Ep. 70 - The People and Work Behind the Polymer Industry Cluster
Release Date: 04/23/2024
Ep. 97 - Rising Energy Costs and How to Manage Them
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
Energy costs are on the rise, but businesses and organizations will see a significant increase in 2025. Xpense Solutions President and energy expert John Verdile stopped in earlier this year to explain the increase on episode 87; in this second part, John describes how businesses can adapt to these changes, including energy saving techniques and resources to utilize.
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Ep. 96 - Empowering Connections: Embracing the Local Art Community
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
In September, Akron Municipal Court Navigator and community advocate Tara Mosley hosted “Women Supporting Women,” which brought women leaders and business vendors from across the region for a day of celebration, networking and purchasing products at Hardes ty Park. In this episode Steve chats with Tara and Joelle Diane Zellman, a vendor at the event and owner of Monochrome Canvas. The trio discuss the event, support and resources for small business owners, and Zellman’s perspective on the local art industry and how it fits into the greater business community.
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Ep. 95 - The University of Akron: New President, New Goals
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
In this episode, Steve sits down with RJ Nemer, who was appointed to President of the University of Akron in May 2024. RJ shares his vision for the university, reflecting on his journey and experiences that have led him to this role. From strategic goals to strengthen the university's academic programs to deepening its connections with the Akron community, RJ reveals how he plans to drive impactful changes across the university.
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Ep. 94 - Empowering Connections: Women Supporting Women in Business
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
In September, Akron Municipal Court Navigator and community advocate Tara Mosley hosted “Women Supporting Women,” which brought women leaders and business vendors from across the region for a day of celebration, networking and purchasing products at Hardesty Park. In this episode Steve chats with Tara and Marketa Fry, a vendor at the event and owner of Security is Kee. The trio discuss the event, support and resources for small business owners, and the challenges and successes Marketa has gone through as an entrepreneur
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Ep. 93 - Driving Innovation through Talent and Technology
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) boasts a rich history steeped in innovation and performance. From the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program to research test reactors for national labs to complex operations management, BWX excels through a talented workforce, state-of-the-art technologies, and innovative solutions. In this episode, BWXT General Manager Mark Huber details how the company’s success stems from internal training, partnerships with universities, and a general focus on employee growth.
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Ep. 92 - Manufacturing Momentum: Collaborative Efforts to Build a Stronger Workforce
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
As we celebrate Manufacturing Month throughout October, a number of organizations are collaborating in response to employment needs in this vital industry sector within our region. The Greater Akron Chamber’s workforce team, ConxusNEO, is partnering with the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association (OMA) to support the USEDA's Good Jobs Challenge to boost the talent pipeline for manufacturing in Summit and Portage counties. To prepare individuals for career in manufacturing, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) is delivering “WorkAdvance” programming that combines short-term training for basic...
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Ep. 91 - Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin Embraces Ohio’s Opportunities via Workforce Transformation
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
The number one challenge for employers right now is workforce. In Green, OH, it’s no different. As Mayor Rocco Yeargin talked with employers, residents and community leaders in his city, he realized that there are a host of resources and opportunities that exist to support the City’s businesses that he could help better connect. Steve talks with Mayor Yeargin about Green, some of the challenges for its employers and an event coming up to connect the dots to support the workforce challenges being felt by all. The Mayor has assembled a great set of resources that you are going to want to...
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Ep. 90 - Get Family Owned Business Assistance through the Center for Family Business at CWRU
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
The Center for Family Business is a new resource for the region. Created by the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, the Center is focused on the unique issues, needs and experiences of family-owned businesses in Northeast Ohio. Steve sits down with Laura Bonnet, Director for the Center for Family Business, to talk about the environment for family-owned businesses, some of the unique issues faced in family businesses and the help and support the Center for Family Business is designed to provide. Laura also talks about their upcoming “company chat” being held...
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Ep. 89 - Take Your Business to the Next Level with EOS
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
Business owners: are you stuck in the day-to-day grind of your business and struggling to focus on yourbusiness? Feeling the strain of growing pains or like you’ve hit a ceiling?This isn’t a sales pitch–in thisepisode, Andy Platt joins Steve Millard to explore the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), abusiness management framework designed to help small and mid-sized businesses streamline theiroperations and boost efficiency. Platt, a Professional EOS Implementor, shares insights from his tenure atThe J.M. Smucker Co., where he helped the company grow from a million-dollar “jelly...
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Ep. 88 - 2024 Woman of Achievement Award Winner Jennifer Towell
Dreamers, Drivers, Doers
Each year, Greater Akron comes together to celebrate exemplary leadership, community impact, and a steadfast commitment to gender equity and diversity in the workplace through the Woman of Achievement Awards. This year, Judge Jennifer Towell was honored for her exceptional dedication to breaking down barriers, mentoring others, and supporting the progress of women in our community. Judge Towell discusses her time in the Navy, the importance of mentorship, and the various intervention programs carried out through the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
info_outlineIf you follow the Greater Akron Chamber or the Akron business community in general, you may have heardof the Polymer Industry Cluster. Akron has deep rootsin rubber and material science, and today, the regionhas hundreds of businesses, manufacturing plants, and research institutions focused on polymer-basedproduction and sustainability efforts. This led to Greater Akron being designated as a Sustainable PolymersTech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in October 2023, and a number of fundingand economic opportunities being presented to the region. In this episode, Brian Anderson, Vice Presidentof the Polymer Industry Cluster, sits down with Steve Millard to discuss how Greater Akron got to this pointand the opportunity for economic development it presents for the region.