Community Leader - February 2022

F E B R UARY 2 02 2

Initiatives for a

Greater Cleveland Leaders Respond to Mayor Bibb’s Aggressive 100-Day Strategy

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2022 CON T EN TS r u o Y w o r G & gFEBRUARY iB evaS

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UPFRONT COMMUNITY g n i l i a M / g n i p p ihS 5 Looking Back and 30 Creating a Stronger

BUSINESS

COLUMNS

43 Business is Back &

20 Changing of the Guard

Forward

Cleveland

As August “Augie” Napoli Jr. prepares to retire from United Way of Greater Cleveland, he reflects on challenges and accomplishments.

Diversity Center’s humanitarian awards acknowledge the dedication of community leaders.

Cleveland leaders and JobsOhio bring new routes to ClevelandHopkins International Airport.

BY JILL SELL

BY JILL SELL

32 Paving the Way for

48 Building Resilience

Taking Off

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BY LYNNE THOMPSON

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6 A Passion for Spirits

Homeownership

Urbane Vodka LLC, founded by Simone Woods, is taking Cleveland by storm.

Humanity celebrates a recordsetting year.

BY CHRISTINA EASTER

BY TERRY TROY

8 Legacy of Love

34 Expanding Education

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Discover Kemper Cognitive Wellness, dedicated to helping people prevent and push back against cognitive loss.

Definitions

Now Greater Cleveland strives to provide everyone with secivreS lloryaCollege P options to reach their maximum

BY LINDA FEAGLER

potential.

BY THERESA NEUHOFF

gniypoC/gnitn36 irP Investing in the

10 A Grand a Day

Hospitality Restaurants celebrates its 30th anniversary by giving back to the community.

Community

United Way’s $20.1 million for Greater Cleveland includes its new Community Hub for Basic Needs.

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BY LYNNE THOMPSON

12 Living Life to the Fullest Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become a part of a community.

BY LINDA FEAGLER

COVER: ISTOCK / ANGELO MERENDINO

14 Courtney Covers

East Side businesses reveal ways they are co-existing with COVID-19.

BY LINDA FEAGLER

49 Adapting to Change West Side businesses showcase how they pivoted to new ways of doing business amid COVID-19.

BY LINDA FEAGLER

50 Acquiring Talent The Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce highlights ways businesses can capitalize on their memberships to help find employees.

Social media influencer Courtney Ottrix spotlights people, places and events throughout the city.

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BY RHONDA gro.ccaon.www 0099.744.612

22 Who is in Your Winners’ Circle?

Pat Perry, former ERC president, showcases characteristics of those who have made a positive impact on him.

DEPARTMENTS 2 From the Publisher 16 Working the Room 54 My Earth, My Life 56 1000 Words

8

52 Doubling Down Fund That Flip raises money for even more growth in 2022.

38 Serving Seniors

BY BOB SANDRICK

Discover the variety of ways McGregor improves the experience of aging.

BY JOANNE CAHILL

40 Stepping Up to the Plate !WON EVAS ! E R O M COVER E V ASTORY S

Cleveland

Lee Fisher reveals how Cleveland is experiencing a time of change with its leaders.

BY JILL SELL

BY JILL SELL

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43

The new Campus Plate app helps Baldwin Wallace students who are facing food insecurities.

!GIB EVAS

24 Our Future in Focus

u o y s m a r g o r pCommunity e r o mleaders, e h Tincluding Eddie Taylor d nJr.,a Randell s t s oMcShepard, c ruoy tuC Joe Marinucci, Jack Schron and John Habat, offer their insights on how n a c u o y e r o m Mayor e h tJustin , e s oBibb o hshould c address his 10 initiatives e v a sforyalGreater l a i t nCleveland. etop ! e v aBYsTERRY TROY !srallod fo sdnasuoht

BY BOB SANDRICK

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clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 1

FROM THE PUBLISHER // BY LU TE HARMON SR .

It’s the Initiatives, Stupid!

W

hile created by political strategist James Carville, it was President Bill Clinton who made famous the statement, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

At the time, he wanted to get the attention of his fellow Americans about an important issue, and he succeeded.

While I may not be Bill Clinton, nor would I ever call Clevelanders stupid, I wish I could find a way to have us all understand that the way to create growth and prosperity for our community and ourselves is by setting goals for initiatives and achieving them.

Initiatives are the most powerful tool we have in creating progress. They force us to set aside the things that divide us and concentrate on the things that unite us in building a better life.

Initiatives force us to leave the ground we walk each day and step onto new ground — a common ground. Ground that is made of common knowledge, common purpose and common action.

With new mayors come new initiatives. This issue’s cover story by editor Terry Troy looks at Mayor Justin Bibb’s top initiatives, as well as those of other community leaders.

Once upon a time, Cleveland had a clear understanding of where it was and where it wanted to go. It is hard to believe that this 20-year period of unbelievable growth ended 36 years ago.

Now would be a good time to begin again — to establish the initiatives that make us a better place to live and work, and follow the progress of those initiatives until they are achieved.

It was the management guru Peter Drucker who compared successful businesses and civic organizations to orchestras. They could play beautiful music because they played from the same score.

Wouldn’t it be nice to look back on 2022 as the year we began to play from the same score in achieving the goals for initiatives that made Greater Cleveland greater?

Executive Publisher Executive Editor Managing Editor Senior Editor

Lute Harmon Sr. Terry Troy Jennifer Bowen Sima Rachel Hagenbaugh

Managing Art Director Rayanne Medford Associate Art Director Ashley Moreman Assistant Art Director Abigail Archer

Contributing Writers Joanne Cahill Rhonda Crowder Christina Easter Linda Feagler Lee Fisher Theresa Neuhoff Pat Perry Bob Sandrick Jill Sell Lynne Thompson Contributing Artists

David Schwartz

Senior Account Executives Sarah Desmond Tiffany Myroniak Account Executives

Julie Bialowas

Advertising Coordinator Corey Galloway Associate Production Manager

Alyson Moutz Cowan Advertising Design Intern Colin Dunn Operations Manager Jennifer Roberts Chief Financial Officer George Sedlak

Cleveland Magazine | Ohio Magazine | Lake Erie Living | Custom Media | Quest Digital

1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115 (216) 771-2833 | fax (216) 781-6318 | www.glpublishing.com

COMMUNITY LEADER is pr o duc ed i n par t ner s hi p w i t h c om mu n i ty s ta k e h o l d e rs .

2 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

since

1845

Is Your Organization One of the BEST in Northeast Ohio?

NorthCoast 99 honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. Apply to become a 2022 winner at northcoast99.org.

The application period opens in February 2022.

Apply to win at NorthCoast99.org

UPFRONT RE TIREMENTS // BY LYNNE THOMPSON

Looking Back and Forward August “Augie” Napoli Jr. reflects on his accomplishments and challenges.

H

e knew it wouldn’t be easy.

When United Way of Greater Cleveland offered August “Augie” Napoli Jr. the position of president and CEO in 2016, the iconic 108-year-old nonprofit organization was facing major challenges. Chief among them was a decreasing stream of operating dollars.

Cleveland was no longer among the top U.S. cities where Fortune 500 companies maintained headquarters — places where employees were strongly encouraged to participate in United Way’s workplace campaign. Over time, the number of disparate social-service agencies that received those dollars had increased into the hundreds.

“I was hired as a change agent,” the 69-year-old recalls. “And the reason I decided to accept it was because of the challenge.”

As Napoli prepares to retire on June 30, he can point to multiple changes made during his tenure that will allow United Way to serve the community into the next century. Providing a deeper understanding of “the mission, the vision, the values, the economy and the efficiency of what we do” has become a priority in attracting and retaining donors. And it is working with other entities to determine the best ways to address not only the symptoms of poverty, but also the root causes of it. His efforts cap a 45-year career of resource development in Northeast Ohio.

“I’ve been blessed in my career to have worked with the very top and best leaders

in our community,” he says. “I’ve learned from every experience. And every experience has led to the next one.”

One of Napoli’s first tasks was developing a strategic plan that clarified United Way’s purpose is serving people in need.

“We don’t exist to serve the [social-service] delivery system,” he states. “That would be the county, that would be the state, that would be the federal government.”

Funding was aligned with “laser-focused” goals. He gives examples such as United Way’s participation in the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, which addresses a housing-stability factor and a partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Right to Counsel — Cleveland, which provides free legal assistance to eligible tenants facing eviction, and work with a number of entities to build 50-unit “scholar housing” across from Cuyahoga Community College’s main campus for students with children.

Issues of race, diversity, equity and inclusion were addressed by consulting community leaders of color asked to serve on its Equity Leadership Council.

And the nonprofit began speaking plainly about topics such as poverty and racism — words that some organizations, Napoli says, simply didn’t use. On unitedwaycleveland.org, “Decision Points,” a documentary of one single mother’s financial struggles, illustrates the change.

“Until [we] start talking about it, to demystify this for the world, then how could we possibly expect people to understand

August Napoli Jr.

and accept and embrace it and try to make change?” he asks.

At press time, Napoli was planning to start the new year by launching nearly $20.1 million in community investment. Projects include operation of United Way’s 2-1-1 social-service navigation system and funding partners such as Catholic Charities, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland. He’d like to begin building an endowment. For the first time in many years, the nonprofit boasts a balanced budget and small surplus of funds.

But he firmly believes it is time for him to move on.

“I’ve done what I set out to do here,” he says. “The direction is clear. The pathway is clear. Now, it’s time for another person to help bring all of that to life.”  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 5

UPFRONT

ENTREPRENEURS // BY CHRIS TINA E A S TER

A Passion for Spirits A hobby leads to the creation of a vodka that is taking Cleveland by storm.

D

uring the winter of 2017, Simone Woods, founder and CEO of Urbane Vodka LLC, took up a new hobby and ended up with a new vodka that is taking over Northeast Ohio. Creating spirits was already a family tradition — Buddy, her mom’s stepfather, made moonshine.

“Buddy gave me clues for what makes a good spirit,” she says.

As her passion grew, she watched YouTube videos, read books and connected with an online brewing community. Ajondi Born, a farmer and family friend, donated unlimited grain. Rebecca Sullivan, who brews beer with her husband, told Woods about the resources from Home Brew Ohio in Sandusky, including grains, glass jars, mesh bags, cheesecloths, buckets, spoons and other items.

Woods still needed to learn how to distill, so she used her off-hours as a supervising nurse to visit breweries and distilleries to ask questions and get answers. It was all trial and error until she settled on a method to set her product apart.

“After sampling grains for a year, I chose corn because it is neutral and easier to work with,” says Woods. “I chose to use reverse osmosis water because I learned during nursing school that it is an antimicrobial, which means it is very clean, has fewer impurities, will not compromise taste and doesn’t require filtering.”

She also found out that distilling is costly.

“I paid off all of my credit cards and started saving my money,” says 6 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

Woods. “This put me in the position to purchase the equipment needed to distill at home.”

After a couple of years, Woods changed her hobby into a business venture. Her first investor was her sister, Sophia Westfield.

“When Simone first told me about her vision, I believed in her because she is a hard worker and will accomplish anything she puts her mind to,” she says.

On July 17, Urbane officially launched at Renee’s Place near Downtown Cleveland, where the owner created three drinks for her: Queen of Hearts, Peach Fuzz and Rude Lemonade. Now, Lounge 2.28 Bar and Grill in Bedford also carries Urbane.

During some Friday happy hours, Woods is there to make lemon drops.

Marco Primo, co-owner of Primo African Quisine, liked Urbane so much the first time he tasted it that he sampled it again.”

Woods distributes it by hand to select bars and restaurants like Primo.

“In five years, I plan to expand to other states and internationally by signing a deal Simone Woods with a distributor who is willing to make Urbane their brand,” says Woods. “I also plan to start a charity that will have a faithbased enrichment program, a scholarship program at Notre Dame and community colleges and food and clothing programs.”

Spirit-lovers can pick up a bottle of Urbane at Giant Eagle in Middleburg Heights, Sheffield Lake, Lorain, Maple Heights and Rocky River. Also try One Stop Liquor on Lee Road, Mookie’s Beverage on Miles Road and Elyria Liquor and Beverage. 

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UPFRONT

HE ALTH CARE // BY LINDA F E AGLER

Legacy of Love Kemper House pushes back against cognitive loss.

I

8 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

assessment with Kemper to take a look Susan, a at what could be happening right now patient, uses metabolically that could be driving wearable the disease’s progress. We’ll give you a tech during highly personalized plan to push back skills and prevent, halt or reverse cognitive building. decline.”

Kemper adds that life’s anxieties and stresses, coupled with the food choices we make and the environment we live in, often contribute to the diagnosis.

Dr. Nate Bergman, Kemper Cognitive Wellness’ chief scientific wellness officer, and his team create highly individualized treatment plans designed to address individual root causes. Bergman, who Dr. Nate Bergman reviews a qEEG brain map. co-developed Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine’s Her mother had passed away at Kemper program for cognitive impairment, takes House years earlier, and the client feared genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors her fate would be the same. into consideration, as well as common An extensive assessment featuring maladies often taken for granted. qEEG brain mapping and lab testing of “People who have sleep apnea, for more than 100 biomarkers for chronic example, sometimes shirk it off as no big disease resulted in a personalized plan deal,” Kemper says. “Dr. Bergman calls of action for her. It included lifestyle it ‘slow drip brain damage,’ because it changes centered on diet and addressing leads to poor oxygenation of brain cells. sleep apnea, as well as hormone therapy.

