals with for its success — Akron opens it every time. area nonprofits.

P011_CL_20180924.indd 11

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CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

FALL CULTURE GUIDE

Classical music

By SCOTT SUTTELL ssuttell@crain.com @ssuttell

Thomas Wilkins and CIM Orchestra Sept. 26

Guest conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra in a diverse program featuring Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture, Op. 96,” Walton’s “Cello Concerto (1956)” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64.” The concert at Severance Hall is free, but tickets are required.

Bartók and Prokofiev with the Cleveland Orchestra Sept. 27 and 30

Explore, via a Cleveland Orchestra performance, the work of two major 20th century composers — Béla Bartók and Sergei Prokofiev — whose homelands (Hungary and Ukraine, respectively) had a profound influence on their work. “In this program of decidedly Eastern European music, Bartók’s ‘Second Piano Concerto’ storms forth from brassy to mystery, from vibrant to shimmering wonder,” the orchestra says. Two works by Prokofiev bookend the evening: “his delightful and energetic Classical Symphony and the all-too-rarely-heard Third Symphony, an intensely-built masterpiece drawn from his opera The Fiery Angel,” according to the orchestra.

So long, summer.

It’s time to raise fall’s curtain.

Acclaimed fortepianist Sylvia Berry is featured when Les Délices performs “Mozart in Paris Part 2.” (Contributed photo)

Oct.

C Fire at p Mus of A Chu nett ches “Ov “Sym “Bal well B-fl

Mozart in Paris with Les Délices Oct. 4-7

Get your Mozart fix at “Mozart in Paris Part 2” from Les Délices, featuring acclaimed American fortepianist Sylvia Berry. It’s a new program for oboe and strings that “creates a context for Mozart’s time in the City of Light by setting his works alongside those composers whose music was all the rage,” Les Délices says. The program features an 18th-century arrangement of Mozart’s Grand Partita, plus works by Boccherini, Schobert, and Cambini, all accompanied by readings from Mozart’s letters. Performances are in Akron, Lakewood and Shaker Heights.

The curtain has fallen on Playhouse Square’s remarkable Hamilton run The Barber of Seville and the Cleveland Museum of Art’s wildly popular showing of Kusama’s Oct. 6-7 Infinity Mirrors is coming to a close. So, will there be any culture left to Cleveland Opera Theater kicks off its fall seawith Rossini’s opera “The Barber of Seville,” lap up this fall? Certainly. Crain’s editors have handpicked a few dozen of son the prequel to “The Marriage of Figaro.” The show Northeast Ohio’s cultural happenings that shouldn’t be missed. We’ve got “has it all,” Cleveland Opera Theater says: “forbidlove, zany disguises, a gossipy music teacher you covered when it comes to classical and popular music, theater and, of den and a crafty bride to be. Dr. Bartolo plans to marry the young Rosina who is under his care. The course, art. Details, pages 12-18

Pet

Oct.

CityMusic Cleveland, along with renowned soloists Tessa Lark and Edward Arron, perform Brahms’ “Double Concerto for Violin and Cello.” (Contributed photos)

Count Almaviva has other plans and enlists the help of the wily barber, Figaro, to win Rosina for himself.” The performances are at the beautiful Maltz Performing Arts Center in University Circle.

Art and cultural institutions

By TIMOTHY MAGAW tmagaw@crain.com @TimMagaw

Israel: Then & Now

ing to the Maltz Museum. The program is in partnership with Case Western Reserve University’s Siegal Lifelong Learning Program.

Built to Survive: Biomechanics Sept. 29-April 28

Sept. 23-May 12

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will offer a deep dive into the history of Israel and the Jewish people. This special exhibition, which will tour nationally following the local debut, combines milestone moments, historic images, interactive media and a film to explore the history of Israel. Visitors will be able to explore the experiences of early Jewish pioneers, and children can imagine the courage it took to move far away and build a new society, accordIllustration by Daniel Zakroczemski for Crain’s

P012_013_CL_20180924.indd 12

Through interactive exhibits and scientific objects, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is exposing visitors to the wonders of natural engineering and exactly how plants and animals evolved to survive. The exhibit promises to help you understand how “wonders of the plant and animal kingdoms eat, move, avoid predators and process information to take them to a higher gear above their competition.”

By the way, did you know there are fish that can bite through bricks?

Grossology: The (impolite) science of the human body Oct. 12

Boogers and burps take center stage at this Great Lakes Science Center exhibition where kids can get the answers to, as the museum characterizes it, many of the “slimy, oozy, crusty, stinky questions” they love to ask. It’s hardly high art, but visitors will, among many gross endeavors, have the opportunity to become a dust particle and walk through a giant nose to learn about air filtering, olfaction and mucus production; climb a human skin wall complete with warts, hairs and wounds to learn about the epidermis layer; and watch how food is digested as it passes through the gastrointestinal system. We wouldn’t recommend eating a large meal beforehand.

SEE INSTITUTIONS, PAGE 18

Ma wit

The science center’s Grossology exhibit is nothing to sneeze at. (Contributed photo)

9/20/18 2:53 PM

Th ches orat Thea iev’s as an stor ages will the Digi and Suit Clev Aud ing A

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FALL CULTURE GUIDE

Vox Luminis

driguez Miranda (viola da gamba), features pieces including Bach’s “Motets.”

Brighten up your fall with a performance by Vox Luminis at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium.

The Belgian early-music vocal ensemble, led by founder and artistic director Lionel Meunier, “has been defined by its unique sound, appealing as much through the personality of each timbre as it does through the color and the uniformity of the voices,” the museum says.

The ensemble performs over 60 concerts a year, appearing on stages in Belgium, across Europe and around the world.

This program, with special guests Anthony Romaniuk (organ) and Ricardo Ro-

Brahms with CityMusic Cleveland

Oct. 24

to)

Oct. 24-28

newly wedded couple.” Performances are in Cleveland, Beachwood, Willoughby Hills and Lakewood.

Verdi and Valkyries with the Akron Symphony

Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra

Add some drama to your music diet at “Verdi and Valkyries” from the Akron Symphony. Conductor Christopher Wilkins leads the orchestra in performances of portions of four operas from Verdi, which the orchestra says “mark the high point of Italian Romantic opera” in their portrayal of “real people striving for freedom, justice and a better life.” Also on the bill in the show at E.J. Thomas Hall are excerpts from Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelungen,” including the famous and stirring “The Ride of the Valkyries.”

Nov. 16

Enjoy “A Bounty of Brahms” from the estimable CityMusic Cleveland.

