CANTON, OHIO (September 15, 2011) – Thirty-nine area leaders have been selected for the 25th Signature Program Class of Leadership Stark County (a department of the Canton Regional Chamber). The 25th Class is an extraordinary representation of this region. Selected participants represent the diversity that exists in Stark County’s cities, villages, schools, non-profit organizations and businesses.
These individuals are about to begin 10 months of leadership training and experiences that will provide an understanding of local issues, assets and resources relating to Stark County's economy, educational institutions, social services, justice system, political system and the arts. The class participates in community development projects designed to build on neighborhood assets. Upon graduation, members expand their participation on non-profits boards.
The 25th Signature Class members hail from ten area cities or villages and 14 school districts. They range in age from 26 to 59. Six have lived in Stark County less than 10 years, while 17 have lived in Stark County for more than 30 years. There are 27 employees of corporations or businesses, nine non-profit staff members and three educators. They have in common a link to Stark County through their residence or workplace and a desire to serve this community.
The 25th Signature Class includes:
Matthew Ashton, IT Manager, Seifert Technologies, Inc Aimee Belden, Director, ystark!, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce David Beule, President, Appalachian Basin CPAs, Inc. Neil Bhagat, Attorney, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP Benjamin Boyd, Marketing/Property Manager, Brookwood Management Co. Inc. Mary Brady, Early Childhood Specialist, Early Childhood Resource Center Marcie Bragg, Director of The Center for Entrepreneurial Success, Goodwill Industries Darla Brown, Editor, About magazine, The Repository/GateHouse Media Kenneth A. Buie, Programs Coordinator, Stark State College Christina Burr, Controller, Aultman Health Foundation Nichole Cardinale, Manager - Admissions & Special Events, Pro Football Hall of Fame Jason Conrad, Assistant Principal, Perry Local Schools Linda Dahl, Manager of Public Information, Stark County District Library Michael Discenza, Director - Financial Planning & Performance, The Timken Company Jill Dorsey, Director of Emergency Services, Alliance Community Hospital Dean Fox, Administrative Director, Mercy Medical Center Lisa Grubbs, CEO, Phoenix Rising BHR, Inc Justin Hardesty, Portfolio Manager, CCO, Greenport Financial Ryan Heckert, SSA Supervisor, Waiver Services Unit, Stark County Board of DD Christopher Henson, General Sales Manager - US Distribution Managment, The Timken Company Jennifer Hoffner, Human Resources Partner, Diebold, Inc. Barbara Kennedy, Commercial Portfolio Manager, Huntington National Bank Sheila Klenner, Chief Operating Officer, Sirak-Moore Insurance Agency Robb Lightell, Assistant Vice President - Commercial Portfolio Manager, FirstMerit Bank N.A. Paula S. Mastroianni, Director of Community & Provider Relations, Mental Health & Recovery Services Board Dawn L. Miller, Program Officer, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton Michelle L. Molinet, Director of Finance & Administration, Black, McCuskey, Souers & Arbaugh LPA James Molnar, President, Molnar Tech Services Amanda Paar, Attorney, Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies, Ltd. Dwight Parrish, Customer Services Representative, American Electric Power Brenda Louise Pedro, Administrator, Altercare of Nobles Pond David B. Pilati, Director of Secondary Instruction, Plain Local School District Matthew Savage, Vice President, Vasco Asphalt Company Jason Shilling, Vice President Commercial Lending, Westfield Bank Diana Smith, HR Generalist, ComDoc James Stevenot, Senior Legal Counsel & Director of Business Development, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Pamela Valentine, Service Area Director, Girls Scouts NEO Amy Wesely, Floorcare Marketing Manager, H-P Products, Inc. Stephan Wright, Attorney, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty
Participant selection is competitive and designed to bring diversity (including, but not limited to, geographic, professional and cultural diversity) to the Leadership Stark County program and to area boards. These community-minded individuals have been charged to work together to make a lifelong commitment to Stark County. For more information about this and other Leadership Stark County programs, visit LeadershipStarkCounty.org.### Leadership Stark County is a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.