Night after night, you better believe In just four months, she noticed big that’s impacting your brain.” changes: The decline was halted and One of Kemper’s clients was a 58-year- she’d recovered the memory function old executive who was experiencing ma- she’d lost. jor changes with memory, and keeping up Kemper Cognitive Wellness is among at the office was becoming increasingly the nation’s leading brain health centers difficult. The final straw came when the for prevention, testing, services and avid runner became lost one day on a support for Alzheimer’s and related route she exercised on almost every day. dementias. 

COURTESY KEMPER HOUSE

t was a labor of love that led registered nurse Betty Kemper to found the business that bears the family name.

“Her mother-in-law, Helen Kemper, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the 1980s,” says Betty’s daughterin-law, Jenny Kemper. “That’s when she recognized the gap in care for this population in the long-term care industry. Betty had a vision [to create] Kemper House, a secure, nurturing residential environment dedicated to caring for the unique needs of people with memory loss. Kemper House’s mission is to honor these individuals with dignified care and provide a life of meaning and purpose in their final years.”

More than 20 years later, Kemper Houses in Highland Heights and Strongsville remain true to the innovative setting residents and their loved ones appreciate. Kemper Cognitive Wellness was created to help people prevent and push back against cognitive loss. The program detects possible triggers of memory loss in people of all ages before it becomes acutely problematic.

“Many people don’t think about cognitive loss until there’s a problem,” says Jenny Kemper, director of Kemper Cognitive Wellness.

“But one doesn’t Jenny Kemper just wake up one day and have dementia. Changes are often taking place in the brain 20 to 30 years before the first symptoms present themselves.

“If you have a family history, you want to be proactive and get a comprehensive

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UPFRONT

CELEBR ATIONS // BY LYNNE THOMPSON

A Grand a Day Hospitality Restaurants donates to individual nonprofits in January.

G

10 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

to Golf program), which provides programming for the physically disabled on the campus of the Wharton Center at North Olmsted Golf Club.

“It’s pretty joyful to see how it’s changed some of these guys’ lives,” he observes.

Some entities are run or supported by people Schindler and Ameen know.

The Ben Curtis Family Foundation, a Kent-based nonprofit started by Schindler’s professional golfer friend Ben Curtis and Curtis’ wife, Candace, fills backpacks with nonperishable food and toiletries that are discreetly distributed by teachers in participating schools to students living in food-insecure homes.

Santa PICsU was founded by friends to provide gifts for Akron Children’s Hospital pediatric ICU patients and their families, as well as waiting-room furnishings, medical equipment, etc. And the Bay Village-based Jack Gives Back Foundation was established by a family who lost a special-needs child. The nonprofit supplies adaptive equipment and therapy scholarships to the Key Largo, Florida, nonprofit Island Dolphin Care for children facing similar challenges.

Hospitality Restaurants isn’t planning to host a big public 30th anniversary celebration. But the company did end up offering a different three-course happy-hour meal at each of its locations for $30 through Jan. 31. 

COURTESY HOSPITALITY RESTAURANTS

eorge Schindler and Kay Ameen had been discussing the best way to mark the 30th anniversary of Hospitality Restaurants.

Their 1991 opening of the Cabin Club in Westlake turned out to be the founding of an operation that today employs more than 300 people at its Fairview Park headquarters, the Cabin Club and seven other up- David Hale, George Schindler and Kay Ameen of Hospitality Restaurants scale dining establishments, including Blue Point Grille in Cleve- adopted at least one family referred by the land’s Warehouse District; Delmonico’s Malachi Center for the holidays.

Steakhouse in Independence; Kingfish They came up with the idea of donatin Copley-Fairlawn; Rosewood Grill ing $1,000 a day throughout the month locations in Hudson, Strongsville and of January to 30 area nonprofits. SchinWestlake; and Salmon Dave’s Pacific dler describes the recipients as small Grille in Rocky River — as well as charities that collect and distribute Thirsty Parrot, a sports bar near Pro- food, clothing, household goods, etc. to gressive Field. those in need.

Schindler notes that every location “A thousand dollars is not going to be reopened as soon as the state of Ohio a game-changer for most charities,” he relaxed pandemic shutdown restrictions concedes. “But for small charities that in May 2020. don’t have overhead and salaries — a lot “The number 30 kept coming up,” of them are just all volunteer — it goes a Schindler, who serves as president, long way.” remembers. “We thought about doing a Most of the nonprofits, Schindler adds, prix fixe meal to drive traffic, but that’s were chosen from recommendations proa little bit self-serving. All of the commu- vided by local mayors and police chiefs at nities that we’ve worked in have been so Hospitality Restaurants’ request. Some supportive over all of these years.” of them include Cleveland Kosher Food The pair turned to the business’s histo- Pantry in South Euclid, Fairview Park ry of philanthropy for inspiration. They’d Hunger Center and The Turn (formerly always contributed to organizations com- the Northern Ohio Golf Association bating food insecurity. And each eatery Charities & Foundation and Return

21-0668

UPFRONT

COMMUNIT Y // BY LINDA F E AGLER

Living Life to the Fullest Medina Creative Housing embraces opportunities for its residents.

A

s dawn breaks over the city, the residents and members of Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates are already hard at work. Founded in 1992, the nonprofit organization offers independent living that supports housing and job opportunities to individuals with disabilities, helping them overcome obstacles and be a part of a community.

“Medina Creative Housing was formed by a group of parents who had children with disabilities, ” says the organization’s CEO Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty. “They were looking for a way to create a brighter future for their loved ones, as well as others with disabilities. It was established to take individuals out of institutional settings and place them in a community.”

The organization’s affordable 88 single-family homes and apartments are home to residents with a broad spectrum of developmental and intellectual disabilities. Others live with challenges resulting from devastating accidents.

“I was led to the organization 20 years ago because I have a brother who’s physically disabled from a car accident, and I’m the legal guardian for his son, who is on the autism spectrum,” DePasquale-Hagerty says.

Designed to create a safety net setting for its residents, the dwellings are tailor-made to be easily accessible for all residents — including those using walkers or wheelchairs.

Dianne DePasquale-Hagerty The garden 12 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

apartments feature conveniences such as low counters, washers and dryers and accessible bathrooms. Medicaid Certified Support Services, including help with direct care, transportation, after-school programs and vocational habilitation are available for eligible residents.

Medina Creative Housing is partnering with the Ursuline Sisters to create 25 new housing units in Pepper Pike in 2022, enabling individuals to remain in their community to live the “American Dream” in a fully supported home of their own and give their parents peace of mind for their child’s future.

In addition to living spaces throughout the county, Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates provides myriad ways to be productive and enjoy life. Medina Creative Living HUD developments are also available.

Cuyahoga Community College Parma Campus partners with Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates to offer Creative Transitions, post-secondary college programs for persons with disabilities that include individualized meetings with students to review academic progress, tutoring services, career training and transition counseling and career exploration.

There is also an executive functioning, social thinking and reframing curriculum day program offered in the new day program facility in Middleburg Heights.

The nonprofit’s other Life Steps initiatives include the Medina Creative Therapy Ranch, which offers therapeutic horse riding and equine assisted learning opportunities that enhance participants’ equestrian skills, motor control, balance and independence.

Job training and employment opportunities are provided in ways that lead to a

sense of self confidence, along with growing self esteem and earning an income.

“Those who enter our program will develop the skills they need to step out into the community, be successful and keep that job,” DePasquale-Hagerty says. “When people with disabilities are placed out in the community without the skills they need to do the job, they often fail, and businesses are reluctant to hire them. We’re changing that paradigm.”

Medina Creative Housing dwellings are tailor-made to be easily accessible for all residents to all the community has to offer.

Individuals with disabilities, along with two managers, staff Medina Creative Pet Play, a full-service doggie day care spa offering grooming, boarding and homemade treats.

Residents are also employed at Grande Cafe & Roastery in Medina and Soprema Cafe in Wadsworth, featuring specialty gourmet coffees from around the world and sweet treats made by Medina Creative Housing residents. Fresh produce grown at the nonprofit’s hydroponic greenhouse are key ingredients in the salads and wraps.

Medina Creative Housing and Affiliates produce and canine treats can also be purchased online at medinacreativehousing.com/our-products.

“We try to be as inclusive as possible to create housing services and support to enable individuals with disabilities to live their lives with dignity and opportunity,” DePasquale-Hagerty says. 

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UPFRONT

BUSINE SS // BY RHONDA CROWDER

Courtney Covers Cleveland Social media influencer brings light, love and money to Northeast Ohio.

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14 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

“I wanted to be more inclusive. I was uncovering hidden gems here in Cleveland and sharing them on social media. So the community coined me as ‘Cleveland Courtney.’”

Courtney Ottrix

desired. Through her work, she also found herself focusing more on small international businesses. While she liked that, she wanted to spotlight other minority-owned businesses as well.

“I wanted to be more inclusive,” she says. “I was uncovering hidden gems here in Cleveland and sharing them on social media. So the community coined me as ‘Cleveland Courtney.’’”

A 2019 restructuring at Global Cleveland left her without work. So she saw it as the perfect opportunity to blog about Cleveland full time.

“I told my husband, if it doesn’t work, I can just go look for another job,” she says. Some three years later, she’s full steam ahead with no signs of slowing down.

“It’s been amazing,” she says.

Ottrix says some businesses don’t always understand how to work with a social media influence marketer and its potential impact on their business.

“It’s education — it’s a lot of teaching and explaining how links and influencer codes work.”

However, when those who understand engage her, everybody wins.

Every business featured receives a Courtney Covers Cleveland decal to place in their window.

For example, Ottrix says the Grand Resort in Warren is one of the bestkept secrets in Northeast Ohio. So she featured them on Courtney Covers Cleveland in February 2021 and has sent people there every week after that.

COURTESY COURTNEY OTTRIX

mong out-of-towners and even residents, the perception of Cleveland is often, “There’s nothing to do.” One Clevelander, Courtney Ottrix, is making it her business to counter that response.

When the Shaker Heights High School graduate left Cleveland for Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University, and even while traveling the country as a game-day production assistant for ESPN and ABC, she always envisioned herself returning.

“I never considered going anywhere else,” she says.

Ottrix is a millennial wife and mom who grew tired of people complaining about the lack of things to do in Cleveland. So, equipped with a smartphone, she set out to prove them wrong by spotlighting cool people, places and events in the city. Her increasingly popular brand, Courtney Covers Cleveland, is a multimedia, digital platform that focuses on all things local: people, places, events and resources. It allows her to promote and support all of the great things happening in Cleveland.

“The benefit in what I do is I find something great about every place I visit,” says Ottrix, explaining that she is truthful about her experiences — even critical, sometimes. Ottrix has covered well over 100 local places in Cleveland. She didn’t know blogging about her favorite things could become a business until people wanted to pay her for it.

Ottrix started blogging about Cleveland in 2017 while working as the communications director at Global Cleveland. However, her day job didn’t allow her to do it as much as she

“The impact is there,” she says.

When Enlightened Solutions wanted to distribute Project Noir, a survey that collected and published the experiences of Black women in Cleveland, the first person they thought of was Ottrix.

“Her innate grasp of the entertainment, social, familial and professional pursuits of Black women is unparalleled,” says Chinenye Nkemere, co-founder and director of strategy of Enlightened Solutions.

Nkemere says within the first hour of distributing its survey through Courtney’s social media channels, they received more than 100 responses.

“As an organization, Courtney Covers Cleveland was instrumental to the initial success of Project Noir, and we look forward to continuing to support her work.”

Ottrix often gets the opportunity to incorporate her family into her adventures. Named after her daughter, the

Courtney Ottrix with her husband, Byron, and four children

brand extension Codi Covers Cleveland is geared toward spotlighting activities for children.

Ottrix also started to curate and hosted her own Courtney Covers Cleveland events. The goal is to have a monthly event that appeals to a different audience. She’s developed married

couples’ night and ladies’ night, two signature Courtney Covers Cleveland events — and they sell out quickly.

As one who continues to travel a lot, she says it necessary to have connections in your hometown.

“There’s no place like home,” she says. 

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COMMUNITY LEADER 15

Business Hall of Fame & Community Leader of the Year Awards

I

t’s an annual event that returned live, after a one-year COVID-19 hiatus, to the Union Club in November.

Cleveland Magazine and Community Leader celebrated its 2021 Business Hall of Fame & Community Leader of the Year Awards feting eight individuals who distinguished themselves as among the most important leaders from Greater Cleveland.

In addition to a reception and dinner, the event featured speakers, video

presentations and a valuable chance to network with Greater Cleveland’s movers and shakers.

Three individuals were inducted to the Business Hall of Fame, including Dr. Alex Johnson of Cuyahoga Community College, Joe Marinucci of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Jack Schron of Jergens Inc. Recipients of the 2021 Community Leader of the Year Award included Mayor Annette Blackwell from the city

of Maple Heights, John Habat from the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity, Jill Koski of Holden Forests & Gardens, Jacob Nash from Margie’s Hope and Tony Sias of Karamu House.

The Business Hall of Fame sponsors included Meaden & Moore, Truist and Cuyahoga Community College.

The Community Leader of the Year Awards sponsors included Erie Bank, Greater Cleveland Partnership and Sky Quest. 

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COMMUNITY LEADER 17

Jim Carulas chats with Dr. Alex Johnson.

Joe Marinucci and Tom Einhouse

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Connie Abbey and Jill Koski

John Habat

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COMMUNITY LEADER 19

COMMUNIT Y // BY LEE F ISHER

Changing of the Guard Cleveland is experiencing a time of change with its leaders.