The show features Brahms’ “Double Concerto for Violin and Cello,” the last of his masterful works for orchestra, performed by renowned soloists Tessa Lark and Edward Arron, and the upbeat Symphony No. 2, which CityMusic notes the composer himself said “sounded so merry and tender it was as though it were especially written for a

Watch the next generation of classical music talent in action as the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra performs at Severance Hall under the direction of conductor Vinay Parameswaran. the program includes Adams’ “The Chairman Dances; Foxtrot for Orchestra,” Barber’s “Violin Concerto, Op. 14” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73.”

Nov. 16

Magnificent Mozart with Apollo’s Fire Oct. 12-14

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Can’t get enough Mozart? Apollo’s Fire serves up “Magnificent Mozart” at performances at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art and First United Methodist Church in Akron. Conductor Jeannette Sorrell leads the baroque orchestra in three Mozart pieces — “Overture to La Finta Semplice,” “Symphony no. 40 in G Minor” and “Ballet Music from Idomeneo” — as well as Haydn’s “Concertante in B-flat Major” (first movement).

WHERE EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION INTERSECT.

Peter and The Wolf Oct. 13-14

ed

the a for tiful rcle.

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 81st season by collaborating with the National Marionette Theatre for a presentation of Prokofiev’s “Peter and The Wolf,” which it bills as an “imaginative interpretation of the story ... sure to delight audiences of all ages.” The family friendly program also will include Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals,” featuring the Double Digit Piano Duo of Coren Estrin Mino and Ron Palka, and Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite No. 1.” The performances are at Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium and the Westlake Performing Arts Center.

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PAG E 14

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S E PT E M B E R 24 - 30, 2018 |

CR A IN ’S CLE VEL A ND BUSINESS

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FALL CULTURE GUIDE

Popular music

By TIMOTHY MAGAW tmagaw@crain.com @TimMagaw

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4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince Sept. 29

It’s time to dig out that raspberry beret. The first and only estate-approved celebration of The Purple One promises symphonic renditions with vocal accompaniment of some of his greatest hits and lesser-known gems. Questlove, drummer of The Roots and an avid Prince fan, helped curate the music and arrangements for the show, which is making a stop at Playhouse Square’s historic State Theatre. The performance isn’t expected to be an impersonation of Prince, but rather a celebration.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo at 50 Oct. 3

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Byrds co-founders Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, along with country music legend Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s alt-country breakthrough, “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” with a performance at the stunning Akron Civic Theatre.

Upon release, the album jolted many longtime fans who had become partial to the Byrds’ psychedelic folk roots. Today, though, the album, which features a young Gram Parsons, is considered a landmark release among country-rock acts.

The Sweetheart of the Rodeo tour features, from left, Marty Stuart, Roger McGuinn, and Chris Hillman (Alysse Gafkjen)

char Gro hear the reco perf frien pan

Singer-songwriter Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, performs at the Agora. (Contributed photo)

Cat Power Oct. 11

Gar

Oct.

Singer-songwriter Chan Marshall — who performs under the Cat Power moniker — returns to Northeast Ohio for a performance at the Agora to promote her new album, “The Wanderer,” due Oct. 5. Marshall’s erratic, though

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FALL CULTURE GUIDE

The Breeders

Cloud Nothings

The Breeders return to Cleveland in support of their recent release, “All Nerve!”

(Contributed photo)

Nov. 1

Though originally formed as a supergroup by Pixies bassist Kim Deal — one of indie rock’s most recognizable voices — and Throwing Muses guitarist Tanya Donelly, The Breeders have managed to cement their own legacy alongside contemporaries from the early ’90s alt-rock scene. The band returns to Cleveland for a performance at the Cleveland Masonic Auditorium in support of “All Nerve!” — the group’s first release in a decade, though it’s perhaps best known for its 1993 hit “Cannonball.”

Nov. 17

The Cloud Nothings typically make a yearly stop in the band’s hometown of Cleveland and should never be missed. Frontman and Westlake native Dylan Baldi’s unique blend of melodic punk and dank feedback brings forth the best elements of indie rock of the past decade but tastefully harks back to its standard-bearers like Fugazi and The Replacements. The band’s shows are always a treat, but the ones at the intimate Grog Shop —l ike this one — are where this band really steps on the gas.

They’re coming to BusinessTECH18. Are you? charming, 2013 performance at the Grog Shop put on full display the heartache and despair that underpins the bulk of her work. Marshall’s new record is self-produced and includes performances alongside longtime friends, including recent tour companion Lana Del Rey.

Jane Alexander

Cal Al-Dhubaib

Robert J. Burkhart

Michael Calce

John P. Carlin

Curtis Cooper

Courtney DeOreo

Jacob Duritsky

CMA

Pandata

Nationwide Insurance

HP

Morrison & Foerster

MCPc

RITE

Team NEO

Bob Eckman

John Flynn

Jay Foran

David Gilbert

Dr. Jeff Goldstein

Ira Grossman

Andy Halko

Rick Hawkins

MCPc

MCPc

Team NEO

Destination Cleveland

HP

MCPc

Insivia

TimkenSteel

Lolita Hines

Michael Howard

John Hurt

Andy Jones

Anthony Joy

Jerry Justice

David Knowles

Jason Kreiner

CWRU

HP

nuboHEALTH

MCPc

Cleveland Metroparks

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Parker

Garbage Oct. 18

The 1990s sci-fi rockers are touring in support of a 20th-anniversary re-issue of the band’s acclaimed sophomore album, “Version 2.0,” and will stop at the Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield. The Grammy-nominated album — the heart of which is Shirley Manson’s emotive vocals — sold more than 4 million copies and includes hits such as “Push It,” “Special” and “I Think I’m Paranoid.”

Jim James Nov. 10

The frontman of My Morning Jacket — one of the most dynamic live bands touring today — brings his solo act to the recently renovated (and much improved) Agora. James’ most recent fuzz-filled solo album, “Uniform Distortion,” lacks the cascading sheen or discipline of My Morning Jacket’s most recent works, but it is no less powerful — particularly the rousing “Just a Fool.” A companion album, “Uniform Clarity,” includes acoustic renditions of “Uniform Distortion” tracks and is due Oct. 5.

David Crosby Nov. 28

Another former Byrd is returning to Northeast Ohio this fall with an intimate performance at The Kent Stage, one of the region’s most underappreciated — and best-sounding — performance halls. The legendary songwriter’s vocals are as strong as ever, and he’s expected to deliver reinterpretations of some his classics as well as cuts from his critically acclaimed “Lighthouse” record.

It’s only been about a year since Crosby visited Northeast Ohio. This is deja vu, though, of the best variety.

