STARK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD - Key Persons

Helene is the Director of Business Development & Engagement for the Stark Economic Development Board. Her goal is to provide value added business retention and expansion resources to support small business and help them achieve their growth objectives. She will work closely with a network of local, regional, and state economic development organizations that are similarly committed to assisting companies. Helene has years of experience in community engagement, workforce, and economic development.

Hilscher Clarke

Job Titles:

Member of the Board

Jackie Stewart

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
Director, External Affairs / Encino Energy

Janet Weir-Creighton - President

Job Titles:

Commissioner
Member of the Board of Directors
President

Joe Matuszewaki

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Member of the Board
Partner, Assurancce Services / Ernst & Young LLP

Joe Schauer

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Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

John Fether

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President of the Board

John McLaughlin

John is Vice President of Business Development for the Stark Economic Development Board. He will be the primary interface with companies seeking to grow in Stark County. John is an accomplished leader. His main goal is to plan and develop initiatives needed to promote positive organizational change. He will work directly with businesses to help them access local, regional, state and federal resources that will help them achieve their growth goals.

Jordan Greenwald

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Member of the Board of Directors
President of the Board
President, GDK & Company

Joseph Halter

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Member of the Board of Directors
President, Solmet Technologies

Karen Brenneman - CEO

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Managing Partner
Member of the Board
Owner

Kathy Shultz

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Member of the Board of Directors

Lindsay Precast

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Member of the Board

Mark J. Samolczyk

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Member of the Board
President / Stark Community Foundation

Mark Scheffler

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Member of the Board
Executive Director / Timken

Matt Gregory

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Member of the Board
CEO / Gregory Industries, Inc.

Matt Savage

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Member of the Board of Directors
President / Vasco Asphalt Company

Matt Sterling

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Member of the Board of Directors
Executive VP / Beaver Excavating Company

Michael Hoffman

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Member of the Board

Michael Naso

Michelle Ward

mi..@starkcoohio.com

Michelle handles all of the financial and accounting transactions for SEDB. In addition, to managing all aspects of the office she also is responsible for the SEDB fundraising campaigns. Her knowledge and ability to multi-task makes her valuable to our organization and members.

Mick Heckman

Job Titles:

Member of the Board of Directors
General Manager / Tractor Supply Distribution Center

Ralph Lee

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
CHRO / Kenan Advantage Group

Randall C. Hunt

Job Titles:

Member of the Board of Directors
Partner

Ray Hexamer - CEO, President

ra..@starkcoohio.com

Job Titles:

CEO
President

Ray is the President/CEO of the Stark Economic Development Board, a non-profit economic development organization that has a mission of expanding and attracting business in Stark County. Prior to leading SEDB, Ray was the CEO of First Communications in Akron. Ray and his team grew First Communications from $32 million to over $200 million in sales and from 80 to 380 employees with customers in all 50 states. During that time, Ray was responsible for leading his team in the integration of 9 acquisitions and involved in fund raising over $300 million of capital. In 2014 Hexamer helped finalize the sale of First Communications to Zayo and Canal Pointe Capital for $159 million. Prior to First Communications, Ray spent 23 years at WHBC Radio starting as a "part time temporary announcer" and ending his time there as the President of the Company. He helped lead a $43.5 million sale of WHBC for its shareholders in 2002.