“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans …” President John F. Kennedy, Jan. 20, 1961

W

e are all familiar with the hallowed military tradition of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and Arlington Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where guards change so that new guards replace the guard before them to take on a new shift.

American history is the story of the changing of the guard — a passing of the torch — from one generation to another.

In 1980, The Washington Post columnist David Broder wrote one of my favorite books, “Changing of the Guard:

(born 1965 to 1980), generation Y millennials (born 1981 to 1996) of which Mayor Bibb is one, and generation Z (born 1997 to 2016). Generation Z will soon make up more than 20% of the workplace, and generation Y will soon make up 50% of the workforce. At the same time, the U.S. is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, and those patterns are magnified in cities like Cleveland.

In the Greater Cleveland public, private and nonprofit sectors, new leaders have emerged or will soon emerge.

In the public sector, we’ve seen not only the election of Bibb but also five new members of Cleveland City Council, a new Cleveland City Council President, Blaine Griffin, and a new congresswoman, Shontel Brown. In one year, there will be a new county executive because Armond Budish is not seeking re-election. Community leaders such as Rick Chiricosta, president, CEO and chairman of Medical Mutual, Akram Boutros, president and CEO of the MetroHealth System, Alex Johnson, president of Cuyahoga Community College, Augie Napoli Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, and Gina Vernaci, president and CEO of Playhouse Square, have announced that they will be stepping down in the next year.

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20 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

Power and Leadership in America,” portending the shift in power from the generation of leaders molded by the Great Depression and World War II to the baby boomers whose shaping experiences were the Vietnam War, the 1960s civil rights marches and Watergate. Broder told the stories of those new leaders about to take over America’s city halls, state houses and Capitol Hill.

The recent election of 34-year-old Justin Bibb as mayor of Cleveland is a strong signal that Cleveland is changing hands from the baby boomers to generations X

In the nonprofit sector, there are even more new leaders, such as Anthony Richardson, George Gund Foundation; Baiju Shah, Greater Cleveland Partnership; Janice Murphy, Sisters of Charity Health System; Tania Menesse, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress; Bernadette Kerrigan, Achievement Centers for Children; Bill Garvey, Greater Cleveland Film Commission; Katheryn Heideman, Cleveland Institute of Art; Ralph Johnson, Breakthrough Public Schools; Michael Deemer, Downtown Cleveland Alliance; Tim Tramble, St. Luke’s Foundation; Cathy Belk, Deaconess Foundation, and the list goes on.

This is an exciting time for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. The speed of innovation increases by the day, and with it a new generation of leaders has emerged who grew up with smartphones that are millions of times more powerful than the Apollo 11 guidance computers that first

put Neil Armstrong on the moon. They have much-needed fresh perspectives, know far more about the world than we baby boomers did at the same age and are not afraid to disrupt the status quo.

But this changing of the guard is an evolution not a revolution. Some skeptics will say Bibb is too young and inexperienced to be mayor. Well, Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Some skeptics will say the older generation needs to step aside. Well, Ben Franklin was 70 when he signed the Declaration of Independence. All of those skeptics are wrong. Age has never been more irrelevant.

I’ve never been more optimistic about our city’s and region’s future, but I do have some unsolicited advice for our new generation of talented leaders. You are coming to power at a time when the world has never been more volatile,

uncertain, complex and ambiguous. At a time when there are far more questions than answers, many more senior leaders still have much to offer as we all chart a new course together for our city and our region. Our country was founded by multiple generations working together toward a common goal. Reach out to those with experience and historical perspective and work with them as your advisers and partners. None of us are as smart as all of us.  Lee Fisher is dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler chair in law at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. He is the former Ohio attorney general, lt. governor, director of the Ohio Department of Development, chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, president and CEO of the Center for Families and Children, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities, state representative and state senator.

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COMMUNITY LEADER 21

HUMAN RE SOURCE S // BY PAT PERRY

Who is in Your Winners’ Circle?

Take time to consider the people who have impacted your journey.

O

ne of the benefits of working is meeting some extraordinary people along the way — perhaps a boss, co-worker or customer. Regardless of the formal relationship you have with them, these individuals in some way help you navigate good and challenging times.

As I look at my career, there are more than a handful of individuals who have made a lasting positive impression and impact on me — let’s call them my Winners’ Circle. What these role models do, how they do it and who they are have always inspired me to strive to be better.

From my perspective, some of the admirable characteristics these individuals have in common include being:

Passionate They simply love what they do for a living and have a zest for getting the most out of each and every day.

Knowledgeable They know their stuff pure and simple, earning a reputation for being the “go to” resources in the region in their respective professions.

Great Leaders There is simply no better way to lead than to lead by example, and their actions speak louder than words.

Honest These individuals believe that the foundation of a trusting business and personal relationship begins with honesty and integrity.

Hard Workers Simply put, the people I admire most work hard and work smart.

Family First Regardless of their phenomenal career success, these people prioritize family over profits. Ironically, it’s probably the reason they have so much business

Great Listeners Attentive listening remains a critical component to being a great communicator.

Even with their hectic schedules, they have a knack for focusing during a conversation and intently listening to others.

These individuals believe that everyone is of equal importance and is due the same listening attention, regardless of title or position within a company.

Caring Having a big heart goes a long way to being an empathetic person and leader.

When I think of the people on my list, their most impressive trait is how they care for others.

22 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

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Responsive Whether it is returning a call, text or email, these individuals prioritize being responsive and take great pride in follow-up and follow-through.

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success. They understand balance and what is important in life.

Consider putting together a list of business acquaintances that are in your Winners’ Circle. It may be surprising how many people you list who have been instrumental in supporting your personal and professional success.

As we reflect on another year gone by and start this new year, perhaps consider contacting those who have been the most influential in your career and let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life.  Pat Perry is host of the national Success Wave podcast, business book author, keynote speaker, former ERC president, columnist, NEO Business Hall of Fame member and was named to the 2022 Cleveland 500.

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COMMUNITY LEADER 23

GOOD GOVERNMENT

Our Future in Focus

Mayor Justin Bibb’s 10 initiatives for a Greater Cleveland

BY TERRY TROY

But is it too much?

What can Bibb actually accomplish in his first 100 days?

Times of transition are often times of transformational change and discovery.

No one knows this better than Cleveland’s new mayor, Justin Bibb.

Before he took office, Bibb was busy bringing together a well-seasoned and diverse transition team to oversee 10 committees tackling 10 key initiatives that challenge Cleveland. Among them are economic development, education, environment, equity in action, health, modern City Hall, neighborhoods, open government, safety and talent.

Identifying these as top priorities, Bibb named 75 emerging and experienced leaders who represent academia, business, faith, health care and nonprofits, as well as activists and residents to serve on his transition team’s 10 initiative sub-committees. He also created two dedicated task forces: an Operations Task Force and a Public Safety Task Force. It’s a very aggressive agenda, designed to prepare the new mayor to hit the ground running in his first 100 days.

But is it too much? What can Bibb actually accomplish in his first 100 days?

We asked community leaders to offer their insights on what we might expect from this period of transformational change and how the new mayor should address these important initiatives.

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24 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

DAVID SCHWARTZ

Coming Together to Create Momentum “I think the mayor has been very thoughtful of the challenges that confront our city and area. Because of that thoughtfulness, deliberation and diligence that he has done, an aggressive agenda is possible.

“The question then becomes: Can all these things be accomplished in his first 100 days? Obviously, we all know the answer is no.

“However, the momentum he is trying to create is the bigger part of it. That momentum is positive if it is moving in the right direction. If he has able and capable people behind the activities, then I think it is the right agenda.

“What has been put on the table shows the kind of progress that not only the city, but our region craves. I would say that, yes, the agenda is aggressive.

Daunting, without question. It will be something that causes many sleepless nights. But, by the same token, if we can begin and maintain the positive, forward momentum on the things he has outlined, it will be an agenda that we can take pride in as a community.

“We, and by that I mean all of us because we are in this together, need to

support the mayor. He will need the support of every sector in the community, and not just the citizens who voted for him directly. We need the business community, the civic community and others. If we can collectively aid in these efforts, then we will all be well served.”

Focus on Education “One of our greatest needs is continuing the progress that has been made in terms of education. We have a capable and long-serving CEO of our public schools. Making sure Eric Gordon and his team have the resources and support to ensure we are educating the kids in our school district, making sure attendance is at a level we can all be proud of and making sure that the issues around the access to learning from an online standpoint and broadband availability are all still priorities.”

Equity in Action “We have heard many times that this community has to rise together. Equity in action undergirds so much of what the mayor is trying to accomplish

Eddie Taylor Jr., founder and president of Taylor Oswald, a firm that provides strategic risk management and insurance solutions.

— the safety and talent issues, the neighborhoods issues, the modernization of City Hall, health care and the disparities associated with it and economic development. So many of these things can be aided and served effectively through equity in action.

“We have to be sure that there are partnerships in the community — and not just from the business community, but the organizations that serve the underserved in our community. We need partnerships with the county and local mayors outside of the city of Cleveland, and partnerships down state to make sure all of these things are well served.

“In the end, it is really all about the citizens, primarily in the city of Cleveland, but also beyond, and making certain the mayor continues to relate to, touch base with and hear their comments, concerns and input. This will create a community that has safe and vibrant neighborhoods where recreation is possible, a sense of comfort is possible and where there are endless opportunities for gain, advancement and quality of life.”  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 25

Randell McShepard, vice president, public affairs and chief talent officer of RPM International Inc., a world leader in the manufacture of specialty coatings.

Going Beyond the 10 “Mayor Bibb might not be able to solve everything in his first 100 days, but he may be able to get a handle on what he wants to do with each of his initiatives.

All of his initiatives are critically important, and he certainly needs to address all of them in order to turn our city around.

“There are a couple of areas that stand out that are not necessarily on the mayor’s list of 10, but they are related. Under the guise of economic development, I would propose workforce development, including youth employment.

“We need to get people employed because jobs mitigate so many other community challenges. Jobs mitigate poverty.

They mitigate health care issues because so many employers provide some sort of health care. Jobs stabilize communities, and they help with issues like transportation because employed people can save for a car or have the money for bus fare.

There are so many things that employment impacts, including quality of life.

Improving Homeownership

26 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

Safety is Paramount “I agree that we have to do something with the whole safety piece, which is put forward in the mayor’s plan. If we want people to feel like Cleveland is home and they are excited about living here, they have to feel safe. It impacts their entire quality of life because without safety, you can’t take a walk around the block. You aren’t comfortable going to the corner shop, which hurts local businesses. And, you are not likely to meet your neighbors.

Streamlining City Hall “The whole idea of the modern City Hall and government is also important.

We are all in this together. A lot of people believe that we have elected officials over here and businesses over there and neighborhoods somewhere else. But, we all have to come together and row in the same direction — so I love the idea the mayor is talking about.

“He’s also thinking about creating an intra-governmental coordinator that will ensure that people get support across departmental lines. So, if you are a builder, a facilitator or a business owner, you don’t have to go to four separate departments to get permits. This new department, or person, would be responsible for better coordinating and aligning the way departments would work together.

“I think it would be interesting to follow, months down the road, the differences that have been made in the way City Hall operates; what they have learned or what they have done to make significant change. It will be interesting to see what the mood is of contractors or entrepreneurs who are knocking on the door of City Hall — are they getting the kind of support they had hoped for?” 

DAVID SCHWARTZ

“Under neighborhoods, I would add home ownership. The most painful points in our neighborhoods are areas where we have seen a precipitous decline in homeownership. When people don’t

own homes, they don’t necessarily have the same sense of pride in their community. They are not as likely to participate in block clubs, support the local corner store or be involved with schools or civic activities.

“I harken back to the Great Recession; the foreclosure crisis erased the largest amount of wealth in the African American community going back to the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Housing is the No. 1 way people generate wealth.

If you pay off your house, you typically have a little nest egg that you can use to send your children to college, or retire. There are not a lot of other ways that lower to moderate income people can generate wealth.

GOOD GOVERNMENT

DAVID SCHWARTZ

Partnering for a Better Tomorrow “I have to commend Mayor Bibb. He has identified key areas of focus and has his hand on the pulse of the opportunities and challenges we face. He’s right on target when it comes to the areas we have got to concentrate on in the months ahead.

“For those who say there are too many initiatives, step back and take a look at the transition team he has put together — and the cabinet that he will ultimately put in place. He also will be able to move forward with these initiatives by partnering with the many institutions we have in our community. I think it is important to try and tackle all of these issues.

“City Hall can’t solve every problem, but it needs to work collaboratively with organizations to put in place institutional changes that will benefit everyone.

“From my perspective and background, I always think in terms of economic development. It is very important to attract investors throughout the city and in all of the neighborhoods in our city. And, it’s important for those investors to create jobs for all of our residents.

“The second most important initiative is the modernization of City Hall — it affects most people’s lives on a daily basis, whether it’s the water department, service department, if you’re looking for a permit to do some home improvement project or put together an economic development package for a potential investor.

“City Hall can’t solve every problem, but it needs to work collaboratively with organizations to put in place institutional changes that will benefit everyone."

“City Hall affects most people’s lives on a daily basis. So being able to modernize City Hall and make all of our government systems and departments more accessible and efficient is an important priority. How efficient is our water department or trash collection?

All of these things can be looked at and modernized. That would positively affect people’s experiences of living and working in Cleveland.

“Third, while education has been a priority for some time, we need to continue the momentum that has been created with Eric Gordon and Cleveland Public Schools. Accelerating that momentum in the next few years will be important.

There are things that happened during the pandemic that have opened our eyes.

We need to think about early childhood and daycare, and the importance of our ability to create new jobs. We need to give people with jobs better options for their children while they are at work.

