Rotary Business Leadership Awards May 2023

WINDOWS ON THE RIVER

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS

ROTARY CLUB OF CLEVELAND MEETING

1911 – 2023

NOW IN OUR SECOND CENTURY OF SERVICE ABOVE SELF

HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

This is the twenty-seventh year of the Business Leadership Awards Program. It was founded in 1997 by Dr. Robert Minter, a former member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland and a former dean of the College of Business at Cleveland State University, and William A. Hite III, a past president of the Rotary Club of Cleveland (1996-97) and a past governor of Rotary District 6630 (1999-2000).

A native of Cleveland and a graduate of John Marshall High School, DR. ROBERT L. MINTER earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Miami University and his Ph.D. in organizational communication and industrial relations from Purdue University.

Prior to joining the James J. Nance College of Business Administration (now the Monte Ahuja College of Business) at CSU as dean in 1995, he had served as dean at the University of Northern Iowa for five years (1990-1995). From 1985 to 1990, he was a professor and dean at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. From 1981 to 1985, he was a professor and dean at Central Connecticut State University. Dr. Minter had also held academic positions at the University of Denver and at Eastern Michigan University. He served for three years as an administrator of management and professional development at Detroit Edison Company.

In 1962, Bill joined the International Harvester Company at their Cleveland Motor Truck Central Accounting Office and, from 1962-1975, he held various accounting, sales-marketing, and management positions with the Agricultural, Industrial Equipment and Motor Truck divisions. In January 1976, Bill joined Meta Corporation, a Clevelandbased national consulting firm as a manager and senior consultant. He is a Certified Sales Executive, a life member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, and a Certified Management Coach.

Building on his previous management and consulting experience, Bill founded The Hite Organization, Inc. in 1978 and subsequently its subsidiaries W. A. Hite International, Inc. and Hite Management Consultants, Inc. where he served as chairman, president, and CEO. Bill and his associates focused primarily on turn-around problems, mergers and acquisitions, and human resource issues.

WILLIAM A. (BILL) HITE III is a Cleveland native. He attended the University of Maryland and Fenn College (now Cleveland State University). He graduated from the I. H. Industrial Institute and the Graduate School of Sales Management and Marketing at Syracuse University. He also studied at Heidelberg University in Germany while he was stationed in Europe for three years with the U.S. Army’s 40th Artillery Group.

Bill has held board and/or officer positions on a long list of business, civic, and professional organizations, including Horizon Financial, COSE (the Council of Smaller Enterprises), the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, the Center for Small Business of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. He is a past president (1980-81) and life member of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Cleveland and a past managing director of Sales & Marketing Executives International.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

12:20 NOON

PROGRAM PRELIMINARIES AND WELCOME

Jennifer Kelly, President, The Rotary Club of Cleveland

12:30 P.M.

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

1:10 P.M.

CLOSING REMARKS

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

Introduction to the Business Leadership Awards Program

Dr. Edward G. Thomas, Professor of Marketing Emeritus Monte Ahuja College of Business, Cleveland State University

Greetings from the Monte Ahuja College of Business, Cleveland State University Dr. Heidi Hylton Meier, Interim Dean

QUALITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD

RECIPIENT: Zcath Mfg., Inc.

CO-SPONSORED BY: Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET)

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

RECIPIENT: Timothy Opsitnick, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Technology Concepts & Design, Inc.

CO-SPONSORED BY: The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)

GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD

RECIPIENT: Swagelok Company

CO-SPONSORED BY: Northeast Ohio International Business Network (IBN )

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD

RECIPIENT: Ted Laufik

CO-SPONSORED BY: Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Monte Ahuja College of Business, Cleveland State University

CLOSING REMARKS

Jennifer Kelly, President, The Rotary Club of Cleveland

QUALITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Quality Service Leadership Award goes to a firm that displays significant continuous improvement efforts in serving its customers. In reviewing the candidates for this award, MAGNET considered the following criteria:

• What was the company’s planning process for achieving continuous improvement efforts in customer satisfaction?

• What was the company’s process for determining requirements and expectations of customers and markets, including feedback on customer satisfaction?

• How did the company select, manage, and use information/data to support key company processes that improve company performance?

• What was the company’s actual performance and improvement in key business areas?