P014_015_CL_20180924.indd 15

Tuwhanna Lewis

Charlie Lougheed

Mark Macioce

Edward Marx

Doug Mazeffa

Evin McMullen

Randell McShepard

Doug Meil

Cleveland Engineering Society

Explorys

OMNOVA

Cleveland Clinic

Sherwin-Williams

ConsenSys

RPM

IBM

Aaron Mendelsohn

Stephen Miller

Geo Money

David Moon

Bernie Moreno

Brian Ray

Joe Roman

Bob Salandre

Ingram Micro

Lenovo

OEC

Hitachi Vantara

Bernie Moreno Companies

Cleveland Marshall

GCP

Timken

Brian Schilf

Tom Siu

Mike Speck

Steven G. Stransky

Jason Taylor

Paula Timco

PolyOne

CWRU

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Jenifer White Visek

Jess Walpole

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AON

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Lindsay Precast

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Register Today: www.mcpc.com/BT18 9/20/18 2:56 PM

PAG E 16

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S E PT E M B E R 24 - 30, 2018 |

CR A I N ’ S CLE V EL A N D B US I N E S S

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FALL CULTURE GUIDE

Theater

By SCOTT SUTTELL

Mama Mia!

Sept. 28-Nov. 11 ssuttell@crain.com @ssuttell

Newsies

Sept. 21-30

A talented youth cast — the actors are between the ages of 9 and 15 — brings “Newsies” to life at the Near West Theatre on Cleveland’s West Side. The show, set in turn-of-the century New York City, is “the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged newsies,” Near West says. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike.

The show addresses age-old (yet quite modern) themes of social injustice, exploitative labor practices and fighting a corrupt establishment.

Fences

Sept. 27-Oct. 21

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August Wilson’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, launches the 2018-19 season at Karamu House in a production directed by Karamu president and CEO Tony Sias.

If you haven’t seen the play or the strong recent movie adaptation directed by Denzel Washington, here’s the description: “A gripping family drama about Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. As a black man excluded from the major leagues during his prime, Troy’s inner conflicts take their toll on his relationships with his wife and his children as they look for their own chances to fulfill their dreams.”

Don’t bother trying to resist the silly, buoyant, outrageously entertaining ABBA musical that’s the first production in Great Lakes Theatre’s 2018-19 season. It’s set on a tiny Greek island, where Sophie is making final preparations for her wedding day — and her mother, Donna, learns that Sophie’s preparations include sleuthing out who her father may be among three possible candidates that she’s secretly invited. The plot doesn’t really matter; the glorious ABBA songs do.

Hello Dolly

Sept. 30-Oct. 21

One of the great stars of Broadway, Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, comes to Cleveland as the lead in “Hello Dolly,” which kicks off its national tour at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace as the first show in the 2018-19 KeyBank Broadway Series. She’s the strongwilled Dolly Gallagher Levi, who goes to New York to find a match for the miserly half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.

The recent revival on Broadway was a smash critically and commercially.

Pride and Prejudice Oct. 5-Nov. 4

Don’t remember the details from high school English? No problem.

Great Lakes Theatre brings to life the classic Jane Austen story about the outspoken Elizabeth Bennet, who’s not interested in marriage — at least until she meets that charming and handsome Mr. Darcy.

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Oct.

Oct. 5-Nov. 4

Get a refresher in how not to throw a late-night party at “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at the Beck Center in Lakewood. Edward Albee’s masterwork won five Tony Awards, including Best Play, and its use of language still dazzles. Its indelible characters include George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, who invite a younger couple to their home for an evening of scabrous dialogue and cruel mind games.

Cannibal! The Musical Oct. 5-27

Come for the songs, and stay for the splatter zone, at “Cannibal! The Musical,” on stage at Blank Canvas Theatre on the West Side. The book, music and lyrics are by Trey Parker, one of the co-creators of “South Park.” The show, which is a Cleveland premiere, is about Alfred Packer, the only person convicted of cannibalism in America and a survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory, who he tells his side of the tale to a reporter as he awaits execution.

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Oct. 11-27

A Cleveland Public Theatre favorite that was first produced in 2011 returns to tell the autobiographical story of a young Afro-Creole girl “losing a mother, gaining a stepmother, and becoming a mother — all while being an artist.” It’s set in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans and features a “journey from the schoolyard to the delivery room, from the edge of sanity to pure joy, from devastation to hope.”

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Examine the dark side of the American Dream in “Sweat,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Lynn Nottage that’s getting a production at the Cleveland Play House. It’s set in Reading, Pa., where, as the Play House puts it, “there’s talk of union lockouts, massive layoffs, and jobs going overseas. As rumors quickly become reality, a group of life-long friends gather at their local bar to joke and blow off steam while struggling to stand together as everything else falls apart.” The show, inspired by true stories, is directed by Play House artistic director Laura Kepley.

9/20/18 2:58 PM

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CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

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PA G E 17

FALL CULTURE GUIDE

Contributed By

MANUFACTURING IS:

Technology

John

Oct. 19-Nov. 11

Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights presents the Midwest premiere of Annie Baker’s “John.” It’s appropriately creepy in the leadup to Halloween: “One November night, Elias and Jenny, a young couple struggling to stay together, stop at a bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, Pa. During their visit they encounter a cheerful innkeeper, her blind friend, and an eerie world crammed with toys, figurines and one very odd American Girl doll,” Dobama says. It described the play as being “full of surprises, both human and supernatural.”

East of Eden Oct. 19-Nov. 11

Step back in time for Ensemble Theatre’s production of “East of Eden,” adapted by Frank Galati of Steppenwolf Theatre from John

Great Lakes Theatre will bring Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” to stage. (Contributed photo)

Steinbeck’s iconic novel. It’s about Adam Trask, who’s escaping a turbulent past to make a new start in California. He and his wife, Cathy, settle on a farm and have twins. Things do not go smoothly from there.

Redemption of a Dogg Oct. 28

“Redemption of a Dogg,” at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre, comes from writer/director/producer Je’Caryous Johnson and stars Snoop Dogg and R&B star Tamar Braxton. It “examines the internal battle one man has between preserving his life-long legacy and losing the love of his life when he is faced with choosing fame and fortune over faith and family,” the producers says, all set against a backdrop of Snoop Dogg’s greatest hits.

