REGIONAL CHAMBER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Member Services
Becky Litowitz has been the Director of Member Services at the Regional Chamber since 2021 but joined the organization as Membership Specialist in 1998 and became Customer Service Manager in 2010.
Litowitz maintains all membership information for nearly 3,000 members and works with the Chamber's preferred providers to maintain and market benefit programs that provide a range of cost savings and services. She also provides support to staff for Valley Business Magazine and Take 5 features, billings, member rosters and data and updates promotional materials for the sales team.
Litowitz created the popular Power Program, which started as small roundtable networking for members and has grown to bi-monthly, sold-out events, sparking the growth of the Ambassador Program.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Litowitz spent 12 years working as an administrative assistant at the Stambaugh Thompson Company's Boardman Super Store.
Upon Stambaugh's closing in 1997, she attended the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center Adult Education and received her certificate in the Professional Practices program and then returned to Youngstown State University to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in 2013.
For the past 22 years, Litowitz has been an adult volunteer with Job's Daughters International, a leadership program for girls between the ages of 10 and 20, and serves at the Bethel Guardian of the Niles/Girard Chapter. In 2012 she was recognized by the state for her Distinguished Service to the organization.
Job Titles:
- Director of Government Affairs and Community Impact
Job Titles:
- Director of Mahoning Valley Logistics Council
Job Titles:
- Development and Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President & CEO of the Youngstown / Warren
Guy Coviello became President & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber on March 1, 2021 and oversees all facets and divisions of the organization.
Under Coviello's leadership, the Chamber has experienced meteoric growth in membership and revenue while launching many innovative programs for its members. The Chamber has also formed numerous strategic partnerships to favorably alter the economic landscape in the Mahoning Valley.
Coviello joined the Regional Chamber in September 2014 as the Vice President of Government Affairs. He advocated at federal, state and local levels for issues important to the Valley's business community. He also advised Chamber members on government and legislative issues that affected their companies or local communities.
In 2018, then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich appointed Coviello to serve on the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. In 2019, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine approved Coviello's induction into the Executive Order of Ohio Commodores, a statewide group of business leaders who advise the state on economic development.
Previously, Coviello served on the Campaign for America's Energy Ohio Steering Committee; as a partner in an Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation project that resulted in the report, "Ohio BOLD: A Blueprint for Accelerating the Innovation Economy;" and on the Transportation and Infrastructure Working Group of the Tri-State Shale Coalition, created through a memorandum of understanding between the governors of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Prior to joining the Regional Chamber, Coviello was editor at The Tribune Chronicle, where he worked for nearly 30 years in various positions as a professional journalist. During his time at the newspaper, he and his staff received numerous reporting and writing awards.
The Liberty resident received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Youngstown State University and worked as a part-time journalism instructor there from 1998 to 2014.
Coviello and his wife Denise have four children, all adopted from Brazil, and three grandchildren.
Jackie Jacobson is an Account Executive at the Regional Chamber, joining the organization in February 2020.
In this role, Jacobson is responsible for growing the Chamber's membership, specifically at the Corporate and Executive levels, and selling sponsorship opportunities to new and existing members. She listens to the needs of our member businesses and works to ensure they understand the myriad of benefits offered, take advantage of our programs and receive value and an ROI. Since Jacobson has joined the Chamber team, she has consistently and successfully increased membership numbers, as well as revenue.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Jacobson was a Marketing Representative for IBM in Youngstown and then joined an IBM Business Partner firm, General Systems Associates, in Pittsburgh as a Marketing Sales Manager. She later became part Owner and Marketing Manager for Information Resources Group in Pittsburgh and took her passion for golf to the Kennsington Golf Club in Canfield, where she was Director of Outings.
Jacobson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University, majoring in Marketing Management and minoring in Economics. In addition, she earned certificates from the IBM Sales School in Atlanta, GA and Dale Carnegie School of Business in Pittsburgh. She has volunteered for the First Tee of Mahoning Valley and Poland Schools.
Jacobson, who enjoys golfing, tennis and biking, lives in Poland with her husband David and their children, Zach, Jenna and Katie.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Graphics Specialist
Jacob Zillinger has been the Regional Chamber's Marketing & Graphics Specialist since March 2021.
