OFIC Board of Trustees - Bios
Akron / Canton / Cincinnati / Cleveland / Columbus / Dayton / Toledo / Life Trustees
Akron
Catherine Belden
Sr. Manager, Revenue Growth Management, The J. M. Smucker Co.
Catherine Belden has over 20 years of experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry. She is currently the Senior Manager of Revenue Growth Management at the J.M. Smucker Company responsible for driving new pricing capabilities and mindset across the Consumer Foods businesses. Prior to her current role, she worked across Trade Marketing to provide financial and promotional guidance to Marketing and Sales. Cathie is a graduate of Kent State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is also active within the community volunteering her time with several non-profit organizations.
Robert W. Malone
Shareholder, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs
Mr. Malone is a business lawyer, and chair of Buckingham’s business practice group, with a focus on assisting entrepreneurial clients in the creation, restructuring, purchase and sale of their businesses. During such times of transition, he often helps clients with the negotiation and documentation of their relationships with other entities. Although he has the capability to represent publicly held companies in select areas, most clients are privately held. His extensive experience dealing with the tax issues facing privately held companies enables him to offer clients a unique advantage. In fact, he has participated in the drafting of legislation adopted by the Ohio General Assembly concerning the taxation of owners of private companies including the Ohio statute that created limited liability companies. His clients deserve and demand prompt and efficient services, and so he focuses on exceeding his clients' expectations for the quality and efficiency of his services, and responsiveness to his clients' needs.
Robert G. Merzweiler
Chairman & CEO, Landmark Plastic Corporation
Christine L. Walker
Vice President, Human Resources
Christine L. Walker has been named vice president, Human Resources, for FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. She will be responsible for the HR business partners, learning and development, organizational effectiveness, diversity and inclusion, recruiting, employee relations, HR compliance and health and absence management. Previously, Walker was executive director, Talent Management. She began her career with GPU, Inc., in 1985 in the Information Technology organization and held various positions in Human Resources and Customer Service prior to GPU’s merger with FirstEnergy in 2001. In 2000 she was named manager, Employee Compensation and HR Information. She was named manager, Employee and Executive Compensation, HRIS, and Payroll, in 2002. In 2005 Walker was promoted to director, Compensation and Retirement programs. In February 2011, she was promoted to executive director, Human Resources. She was named executive director, Talent Management, in 2016.Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in project management and organizational management from Malone University. She is also a Certified Compensation Professional.
Canton
Christopher V. Goff
T. Stephen Gregory
President, Gregory Industries, Inc.
Tracy L. Sabo
Vice President, Human Resources, Aultman Hospital Foundation
Tracy Sabo is the Vice President of Human Resources & Education & Development with Aultman Health Foundation in Canton, Ohio. Her experience base is broad with expertise in Accounting, Management/ Leadership, Education & Development and Human Resources. Tracy has over 25 years of experience working in the service, manufacturing and healthcare industries with the last 18 years at Aultman Health Foundation as a Benefits Director, Associate Vice President of HR and currently now serving as a Vice President of HR. Tracy has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, as well as, an MBA with a minor in Management from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio. She is a life-long resident of Stark County where she is raising her 3 children. Tracy is an enthusiastic member of the community and focuses on supporting many organizations including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She enjoys outside recreational activities, spending time with her children and her family.
Randolph L. Snow
Of Counsel, Black, McCuskey, Souers & Arbaugh
Cincinnati
Evan J. Andrews
Executive Vice President, Montgomery Inn Inc.
Thomas R. Schuck
Partner, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister
Cleveland
Thomas D. Bechtel, CPA
Partner, Director of Transaction Services, Cohen & Co., Ltd.