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Automation and other cutting-edge advances help Thogus stay ahead of industry trends Founded in 1950, Thogus, an Avon Lake-based [to] apply connecting data feeds from anywhere to plastic injection molding company, has spent the make better business decisions or improve the funclast few years investing in automation. On the tionality of the things we work with,” Karp says. machine side, the custom manufacturer has robots These technologies aren’t discrete, but frequently on every single press. On the employee side, Thogus work together. For example, IoT helps companies built an automation team to design robots and has gather data, which in turn can offer insights into opimplemented an internal training program to bring erations optimizations and also inform strategy. Alinterested workers up to speed. though Karp notes these growing Thogus has seen tangible technologies “have varying levels “We are riding positive results from the investof applicability to a small comment. “People are much more pany today,” in the coming years, a wave of new engaged,” says Thogus CEO Matt such advances will enable small technology Hlavin, who adds that employees manufacturers to stay competitive adoption across appreciate being able to spend in a global economy — especially their day focusing on enjoyable as technologies become even manufacturing, tasks, and are enthusiastic about more advanced and affordable, which has accelerautomation’s potential: “They’re and will transform how firms ated productivity.” asking more questions about it: think about and approach pro‘How can I learn?’” cesses and design.

— Ethan Karp, MAGNET Hlavin realized something For example, Thogus has been president and CEO crucial early on: Manufacturing able to close customers faster of the future will involve techafter spinning off a separate nology available today. “We are in the middle of company, rp+m, which focuses on 3D a wave of new technology adoption across the printing and scanning, additive manufacturing, manufacturing industry, which has accelerated and rapid prototyping. In other words, it’s crucial productivity over the last two years manyfold, and for small manufacturers to stay on top of trends and will continue to do so,” says MAGNET president apply what’s coming next. and CEO Ethan Karp.

“The important thing is to be aware and to These technologies are helping manufacturers understand what the technology is and how it can in various ways. Automation is “using robotics to work,” says MAGNET vice president of operations not replace people, but to augment their capabiliMike O’Donnell. “As prices come down in the next ties,” Karp says, while 3D printing decreases costs 10 years, it’s going to become reality.” of tooling, facilitates prototyping, and allows firms Looking for ways to stay on top of the latest to produce highly customized parts. Bolstering in manufacturing technology? That’s what we cybersecurity, meanwhile, ensures that companies do. MAGNET provides operations, product and are able to protect both themselves and customers engineering, and cybersecurity assessments and from breaches that might expose intellectual propresources to keep your manufacturing business erty and other proprietary information. on the edge of the latest technologies. Learn more And the Internet of Things (IoT)—a category about MAGNET’s Power Assessment at www. also sometimes referred to as “The Next Industrial manufacturingsuccess.org/power-assessmentRevolution”— helps companies determine, “how technology, or call Linda Barita at (216) 391-7766.

This advertising-supported feature is produced by Crain Content StudioCleveland, the marketing storytelling arm of Crain’s Cleveland Business.

The Crain’s Cleveland Business newsroom is not involved in creating Crain Content Studio-Cleveland content.

9/20/18 2:58 PM

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CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

FALL CULTURE GUIDE

INSTITUTIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Alexis Rockman: The Great Lakes Cycle Oct. 19-Jan. 27

The acclaimed painter and environmental activist’s most ambitious body of work to date will be on display at the MOCA Cleveland and celebrates one of our region’s most critical assets: the Great Lakes. The exhibition, organized by the Grand Rapids Art Museum, includes five, new mural-sized paintings, a constellation of flora and fauna “field drawings” and a suite of watercolors that portray the evolution of the Great Lakes, according to MOCA.

Jeff Donaldson’s “Majorities” will be in Akron. (Contributed photo) Alexis Rockman exhibition on display at MOCA will explore the Great Lakes’ evolution. (Contributed photo)

Jeff Donaldson: Dig Oct. 27-Jan. 21

At the Akron Art Museum, Dig — Jeff Donaldson’s first museum retrospective — explores the artist’s four-decade career, starting with his activist roots in Chicago to his influence on future generations as a professor at Howard University. According to the museum, Donaldson’s work “combines energetic colors, intricate patterns and African iconography to celebrate the history of African art and the roots of black culture.” The exhibit features paintings, prints and mixed media works.

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The recently restored Valois Tapestries, a unique set of 16th-century hangings, will make their North America debut at the Cleveland Museum of Art. According to the museum, the tapestries — commissioned

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True or false seems to be the question of our times, and this exhibit poised for the Cleveland Museum of Art promises to reveal the confusing line between art and information, fact and fiction. The exhibit features work by contemporary artists who, in many cases, “purposely or playfully leverage the appropriation and manipulation of media to challenge perceptions of truth.” Highlights of the exhibit include Carl Pope Jr.’s “The Bad Air Smelled of Roses,” a large installation of letterpress posters that explores the “ubiquitous presence and function of blackness in America.”

8/8/18 12:39 PM 9/20/18 3:01 PM

CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

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THE LIST

THE LIST

Ranked by full-time equivalent employees in county

Ranked by full-time equivalent employees in county

Cuyahoga County Employers THIS YEAR COMPANY

STAFF IN COUNTY TYPE OF BUSINESS

TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE

|

PA G E 19

Summit County Employers THIS YEAR COMPANY

STAFF IN COUNTY TYPE OF BUSINESS

TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE

1

Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 444-2200/clevelandclinic.org

35,326

Health care provider

Tomislav "Tom" Mihaljevic, president, CEO

1

Summa Health 1077 Gorge Blvd., Akron (330) 375-3000/summahealth.org

5,524

Health care provider

Cliff Deveny, interim president and CEO

2

University Hospitals 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 844-1000/uhhospitals.org

17,711

Health care provider

Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO

2

Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 444-2200/clevelandclinic.org

5,502

Health care provider

Tomislav "Tom" Mihaljevic, president, CEO

3

U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E St., N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 606-1800/opm.gov

12,125

Federal government

Jeff Pon, director

3

Akron Children's Hospital One Perkins Square, Akron (330) 543-1000/akronchildrens.org

4,019

Pediatric health care provider

William H. Considine, CEO

4

Progressive Corp.

6300 Wilson Mills Road, Mayfield Village (440) 461-5000/progressive.com

9,554

Insurance company

S. Tricia Griffith, president, CEO

4

Akron Public Schools 70 N. Broadway, Akron (330) 761-1661/akronschools.com

3,576

Public school district

David W. James, superintendent

5

Group Management Services Inc. 3750 Timberlake Drive, Richfield (330) 659-0100/groupmgmt.com

7,641

Staffing and employment services firm

Michael Kahoe, president

5

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 200 Innovation Way, Akron (330) 796-2121/goodyear.com

3,000

Tire manufacturer

Richard J. Kramer, chairman, CEO, president

6

Cuyahoga County 2079 E. 9th St., Cleveland (216) 443-7220/cuyahogacounty.us

7,414

County government

Armond Budish, county executive

6

Group Management Services Inc. 3750 Timberlake Drive, Richfield (330) 659-0100/groupmgmt.com

2,846

Staffing and employment services firm

Michael Kahoe, president

7

City of Cleveland 601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland (216) 664-2406/city.cleveland.oh.us

6,828

Municipal government

Frank G. Jackson, mayor

7

Summit County 175 S. Main St., 8th floor, Akron (330) 643-2893/co.summit.oh.us

2,816

County government

Ilene Shapiro, county executive

8

The MetroHealth System 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland (216) 778-7800/metrohealth.org

6,538

Health care provider

Akram Boutros, president, CEO

8

FirstEnergy Corp.