In this position, he is responsible for the daily upkeep of the Chamber's digital presence, including posting on the organization's social media, compiling the Regional Report Chamber e-newsletter and updating RegionalChamber.com. In just his first year at the Chamber, Zillinger increased engagement and reach significantly across all social media-including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram-and also increased open rates on mass emails sent to members by an average of 10 percent.
He is also in charge of designing the print items needed to promote the Chamber, such as business cards, sponsor signs and logos and takes on numerous larger projects, such as designing the economic development report card; the new workforce, education and training guide; and our multi-page ATHENA Award Dinner and Family-Owned Business Recognition Dinner programs.
Before joining the Chamber, Zillinger was the head graphic designer at Advantage Video Production in Youngstown.
He earned his Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management from Youngstown State University, where he also competed with the YSU Ads Club in the American Advertising Federation's National Student Advertising Competition. He also earned his HubSpot Academy Content Marketing certification in July of 2022.
Zillinger and his fiancée Kate live in Warren.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Leadership Mahoning Valley and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Member Engagement
Joe Merlo came onboard as the Director of Member Engagement at the Regional Chamber in February 2021.
Merlo is responsible for the development and management of membership retention services for existing and new Chamber members. He develops and manages ongoing membership strategies to increase engagement, communication and education and ensures that members are maximizing their benefits by connecting them with the resources and activities necessary to help reach their individualized and professional goals. Since Merlo joined the Chamber team, the overall retention rate has increased significantly.
Merlo also oversees the Chamber's Ambassador Committee, which serves as an advocate for the Chamber and the business community. The Ambassadors work with new and existing members to connect them to organizations and help them get involved and offer assistance in utilizing the Chamber's services to the fullest.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Merlo was an Inside Sales Consultant for Omnicell, a healthcare technology company located in Cranberry, PA, where he helped provide automated pharmacy solutions to help optimize hospital and healthcare systems.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management, with a concentration in Finance, at The University at Buffalo - The State University of New York. Merlo was also a student-athlete for the Men's Division 1 soccer team and participated in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, UB Financial Management Association and the UB Marketing Club.
Merlo and fianceé Sarah live in Niles with their cat, Colby Jack. Outside of work, Merlo loves to spend his time outdoors, playing soccer, biking and being active.
Job Titles:
- Government Affairs Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Marketing
- Senior Vice President, Marketing & Member Services
- Vice President, Marketing & Member Services
Kim Calvert has been the vice president of Marketing & Members Services at the Regional Chamber since 2008 but began working at the organization in 2001 as a communications specialist. She was promoted in 2004 to marketing & communications manager and again in 2006 to vice president of Marketing and Communications.
Calvert is responsible for all of the organization's internal and external marketing and communications strategies and oversees production of the Chamber's Valley Business Magazine, Take 5 video broadcast, all printed and electronic material, advertising efforts, social media and website. She also serves as the Chamber's liaison to local and national media.
The Member Services division also falls under Calvert's realm and includes new member sales, the retention of nearly 2,500 members, a portfolio of benefits and services that are designed to save businesses money and help with their growth and 100 events and programs that range from community update breakfasts and networking events, to signature events like the Athena Award Dinner, Annual Meeting and Health & Wellness Expo.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Calvert was the communications and marketing specialist at the former Phar-Mor Corporation in Youngstown and had also been a staff writer/reporter at the Salem News in Salem, Ohio.
She earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing & Editing and Master of Business Administration at Youngstown State University. She is a member of Leadership Mahoning Valley, Class of 2007, and has volunteered with Youngstown Radio Reading Services and the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.
Calvert and husband Bob live in Canfield with their children, Madison and Nicholas.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice President, Government Affairs
Lyle Huffman has been the Director of Government Affairs for the Regional Chamber since May 2022.
In this position, he is responsible for developing and implementing the annual action plan to advance public policy, which promotes economic prosperity for Regional Chamber members and the quality of life in the Valley, and serves as the liaison between Chamber members and their local, state and federal governments.
Huffman also coordinates activities of the Government Affairs Council and works with the group to develop content, agendas and sponsorship opportunities for events such as the Columbus Drive-In, D.C. Fly-In, Salute to Elected Officials, Impact Ohio Policy Conference, Local Government Policy Conference, Lunch with Legislators and more.