Robert Murphy is a partner with Black McCuskey and focuses his practice in representing small, mid-size and large companies in the areas of negotiation and documentation of business transactions and real estate acquisition, development and construction. He also represents oil producers, lease holders & landowners in oil and gas matters, including Utica shale projects. Mr. Murphy serves as co-chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, is a graduate of Leadership Stark County and chairman of the Pike Township Zoning Commission. In 2010, he was selected as one of 20 outstanding leaders under the age of 40 in the greater Canton area. Mr. Murphy is a native of Canton and a graduate of Central Catholic High School. He is past chairman of the executive committee for ystark! (the network for young professionals in the greater Canton area) and chairman of the Central Catholic Board of Directors. He is a member of the Stark County and Ohio Bar Associations. Education: J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, magna cum laude, 2004 (Order of the Coif, 2004); B.A., Kenyon College, 2001.b
Gabriel Bruno
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, Lincoln Electric
Mr. Bruno has held his current position since February 18, 2016 and has been its Executive Vice President since March 7, 2015. Gabe served as Chief Information Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. from March 7, 2015 to February 18, 2016. He served as an Interim Chief Information Officer at Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. from February 18, 2016 to June 2016, Vice President at Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc., from May 2012 to February 19, 2014, and Vice President and Corporate Controller of Lincoln Electric Company (a subsidiary of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.) since January 12, 2006. He began his career at Lincoln Electric in 1995 as Financial Reporting Manager. He was named North American Controller in 1997, and in 2003 he was appointed Director, Finance and Information Technology of Lincoln Electric. He served as Corporate Controller and Director of Information Technology of Lincoln Electric since 2004. Before joining Lincoln, he was a manager in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Gabe received his accounting degree from John Carroll University.
James P. Carulas
Chief Executive Officer, Meaden & Moore Ltd.
Jim has been with Meaden & Moore for over 25 years, advising clients on a number of financial and business matters. Much of his experience has been working with the owners and management of growth-oriented companies, specifically manufacturing, distribution and industrial service companies, on business growth strategies, including global initiatives. Areas of Specialization: Audits – Mergers & Acquisitions – Corporate Finance – International Business. Professional Development: • American Institute of CPAs • Ohio Society of CPAs • AGN International Board of Directors, Chairman • AGN-North America, Board of Directors • Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors, founding member and past board of advisors • Member of Vistage International • Association for Corporate Growth • Ohio Venture Association • Board of directors and advisors of several private companies Community/Philanthropic Pursuits: • Board of Directors, Friends of Breakthrough • Past Board of Directors, Ohio Federation of Independent Colleges • Miami University Alumni Association • Shaker Historical Society
Matthew A. Danis
Vice President, Shook Construction Company
Matthew started his career as a co-op in Shook Construction’s marketing department while attending college at the University of Dayton. Upon graduation, he relocated to Cleveland to help expand Shook’s market presence within Northeast Ohio. Over the last 10+ years Shook’s Cleveland Office has grown from two market sectors to five and has experienced significant growth in revenue and overall market share. Today, Matthew is the company’s Vice President of Corporate Development, leading the sales, marketing and communications activities across all of Shook’s regions. He is a 2011 graduate of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Bridge Builders Program and has previously volunteered with the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation of Cleveland, the Northern Ohio Society of Healthcare Engineers and the Society for Marketers of Professional Services. He is currently working on Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Cleveland State University. Matt is extremely active in the local community, serving on the board of multiple organizations. These include the ACE Mentoring program, which mentors high school students while exposing them to career options in the design and construction industry, Cleveland State University’s Co-Op Advisory Council and the Fore the Kids Golf Outing, a charity event Matthew leads that now in its 10th year has raised approximately $200,000 for the University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Matt lives in Concord Township (located south of Painesville) with his wife Emily and infant son Cody and enjoys golf, running and spending time with his family.
James M. Malz
Midwest Region Executive & Ohio President, Citizens Bank
James M. Malz is Midwest Region Executive & Ohio President at Citizens Bank. Malz is a veteran commercial banker who held key management positions with KeyCorp prior to joining Bank One Corporation as Division Manager in 2001. In 2003, Malz was named President, Northeast Ohio Region for Bank One and continued to serve in this capacity for JPMorgan Chase Bank following its merger with Bank One in 2004. In 2011, Malz was appointed President, Ohio Market, for JPMorgan Chase. A native of Andover, Ohio, Malz earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics at Hiram College. He currently serves on the Boards of The Columbus Partnership, Hiram College Board of Visitors and The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. He is President of the Bridgestone Invitational Championship Council, Leadership Committee of the 2013 President’s Cup and a member of Leadership Cleveland Class of 2005.
