FLS Speakers

SPEAKERS:

Michael Sirpilla, CEO

Society Brands

As CEO, Michael led Society Brands to raise $205MM to continue its rapid consolidation in the e-commerce sector. This milestone serves as one of the largest early stage funding rounds raises in Ohio’s history.

A Canton native, Michael has been in and around retail his whole life and has extensive M&A experience. Throughout his career, he's founded several successful businesses, including a financial services wholesale agency, which he built to a multi-million-dollar business. He also partnered in a population health management business and scaled it from $0 to $150MM in revenue within five years.
In this keynote, Michael will share about his family roots, challenges and successes, and what’s in store for Society Brands.

Douglas J. Sibila, President & CEO

Douglas J. Sibila is a 3^rd generation owner of Peoples Services, Inc. He was born in Canton, Ohio and raised in Stark County. He attended St. Mary’s Massillon and Canton Central Catholic High School. He was a Rotary Exchange Student to Sweden his junior year in high school. He earned his Eagle Scout award in 1983. He graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business degree with a double major in Accounting & Finance. After graduation Doug worked 3 years for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City. Upon returning to the family business in 1990, Doug spent time running operations in West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia. He was named Vice President in 1992 responsible for Sales and Marketing as well as the Moving Division. In 2001 he was named President and Chief Operating Officer and became CEO in 2004. Sibila has been active in many communities’ business and volunteer organizations.

Zach Coblentz, Chief Operating Officer

HRM Enterprises, Inc.

Zach Coblentz is a 4th generation family member. He grew up in Hartville and attended Lake High School. Zach graduated from Malone University. He has worked in various positions in retail and leadership the past 20 years. Zach assists the company's operating leaders meet their strategic goals. He emphasizes a "growth mindset" to help team members develop and grow. Zach enjoys leading new projects and initiatives to help expand the business.

Katherine Gessner, President

MCTV

Katherine Gessner is President of MCTV, a family-owned Internet, TV and Phone provider serving 50,000 customers across eight counties in Northeast Ohio. Katherine represents the third generation of local family leadership at MCTV, following in her father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Katherine joined the MCTV team in 2013 as the sales and marketing manager and has held several roles at MCTV — most recently vice president of strategic planning and policy — before being named president in 2019.
Katherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Marietta College (OH) in 2005 and her MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in 2011.

Similar to her father and grandfather, Katherine is deeply rooted in, and values the importance of supporting the local communities that MCTV serves. Katherine serves on the boards for several area organizations including the Massillon Public Library, Stark State College Foundation, and the Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Angus, as well as cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Dennis Thomas, President

Brechbuhler Scales, Inc.

James Barbera, Co-owner

Barbco Inc.

Mike Conny, CEO

Steven P. Cress, Principal & CEO