Founded in 1984, MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network is an organization dedicated to helping manufacturers grow and compete in Northeast Ohio. As part of the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

We also support, educate, and champion Northeast Ohio manufacturing with the goal of transforming our regional economy into a powerful, global player.

As MAGNET continues to offer companies holistic consulting services in talent pipeline, product development, commercialization, quality management, sales and marketing, and other areas, the organization has also formed partnerships with economic development and community organizations to better serve companies throughout the region, including Summit, Stark, Mahoning, and Richland counties.

In addition, MAGNET is in the process of launching Early College Early Career, a new youth apprenticeship program aimed at getting young people into manufacturing by way of paid internships, career awareness, and community involvement. This initiative also seeks to fill the gap left behind by Baby Boomer retirements, which will leave over 3.5 million jobs vacant by the end of the decade.

For more information on MAGNET, consult the organization’s website at www.manufacturing success.org

QUALITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD

PHILIP DYE, Founder and Owner SHELLY OSSA , Chief Operations Officer MIKE MOON, Chief Executive Officer

ZCATH MANUFACTURING’S mission is to become a recognized leader in medical devices for its revolutionary new line of urinary catheter products. Zcath is developing, producing, and branding sought-after products that are specifically engineered to address the needs of catheter users.

Philip Dye is the founder and owner of Zcath Mfg., Inc. Equipped with vast cathing knowledge and many years in the urological field selling and researching catheters and cathing problems, it became apparent to Philip that it was time for a change. Philip began a seven-year journey developing a revolutionary catheter named Zcath.

Philip attended medical conferences, both locally and around the country,expanding his knowledge of catheterization problems and keeping on top of new urological supplies developed to solve these problems.

Philip’s research revealed that many common cathing problems, such as urinary tract infections, pain, leaking, and residuals, were the result of the design of the catheter itself.

The most common standard catheter design dates back more than 270 years to 1752 and the introduction by Benjamin Franklin of a flexible catheter that featured a closed end and two eyelets cut into the sidewalls, one above the other. Taking into account how the traditional design led to cathing problems, Zcath’s new catheter has a large opening at the top, no eyelets, a smooth surface, and grooves for lubricant.

This technological advance resulted in the awarding of four patents in the United States and one covering all of Europe, although Zcath has decided to concentrate initially on the UK, Germany, and France. Zcath is currently seeking FDA clearance to manufacture and market the new catheter.

Zcath Manufacturing has a production plant in North Canton near the Akron/ Canton Airport. The company has announced that, once FDA approval has been received, it will begin manufacturing the catheter at the North Canton property.

For more information about Zcath Mfg., Inc., see its website at zcath.com

ENTREPRENURIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Award is given to an individual small business owner who has not only been successful in advancing their own entrepreneurial endeavor for themselves and their employees, but has also dedicated their time and talent to helping other small business owners succeed. The COUNCIL OF SMALLER ENTERPRISES (COSE) uses the following guiding questions to identify the award recipient:

• How effectively has the entrepreneur guided the growth and development of his/her own company?

• In what ways has the entrepreneur shared his/her experience and expertise with other small business owners or those that are considering starting their own business?

• How has the entrepreneur lived the mission of COSE: to support the growth and success of small business owners?

• How active has the entrepreneur been in working with professional organizations in his/her industry or profession to make a difference?

COSE was founded as a division of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association in 1972 by 13 small business owners who believed that small businesses could do better by working collectively to address the challenges that they face in starting, managing, growing and advocating for their businesses. More than fifty years later, now the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, COSE continues to focus on providing education, connections, navigation to the right solutions and resources and advocacy to support small business growth.

For more information on COSE, contact:

Council of Smaller Enterprises

1240 Huron Road East Cleveland, OH 44115

Phone: (216) 592-2222

Website: www.cose.org

THE SMALL BUSINESS ARM OF THE CLEVELAND GREATER PARTNERSHIP

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

TIMOTHY M. OPSITNICK Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Technology Concepts & Design, Inc.

TIMOTHY M. OPSITNICK is Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Technology Concepts & Design, Inc. (TCDI). The firm is a leader in litigation technology and services for mass tort management, second requests, complex litigation, and multidistrict litigation case management. Tim’s consulting practice focuses on cybersecurity, data privacy, electronic discovery, and computer forensics. Tim has conducted numerous continuing legal education seminars, written articles, and contributed to publications regarding cybersecurity, electronic discovery, and other technology issues. In addition, he has served as a court-appointed Special Master and as an expert witness.