Suzanne Miklos
President, O.E. Strategies
Suzanne Miklos, Ph.D. is President of O.E. Strategies in Broadview Hts. She has twenty years' experience consulting to organizations in improving effectiveness of human interaction and people management practices. Clients, including manufacturing, professional service firms and public organizations, experience measurable results in improved people practices. She uses data to increase individual and organizational self-awareness leading to increased personal and organizational effectiveness. Service, flexibility and strong partnerships between O.E.S. staff and other partners have led to the success of the firm. O.E.S. has a track record of building customized processes on technology platforms in several national companies. Dr. Miklos is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and received her Ph.D. in Industrial Gerontological Psychology from The University of Akron.
Timothy G. Novotny
Shareholder, Maloney + Novotny LLC
Timothy G. Novotny, CPA, Shareholder, Maloney & Novotny, Cleveland. Mr. Novotny joined Maloney & Navotny in 1977 and is shareholder-in-charge of the Education Services Group. He has more than 40 years of experience working with educational institutions. His client engagements include colleges and universities, private schools, foundations, trade associations, various civic and cultural organizations and a diverse group of other not-for-profit organizations. He is a recognized industry expert and a frequent guest lecturer, presenting numerous seminars related to a variety of educational issues locally and nationally. A 1977 graduate of the University of Dayton, Tim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a past member of the Board of Directors and the executive committee of the Ohio Society of CPA's and past President of the Cleveland Chapter of Ohio Society of CPA's. Tim is the current treasurer of the Board of the Ohio Erie Canal Association; a member of the audit committee for the Cleveland Metro Parks and The United Way of Greater Cleveland, as well as a member of various other local boards.
Eddie Taylor, Jr.
President, Taylor Oswald LLC
Eddie Taylor, Jr. is President of Taylor Oswald, LLC. Oswald Companies is one of the nation's largest and most respected insurance brokerage firms. He is also a co-founder of Collaborent Group, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in the development and execution of group purchasing programs. Eddie was the founder of Integrated Consulting Services, Ltd., a privately held, third-party administrator for workers' compensation and has previously owned or operated companies in a variety of industries including warehousing and distribution. Mr. Taylor was the Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Leadership Center and is a former Board Chair for the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is the immediate past Chairman of The Presidents' Council, LLC. He also serves as a board member for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (Executive Committee), College Now Greater Cleveland, Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE), and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. He also serves on the President's Visiting Committee for Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Taylor is a graduate of Allegheny College and completed the Executive MBA Program at the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management. Eddie is an active member of The Presidents' Council in Cleveland, OH and Black Young Presidents' Organization (BYO). He's a graduate of Leadership Cleveland (Class of 2000).
Columbus
Frederick G. Hadley
Vice President, First Financial Bank
Fred Hadley is vice president of First Financial Bank. He is past president of Gladden Community House and Harvard Alumni Club of Central Ohio, a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus, a board member of Thurber House and Edison Welding Institute, and a member of the Advisory Board of WOSU Public Media. Education: B. A. Harvard University.
Kevin J. Kale
Director, Investment Advisor, Ancora Advisors
As a Senior Director, Investment Advisor, Kevin is responsible for providing comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to his clients’ specific needs. These strategies encompass Investment Management, Private Banking, Trust and Estate Services, and Wealth Planning. He takes the time to understand his clients’ unique needs, and he directs teams of specialists — often working closely with other client advisors, such as attorneys and accountants — to provide services that help clients work toward their goals. Kevin has worked in the banking and financial services industry since 2003. Prior to joining Ancora Advisors, Kevin served as Senior VP, Institutional & Private Wealth Advisor, U.S. Bank, Vice President/Client Consultant with Manning & Napier Advisors, a Rochester, New York Investment Management firm. He was responsible for coordinating all aspects of business development and client relationship management in the Midwest. His role in that firm and his commitment to growing his expertise has given him the knowledge to provide complex investment themes and solutions to Institutional and Private Wealth individuals, families and business owners. Kevin is married with two children and resides in Granville, Ohio.