“All of this doesn’t happen in 100 days. But, we have a lot of good organizations in the business community, in the nonprofit community and in the philanthropic community. I am a big believer in the government working collaboratively with other organizations to put solutions in place that benefit everyone.” 

Joe Marinucci, recently retired president and CEO of Downtown Cleveland Alliance, an organization that attracts talent, jobs and investment to our city’s downtown.

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COMMUNITY LEADER 27

Jack Schron, CEO of Jergens Inc., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of standard tooling components.

Manufacturing Inclusivity

28 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

except for the actual treatment, has to be made by somebody.

“Those four large medical organizations should be working closer with our manufacturing sector. Everything from the forceps to the bed pans has to be manufactured. The air ducts handling various gases have to be manufactured or machined, so there are a lot of synergies that need to be brought forth between medical and manufacturing.

“All of these issues are kind of joined at the hip and they all work together. They are not independent, and they are all fluid.”

“We also need to talk about inclusivity when it comes to workforce development. When we talk about being inclusive, we often tend to think about just two groups: minorities and women.

“In manufacturing, our tent is getting very big. We, as manufacturers, have

started a new program around employing folks who have been formerly incarcerated, giving them a second chance.

You also don’t hear about people with special needs, folks who have a limited amount of skills. But those skills can be included and tapped as a resource in our workforce efforts.

“When you talk about inclusion, you often don’t hear about people who are autistic. We can’t be thinking they have their own special programs. If you are going to include them, include them from the very beginning. So, when we think about inclusivity, we need to think about everyone.

“Another area we should focus on is hospitality. Prior to the pandemic, hospitality was one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy; our theater district was going crazy, so were our restaurants, entertainment and sports teams — they were all going gangbusters.

“Hospitality jobs teach great skills, such as being dependable and on time.

In manufacturing, we can train people to do specific tasks, but having those essential jobs skills is an important foundation to any career path.” 

DAVID SCHWARTZ

“Clearly, economic development and jobs have to be the No. 1 priority. But in order to get there, you also have to take a look at talent. The third issue is inclusivity.

“All of these issues are kind of joined at the hip, and they all work together.

They are not independent, and they are all fluid. And there are often lines that get blurred between them.

“In terms of job creation, we have two leaders in our GDP. Most people think medical is No.1, but it is actually manufacturing, which doesn’t get the same visibility.

“Medical gets a lot of attention because of the great powerhouses we have in our area, including: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth and our Veterans Administration’s Medical Centers. But medical is only about $24 billion in terms of our GDP, while manufacturing represents about $44 billion, and those figures come from Team NEO. “But they are both important for what we need to focus on and what we need to do. We need to make sure these two are joined a little closer, because everything that goes on in a hospital,

LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Focusing on Neighborhoods, Safety and Education “Mayor Bibb should prioritize revitalization of East Side, inner-city neighborhoods. There are bright spots, but not nearly enough.

“From my experience, the best way to turn around struggling neighborhoods is through home ownership programs.

Homeowners have a stake in their neighborhoods. They will watch, and they will know what is going on. That creates safety that protects their investments and opportunity to build housing and financial equity.

“We have surveyed Habitat homeowners on their experience of owning their own homes, and they report dramatic improvements on health, education, housing and economic stability. For example, 86% of respondents say that their lives are more stable; 96% have greater confidence in their ability to care for their families.

“The second initiative should be on public safety and establishing mutual

respect and trust. While it is a national challenge, it has to be addressed and resolved at the local level.

“The third initiative is public education. Families with choices continue to move out of the city in search of better schools and safer neighborhoods. Unfortunately, public schools have had to assume and absorb too many responsibilities beyond education.

“We can address these issues and, at the same time, promote equity in housing, education and health care.

Overall, access to health care in our city is good thanks to several strong network providers. But, be aggressive in remediating the lead that poisons the kids.

“Mayor Justin Bibb has a long to-do list, but he needs to focus, focus, focus on his top priorities. He has a unique window to advance some key initiatives critical to Cleveland.” 

GOOD GOVERNMENT

John Habat, president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity

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COMMUNITY LEADER 29

COMMUNITY Creating a Stronger Cleveland Diversity Center’s humanitarian awards acknowledge the dedication of community leaders. by jill sell

D

iversity makes us stronger.

That theme was repeated and emphasized throughout the 67th Humanitarian Award Virtual Celebration this past fall. Presented by the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, the event brought together community leaders and emerging leaders who echoed the center’s vision: “to make Northeast Ohio a just, diverse and inclusive community for all.”

The Diversity Center’s 2021 Humanitarian Award honorees are Craig Arnold, chairman and CEO, Eaton, and Andrew Berry, executive vice president of football operations and general manager, Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Browns Organization.

It’s hard to resist describing the event’s award presenters and speakers as a “star-studded group,” but the participants did include many of Cleveland’s best-known individuals. That was evident beginning with the honorary co-chairs: Christopher Connor, retired chairman and CEO, Sherwin-Williams Co.; William Lacey, president and CEO, GE Lighting, a Savant company; and Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Haslam Sports Group, owners, Cleveland Browns. Cipriano Beredo III, chair, Diversity Center’s board of directors and partner, Squire Patton Boggs LLP, 30 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

spoke at the celebration as well.

Those honored at the event “exemplified leadership in civic, charitable and professional organizations,” according to Rick Chiricosta, chair, president and CEO, Medical Mutual of Ohio.

“We believe in bringing people of different faiths, color, ethnicities and thought together to find common ground and common values.” — Peggy Zone Fisher The annual celebration is a major fundraiser for the Diversity Center’s Fund a Need initiative, which supports the center’s school and youth programs.

Peggy Zone Fisher, president and CEO of the Diversity Center since 2006, says the organization has exceeded its budget goals.

“At times like this, people really step up,” says Zone Fisher, adding that donations are accepted year-round and more information can be found at the center’s website. “They realize that in this environment, the people who would be hurt most if we were not doing this work are not you and me. But, they are the young people who would be left behind.”

About 16,000 students in 11 Ohio counties, mostly in kindergarten through 12th grade, are served by the Diversity Center each year. Remote learning has also made programs available to individuals across the country.

“Diversity makes our classrooms stronger,” says Sheryl King Benford, deputy general manager, chief legal officer, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Diversity Center Board director. “As we partner with schools throughout the community, we hear countless stories of division, hate and cruelty. Just as there is a demonstrated increase in hate crimes across the country, acts of hate in schools are plentiful and on the rise. When students experience acts of hate and bullying, they do not feel safe and their learning is hindered.”

King Benford notes that through programming provided by the Diversity Center, “we can increase culture competency, develop leadership skills and create an inclusive environment that fosters learning and educational success for students.”

Owen Ganor, a Rocky River High School student and the evening’s Student Diversity Champion Award Recipient, agreed, saying “Diversity education allows people to think beyond their own

SAVE THE DATE

The 20th annual Walk, Rock and Run is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio’s fundraiser and get-off-the-couch event enables programs that empower youth and educators to help fight bias, bigotry and racism. More information for individuals and teams that wish to participate can be found at diversitycenterneo.org.

Andrew Berry

Peggy Zone Fisher

prejudices and their own experiences.”

NaNetta Hullum is the Diversity Education and Citizenship Leadership Award recipient. She is also chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Gilmour Academy.

“Right now, it is imperative that we fight for what we believe, what we know is right, preparing our students for a more humane and just society,” says Hullum.

Zone Fisher passionately emphasizes that critical race theory (CRT) is not taught as part of the Diversity Center’s school and youth programming.

“Across the nation, some parents have mistakenly been led to believe that a little- known academic theory known as critical race theory — that is sometimes taught in colleges and law schools — is the same as the diversity education and programming we have provided for many years in our middle and high schools,” says Zone Fisher. “Dedicated teachers, administrators, board members and parents increasingly are being forced to defend themselves against something that is not even happening.”

Zone Fisher says the Diversity Center does not believe or teach “that participants should feel discomfort, guilt or anguish because of their race, sex or other identities.”

She adds, “We believe in bringing people of different faiths, color, ethnicities and thought together to find common

Craig Arnold

ground and common values.”

Adults are role models for children whether they intend to be or not. But, words and actions teach not only children, but also adults in the workplace and community. This year, the Diversity Center recognized individuals and an organization that set high bars for themselves and itself.

Eaton, a global power management company with 85,000 employees in 175 countries, was recognized in 2021 by the Human Rights Campaign. At the end of 2020, U.S. minorities comprised 54% of the company’s global leadership team. Locally, Arnold also was singled out for his dedication to helping bridge the digital divide during the pandemic and bringing computers and access to those without.

“The Diversity Center has addressed the problems that have plagued our city for decades. It is because of their efforts that I remain hopeful one day we will create the diverse and equal community we deserve,” says Arnold. “I am asking the business community to do more to lift up others and do what they do for your owners.”

Berry calls the game of football “a unique unifier of people” that draws from a diverse group of people. The Cleveland Browns brings together people of different races, genders, generations and ethnicities, according to Berry.

“Be a part of the solution,” he says.

The Haslam Sports Group, owner of the Cleveland Browns, provides a yearlong Diversity and Opportunity Fellowship Program. The selected diverse group of recent college graduates work in administration, marketing, operations and sales. This is the second year for the program.

Rebecca Scina, the PwC LeadDIVERSITY Alumni Award recipient, comments on the power of diversity in the workplace: “Diverse teams tend to be smarter than homogonous teams. They often think through things more logically and are better at thoroughly processing facts,” says Scina, cloud delivery manager, Hyland, and president of Hyland Pride Alliance. “Diverse workplaces can outperform any competition, at any industry, at any time. And, when we attract diverse talent to our workplaces, we are at the same time creating a diverse community that extends beyond the office.”

Sally Gries, community leader, activist and a past Diversity Center honoree, also spoke during this year’s Humanitarian Awards and realistically noted, “Deep wounds have yet to heal.”

But, like others who are committed to the work of the Diversity Center, Gries expressed optimism that the center’s mission will be understood and encouraged.  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 31

Paving the Way for Homeownership

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity has a record-setting year. by terry troy

32 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

Now, having locations in Cleveland on the West Side and North Randall on the East Side, these home improvement stores and donation centers sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials and more. In 2010, total sales amounted to just more than $250,000. Last year, the organization’s ReStores had sales approaching $2.7 million, which helps fund Habitat’s efforts throughout the community.

What makes these records all that much more significant is that they were all set in yet another COVID-19 year.

“This means we had fewer volunteers,” says Habat. “Even though we had fewer volunteers, those who did show up worked that much harder and contributed more hours.

“In addition, our funders responded more generously than ever before,” he adds. “When you think about it, I think we actually set four records last year because we also raised more money.”

So why all of the records?

“I think Habitat has established itself

as a brand name for what it does,” says Habat. “Homeownership is really transformative for families.

“We have also established ourselves among funders as an organization that is reliable and produces what it says it will produce,” he adds. “And, we often exceed expectations.”

Throughout the years, Habitat has also demonstrated that it has accountability and fiduciary integrity.

“But, we’re also successful because of the goodness that we attract,” Habat admits. “We have committed volunteers and generous donors.”

That includes donors to Habitat’s two ReStores, who know that they are also contributing to its mission. Whether you are a shopper or a donor, patronizing the ReStores provides a lot of money that goes directly into Habitat’s construction program.

“We also have a fantastic staff who are committed to our mission, so they sacrifice,” Habat adds. “They could be making more money elsewhere, but you can’t

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As it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, the most interesting question for Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is, “What’s next?”

“We are really coming off a very big year where we set three records,” says John Habat, president and CEO. “We set records all the time, but these are very important.”

The organization produced more houses this year than ever before, a total of 26 homes. It’s a staggering amount when you consider that Greater Cleveland Habitat, at its low point in 2010, produced just one home.

“We also set a monthly record in December with nine Habitat homeowners moving into their homes just in time for the holidays,” adds Habat. “It’s incredible to close on this many houses in one month, but what makes it even better is that now these families received the best holiday present — a home to call their own.”

The third record are the sales at Greater Cleveland Habitat’s two ReStores.

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“People need to know that we’re not just about building and providing homes for families with children. We also provide homes for smaller families of one or two.” — John Habat put a price on our mission, which they advance. They connect to it.

“Obviously, we can’t be competitive with the private sector in terms of salaries, but we offer a lot more purpose than what you might find in a normal job.”

Partnerships also play an important role.

“The Cuyahoga County Land Bank has enabled so much of our work, and they continue to be a very significant partner,” says Habat. “I also have to give credit to the city of Cleveland. While working with city governments can be difficult, our relationship with the city of Cleveland has been very beneficial.”

To be sure, Cleveland Habitat’s efforts are transformative for neighborhoods. Since 2016, Cleveland Habitat has built and rehabbed more than 50 homes in the Buckeye/Woodhill neighborhood alone.

“So we have been able to demonstrate that we can and do revitalize neighborhoods,” says Habat. “When you look at the number of houses we build citywide, 26 in a year might not seem like a large number. But, when you focus that number on a couple of neighborhoods, it has a tremendous impact.”

While Cleveland Habitat provides homeownership for larger families with children, Habat stresses that it also offers housing options for smaller families.

“In fact, we serve families as small as one or two people,” he says.

In the city of Euclid, Habitat has a very successful program rehabbing townhouses for ownership by these smaller families.

“We’re a part of a transition from rental to homeownership,” he says. “To

This Heat Map shows how the incidence of crime reports have dropped with homeownership as Cleveland Habitat performed its upgrades from 2016 to 2020.

date, we have acquired 17 townhomes and sold 12. It has been a very successful program. People need to know that we’re not just about building and providing homes for families with children.