A resident of Lorain County, where he grew up, Tim earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982 and a law degree from the Case Western Reserve University Collee of Law in 1985. He is licensed in the State of Ohio as an attorney and as a private investigator.

Beginning in 1986, Tim spent 14 years at the law firm of Jones Day in Cleveland, where he was a member of the Litigation and Product Liability sections. His practice concentrated on the management of complex, multi-district litigation.

In 2000, Tim founded JurInnov LLC, a firm that specialized in providing the legal and business communities with innovative solutions to

address their electronic discovery and data security needs. JurInnov was acquired by TCDI in 2016, thereby becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of TCDI.

Over the years, Tim has been involved in leadership positions in a wide variety of professional, service, and educational organizations. He is a past member of the Steering Committee for The Sedona Conference Working Group 1 on Electronic Document Retention and Production, and he also serves on The Sedona Conference Working Group Series Leadership Council. He is a past member of the Advisory Board for Georgetown University Law Center’s Office of Executive and Continuing Legal Education for the development of programs for its E-Discovery Institute. Locally, Tim serves on the Board of Visitors of the Cleveland State University Law School and is a past president of the Rotary Club of Westlake-Bay Village.

Tim is a strong advocate for small business and serves as the Chairman of COSE. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the largest municipal Chamber of Commerce in the United States with over eleven thousand members. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Small Business Association.

For more information on Timothy M. Opsitnick, visit his LinkedIn page.

The Global Business Leadership Award is for a business that has demonstrated outstanding strategic marketing and business practices relative to developing its international business operations. For this award, IBN (THE NORTHEAST OHIO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS NETWORK) considered the following criteria:

• What is the company’s international focus?

• How has the company organized its international marketing efforts?

• What growth has the company experienced in its international sales during the past few years?

IBN was organized in 2005 by a group of highly experienced business people with the specific purpose of helping each other and others in-volved in international business.

Its goal is to stimulate economic growth in Northeast Ohio. IBN does this by providing networking receptions, offering programs on

pertinent and timely international business topics.

More specifically, IBN is designed to assist new and experienced business people by:

• Facilitating networking opportunities with people in international business.

• Attracting a younger and more diverse population into international business.

• Supporting existing international business activities.

• Educating people on international business practices and opportunities.

• Offering professional international trade education seminars.

For more information about IBN, contact: The Northeast Ohio International Business Network

PO Box 110824

Cleveland, OH 44111

Email: admin@neoibn.org

Website: www.neoibn.org

JIM CAVOLI President and Chief Operating Officer

LISA MCKAY Vice President, Supply Chain

SWAGELOK COMPANY is an approximately $2 billion privately held developer of fluid system products, assemblies, and services for the oil and gas, chemical, semiconductor, and clean energy industries. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., Swagelok provides customers with access to a network of approximately 200 sales and service centers in 70 countries, supported by the expertise of 5,700 corporate associates at 20 manufacturing facilities and five global technology centers.

For over 75 years, Swagelok® fluid system components, assemblies, and services have supported some of the most critical applications on the planet—and beyond. You can find their products at the bottom of the ocean, on the surface of Mars, and in tens of thousands of industrial plants that keep our world in motion. Every day, customers across various industries and across the globe count on them to help protect lives, preserve the environment, and solve complex challenges so they can grow their businesses.

Their commitment to high-quality manufacturing and access to an unmatched international network of sales and service centers has allowed Swagelok to provide proven fluid system products and services to customers when and where they need them. And they’ve remained relevant to customers through product availability, growing their workforce, and building inventory of products even during the height of the pandemic.

LINDSAY DOMINGO Vice President, Talent and Communications Media Contact

ALLISON LORENZO Manager, Outbound Supply Chain

Beyond reliable products, Swagelok offers access to a global network of fluid system specialists who apply their technical expertise and diverse experience to help customers overcome their most pressing challenges. This commitment to problem solving has allowed Swagelok to build upon a firm foundation of trust in Swagelok products established over more than 75 years. The result has been strong growth across the company’s core markets in recent years, and that growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Swagelok’s parts and processes are known for their top-notch quality, and they believe that quality relationships are equally important. Their people-first mentality is also why Swagelok—one of Northeast Ohio’s largest employers—is repeatedly recognized as a top place to work. In addition to their nolayoff philosophy, they offer room for career growth with their inclusive environment that encourages the development of all associates. Swagelok’s global headquarters are located at: 29500 Solon Road, Solon, OH 44139

For more information, visit swagelok.com, or any of its social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Business & Technology Innovation Leadership Award goes to an individual or a firm that displays significant achievement in promotion and use of innovative approaches in the business and technology environment of Northeast Ohio. In reviewing the candidates for this award, the CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP considered the following criteria:

• In what ways has the person or company exhibited a commitment to business and technology innovation?