76 S. Main St., Akron (800) 736-3402/firstenergycorp.com

2,566

Electric utility holding company

Charles E. Jones Jr., president, CEO

9

Cleveland Metropolitan School District 1111 Superior Ave., Cleveland (216) 838-0000/clevelandmetroschools.org

6,517

Public school district

Eric S. Gordon, CEO

9

Signet Jewelers 375 Ghent Road, Akron (330) 668-5000/signetjewelers.com

2,120

Jewelry retailer

Virginia C. Drosos, CEO

10

KeyCorp 127 Public Square, Cleveland (216) 689-6300/key.com

4,959

Banking and financial services company

Beth E. Mooney, chairman, CEO

10

University of Akron 302 Buchtel Common, Akron (330) 972-7111/uakron.edu

1,873

Public university

John C. Green, interim president

11

Case Western Reserve University 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 368-2000/case.edu

4,534

Private university

Barbara R. Snyder, president

11

City of Akron 166 S. High St., Room 502, Akron (330) 375-2316/akronohio.gov

1,811

Municipal government

Daniel Horrigan, mayor

12

Sherwin-Williams Co. 101 W. Prospect Ave., Cleveland (216) 566-2000/sherwin.com

4,421

Manufacturer of paint, coatings and related products

John G. Morikis, president, CEO, chairman

12

Huntington National Bank 200 Public Square, Cleveland (800) 480-2265/huntington.com

1,338

Banking and financial services company

Sean P. Richardson, regional president Cleveland

13

Swagelok Co. 29500 Solon Road, Solon (440) 248-4600/swagelok.com

4,412

Manufacturer of industrial fluid system components

Arthur F. Anton, chairman, CEO

13

State of Ohio 30 E. Broad St., Columbus (614) 466-2000/ohio.gov

1,334

State government

John R. Kasich, governor

14

Giant Eagle Inc. 5300 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights 412-967-4551/gianteagle.com

3,127

Multi-format food, fuel and pharmacy retailer

Bill Artman, senior vice president, retail operations

14

Fred W. Albrecht Grocery Co. 2700 Gilchrist Road, Akron (330) 733-2263/acmestores.com

1,293

Grocery and pharmacy store operator

Jim Trout, president

15

Lincoln Electric 22801 St. Clair Ave., Euclid (216) 481-8100/lincolnelectric.com

2,975

Designer, developer and manufacturer of arc welding products

Christopher L. Mapes, chairman, president, CEO

15

Diebold Nixdorf 5995 Mayfair Road, North Canton (330) 490-4000/dieboldnixdorf.com

1,275

Self-service technology, software and security systems provider

Gerrard Schmid, president, CEO

16

State of Ohio 30 E. Broad St., Columbus (614) 466-2000/ohio.gov

2,132

State government

John R. Kasich, governor

16

Giant Eagle Inc. 5300 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights 412-967-4551/gianteagle.com

1,222

Multi-format food, fuel and pharmacy retailer

Bill Artman, senior vice president, retail operations

17

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority 1240 W. 6th St., Cleveland (216) 621-9500/riderta.com

1,981

Public transit agency

Floun'say R. Caver, interim CEO, general manager

17

YRC Worldwide Inc. 10990 Roe Ave., Overland Park (913) 696-6100/yrcw.com

1,020

Freight transportation

Scott McCormick, distribution center manager, YRC Freight

1,922

Steel manufacturer

Mike Madar, vice president, general manager

18

Jo-Ann Stores LLC 5555 Darrow Road, Hudson (330) 656-2600/joann.com

1,000

Craft and fabric retailer

18

ArcelorMittal 3060 Eggers Ave., Cleveland (216) 429-6000/usa.arcelormittal.com

Jill Soltau, president, CEO

1,916

Health insurance company

Rick A. Chiricosta, chairman, president, CEO

19

Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield (220) 908-7771/hrrnp.com

992

Gaming, dining and entertainment destination

Mark Birtha, president

19

Medical Mutual of Ohio 2060 E. 9th St., Cleveland (216) 687-7000/medmutual.com

1,859

Health care provider

William A. Young Jr., president, CEO

20

Babcock & Wilcox 20 S. Van Buren Ave., Barberton (330) 753-4511/babcock.com

800

20

Southwest General 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights (440) 816-8000/swgeneral.com

Engineering, manufacturing and construction services firm

Leslie Kass, president, CEO, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc.

1,775

Operator of JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino

Mark Tricano, senior vice president, Northeast Ohio operations

21

Western Reserve Hospital 1900 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 971-7000/ westernreservehospital.org

791

Health care provider

21

JACK Entertainment 100 Public Square, Cleveland (216) 297-4777, (216) 662-8600/ JACKEntertainment.com

Robert A. Kent Jr., president, CEO

1,774

Information management software

Bill Priemer, president, CEO

22

BWX Technologies Inc. 24703 Euclid Ave., Euclid (216) 912-3000/bwxt.com

770

22

Hyland 28500 Clemens Road, Westlake (440) 788-4988/hyland.com

Pressure vessels, steam generators, electromechanical parts provider

Jim Bittner, Chris Rhodes, GMs, BWXT Nuclear Operations Group

23

Ford Motor Co. 1 American Road, Dearborn (800) 392-3673/ford.com

1,643

Automobile manufacturer

Kevin Heck, Jason Moore, plant managers

23

InfoCision Management Corp.