We also provide homes for smaller families of one or two.”

While Habitat’s recent work has been focused on two neighborhoods, it’s expanding to a new neighborhood this year with an ambitious street-wide project that includes building infrastructure.

“It’s in the Bellaire/Puritas neighborhood and includes the development of an entire street of houses,” says Habat. “It’s a short street, so it’s only five houses, but it’s a major project for us because we really have to be the developer.”

That includes the installation of sanitary and storm sewers, as well as repaving the street.

This year, Habitat also has formed a partnership with the City Mission for Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center,

which provides homes for victims and families who have suffered from domestic abuse.

“In fact, we’re doing a house for them in early 2022,” says Habat. “We’re very excited about it because we expect it to be a long-term partnership.”

As you might expect, Cleveland Habitat is well into the planning stages for 2023 and 2024.

“It’s usually an 18- to 24-month planning process,” says Habat. “So, we are already underway for new homes in the Buckeye/Woodhill area.”

So, what will the next 35 years hold?

“I think the sky is the limit,” says Habat. “I think it will be easier going from 25 to 50 houses than it was going from one house to 26 this year.

“In the future we will continue to be aggressive, not because we want to grow, but because the need is so extreme,” he says. “We could build 1,000 homes a year and still have a line of applicants.”  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 33

EXPANDING EDUCATION DEFINITIONS College Now adds focus on career paths. BY THERESA NEUHOFF

34 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

not for everyone. Some people may prefer to work a trade; others may need a high-quality certification or two-year degree versus a four-year degree.

Educational paths are different for everyone, but the end goal is always the same for College Now, a nonprofit, which helps people construct plans that will set them up for success, no matter what career they choose.

“Our focus used to be we work with you, and you get to college or get a twoyear degree,” College Now CEO Lee Friedman says. “Now, the focus is education to career, whatever that career may be. The plan is helping people think about where they fit into the big regional economy. We get them to think about what their highest aspiration may be, whether

it’s becoming a doctor, welder, computer technician or customer service worker.”

Once a person is aware of all of the tools that may be available, they are better able to make informed decisions about their futures.

“A lot of kids don’t know the possibilities available to them,” Friedman says. “Some people fall into their careers, while others plan theirs. No matter what you want to do, we want to provide you with the educational path you need to get to where you want to be.”

With 200 staff members in 87 school buildings and community locations in Northeast Ohio, College Now is guided by its mission to “increase post-secondary education attainment through college and career access advising, financial

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IF YOU WERE AWARE of all the career opportunities that lay ahead of you when you were in high school, would you have chosen the same path you are on today?

When you have choices, possibilities are endless.

If you do not have choices, success may not be easily attainable.

College Now Greater Cleveland strives to provide options to everyone, from middle schoolers to adult learners so that they may find the best fit to reach their maximum potential and ensure that they are matching to something that will provide a living wage or better.

While obtaining a college education may be the best path for some, College Now knows the traditional journey is

COMMUNITY

COURTESY COLLEGE NOW

aid counseling and scholarship and retention services.”

With 21 new and renewed federally funded grants recently awarded to College Now, its programmatic partners and the state of Ohio in fall 2021, college access services are more accessible than ever before for students from low-income backgrounds. In the 20212022 fiscal year, College Now will receive $4.1 million from these awards.

Awarded programs include: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which funds College Now’s after-school programming; Talent Search, which funds college access services for students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation students; Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), which funds programs, services and outreach to support adults’ educational attainment; and GEAR UP State and GEAR UP Partnership programs to improve post-secondary readiness and access.

Another recent endeavor for College Now is the Planning and Career Exploration (PACE) initiative program announced in fall 2021, which is spearheaded by Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and the Cleveland Foundation. Other PACE partners include Fund for Our Economic Future, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Junior

Achievement of “We are aware when you give kids Greater Cleveguidance, they may change their land, Neighborminds, but at least they will have the hood Leadership Institute and tools they need and learn something Youth Opportuabout themselves along the way.” nities Unlimited.

The PACE cur— LEE FRIEDMAN riculum begins in sixth grade and extends to a student’s senior year in high school. It on her life.

Andino is the first four-year college helps students identify careers or occugraduate of the Say Yes program in pations they may want to pursue that match their skills and interests and to Cleveland. She graduated from Cleveland State University (CSU) in 2021 with develop a plan for after graduation.

College Now’s collaboration with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is CMSD and Cleveland Foundation a first-generation college graduate.

“Before I enrolled in Say Yes, going have already proven to be successful with the Say Yes Cleveland chap- to college was iffy for me for financial ter started in January 2019. Current- reasons,” Andino says. “My dad was ly, more than 1,000 CMSD graduates talking about getting a second job, and from the Classes of 2019 and 2020 are my family wasn’t sure how we would enrolled in college or career training take out student loans.

“The fact that I was able to go to colthrough the Say Yes Cleveland schollege and not have to worry about the arship program. Other partners in the program include city of Cleveland, money is the greatest thing that has ever Cuyahoga County and United Way of happened in my life. I’m brown, I’m Hispanic, and I come from a low ecoGreater Cleveland.

“We are aware when you give kids nomic background, yet I was able to guidance, they may change their minds, persevere and get this done. It’s hard but at least they will have the tools they work, but it’s doable.”

Currently, the 21-year-old, is enrolled need and learn something about themin the Clinical Mental Health Counselselves along the way,” Friedman says.

To help guide students along their ing master’s program at CSU. She is a way, College Now runs a mentorship graduate assistant at CSU’s Center for program for College Now and Say Yes Student Involvement. She plans to be a Cleveland scholarship recipients; it has mentor in the Say Yes program one day.

“You should not be afraid to ask for connected thousands of local students and volunteer mentors in the region help,” Andino says when asked for advice she would give to a high school stuover the past 10 years.

When Leean Andino was a senior dent. “College is not an easy transition. in 2019 at New Tech West in Cleve- There’s so much involved. It’s a team efland, she was paired with her mentor, fort, and if you need a team, College Ann Gynn, through the College Now Now is the team that can help get you and Say Yes Cleveland program. When there. It can set you up with a mentor she started the program shortly before and help you financially. Just reach out her high school graduation, she had no and ask for help. College Now will give idea the positive impact it would have you the hand that you need.” 

Leean Andino clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 35

INVESTING COMMUNITY

IN THE

United Way’s $20.1 million for Greater Cleveland includes its new Community Hub for Basic Needs BY JILL SELL Kenneth Surratt

“We all learn here how important a place to call home is. We all want the same things and, often, they aren’t all that complicated,” says Beth Graham, executive director of Joseph’s Home in Cleveland, which provides medical respite and intervention services for the homeless. “All one gentleman who received our help really wanted was a comfortable chair to watch the Indians [Cleveland Guardians]. We were also [in addition to an apartment] able to provide that for him.”

Joseph’s Home opened in 2000 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine to help homeless men by offering temporary housing and care. Last month, Mary’s

36 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

investment strategy in the region in 2022.

“United Way has been funding Joseph’s Home for many years,” says Graham. “But this new process really deepens the relationship we have with the United Way, and we are excited to be part of the Community Hub. They were

“Housing is a big part. Stable housing means keeping people off the streets, out of shelters and putting people on the path for stability. A lot of other issues can stem from not having stable housing, including health and education concerns.” — KENNETH SURRATT Way of Greater Cleveland. The funding, she says, enabled “our innovative pilot program with Cleveland Clinic to help stabilize vulnerable people.”

Joseph’s Home is one of 16 Northeast Ohio agency partners selected to receive grants for the 2022-2023 funding cycle through Community Hub for Basic Needs. The new funding process is part of United Way’s total $20.1 million

looking for things that really had an impact on the community, and I believe we do. We hope to demonstrate through the pilot program that medical respite can disrupt that cycle of going in and out of the hospital, which is not only terribly tragic, but very expensive.”

The seeds for United Ways’ investments and giving transformation, focusing on those with “the deepest need,” began

COURTESY UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND

Joseph’s Home

Home, a facility to support women in the same ways, was scheduled to open.

Both facilities also now have a goal to help stop the cycle of frequent hospital stays for these groups.

Graham credits “the ability to move forward” to grants received from United

COMMUNITY 2022 Community Investments – $20.1 Million GRANTS TO 2.6M N onprofit organizations through the Community Hub for Basic Needs 2.5M Federated Partners

350K

2.2M

2.6M

FUNDING TO 2.5M

6.7M

1.5M 1.8M 2.3M 230K

1.5M P rograms through the Impact Institute 1.8M Programs through Special community initiatives 2.3M Emergency Hunger/Food Program 230K Economic Mobility/Family Spaces 6.7M Nonprofit organizations through Donor designated gifts DIRECT SERVICES 2.2M United Way 211 350K Center for Excellence in Social Services

three years ago, according to Kenneth Surratt, named vice president of community investment and chief investment officer in October. The significant change was needed, says Surratt, “to ensure that racial justice and social-economic potential is available to everyone.”

“Historically, most people think of United Way as just giving grants across the community to support nonprofits,” explains Surratt, who most recently was the outreach manager in the Community Development department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. He also held a systemwide leadership position promoting racial equity in community development work. “But what really makes an even greater impact is being more targeted, more thoughtful in the funding. We looked at things like racism as being the roots of poverty. We looked not just at the symptoms of poverty, but the causes.”

United Way identifies three community strategies — Economic Mobility, Health Pathways and Housing Stability — as its targeted initiatives. The 16 agencies selected within Cuyahoga and Geauga counties will receive $2.6 million in grants from the United Way’s Community Hub for Basic Needs over time and fall under one of those categories.

Surratt says Economic Mobility will

focus on both early child care and workforce concerns. Health Pathways will concentrate largely on helping seniors become more independent. The Housing Stability branch of the Community Hub is of special interest to Surratt, having been a former Cuyahoga County Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development.

“Housing is a big part. Stable housing means keeping people off the streets, out of shelters and putting people on the path for stability,” says Surratt. “A lot of other issues can stem from not having stable housing, including health and education concerns.”

In addition to Joseph’s Home, recipients include: Lexington Bell Community Center, Ravenwood Health, Spanish American Committee, Starting Point and Towards Employment. Also, YWCA Greater Cleveland, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Asian Services in Action (ASIA), Family and Community Services (Geauga County) and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. In addition, May Dugan Center, Thea Bowman Center, Doors of Hope, FrontLine Service and Journey Center for Safety and Healing also benefit.

The Community Hub for Basic Needs enhances, not completely replaces, all of United Way’s traditional and proven

investments. Catholic Charities, United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, among others, will continue to benefit from the United Way’s plans and goals. United Way also encourages local nonprofit agencies to participate in the next grantmaking process, which opens in summer 2023 for the 2024-2025 funding cycle.

United Way also strives to support the entire nonprofit community in Greater Cleveland by sponsoring its Center for Excellence – LIVE. This new series of virtual sessions is designed to address a variety of topics of importance to the nonprofit sector. Those include building high impact boards; interpreting financial statements; and discussing race, diversity, equity and inclusion. A new studio at United Way’s headquarters at 1331 Euclid Ave. will broadcast the sessions and nonprofits will be welcome to use the studio on a space-available basis. The studio is scheduled to open next month.

And yes, the familiar workplace donation campaigns will continue, according to Surratt. Those opportunities provide pathways for businesses that may not have the resources or staff to launch and/ or maintain annual donation programs even though the willingness and dedication is there.

Surratt names retiring August (“Augie”) Napoli Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, and Danielle Crawford, director of Evaluation and Learning for United Way’s Center for Excellence in Social Services, for helping sow the seeds of United Way’s investment shift.

“Those strategies are now being played out with Community Hub for Basic Needs,” says Surratt.

United Way of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit organization founded in 1913. It is the largest private sector investor of health and human services.

For more information, visit unitedwaycleveland.org.  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 37

SERVING SENIORS McGregor provides a wide spectrum of care and services. BY JOANNE CAHILL THE SCENARIO IS BECOMING ALL TOO FAMILIAR. Mom or dad are not able to live safely in their home anymore. Their financial resources are running thin.

Adult children are juggling the demands of their own lives while trying to help.

It’s often a stressful endeavor that most people do not expect and are not prepared to manage.

The U.S. Census projects that by 2034, there will be more individuals in the U.S. who are 65 or older than there will be children under 18. Nearly 30% of Cuyahoga County’s total population will be over 60 by 2030.

“It can be hard for families to know where to begin,” says Lee Ann O’Brien, chief marketing officer at the McGregor Foundation. “We help them take those initial steps.”

A unique nonprofit senior care organization nestled on a wooded 45-acre campus in East Cleveland, McGregor provides a wide spectrum of services for 38 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

seniors. Thanks to an endowment dating back to 1877 established by Cleveland capitalist and philanthropist Amasa Stone and his wife, Julia, McGregor operates unencumbered by the demands of fundraising typically required for nonprofit survival.

McGregor provides services, and its sister organization, McGregor Foundation, funds an array of senior-focused programs in the community.

McGregor’s mission is to improve the experience of aging, and it does it in a variety of ways — primarily affordable housing and home-based care. It operates a spectrum of brick-and-mortar senior living options, from independent and assisted living to nursing care, rehabilitation and hospice.

The park-like campus accommodates low-income residents, as well as those who are able to pay privately. In addition to 26 existing independent living apartments, plans are underway to break ground on 54 new construction

apartments. The campus, with its Tudor-style architecture, looks nothing like an institution.