• In what ways has the person or company provided leadership in promoting or implementing entrepreneurship, business and technology innovation?

• In what ways has the person or company shared information on entrepreneurship, business and technology innovation with others in the business community?

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which is housed in the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University, offers opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and the Northeast Ohio business community to channel the innovative spirit of entrepreneurship into action, strengthening economic development for our region.

To aid the Center in achieving its mission, the Weston Ideation Lab, a dedicated, physical place where ideas are tested, validated and transformed into reality was established in 2019.

Designed as a collaborative, interdisciplinary learning laboratory, the Weston Ideation Lab fosters creative thinking, supports the exploration of entrepreneurial ideas, provides access to resources across the Cleveland State campus, and hosts academic courses, workshops, guest speakers and more.

Made possible by a gift from Weston, Inc., the Lab is the ideal location to house the Monte Ahuja College of Business’ Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to serve all CSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

For more information on the Center, contact: Cleveland State University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Weston Ideation Lab

2121 Euclid Avenue, BU 308 Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

Phone: 216.687.4750

Email: westonilab@csuohio.edu

Website: www.business.csuohio.edu/ entrepreneurship

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD

TED LAUFIK Senior Finance Professional

TED LAUFIK is a senior finance professional with more than 40 years of experience in finance, strategy, compliance, and investor relations in a variety of businesses, including one of the country’s leading private equity and venture capital organizations.

Ted began his career in public accounting with Touche Ross and Company (now Deloitte LLP). He spent five years as Chief Financial Officer for Snavely Development Company and more than 25 years as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Partner for Morgenthaler, a national private equity and venture capital firm. He recently retired after serving for more than eight years as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for Cyprium Partners.

In his career, Ted helped raise more than $3.0 billion of investment capital that has provided financing to more than 350 companies.

He also consulted with several early-stage and middle-market companies providing financial and strategic support.

Ted earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and an MBA degree from Cleveland State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (Active) and a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs.

In addition to his business affiliations, Ted serves on the Finance and Audit Committee of JumpStart Inc., a nationally recognized economic development organization. Even with his incredibly busy work schedule, Ted also found the time to chair the Monte Ahuja College of Business Visiting Committee, to sit on the Weston Ideation Lab Advisory Board, and, perhaps even more importantly, to directly engage with the College’s students and faculty as a mentor, presenter, and thought leader.