325 Springside Drive, Akron (330) 668-1400/infocision.com

758

Telemarketing firm

Craig Taylor, CEO Karen Taylor, board chair

24

Cleveland State University 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (216) 687-2000/csuohio.edu

1,542

Public university

Harlan M. Sands, president

24

Bridgestone Americas Inc. 10 E. Firestone Blvd., Akron (330) 379-7000/ bridgestoneamericas.com

705

Tire manufacturer

Nizar Trigui, chief technology officer

25

Parma City School District 5311 Longwood Ave., Parma (440) 842-5300/parmacityschools.org

1,505

Public school district

Charles Smialek, superintendent

25

U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E St., N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 606-1800/opm.gov

684

Federal government

Jeff Pon, director

26

Cuyahoga Community College 700 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland (216) 987-6000/tri-c.edu

1,439

26

FedEx Custom Critical Inc. 1475 Boettler Road, Uniontown (800) 762-3787/customcritical.fedex.com

667

Expedited, temperaturecontrol and brokerage transportation solutions

Virginia Addicott, president, CEO

27

Eaton 1000 Eaton Blvd., Beachwood (440) 523-5000/eaton.com

1,377

27

Dominion Energy Ohio 1201 E. 55th St., Cleveland (800) 362-7557/dominionenergy.com

651

Natural gas distributor

Jim E. Eck, vice president, general manager

Rockwell Automation Inc. 1 Allen-Bradley Drive, Mayfield Heights (440) 646-5000/rockwellautomation.com

1,371

28

National Interstate Insurance Co. 3250 Interstate Drive, Richfield (330) 659-8900/natl.com

529

Specialty property and casualty insurance company

Anthony J. Mercurio, president, CEO

28

Community college

Alex Johnson, president

Manufacturer of electrical, hydraulic, aerospace, truck and automotive products

Craig Arnold, chairman, CEO

Provider of industrial automation control and information solutions

Frank Kulaszewicz, senior VP, architecture and software

RESEARCHED BY CHUCK SODER (CSODER@CRAIN.COM)

Want the full version of these lists — and every Crain's list? Become a Data Member: CrainsCleveland.com/data

The online versions of these lists include 66 employers in Cuyahoga County and 43 in Summit County, plus additional executives. Information is supplied by the companies. Send feedback to Chuck Soder: csoder@crain.com.

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Firefighters have a lot more to keep track of than just fires, accidents and disasters.

They also have equipment they need to keep track of and maintain, stuff that can sit unused for weeks but which must work perfectly the next time it’s needed. There are oxygen tanks, masks, hoses, ladders, gloves, boots, hooks, radios, helmets and axes, not to mention all the of equipment on a truck that controls water and handles communications.

All that equipment and the need for its readiness has created a nice little niche for Macedonia-based Station Check, which makes a softwareas-a-service product that it says helps departments keep track of their equipment and its maintenance.

“It’s all about readiness,” said Tony Crisalli, a local investor, serial entrepreneur and co-owner of the company.

That message is getting traction

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with fire departments, too, Station helping market it.”

Along with Crisalli, local financier Check officials say.

The private company is still small, Fred DiSanto — founder of Ancora Inwith revenue about to top $1 million vestments, a Cleveland wealth manfor the first time this year. But revenue agement firm with $4 billion in assets has tripled in the past year, Station — and about a dozen others have inCheck reported, and, more impor- vested an undisclosed sum in Station Check. DiSanto, Crisalli and Engle now tantly, its customer base is growing.

The software now is used in more make up the company’s three-memthan 300 fire stations with more than ber board of directors.

The new investors have meant that 70 departments around the country, the company has been able to build Crisalli said. up its manageThe market is ment team with ripe for the prod- Unlike a paper log, executives with uct, he said, beStation Check backgrounds in cause fire departments have been follows up to ensure homeland security, accounting, fislow to adopt new nance and martechnology to equipment checks keting. manage equip- and maintenance The three direcment. About 90% tors are also the of the depart- procedures are company’s largest ments across the actually done. shareholders, but nation still use no one owns a pen and paper to controlling interest anymore, Engle track their equipment, Crisalli said.

Unlike a paper log, Station Check said.

“There are probably 15 more follows up to ensure equipment checks and maintenance procedures shareholders now. We’re on our third are actually done by requiring users or fourth round of funding, and there to log in and confirm them as they’re are no majority shareholders of Station Check now,” he said. completed, Crisalli said.

That’s fine by him, he said, because It’s not a new product; it just recently has gotten a new push, Station the company has achieved faster growth than he likely would have on Check partners say.

The system was born in Akron and his own, because Metisentry, not Stais the brainchild of software guru tion Check, is his chief business.

“I’ve always bootstrapped everyMarling Engle, founder and CEO of the software development and con- thing,” Engle said.

Now Station Check is at trade sulting firm Metisentry. Engle wrote the code for Station Check in 2010 shows, and its people often are on the and released it to the first fire depart- road showing fire departments the ments in 2012. But it wasn’t until Cri- software’s capabilities, Crisalli said.

But both Crisalli and Engle said salli came aboard at the end of 2014, invested in the company and built a their best source of new subscribers management team that it started to — monthly fees are based on the size of a fire department or station — is grow quickly, Engle said.

“Station Check started as an inter- referrals. And for referrals to exist, nal product at Metisentry,” Engel the system has to work and prove to said. “We built it and got a couple of departments that it can save them customers on. Then I met Tony, and time and money, if not lives as well.

So far, so good. Station Check gets he said, ‘I think there’s a lot more here,’ and I said, ‘Me too.’ ” … So he high marks from users such as Matt started on the capital raise, and now Cern, a firefighter with the Valley Fire he’s doing product development and SEE GEAR, PAGE 21

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PA G E 21

AKRON

Mill makeover easier said than done

By JUDY STRINGER clbfreelancer@crain.com

When Mike Mistur and Ryan Brannon opened their artisan coffee shop on North Water Street in 2011, the Bent Tree Coffee Roasters partners took Sundays off, because business “was so slow in Kent” on weekends, according to Mistur.

Flash forward seven years — and $150 million in downtown redevelopment — and Kent is a very different place.

“We started opening on Sundays a few years ago,” said Mistur, a Kent State University alumnus. “Today the city is just so much busier, so much more alive.”

Now Mistur and his Bent Tree team have front row seats to what will likely be Kent’s biggest and most challenging project of late — the redevelopment of 1.23 acres of North Water Street buildings owned by Star of the West Milling Co. “Just in terms of sheer size, no matter what happens in the end, the Star of the West property is going to be one of the largest projects in downtown,” Kent economic development director Tom Wilke said. “It’s 88,000 square feet of interior space as it stands.”

Add to that a historic facade and soaring grain silos that have become an iconic feature of the Kent skyline, and you have all the trappings of a significant public relations undertaking.

“We hope to get the right developer, and we are going to work to get the right developer who will provide the appropriate balance of rational rehabilitation versus on occasion replacing parts of the structures,” Wilke said.

Originally known as the Williams Brothers Mill, the 139-year-old flour mill at 162 N. Water St. has been owned and operated by Star of the West Milling Co. since 1999. In 2014, the Emmett, Mich.-based company built a new plant in Willard, and it took a couple of years moving equipment out of the Portage County site.

Earlier this summer, Star of the West hired broker Dan Catalano of Hanna Commercial Real Estate to sell the site.