“We reside in the Forest Hill and Rockefeller neighborhoods in East Cleveland, so we try to make our architecture fit into the community,” says Ann Conn, McGregor’s president and CEO. “We want people to feel comfortable and feel at home.”

Among its 90 assisted living facilities, 50 are low income and the rest are private pay.

“When you look around the grounds, there is no distinction between affordable and private pay housing,” she says.

“Everyone deserves a beautiful home and quality care.”

But, much of McGregor’s work is done beyond the grounds of its campus.

Its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — commonly known as PACE — is a nursing home alternative that enables older adults to receive care while living at home.

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Helping seniors age safely in their own homes is a major growth trend in elder care nationally and is one of McGregor’s top priorities.

Helping seniors age safely in their own homes is a major growth trend in elder care nationally and is also one of McGregor’s top priorities. In a recent study by the Center for Community Solutions, a stunning 97% of participants reported being satisfied with the PACE program.

“We are really proud of that number,” adds Conn. “We work hard to keep it there.”

The study found that participants in PACE enjoy improved health outcomes, including fewer emergency room visits, fewer days in the hospital and delays in nursing home admissions — all while remaining in their own homes. Seniors can also go to one of three health centers for social activities, meals and medical services.

PACE provides a variety of non-medical services, including home-delivered meals and transportation.

McGregor is currently the only provider of the national PACE program in Ohio serving 49 cities in Cuyahoga County. But, it is working to change that. Its team is currently part of a

coalition working with the Ohio Legislature to secure $50 million in federal funds to expand PACE to other highneed populations throughout the state.

A robust workforce is crucial for providing all of these services and building the pipeline of health care workers is another priority for Conn and her team. A challenging task under normal circumstances, she says that health care worker recruitment was especially difficult during COVID-19. So, McGregor established an Earn and Learn training program in concert with other home care providers.

“Our entire industry has a shortage of caregivers,” explains Conn. “This is a good way to remove a barrier and get folks interested in serving older adults, and hopefully help them in their career paths.”

Advancing workforce development in health care is also one of the priorities of the McGregor Foundation. Established in 2002, the foundation has made 639 grants to 138 organizations, contributing a total of $16.6 million — or nearly $1 million annually — back into the community.

Susan Althans, director of philanthropy and secretary to the board, says that the board established the foundation in 2002 to extend McGregor’s impact out into the community. She emphasizes

that the need for this funding is great because McGregor is one of the few foundations in Greater Cleveland that funds senior-serving organizations.

“The pie is only so large,” she says.

“All are worthy causes, but we are only one of three funders in Cleveland making grants in support of older adults.”

In addition to workforce development, the foundation’s priorities include affordable housing and enhancing the quality of life for seniors with things like art and recreation.

To that end, some innovative projects have been funded. One recent grant is helping to tackle the digital divide among seniors by providing internet devices to local senior centers. This Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association program brings a welcome distraction from the isolation that was especially pronounced during the pandemic.

The foundation also supports community development organizations with grants to help seniors with repairs in their homes, which enable them to remain there safely.

“Something as simple as installing a grab bar in the tub, making repairs to the front steps or replacing locks on doors really can improve day-to-day life,” adds Althans.  Left to right: Susan Althans, Ann Conn and Lee Ann O’Brien

clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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Stepping Up to the Plate New app at Baldwin Wallace helps the food-insecure.

BY BOB SANDRICK

Terrell McDowell is thinking about things he never thought of before. The Baldwin Wallace University senior wonders how much food is thrown out by vendors at Cleveland Browns stadium and how many homeless people just outside the stadium could use that food.

McDowell started weighing such matters after he helped create Campus Plate, an app that allows Baldwin Wallace students who are food-insecure learn where they can pick up free, leftover meals on campus. The app is available for both Android and Apple phones.

“I’ve always been a caring person, but the Campus Plate project made me realize how we can help people not just at Baldwin Wallace but also in Cleveland and all of Ohio,” says McDowell, who’s majoring in information systems and computer science. “The app is working, and I feel it can go even bigger.”

Campus Plate was launched in 2020

by Baldwin Wallace computer science and sustainability students — led by Brian Krupp, associate professor of computer science — with collaboration from the school’s David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement. The goal was not only to assist food-insecure students but also to reduce the amount of food wasted on campus.

The project was boosted in January 2021 when it received a $24,180 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant is meant to make future scientists and engineers aware of environmental issues while they’re still college students.

40 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

Brian Krupp

Krupp says Baldwin Wallace would like to license Campus Plate to other universities and private businesses and restaurants to keep it going at Baldwin Wallace and in general. To achieve that, the project has applied for a second EPA grant, this one for $100,000. Grant award recipients hadn’t been announced as of mid-December.

Christy Walkuski

A 2017 survey of 10% of Baldwin Wallace’s student body found that 28% of respondents were at risk for food insecurity, and 55% had experienced food insecurity at some time. A follow-up survey completed in fall semester 2021 showed the same numbers.

Baldwin Wallace isn’t alone. In August, Forbes Advisor reported that a

“The fallacy is that if you have enough money for college, you should have enough for food, but that’s not the case.” — BRIAN KRUPP “We’re hopeful, but if Campus Plate isn’t funded through this grant, we will apply for another one, either through the EPA or another source,” Krupp says.

Gaining Hunger Awareness Before his involvement with Campus Plate, McDowell didn’t realize that hunger among students was a problem. Neither did Julia Gersey, a Baldwin Wallace sophomore who’s majoring in software engineering and applied math, and who’s now part of the Campus Plate team.

“It was a surprise,” Gersey says. “I was completely unaware that the number of food-insecure students was that large because when I joined this project, I was a freshman, and freshmen are required to have the largest meal plan.”

2019 survey of close to 167,000 college students nationwide — done by Temple University’s Hope Center for College, Community and Justice — found that 39% of respondents were food-insecure.

In a 2020 repeat survey, the number was still high at 34%.

Sometimes, students are food-insecure due to the high cost of tuition and books. Also, more young people from low-income backgrounds are attending college nowadays.

“The fallacy is that if you have enough money for college, you should have enough for food, but that’s not the case,” Krupp says.

Baldwin Wallace had addressed food insecurity in the past. In 2020, the school joined Swipe Out Hunger, a national campaign to fight hunger among college students. One way is to allow food-secure students to donate meal

COURTESY BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY

COMMUNITY credits, stored on credit cards, to students in need.

In 2016, Baldwin Wallace became part of the national Campus Kitchen network. Student volunteers gathered leftover food from campus cafeterias, restaurants and grocery stores and put together meals for seniors at a local public housing residence. However, the program targeted those in the community surrounding the campus, not students.

The National Campus Kitchen program ended in 2019.

Christy Walkuski — director of the Brain Center for Community Engagement, which engages students in the local community through both academic service-learning and co-curricular service programs — says her center, the Department of Computer Science and the Sustainability Program, decided to collaborate on a new hunger program, inspired by the former Campus Kitchen program.

“The idea of an app was suggested light-heartedly at first, but Brian said we could really do this,” Walkuski says.

From the beginning, Krupp wanted computer science students to work on the Campus Plate app.

“The challenge was that by the time students become good at programming these types of projects, they get

internships that pay well so they can’t continue with the project,” Krupp says.

“We applied for the EPA grant so we can pay students for the work.”

Franklin Lebo, assistant professor and co-director of the Sustainability Program, learned of the grant, which came from the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet program. The grant supports projects that deal with environmental and public health challenges.

In December 2020, Baldwin Wallace was one of only four colleges in Ohio to receive the EPA grant.

The grant allowed Baldwin Wallace to organize a Campus Plate pilot project, with students like McDowell, Gersey and Emma Stamper getting paid to program the app. However, the pilot needed more than money.

“We created a network of people,” Lebo says. “You can have a great app but without human connections to make it happen, it won’t work.”

Lebo knew people in Dining Services on campus, specifically Charles Fairchild, director of University Dining & Auxiliary Services, who could supply leftover food. Walkuski knew where the greatest need was, so for the pilot program they set up three “food stops” — they avoided the term “food pantry”

Brian Krupp works with students in the Baldwin Wallace University Data Visualization Lab, where students work with codes and other data on large screens so they can share and collaborate.

Brian Krupp, center, with Julia Gersey and Terrell McDowell at a Baldwin Wallace University Computing, Engineering, Mathematics and Science Showcase, where students showcase projects, including Campus Plate.

due to the stigma attached — at Veterans Services, Diversity Services and the Lou Higgins Recreation Center.

If food remained after an event or in a dining hall, it would be packaged, labeled, refrigerated and moved to one of the three food stops. The food stop manager snapped pictures of the food and entered the data into the app.

App users could see lists and photos of food available and reserve items for 30 minutes on their phones. The app assigned them a one-time code to provide when they pick up the food so they could remain anonymous. Those running the program could track the amount of food recovered and distributed. Unlike other food programs, it’s not necessary to apply and show proof of need.

“The second goal, besides addressing student food insecurity, is eliminating food waste so we just want to get the food out,” Walkuski says.

Krupp says the pilot program exceeded expectations in both overall flow and the amount of food kept from the trash bin. Today, Baldwin Wallace has six Campus Plate food stops, and the hope is that the program will become self-sustaining through licensing fees.

“I’ve been in higher education for more than 15 years and this has been one of the best examples of collaboration I have seen,” Walkuski says.  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 41

WHERE BUSINESS GOES TO GROW

BUSINESS IS BACK

& Taking Off Local leaders and JobsOhio bring new routes to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport.

W

hen Alaska Airlines completes its first daily, nonstop flight connecting Cleveland and Seattle on June 16, 2022, it will mark the airline’s 100th destination.

The flight better be on time, because the airline will be serving Miami for the first time in a similar way about two hours later. If Cleveland is the 100th, it would be kind of nice.

But, it’s not just about bragging rights.

Alaska Airlines’ economic impact on Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport is projected to be $30 million.

It is the country’s fifth largest airline based on passenger traffic.

“And it’s not just the flight,” says Robert Kennedy, director of Port Control for the city of Cleveland Port Control. “This opens up greater opportunities for people in Seattle to do business here and for people here to do business

in Seattle and points beyond. That happens every time you open a new air route.”

Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of network and alliances, notes that the airline had been looking at Cleveland for almost six years. The city “was a hole in our network and one we wanted to fill, but the timing and environment was never quite right,” Catlin says.

“When you open a new station like Cleveland, there are significant startup costs. And, there is also the risk of not knowing if the market is going to work.

We don’t want to open and then close a year later,” says Catlin, adding that the nonstop service also opens service to a number of destinations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. “We take our destinations very seriously. We understand the power that air service has and

BY JILL SELL

what it means to a city like Cleveland.

We want to be sure we will be there for the long haul.”

Having a nonstop air link matters to companies thinking about expansion, and in Cleveland, that also means sharing its IT, health and manufacturing assets with new markets. It’s also important to families who find it easier to travel to see loved ones, Catlin says.

“Seattle was our No. 1 underserved market,” says Kennedy, adding that

Brett Catlin

Robert Kennedy

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COMMUNITY LEADER 43

Kennedy and Catlin give credit to the airport’s partners, the city of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team NEO and Destination Cleveland, for encouraging Alaska Airlines to land here.

The JobsOhio Air Service Restoration Program was established in 2020 to allow

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COURTESY ALAKSA AIRLINES

the airport looked for an airline that had both the network and the aircraft to get the goal off the ground. “Alaska Airlines had both.”

Air service experts agree it is easier to get an airline to expand in a market than to add a new city to its log. Both

Ohio’s commercial airports to work with public and private partnerships to restore air service for economic development. It also Terry Slaybaugh gets a thumbs up for its role in snagging Alaska Airlines, according to Kennedy and Catlin.

“Everyone lost their air service because of the pandemic,” says Terry Slaybaugh, vice president for sites and infrastructure with JobsOhio. “At one point in May 2020, only about 5% of aircraft was flying in the U.S. But we also knew it was an opportunity to level the playing field. We do compete against Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and other cities.

“When airlines have available

equipment, they have the opportunity to put that equipment in 400 cities.

Cleveland and Columbus are in a group of about 30 to 40 cities of similar size that can benefit. It’s a tough competition. But, we felt that a program like this one gave Ohio a leg up.”

In the Midwest, only Pennsylvania lost more air service than Ohio because of the pandemic, according to JobsOhio.

Catlin says the partners involved and JobsOhio “not only helped with logistics, but stepped up with the financials to give us the confidence.”

JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit corporation focused on job creation and investment throughout the state.

“JobsOhio allowed us to move forward without a little more risk than we might have had otherwise,” says Catlin.

Breeze Airways launched service for Akron-Canton Airport in June last

According to JobsOhio, the state’s airports contribute more than $17 billion per year to Ohio. In addition, airport projects online at the end of 2021 added up to 14 new routes for a potential economic impact of $268 million. year with destinations to New Orleans, Tampa and Charleston, South Carolina. JobsOhio also provided some wind under Breeze’s wings to get off of the ground in Ohio.

“Breeze will have a fantastic impact on Akron. We’ll also see more activity from Breeze in the first quarter of 2022

as it continues to get new aircrafts. They have 16 airplanes now, 13 they fly and three kept as backup,” says Slaybaugh, a former airport manager. “At the end of 2022, Breeze will have 30 aircrafts and will expand in markets where they launched service in 2021. What I really like about Breeze is that it introduced new markets. Even Columbus didn’t have service to Charleston.”