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS – PAST RECIPIENTS

WORKPLACE

LEARNING & PERFORMANCE

LEADERSHIP AWARD - ATD

1997 Key Services Corp.- Key College

1998 Key Services Corp. - Call Center

1999 Ohio Savings Bank

2000 Moen Incorporated

2001 John Robert’s Hair Studio & Spa

2002 Philips Medical Systems

2003 Progressive Insurance

2004 Rockwell Automation

2005 Cleveland Clinic Health System

2006 Westfield Group

2007 Cleveland Catholic Charities

2008 Eaton Corporation

2009 Progressive Casualty Insurance

2010 Federal Reserve Bank-Cleveland

2011 Medical Mutual of Ohio

2012 American Greetings Corporation

2013 Aultman Hospital Foundation

2014 No award made

2015 Vitamix.- Blending 101 Program

2016 Dealer Tire LLC—DT Hero Program

2017 Applied Industrial Technologies

2021 Cardinal Health—at-Home Solutions

QUALITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD - MAGNET

1997 Anderson International Corp.

1998 Radix Wire Company

1999 Cleveland Plastic Films

2000 W. P. Hickman Systems, Inc.

2001 Lincoln Electric Company

2002 Great Lakes Brewing Company

2003 Euclid Heat Treating Company

2004 Henkel Consumer Adhesives

2005 Harry London Candies, Inc.

2006 Schneller, Inc.

2007 GoJo Industries

2008 Aero Instruments

2009 SIFCO Forge Group

2010 Tremco Commercial Sealants

2011 Avtron Manufacturing, Inc.

2012 MobilityWorks

2013 Nova Films & Foils Inc.

2014 Heather B. Moore, Inc.

2015 Rambus, Inc.

2016 Tortilleria La Bamba

2017 LEFCO Worthington, LLC

2018 Randy’s Pickles, LLC

2019 Werner G. Smith, Inc.

2020 HGR Industrial Surplus

2021 DECA Manufacturing, Inc.

2022 The Shelby Company

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD - COSE

1997 Jack Bares, The Milbar Company

1998 William M. Jones, Dynamotors, Inc.

1999 Ronald B. Cohen, Cohen & Company

2000 Michael B. Cristal, Consolidated Risk Management

2001 Raymond M. Arth, Phoenix Products Inc.

2002 Adele Ryan Malley, Malley’s Chocolates

2003 Fred M. Crosby, Crosby Furniture

2004 Robert C. Smith, Spero-Smith Investments

2005 Keith A. Ashmus, Esq, Frantz Ward LLP

2006 Kathryn E. Tatman, D’Amore Tatman Group

2007 Jeanne Coughlin, The Coughlin Group

2008 Jeanne Bluffstone, Bluffstone Public Relations

2009 Carol A. Staiger, Vantage Point Marketing

2010 Samuel A. Steinhouse, SPS Partners

2011 Timothy Reynolds, Tribute, Inc.

2012 James C. McSherry, McSherry & Co, LPA

2013 Marlene Herman, AAMCO Transmission

2014 Lisa Logan, Logan Clutch Corp.

2015 Roxanne Kaufman Elliott, ProLaureate Ltd

2016 Sharon L. Toerek, Toerek Law

2017 Rion Safier, Rion Safier Accounting, LLC

2018 Michael E. Stanek, Hunt Imaging LLC

2019 Bonnie Matthew, Food for Thought

2020 John G. Young, Speed Exterminating

2021 Kevin K. Johnson, NexGen Interactive

2022 Marvin Montgomery, The Sales Doctor

GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD –International Business Network

1997 Kichler Lighting Group

1998 Nordson Corporation

1999 Niagara Custombilt Mfg. Company

2000 Keithley Instruments, Inc.

2001 Manco, Inc.

2002 Myers Industries

2003 Fomo Products, Inc.

2004 Bioproducts, Incorporated

2005 Vita-Mix Corporation

2006 Superior Products, Inc.

2007 Robin Industries, Inc.

2008 Mayfran International, Inc.

2009 Snow Dragon®

2010 RAD-CON, Inc.

2011 Codonics, Inc.

2012 Flow Polymers, LLC

2013 The Lincoln Electric Company

2014 NOSHOK, Inc.

2015 Volk Optical, Inc.

2016 Technibus, Inc.

2017 Applied Medical Technology, Inc.

2018 Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.

2019 SIFCO ASC

2020 OverDrive

2021 B’laster Holdings LLC

2022 Grand Rock Co., Inc.

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD –Rotary Club of Cleveland (1992-2011)

1997 Applied Industrial Technologies

1998 Ameritech

1999 Deloitte & Touche LLP, Northeast Ohio

2000 GE Lighting–Nela Park

2001 Fifth Third Bank, Northeastern Ohio

2002 Lubrizol Corporation

2003 Eaton Corporation

2004 The Huntington National Bank

2005 Invacare Corporation

2006 Thompson Hine LLP

2007 Things Remembered

2008 First Federal of Lakewood

2009 Third Federal Savings & Loan

2010 Downtown Cleveland Alliance

2011 Swagelok Company

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES

LEADERSHIP AWARD –

Sustainable Business Center, Monte Ahuja College of Business (2012- 2018)

2012 David E. Nash, McMahon DeGulis LLP

2013 Terry V. Thiele, The Lubrizol Corp.

2014 Mike Neundorfer & Steve Ostanek, Neundorfer, Inc.

2015 Aparna Bole, M.D., UH Rainbow and Children’s Hospital

2016 William B. Doggett, Eaton Corporation

2017 Lisa Pim Peterson, Weber Murphy Fox

2018 Andrew Watterson, KeyBank

URBAN PLACEMAKING LEADERSHIP AWARD –

Paul J. Everson Real Estate Center, Monte Ahuja College of Business Cleveland State University (2018 only)