Catalano said he has fielded “some interest” in the few months since the property, listed at $1.5 million, hit the market. That has included “sophisticated developers” who have inquired about the site as a whole and “community-level interest” in different aspects of the five parcels, Catalano said.

“We are open to both (options), but the ideal scenario would be the one buyer,” he said.

While there is The former Star of the West Milling Co. site in Kent, no definitive an- with its soaring silos, is for sale, but it’s a development swer as to what challenge. (Sue Walton) will become of the old mill until a buyer is finalized, ample, is in fantastic condition,” he there are plenty of ideas. said. “It has great interior woodwork, “What the city would love to see is a great facade on Water Street and what we have accomplished in much should be able to be repurposed and of the rest of the downtown, which is a rehabilitated with limited impact on multiuse facility,” Wilke said. “A combi- what it looks like.”

On the other hand, there are many nation of commercial — be it restaurant, bars or retail shops — some office parts of that structure, particularly those areas used to store grain, that space, as well as residences.”

Catalano said a brewery is another will be more difficult to repurpose business idea that has been floated, and may need to come down, Wilke along with a host of suggestions for the said. That includes the silos.

“I’m not suggesting that is going to silos, including rock climbing, sky divhappen to the silos,” he said. “But it is ing and bungee jumping operations.

The biggest question, according to going to be very difficult to repurpose Wilke, will be what to keep and re- the silos into an income-producing structure of some sort.” hab, and what to demolish.

Kent Historical Society president Jack “The original mill building, for ex-

Amrhein said the proposed fate of the silos likely will drive public sentiment about whatever plan rises to the top.

“The community would not take kindly to taking the silos down,” Amrhein said, adding that removing them would be a huge expense. “It would cost millions of dollars; they are solid concrete.”

He hopes developers can draft a plan that leaves the silos intact even if they are not repurposed, per se. Silo debate aside, giving the old mill a facelift would be a major step toward making North Water Street just north of Main Street — an area now called “The Mill District”— more welcoming.

“That part of the city looks a little dilapidated,” said Mike Beder, who owns a number of watering holes in downtown Kent, including the Water Street Tavern and the Franklin Hotel Bar. “And it is a thoroughfare into the city, so I think making it nicer visually is important.”

Mistur said plans to rid the area of the vacant Star of the West buildings would improve the foot traffic that finds its way north from the bustling restaurants, bars and businesses on South Water and Main streets. Initiatives to clean up the fledging district, which also is one of the last developable sections of downtown, are already underway. Wilke noted that two separate investors have announced plans to rehab vacant South Water Street properties near the mill. In addition, the city is undertaking a $1.4 million streetscape project that will add pedestrian lighting on the stretch between Main Street and Fairchild Avenue and curb extensions at the main intersections.

The streetscape upgrades are funded mainly via a state highway safety grant.

“The area has already demonstrated a great deal of promise,” Wilke said. “We think the right kind of investment in the mill, along with the private investment and pedestrian project, would completely revive that area and expand what has already been a tremendous success story in our downtown.”

GEAR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

District in Peninsula and deputy branch manager for the Summit County Hazardous Materials Response Team. Some Summit County emergency response agencies are looking at Station Check, but Valley Fire already uses it and Cern said he knows it works.

“We were one of the guinea pigs,” Cern said, noting that Valley Fire was one of the first departments to use the software.

It’s particularly important there, too, he said, because the department is volunteer, meaning it’s not continually manned. When firefighters are called into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to rescue someone or put out a fire, they need to know the equipment was taken care of since it was last stowed.

He said Station Check organizes and programs things such as checks of critical self-contained breathing equipment. The service leads to a better run station and equipment that is continually maintained, he said.

“What we found over the course of time doing paper checks was that guys weren’t always thoroughly doing everything. Now they have to, because the software checks it,” Cern said.

Now the next step is to further ramp up growth. Crisalli will focus on that, while Engle continues to improve the product based on user feedback and to scale it for more and larger users.

The company recently signed up the city of San Diego as a client, which alone has more than 60 fire stations to monitor, Crisalli said. He said talks are underway with another major U.S. city that he hopes to sign up soon.

The potential market is huge, with more than 29,000 fire departments and over 50,000 stations in the U.S. alone, Crisalli said.

If Station Check can penetrate that market, it won’t be done, either. Both Crisalli and Engle said the product has other applications as well and they plan to market it to police, military units and possibly sports teams.

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CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

ADVERTISING SECTION

www.crainscleveland.com/onthemove

To place your listing, visit www.crainscleveland.com/onthemove or for more information, please call Debora Stein at (917) 226-5470 or email dstein@crain.com.

ENGINEERING & CONSULTING

Sean Keenan Bialosky Cleveland Bialosky Cleveland is pleased to announce the promotion of Associate Principal Sean Keenan, PE to the role of Director of Engineering, succeeding Timothy J. Norris, PE. Both Keenan and Norris were instrumental in integrating MEP Engineering into the practice since the merger of Bialosky and TJNA Engineering in 2015. We applaud Sean for his dedication to the firm and commend Tim for his lasting contributions to the field.

LAW Michael J. Montgomery Benesch Michael J. Montgomery has joined Benesch as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He focuses his practice on a broad range of complex litigation matters, including those involving unfair competition, intellectual property, products liability, construction and environmental issues. He started his career as a law clerk to federal judges at both the trial and appellate levels, where he gained insight into the thought processes of both judges and juries.

MBA

WEATHERHEAD SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

LAW

weatherhead.case.edu

LAW

Justin L. Stark Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP

Kyle T. Mordew joined Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell’s Trusts & Estates practice group where he will counsel the firm’s high net worth clients in the areas of Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates, Probate and Estate Administration, Trust Administration, and Asset Protection Planning. Kyle graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Political Science and earned his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2016.

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

Geis Companies is pleased to announce the promotion of Albert K Krist Jr. to President of Geis Property Management. Al joined Geis in 2013 and has over 27 years of commercial and residential real estate management experience. He holds a BA in Business Management and Labor Relations from Cleveland State University. Actively involved in the community, Al serves on the membership committee of BOMA, and is a board member of the Downtown Cleveland Improvement Corporation (DCIC).

Mark M. Mikhaiel Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP

Kyle T. Mordew Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP

Justin L. Stark is the newest attorney to join the Trusts & Estates practice group at Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell.

He provides counsel and advice on complex estate planning solutions to high net worth individuals and families.

Before joining the firm, Justin worked at one of nation’s largest financial institutions where he spearheaded a team of experts in investment management, financial and estate planning, lending and deposit solutions, and fiduciary services for high net worth clients.

Al Krist Geis Property Management

LAW

Mark M. Mikhaiel recently joined Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP and brings to the firm a broad background in handling various aspects of commercial litigation that will be beneficial to the firm’s clients.