Other airlines are taxiing toward contributing to the airport’s and the city’s economic development. According to Erik Hoffman, director of communications for Spirit Airlines, the air carrier has plans to add a second gate at the airport’s A concourse and will also expand office space. A new daily Cleveland-to-Miami route was launched in December. Also that month, United Airlines restarted service from Cleveland to Las Vegas and Phoenix, which will run mid-December

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COMMUNITY LEADER 45

Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport and air service facilities across the country. Kennedy says the U.S. needs domestic airline pilots to cover its shortage.

Also, with omicron and other potential COVID-19 variants rearing their ugly heads, nothing is certain about air travel. Cleveland’s airport also lost 3,200 jobs on its campus in 2020, but Kennedy is fighting to get workers rehired or new hires on board.

Kennedy is optimistic about the future of Cleveland’s airport, however, and

Cleveland’s private and public leaders are hoping his head is not in the clouds.

“I love it when I can get an air carrier to come here and see what we have to offer,” says Kennedy. “The numbers are the numbers, and they are important data. But, to come here and feel the energy and to feel what you can’t put in a table or graph, and to get the reception from the community here is something you have to experience. Cleveland always surprises everyone. You can taste the opportunity here.”

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COURTESY SPIRIT AIRLINES

though late March.

Kennedy appreciates an air service result called the stimulation factor. He knows the idea has been beneficial for Cleveland and will continue to be. An example, he says, has been flights out of Cleveland to Iceland. When a service is initiated, weekly passenger lists may not be that impressive.

“But then people say, ‘If I can get on a plane in Cleveland and go to Iceland, I’ll go to Iceland.’ They take advantage of that opportunity,” says Kennedy.

All of this is good news for Cleveland, Northeast Ohio and the state.

According to JobsOhio, the state’s airports contribute more than $17 billion per year to Ohio. In addition, airport projects online at the end of 2021 added up to 14 new routes for a potential economic impact of $268 million.

Still, there is some rough air ahead for

The Cleveland-Hopkins International Master Plan calls for airfield improvement, modernizing the terminal, developing green initiatives and creating conveniences for customers. The plan calls for taking down some older outdated buildings and facilities “that were designed, opened and operating when propeller aircraft was the dominant aircraft,” according to Kennedy. Modernizing the airport is necessary to be competitive, safer and more secure, according to the master plan.

“Once you see the airport grow, you see the community grow,” says John Hogan, the airport’s deputy chief, marketing and air service development.

Kennedy also says the airlines’ passenger mix has changed. Numbers of business travelers are not quite up to pre-COVID-19 times. Leisure passengers increased because of “the itch to

travel” and the desire to connect more with family.

Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport was the first municipally owned airport in the U.S. and opened in 1925.

The airport — the state’s busiest airport — must also make room for larger aircrafts. In years past, a plane capable of carrying 76 passengers was the norm. Now, 112 passengers are common, with “a lot carrying 230 passengers every day,” says Kennedy.

In 2019, the airport had a passenger count of 10 million. With the pandemic in 2020, it was 4.1 million. It was projected that 5.2 million passengers would use the airport in 2021, but late in the year, that number was approximately 7.3 million. Kennedy says the number is above the national average of recovery.

But, with more passengers comes more strain on what, in airport jargon,

is called “the front of the house,” including baggage claim, ticket counters, roadways, parking, etc. Of course, travelers who spend some time in Cleveland also contribute to the economy by visiting restaurants, retail stores, hotels, entertainment venues, cultural institutions, conventions and sporting events. It’s a complex situation that successful airports around the world know how to handle.

“We can’t get ourselves into trouble with the FAA or TSA because that erodes the confidence in the airport.

“Over the next 25 years, we will welcome a quarter of a billion people” says Kennedy. “This facility has to be ready to accommodate them and give them a comfortable experience. We are that handshake ‘hello’ and that wave ‘goodbye’ for every traveler who comes through this airport.” 

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COMMUNITY LEADER 47

BUILDING Resilience East Side businesses face up to the COVID-19 challenges.

A

s businesses continue to co-exist with COVID-19, Karen Schaefer, executive director of the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce, can’t help but be impressed by the resilience they’ve mastered.

“The six cities we serve are thriving,” she says. “And, that’s especially true of our culinary establishments. They quickly pivoted to offer curbside service and make the interior of their businesses safe for employees.”

Known for its menu of delectable French fare since opening in 2013, EDWINS Restaurant on Shaker Square continues to serve tastes patrons crave.

“It’s not practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect,” says EDWINS founder, president and CEO Brandon Edwin Chrostowski. “When COVID-19 hit, we had no trouble pivoting. That has to happen a lot in life.”

The Culinary Institute of America graduate and his team created 4 for $40, a three-course meal for four served with a mixed green salad and an optional bottle of wine for an additional $12.

The meals integrated the restaurant’s popular bill of fare with items from the bakery and butcher shop EDWINS

“We became a rallying point for the city. We didn’t surrender to the fear. We dug in and stayed strong.”

— Brandon Edwin Chrostowski

48 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

operates on Buckeye Road in Cleveland.

The menu changes daily and features specials ranging from salmon and green beans to cioppino, accompanied by dessert and freshly baked breads. Each meal is available for pickup.

Business doubled to the point where Chrostowski hired 16 additional staff members. Although indoor dining has returned, 4 for $40 remains popular.

“We became a rallying point for the city,” he says. “We didn’t surrender to the fear. We dug in and stayed strong.”

Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates knows what it’s like to weather tough times.

The Cleveland landmark’s beginnings date back to 1939, when Chris Mitchell opened a neighborhood soda fountain and sweet shop. Although the Great Depression still gripped the country, the family business flourished due to the customer service practices it adhered to.

“We continue the family’s values, preserving the long history of European chocolatiers in the region and honoring that tradition for Cleveland Heights,” says owner Emily Bean.

The shop, which specializes in 160 varieties of confections, including handmade dark-chocolate-covered homemade marshmallows, caramels and truffles, fell under the shadow of COVID-19 in 2020.

“We go through three major holiday [periods] here — Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter,” Bean says. “Easter came pretty early in 2020, and things were already looking dicey around St. Patrick’s Day. We slammed on the brakes on production of special Easter confections because I really didn’t know how this was all going to turn out.”

Bean credits the foresight of the company’s web developer for creating the

BY LINDA FEAGLER

Emily Bean

Karen Schaefer

infrastructure that handled the online orders that poured in after the shop started adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.

“We were super lucky that we could already handle online orders that needed to be shipped out,” Bean says. “Within a week, we created a system for curbside pickup or free delivery by one of our friends within the two zip codes (44118 and 44106) that are closest to the shop.”

Bean was determined to avoid employee layoffs. She applied for a PPP loan and divided her staff into two groups of 16 that worked on alternating days of the week.

“It was important to me not to just simply say, ‘I’m so sorry. You’re out of a job.’” she says. “Staff had their hours cut, but they were still getting a paycheck.”

The shop is once again open for in-person business. Bean offers this advice to businesses as they adjust to the new normal: “It’s important to make sure you make yourself available to your core group of customers,” she says. “For us, it’s the group of people who live and work in our neighborhood.

“Part of the tradition of having an 82-year-old business is that you become part of their everyday lives. Even though chocolate is a luxury item, it does bring a certain amount of joy.” 

ADAPTING TO

Change

West Side businesses respond to COVID-19.

A

s Lorain County Chamber of Commerce President Tony Gallo reflects on how COVID-19 has compelled companies to adapt to new ways of doing business, he marvels at their ingenuity.

“When the pandemic hit, businesses had to decide what they were going to do and how they were going to be able to do it,” he says. “Heidelberg Distributing Co. and Green Circle Growers are two of the companies that creatively adapted to the challenges they faced. I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

One of the largest greenhouses in North America, Oberlin’s Green Circle Growers raises more than 250 million indoor and outdoor plants a year, ranging from seasonal garden plants, poinsettias, lilies, mums and hydrangeas to anthuriums, bromeliads and orchids. The greenhouse supplies 25,000 supermarkets and bigbox stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Heinen’s, Giant Eagle, Sam’s Club and Home Depot.

Throughout the ups and downs of the past two years, the family-owned and operated business hasn’t strayed from

Tony Gallo

Scott Giesbrecht

BY LINDA FEAGLER

the mission that dates back to its founding in 1968.

“We strive to make every day better with plants,” says Scott Giesbrecht, who shares CEO duties with brother-in-law C. J. van Wingerden. “We never waver from our five core values: respect, integrity, diligence, customer focus and innovation.”

The latter has come to the forefront as online business continues to blossom.

“We’ve always had a commitment to the innovation side of the business in terms of automating where we can, using 100% rainwater and recycling our plastic growing trays to reduce waste,” he says. “When COVID-19 hit, much of our pivot was directed to the consumer side of our business, and to devise ways to deliver live plants directly to homes.

Currently, we fill up to 20,000 orders a week through Federal Express or UPS.” Giesbrecht adds that the 10 million orchids the company grows annually are particularly challenging to ship. He and his staff explored a variety of wrapping options before choosing the style he calls “white glove packaging,” which guarantees the fragile plants will travel safely coast to coast.

Each is wrapped in an inflatable “air pillow” before being placed in a cardboard box with heat packs and double-thick walls that serve as insulation.

Giesbrecht still casts an eye on the future. Plans call for an expansion that will create more than 250 new jobs in Lorain County and bring the greenhouse workforce to 1,150.

“Our vision is that there will be a Green Circle Growers plant within everyone’s sight in North America,” she says. “But, we’re committed to keeping our headquarters in Oberlin.”

There’s nothing like kicking back with friends at a favorite brewery or restaurant to mark the end of the 9-to-5 grind.

But, when COVID-19 put the kibosh on the ritual, Kevin Knight, vice president and general manager of Heidelberg Distributing Co. in Lorain, knew an alternative was needed to fill the void.

Founded in 1938 in Dayton, the company has grown to be one of the largest distributors of wine, beer, spirits and nonalcoholic beverages in Ohio.

Favorite brands the firm distributes include Fireball, Sutter Home, Gallo, Black Box, Franzia, White Claw, Great Lakes and Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water.

The Lorain warehouse covers 14 counties, serving 1,800 customers between Cleveland, Toledo and Columbus.

“On-premise restaurants and bars, including those at Cedar Point, Putin-Bay and Kalahari, account for 20% of my overall business,” Knight says.

“When they were forced to close due to COVID-19, many key independents and chain stores stepped up and bought large displays of our staple brands.”

Knight credits grocery stores including Bassett’s Market in Port Clinton, Giant Eagle, Meijer and Costco with increasing their orders with Heidelberg to meet customer demand.

Business continues to grow, which has enabled Knight to refrain from laying off any of his 110 employees and hire 15 additional staff members.

“We locked down our warehouse, and many of our employees worked from home,” he says. “We ramped up our communication and kept everyone up to speed with the latest COVID-19 challenges. Occasionally demand has outpaced the supply, and there’s definitely a can and bottle shortage. But, everyone understands, and we move forward together.”  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 49

ACQUIRING Talent Chambers of commerce can help employers.

T

50 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

options, such as on-site facilities. The goal is to aid parents who are concerned about child care and cost.

In addition, innovative transportation options, such as developing independent bus service catering to dense areas of employees and potential employees, have also been developed. Public transportation is often inadequate, and one-car families are sometimes at a disadvantage.

Lorain County companies, including Avient Corp. and Thogus Products, both in Avon Lake, work with the Lorain County Chamber to make it more convenient for employees to get to and from work, according to Gallo.

The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce also focuses on what Gallo calls a “wider net of the minority pool, that includes African Americans, Hispanics, women, the LGBTQ community, disabled individuals, veterans and other historically underrepresented communities.”

Education is also a major component for chambers that work with vocational schools, traditional high schools and institutions of higher learning to help students and their parents make wise career choices and help fill in-demand jobs.

Chambers are in an excellent position to help lessen the workforce crisis and help their members find those needed employees.

According to Cindy Holzheimer, president and CEO of the Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC), businesses can capitalize on their memberships for help in finding employees by:

Attending networking events “Making connections can go a long way in finding employee leads and what they are looking for. Good network and strong relationships equal lots of referrals.”

Participating in business showcases, trade shows and job fairs “Quite a few chambers are organizing and holding job fairs for the sole purpose of connecting job seekers with their next career.”

Evaluating your business with business assistance tools “There are many resources through local chambers to help any business make sure

ISTOCK

he Lorain County community was thrilled when Carvana, the innovative automotive retailer that sells new and used cars that can be “delivered” through giant vending machines, wanted to open a processing shop (to get cars ready for sale) in the region. But, the facility required 600 employee positions that had to be filled.

“We were excited that they came here.

It’s a good thing,” says Tony Gallo, president and CEO, Lorain County Chamber of Commerce. “But, if 200 people leave their current jobs in Lorain County, then their employers will be without employees. It’s a delicate dance. Everyone is complaining they have three, 30 or 300 job openings. We need to get more people back in the workforce and look at different ways to find those necessary bodies.”

Gallo says chambers are superior at partnering with local and state organizations to help employers with talent acquisition and helping workers enter or re-enter the workforce. His chamber has worked with organizations and employers to eliminate barriers to workers, including exploring more child care

BY JILL SELL

they are set up to attract the talent they are looking for.”

Contributing to chamber newsletters and websites “Chambers have an amazing network of business and community organizations.

Write an article for their newsletters and the chamber website about your company’s open positions.”

COURTESY NOACC, ISTOCK

Leveraging chamber resources “Most chambers are connected to organizations such as job forums and local educational institutions that can assist with job postings for urgent hiring needs.”