2018 Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

LEADERSHIP AWARD –

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneutship, Monte Ahuja College of Business Cleveland State University (2019-Present)

2019 Charles Stack, Flashstarts

2020 David J. Fornari, Executive-in-Residence, CSU

2021 Martin O’Toole, Vice President, GOJO Industries

2022 James Kandrac, President and Founder UCG Technologies (1987), Contract Guardian, Inc. (2018)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We wish to express appreciation to all the following people who made a contribution to the success of this program:

MAGNET

Bass Khoury, Director, Operations Excellence

Michael O’Donnell, Vice President, Operations

The Council of Smaller Enterprises

Megan Kim, Executive Director

Gina Messina, Executive Assistant

The Northeast Ohio International Business Network

John Senese, President

Susan Whitney, Office Director

U. S. Department of Commerce

Todd Hiser, Senior International Trade Specialist

U. S. Department of Commerce

Monte Ahuja College of Business

Cleveland State University

Dr. Heidi Hylton Meier, Interim Dean

Margaret Brandt

Christine Mapus

Heather Schlosser

Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Cleveland State University

Colette Taddy Hart, Senior Director

Centers for Outreach & Engagement

The Rotary Club of Cleveland

Jennifer Kelly, President

Sharon Lerch, Executive Director

THE CO-SPONSORS

MONTE AHUJA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY

The Cornerstone of Northeast Ohio Business

Traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, a cornerstone is the reference point for which all other stones are laid. Our undergraduate programs, graduate programs, continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities and community outreach programs all work to build and support Northeast Ohio businesses. As Cleveland’s only public university, we provide fundamental business knowledge that enables our diverse student population to build their careers, take them to the next level and positively impact the organizations they serve. We transform lives through the power of business education.

Our location in downtown Cleveland provides unique proximity and interaction with the business community. We support the Northeast Ohio business community by creating and advancing business-ready talent, impactful business knowledge and foundation-al community engagement.

The College holds accreditation in both business and account-ing from AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Less than 5% of the world’s business schools have earned this accreditation, widely considered a hallmark of excellence in business education.

Our Centers for Outreach and Engagement serve as advocates for Northeast Ohio businesses, organizations and individual. Regarded in high esteem for their strategic development and delivery of programs that address current needs and future challenges, the Centers help position organizations for success. To learn more, visit: https://business.csuohio.edu

THE ROTARY CLUB OF CLEVELAND

Founded in 1905, Rotary is an international association of more than 1.2 million business and professional leaders in over 200 countries who provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary International conducts the world’s largest private scholarship program, people-to-people, business-to-business, and youth exchange programs and is a major force in the worldwide fight against polio and other childhood diseases.

The Rotary Club of Cleveland, founded in 1910 and chartered in 1911, is Number 18 among the over 33,000 clubs worldwide. In addition to sponsoring several programs in conjunction with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Rotary Club of Cleveland is an active contributor and supporter of many local organizations and programs, including the Cleveland Foodbank, Inc., the Salvation Army, the Achievement Centers for Children, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross, and College Now Greater Cleveland. The club’s Rapid Recovery Project, a 40-plus-year commitment to the beautification of the West 25th Street Rapid Site, led to the creation of Cleveland Metroparks’ Red Line Greenway, a 2.5 mile multi-use linear trail connecting eight communities on Cleveland’s near west side. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project was held on May 12, 2021.

Now in its second century of “Service Above Self,” the Rotary Club of Cleveland was the organizer and presenter of the Port of Cleveland 2010 and 2013 Tall Ships Festivals. A legacy of these festivals was our YESS (Youth Empowered to Succeed through Sailing) program, which provides sail training and leadership development skills to under-served youth. For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page or its website at www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com

TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS

THURSDAY · MAY 9 · 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Edward G. Thomas

Professor of Marketing Emeritus

Monte Ahuja College of Business

Cleveland State University

2121 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

Phone: (216) 513-7946

Email: e.thomas@csuohio.edu

– OR –

Sharon Lerch

Executive Secretary

The Rotary Club of Cleveland

377 Lear Road, Suite 222 Avon Lake, OH 44012

Phone: (216) 556-8637

Email: rotarycle@gmail.com