He is working in the Litigation Practice Department at the firm where he will focus his practice on Business/ Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, and Trust, Estate, and Probate Litigation. Mark is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

REAL ESTATE

Mollie Neale Geis Property Management Geis Companies is pleased to announce the promotion of Mollie Neale to Executive Vice President of Geis Property Management, a full-service commercial and multi-family property management firm. Mollie is a licensed real-estate professional and carries a wealth of real estate experience with concentration in both commercial and residential sales & leasing, asset management, operations and marketing. Mollie is an active member of the Northeast Ohio Apartment Assoc. and National Apartment Assoc.

Michele Knapp Boal Zeisler Morgan Properties Zeisler Morgan Properties is pleased to announce Michele Knapp Boal as new General Counsel. Michele has extensive experience with a variety of real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and financings. Michele began her career at Jones Day in Cleveland, and thereafter spent over five years as legal counsel at Beachwood, Ohio based DDR Corp. Michele is a graduate of the University of Akron School of Law and Baldwin Wallace University.

LAW Michael D. Meuti Benesch Michael D. Meuti has joined Benesch as a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He will serve as the Chair of Benesch’s Appellate Practice Group, drawing upon his experience as a Deputy Solicitor in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, where he represented state agencies and office holders in appeals before the Ohio Supreme Court, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court.

REAL ESTATE Thomas Dowling Zeisler Morgan Properties Thomas Dowling has joined Zeisler Morgan as Director of Construction & Operations. Thomas has extensive experience in both commercial development and construction by having the opportunity to work on large scale mixed-use real estate developments throughout the country; most notably in Atlanta, Southern California, Denver and the New York metro area. Prior to joining ZM, he was a Sr. Project Manager at CBRE. Thomas received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University in 1999.

KNOW SOMEONE ON THE MOVE? For more information or questions regarding advertising in this section,

please call Debora Stein at (917)226-5470 or email: dstein@crain.com

P022_CL_20180924.indd 22

9/18/18 1:49 PM

CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS

Source Lunch Sally Farwell

President and CEO of the Achievement Centers for Children Sally Farwell has been at the helm of the Achievement Centers for Children for about three years, helping the nonprofit live out its mission of empowering children and adults with disabilities and their families to achieve their greatest potential. ¶ Before joining the organization 23 years ago, Farwell had to leave behind a job she loved when her family moved to Cleveland. Farwell, initially worried that she wouldn’t be able to find another perfect-fit career, quickly realized that the Achievement Centers would be her new home. ¶ “I interviewed a number of places here, and it was very clear to me immediately that the Achievement Centers could be another one of those places because of the passion and determination of the staff and the leadership, the high standards of excellence in services, the creativity and entrepreneurial nature of the agency,” she said. — Lydia Coutré

Five things Favorite spot in Northeast Ohio Cleveland Metroparks

No. 1 on her travel bucket list The “Down Under” Australia and New Zealand

Hobbies Food, travel, music (best when experienced all together)

What’s a skill or talent you’ve always wished you had?

Singing

Guilty pleasure Dark chocolate — always have an available supply in my office

Lunch spot J. Pistone Market and Gathering Place 3245 Warrensville Road Shaker Heights

The meal Quinoa falafel pressed sandwich, margherita pasta salad, lemonade; crab cake and mixed vegetables

The vibe This small, inviting Shaker Heights eatery offers chef-prepared foods from their café menu, an expansive catering menu, takeout items and even a little wine shop.

The bill $18.62

P023_CL_20180924.indd 23

Tell me about your work.

As president and CEO of the Achievement Centers for Children, it is my privilege to work alongside 130 passionate and determined staff to empower children and adults with disabilities and their families to achieve their greatest potential. We provide a wide range of services and programs to individuals with disabilities across the lifespan and serve over 2,500 individuals each year. We were founded in 1940 as the Society for Crippled Children, and throughout our long history we have been committed to helping each child or adult to be all they can be and to provide many of our services regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Our comprehensive services weave together therapy, education, recreation and family support to meet the needs of the entire family.

We do our work at three locations (Highland Hills, Westlake and Camp Cheerful in Strongsville) as well as out in the community and family homes. I am proud that 96% of the clients we serve achieve or partially achieve their goals. ... Those outcomes are important to the family and to the whole community.

When and why did you join ACC? I joined ACC in 1995 as the executive vice president of programs. I came to Cleveland from Philadelphia, where I ran six early Intervention centers. I loved my work and my employer for the 14 years I was there. I say that because when we moved to Cleveland, I was not confident that I would ever find a work home that made me that happy. I interviewed at multiple places and knew that the Achievement Centers was that place by the passionate and driven staff and leadership, high expectations, strong advocacy and an amazing board of directors. It was one of those excellent decisions in my life; it has now been 23 years.

What keeps you interested in and passionate about the work of ACC? I enjoy a challenge and I have had a different challenge or set of challenges each year I have been here. I have a quote by my desk that says, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” When it gets tough, as it frequently is in the nonprofit world, I remind myself of the rewards that are gained from opportunities.

Identifying new opportunities and developing them really jazzes me.

The agency has always effectively identified opportunities and turned them into successes. Reinventing yourself many times over time is how a successful agency gets to be 77 years old.

Why did ACC recently acquire North Coast Therapy Associates and how will that elevate/expand your services?

The Achievement Centers for Children is always looking for opportunities to fi ll gaps in service, expand our mission related services and develop programs that are financially sustainable. North Coast Therapy Associates (NCTA) fi lls all of those requirements. NCTA provides occupational and physical therapy to children with disabilities within school districts. North Coast Therapy was purchased on Feb. 24, 2017, and now 18 month later is in a steady state. It has successfully beat the projected results and provided 25,662 service hours to 1,373 students in 10 school districts.

What are the biggest challenges facing the work you do?

We have existed for 77 years to provide what our children and families need to achieve their greatest potential, but we don’t always have the resources to meet those needs. What keeps me up at night is the idea that a child or adult with disabilities will go without services that have the potential to make a significant difference in the trajectory of the quality of their lives. The realization of potential is critical for the child and the community. We are always trying to provide more service and achieve great outcomes for those we serve.

What are the biggest opportunities?

Advocacy for a future where individuals with varying abilities have opportunities across the lifespan to live life to the fullest; growing North Coast Therapy Associates; growing other self-sustaining programs identified by our 2017 strategic plan; continuing to engage the community and connect them to our work. My dream is to make sure that every family who needs ACC knows we are here. Hearing a family say that they wished they had heard about the Achievement Centers for Children years ago is a lost opportunity of potential.

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