Besides helping employers with talent acquisition, Holzheimer says chambers can also assist those who may wish to “turn their side hustle into a main business.” Let’s say you have had enough crunching numbers for a living or you really don’t find teaching as fulfilling as it once was. Maybe you have been grooming dogs on weekends or helping friends stage houses before being placed on the market. Perhaps your occasional catering services have been in demand more often or you are really good at family tree and ancestry research.

Is it time for a change? You probably don’t want to quit your day job immediately, but the lure of doing something you like better is a strong incentive. Could you make a living doing something else?

“A chamber can help you start that business,” says Holzheimer. “It can help you find funding options, as well as incorporation and organizational resources. It can connect you with state sources that have all of these resources about starting new businesses.

Leveraging all of the benefits of chamber membership can really evaluate your new business and gain credibility in your community.”

Holzheimer says most local chambers are willing to work with nonmembers, as well as chamber members in their community. But, of course, memberships

help sustain the work of the organization and benefit the entire business community and general public. She also says that while it is important to support the neighborhood chamber in which a business is located, sometimes a dual membership or membership outside the local area is important.

“Find that chamber that works for you, the one that has the resources that you are looking for,” says Holzheimer. “If you are in a small community, your chamber may not have all of the things you are looking for. A re“While all chambers of gional or county chamber may betcommerce have amazing ter fit your needs. Also, while chambers a lot of times offer the same core membership benefits, it is things, they do a lot of different things a great idea to research a to make them stand out.

“While all chambers of commerce have few chambers in your area amazing membership benefits, it is a to ensure your business great idea to research a few chambers in your area to ensure your business needs needs align with benefits align with benefits offered,” she adds.

A goal of NOACC, with its memberoffered.” — Cindy Holzheimer ship of 127 chambers of commerce across Northeast Ohio, is to grow and enhance chambers and chamber professionals on various business expenses through through dynamic benefits and resourc- its member chambers of commerce. For es. NOACC offers significant savings more information, visit noacc.org. 

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COMMUNITY LEADER 51

Doubling DOWN Fund That Flip’s raises money for even more growth in 2022.

O

ver the past six months, money has been flying at accelerated speeds into and out of Fund That Flip, a lending company specializing in commercial loans for renovations and construction of residential properties.

The company, headquartered in New York City but with a strong presence in Downtown Cleveland, raised about $20 million during a Series B funding round in the fourth quarter of 2021. The money has helped Fund That Flip expand

—Matt Rodak 52 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

underbuilding new homes at a time when millennials — now the country’s largest generation group — want to buy them. One solution is to fix up old, deteriorating houses.

“The data shows there is a shortage of a livable, single-family housing supply, which is driving up pricing,” Rodak says. “Meanwhile, there is a strong demand for housing from millennials, so we are feeling a lot of tail wind in the housing market over the next five to 10 years.”

Flipping Out The practice of “flipping houses” has historically suffered from a bad reputation.

It’s been associated with buying rundown houses cheap, splashing on a coat of paint and selling them for a profit.

That’s not how Fund That Flip operates. The firm brings prosperous lenders together with reputable contractors to create quality housing in underserved markets; improve entire neighborhoods, especially those that are struggling; and generate jobs for tradespeople.

The investors lend in increments of $1,000 to $5,000, mostly for short durations, typically 12 months. Each investment earns returns of between 8% to 9%. Loans from Fund That Flip to home renovators range from $100,000 to several million dollars, with an average loan amount of $300,000.

Fund That Flip — which so far has focused on short-term loans since houses are purchased, renovated and sold relatively quickly — also hopes to introduce longer term loans of up to 30 years, because some borrowers are holding onto their properties and renting them out

COURTESY FUND THAT FLIP

“The data shows there is a shortage of a livable, singlefamily housing supply, which is driving up pricing. Meanwhile, there is a strong demand for housing from millennials, so we are feeling a lot of tail wind in the housing market over the next five to 10 years.”

its geographical territory from about 10 metropolitan statistical areas to 20 MSAs, including those in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast portions of the U.S. Meanwhile, the firm has created 50 new positions during the past six months alone and now employs about 150 workers. Its goal is to have close to 300 workers by the end of 2022. Also, since June, Fund That Flip has invested an additional $400 million in home renovation and construction projects. That’s a 57% increase in just six months, over the $700 million it had invested during its first six years in business.

With the fast monetary growth, Fund That Flip plans to expand its products and services by, for example, providing data analytics for its staff, investors and borrowers. The data will help them understand what’s happening in local housing markets, such as the average amount of time it takes for a house to sell and the factors that increase or decrease a home’s value.

The data can also help contractors that borrow money from Fund That Flip find houses to renovate, track the money they spend on buying and repairing houses and manage their construction processes.

“The information we can provide is close to unlimited,” says Matt Rodak, founder and CEO of Fund That Flip.

“We’re trying to take the data and present it in a way that can help people draw conclusions on where the market is going.”

Fund That Flip is growing so rapidly that Rodak sees a day when the company will go public. Its services are needed, he says, because the U.S. has been

BY BOB SANDRICK

ISTOCK

instead of selling them.

Rodak established Fund That Flip in 2015 in New York and soon opened a second office in his native Northeast Ohio. The office here is in Fifth Third Center on Superior Avenue. In 2016, seed funding of just less than $2 million from investors Fintech Ventures Fund in Atlanta and Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator in New York City allowed the startup to expand its sales, marketing and technology functions.

With revenues doubling annually, Fund That Flip in 2019 brought in about $11 million in Series A funding, usually sought for after a business develops a track record of success. The funds, coming from Entrepreneurs Roundtable again plus Edison Partners in Princeton, New Jersey, were used to expand the firm’s geographical territory and invest in technology.

Rodak says accepting such funding means sharing company ownership with investors, but the size and potential of the housing market makes it worthwhile.

“We were one of the few companies on the front end of a largely underserved

marketplace,” Rodak says. “Can we increase the size of the pie so that my small piece gets bigger? In our case, it made sense. We gave up some of the company, but everybody gets a bigger piece of a larger pie.”

Competing with Wall Street An investor called GPO Fund in New York was among those who provided Fund That Flip Series B funding, typically sought when companies are past the development stage. Rodak says the money will help the firm compete with big Wall Street investors that have entered the house-flipping market over the past five years.

“Wall Street investors are just profit-driven and don’t have an interest in communities,” Rodak says. “That’s fine, they’re doing good work, but we believe our way is best for local interests. The people we work with go to church in the neighborhood and coach the baseball team. They have more at stake than just profits.”

Indeed, knowing the community and the local housing market is important, something that was exemplified when

Zillow, the online real estate marketplace, started flipping homes. The effort failed, causing Zillow to lay off 25% of its workforce after losing $381 million in three months.

The problem was that Zillow relied on algorithms to determine the value and cost of homes without sending anyone to inspect them. It might have worked if the market had stayed stable and predictable, but home prices rose quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic, something Zillow admitted it was unable to predict.

In addition to market knowledge and high market demand, Rodak attributes the success of Fund That Flip to his professional team. He says he attracts and retains top talent by hiring people with high probabilities of success and giving them both clear direction and autonomy. They’re reviewed every month to keep them on the right track.

“We’ve always had a good strategy and the right team in place to execute that strategy,” Rodak says. “We don’t need to be the biggest and fastest, we just need to be around the longest, and invest intelligently.”  clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 53

MY EARTH

By Jill Sell

Breathe in ... Breathe out …

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54 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

countries. The company cites U.S. EPA information that names particulate matter, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide as the main air pollutants in Cleveland.

Chenault points the finger at “mobile sources (vehicles), industry and emissions from consumer products” as three significant sources of Ohio air pollution. The Ohio EPA suggests individuals can do their part when either high ozone or high particle levels are expected. Avoid excessive idling of your vehicle, set air conditioners no lower than 78 degrees, reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use, and trade in gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its revised air quality guidelines in September 2021, the first major changes in 15 years. Basically, the report said no amount of air pollution is safe for anyone.

Contact the Cleveland Department of Public Health’s Cleveland Division of Air Quality to register a citizen’s complaint about air quality. Some exceptions do exist, but generally open burning outdoors is not permitted. Yard waste, pressured or treated wood, rubber materials, garbage or dead animals are never permitted to be burned. Complaints about debris and dirt dragged out to public roadways, as well as dry cutting concrete without watering to control the dust, are also investigated.

Improving Indoor Air

Some air quality experts say the air we breathe indoors is worse than the air we inhale outdoors. Cleveland Clinic says there are ways to help lessen indoor air pollutants, which “can increase a person’s chances of having flares of chronic lung problems, including COPD and asthma.” You already know cigarette smoking is a major culprit, and that includes electronic cigarettes. And although we love them, wood burning fireplaces and stoves can be big indoor air polluters. Cleveland Clinic pulmonologists and other experts also recognize additional pollutants that can make health conditions worse.

They suggest: • Not using scented candles • Avoiding harsh smelling household cleaners • Creating adequate ventilation for home offices and craft areas that create their own pollutant odors from ink toners, glues and paint • Understanding wall-to-wall carpeting is a great home for dirt, dust and dust mites, and we don’t want to think about what else

ISTOCK

levelanders hate to be one-upped

by Columbus for anything, and that includes outdoor air quality.

In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati as areas of “marginal nonattainment” for ozone air quality concerns. The cities had three years to make the grade. Columbus achieved the ozone standards in 2019. Cleveland and Cincy not so much.

“The current air quality in Cleveland is much improved over past years, but is in nonattainment for the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Ozone concentrations have continued to decline over the years, but the standards have also become more restrictive,” according to Ohio EPA spokesman Anthony Chenault.

Not especially good news for anyone who breathes outdoors and especially not for those with pre-existing health conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer or cardiovascular disease, the young and elderly.

In 2020, Cleveland’s worst months for air quality were December, November and July, according to Swiss-based IQAir, an air quality technology company that operates in more than 100

Turn in a Polluter

MY HEALTH

By Lynne Thompson

Losing the Metabolism Myth

A

ccording to a study published in a recent issue of Science, metabolic rates actually remain stable throughout most adults’ lives. Research involving over 6,400 people ranging in age from eight days to 95 years revealed that metabolism plateaus from about ages 20 to 60.

Then it begins to drop, but only by approximately 1% annually.

The real culprits? Changes in lifestyle factors that alter the body’s weight set point, according to Dr. Marcio Griebeler, director of the Diabetes Center and Obesity Initiatives at Cleveland Clinic’s

Take a Shot at Pneumonia

ISTOCK

Add one more vaccine to the to-get list: the one for pneumococcal (bacterial) pneumonia.

Dr. Christine Alexander, chair of MetroHealth’s department Christine of family medicine, deAlexander scribes it as a lung infection, generally more deadly than its viral counterparts, characterized by a buildup of mucous, fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

Dr. Alexander suggests healthy adults who as children received the PCV-13

Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute.

Dr. Griebeler explains that the weight set point, a product of the brain-gut connecMarcio tion, helps the body Griebeler maintain a relatively constant weight, even as short-term calorie intake fluctuates. But, that set point gradually increases as days of unrelenting stress, high-calorie meals, less physical activity, sleepless nights, etc. become the norm and the bathroom scale registers another pound that subsequently remains unshed.

vaccine, which helps protect against 13 bacterial antigens, get the PPSV-23 vaccine, which targets an additional 23 bacterial antigens commonly found in older adults, when they turn 65.

Healthy unvaccinated adults should get the PCV-13 at age 65, then schedule the PPSV-23 a year later.

Unvaccinated adults at greater risk for developing pneumonia — those with respiratory issues, for example — should get the PPSV-23 vaccine before age 65, schedule a PCV-13 vaccine at 65, then return for a PPSV-23 booster a year later.

A key to maintaining the weight set point, Dr. Griebeler says, is preserving muscle mass, a calorie-burning powerhouse that decreases due to physical inactivity. He stresses that decreasing (improving) the set point is a gradual process, one that requires patience and lifestyle changes rather than crash diets.

Cooking Up a Problem?

Dr. Aparna Bole, a pediatrician at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, cautions gas stoves pose a potential hazard, particularly to children.

“The link between nitrogen dioxide and causing and exacerbating lung conditions like asthma is established,” she explains.

According to a recent National Public Radio report, cooking pasta at 375 degrees Fahrenheit produced nitrogen dioxide 60% over recommended levels in just 12 minutes. She suggests ameliorating the situation by increasing ventilation, either by installing an exhaust system vented to the outdoors or opening a kitchen window while cooking, and minimizing oven preheating.

Aparna Bole clevelandmagazine.com/cleader

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COMMUNITY LEADER 55

A Sunny Winter Morning in University Circle

By David Schwartz

56 COMMUNITY LEADER | FEBRUARY 2022

People don’t really care about what I do. They care about whether or not I understand what it is they do and what they need.

The bottom line is we’re simply making more money because of them.

Dan Andrews Olympic Forest Products

Dana Allender Sun Management & Consulting

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I did exactly what they told me to do.

And it was like, BAM! Done! I sold a huge job!

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Paul Bishop Ice Industries

Sales Concepts helped us rise up and become a success story for the second time.

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Our closing rate had averaged about 12%. My goal was to raise it to 15%.

After starting the classes, our closing rate rose to 25%.

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I don’t know what life would be like if I hadn’t met them.

One thing’s for sure, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am now. That’s 100% guaranteed.

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Chris Berry Three D Metals

It works so well that we quickly became the number one center in the country.

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As a not-for-profit, I really didn’t think we could afford it.

But at some point I came to realize we couldn’t afford not to do it.

Lynne Giacobbe Kendal at Home

We are architects, not sales people.

Marty Strelau ADA Architects

Jeff Stohr Trevor Stohr Conveyer & Caster

Sell More.

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