Huffman was previously a public administrator for the Town of Greenville in Pennsylvania. As the Assistant Town Manager, he managed the town's public services, including public safety, public works, code and zoning, parks and recreation and more. Having served in this role for a decade, he crafted creative strategies to help Greenville emerge from its financially distressed status, scheduled for 2023.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing degree and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. He gained admission to the coveted National Society of Leadership and Success as a Society Presidential Member with the University of Phoenix. Huffman sits on the Howland Athletic Club Board of Trustees and volunteers his time to help coach youth sports.
He and wife Sharlene live in Howland with their son Harrison and daughter Charlie.
Job Titles:
- Owner the Mark Cole Agency
In his position as Foundation President, Michael McGiffin oversees all facets of the 501(c)(3)-exempted supporting organization for the Regional Chamber. The Foundation has a long tradition of supporting many of the Valley's most important economic development activities, including Steel to Scholars, Operation SOAR (Save Our Air Reserves), Bring it Home (to secure Chevy Cruze production in Lordstown) and others. In recent years, the Foundation has built support to launch new programming, such as the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission, the JobsNow workforce development program and EMERGE, helping local businesses emerge from the COVID crisis.
McGiffin also works with restarting Leadership Mahoning Valley; continuing a series of networking events that generate business opportunities, as well as earned media, that showcase the Valley as an ideal place in which to live, learn, work and play; and oversee operations of the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Foundation and Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Education, Civic and Cultural Foundation.
Most recently, McGiffin was contracted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit as project manager, guiding its OnRamp to Remote Learning initiative-the education agency's response to the challenges and constraints that COVID placed on its 42 school districts. He led a team and education experts in navigating the swift change from in-person learning to remote learning by equipping districts with technology and teachers with best practices and resources to adapt to the remote teaching and learning environment.
McGiffin had also led projects prior and locally as the chief strategy officer at Stambaugh Auditorium and director of Events and Special Projects for the City of Youngtown. In these positions, he impacted growth in the downtown area by elevating the standard of entertainment and events, guiding the wayfinding signage planning and installation, implementing the "City of You" rebranding effort and advocating for and accepting over $6 million in property and financial donations for Stambaugh Auditorium and planning the current historic restoration project.
Michelle Phillips has been employed with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber since 1999 in various business research positions. Currently, as Director of Research, Phillips oversees the gathering, analysis and reporting of data relative to the area's economy, demographics and quality of life.
She is involved in the request for information (RFI) process for attraction projects, GIS mapping for site development inquiries and customized research services. These duties align with the Chamber's economic development efforts to provide business retention and expansion, site selection and supply chain resources to companies, both new and existing, so they may make actionable decisions that enhance their business sustainability.
Previously within the Chamber, Phillips provided business counseling services to entrepreneurs. She has also been involved with economic development in roles such as supply chain analysis, resource coordination, grant and proposal writing and business plan analysis.
Prior to joining the organization, she worked with data systems at the Youngstown State University Bookstore and YSU Small Business Development Center.
Phillips recently earned a Certificate in Data Analytics and received a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Science, as well as a Certificate in Multimedia, all from Youngstown State University.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Member Services
Job Titles:
- Co - President, Cafaro Co
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Western Reserve Port Authority
Job Titles:
- President, Youngstown State University
Job Titles:
- President & COO, Aqua Ohio
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- Board Member, Charles Schwab
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- President & CEO, JAC Entertainment
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- CEO, Trumbull Asset Management / Trumbull Energy Center
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- Principal, Hill, Barth & King
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, America Makes
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- CEO & Co - Founder, the J. Arnold Wealth Management Company, LLC
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- Executive Vice President / Market President, Premier Bank
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- Plant Director, Ultium Cells
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- Senior Director of Operations, the Anderson - DuBose Company
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- Vice President, Akron Children 's Hospital Mahoning Valley
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- President, Berk Enterprises, Inc
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- Owner / Operator, H.L.W. Fast Track, Inc
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- Financial Secretary Treasurer, Western Reserve Building Trades
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, First National Bank
Job Titles:
- CEO, Quick Med Urgent Care Youngstown
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- Chief Strategy Office, Mercy Health
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- CEO, Trumbull Regional Medical Center / Steward Health
Job Titles:
- Vice President, City Machine Technologies, Inc
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- President & CEO, Dawn Inc
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- Co - Owner & Vice President, Personal Protected / Hitch - Hiker Manufacturing
Job Titles:
- VP Public Affairs / Regional Director of NEOH, Ms Consultants, Inc
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Academy of Urban Scholars Youngstown
Job Titles:
- Director of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Initiatives