Randall K. Marker
Chairman, Thomas & Marker Construction Co.
Known for his high energy, creative thinking, and his ability to read the room and engage his audience, Randy provides the vision and leadership for Thomas & Marker Construction, a commercial contractor and construction management firm, with offices in Bellefontaine and Columbus, Ohio. He joined the firm in 1984, after six years with Texas Instruments, where he worked in both their government defense and consumer electronic divisions. Focused on associate development and empowerment, through Randy's direction, Thomas & Marker has grown to become one of the largest and most reputable construction and real estate development firms in west-central Ohio. Randy's education includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. Randy is active in community economic development, and has volunteered his time in numerous organizations, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, YMCA, the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, and the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.
Ralph Smithers
Assistant VP, Diversity & Community Engagement, Encova Insurance
Ralph Smithers, Jr. leads Diversity and Community Engagement at Encova Insurance. He is responsible for managing the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts as well as managing the Encova of Ohio Foundation including relationships with community stakeholders. Ralph joined Encova (Motorists) in 1989. He has extensive experience in a variety of operational roles including personal lines, commercial lines, customer service as well as human resources. Ralph was recognized as an Outstanding Diversity Champion in 2019 by Columbus Business First and also received the President’s Award from the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals. Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and insurance from The Ohio State University in 1989. As a student at Ohio State, he was proud to be a part of the Minority Scholars Program through the (then) Office of Minority Affairs, and he was member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc as well as Gamma Iota Sigma professional insurance fraternity.
Dayton
Bear Monita
Partner, LWC Incorporated
Toledo
Tim Alter
President, Rudolph/Libbe Inc.
Tim Alter has served as president of Rudolph Libbe Inc. since 1998. His career with the Rudolph Libbe Group began in 1983 when he joined GEM Inc. as one of the specialty contractor’s first associates. Over the next 15 years, he progressed from field superintendent to operations manager and vice president of marketing and sales at GEM before being named to Rudolph Libbe Inc.’s top leadership post. Tim and the presidents of GEM Inc., Rudolph Libbe Properties, GEM Energy and Lehman Daman, lead the Rudolph Libbe Group’s journey toward safety excellence. He is past chair of the Construction Innovation Forum and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. Tim is a member of Vistage International, a peer-to-peer membership organization for CEOs, business owners and executives. He also is a member of the Ford Motor Company Key Supplier Council, the Associated General Contractors, the National Builders Alliance and serves on the boards of the YMCA of Greater Toledo, Legatus International and Saint Ursula Academy.
Barbara J. Britenriker
Executive Vice President/CFO, Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Barbara Britenriker serves as the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, executive vice president and comptroller of Farmers and Merchants BanCorp. Inc. and of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, a subsidiary of Farmers and Merchants BanCorp. Inc. Ms. Britenriker served as a vice president of Farmers and Merchants BanCorp. Inc. until April 2002 and senior vice president and also served as senior vice president for Bank. She served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president at Farmers & Merchants Bancorp. She is on the board of Junior Achievement of Archbold. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Defiance College and Master’s from the University of Toledo.
Stephen A. Hirzel
President, Hirzel Canning Company
Michael Koralewski
Vice President Site Operations, First Solar Corporation
Mike Koralewski is Vice President of Operations at First Solar. He has been with First Solar since 2006, leading their global quality and product reliability initiatives. Mr. Koralewski has been significantly involved in the globalization of the manufacturing replication process in both roles. Prior to First Solar, he was employed by Dana Corporation where he served as Director of Quality for their Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, along with a variety of quality functions throughout different business units over his 10 year time with the company. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University with a BSE in Chemical Engineering and holds an MBA from Bowling Green State University.
Ronald A. McMaster
Retired, Glasstech Inc.
Ronald A. McMaster became a trustee emeritus of The Buckeye Institute board in 2023.
Dr. McMaster received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in mechanical engineering in 1969. His area of study was convective heat transfer. He received a M.S. degree in mechanical engineering and a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering cum laude from Ohio State University in 1964. He is retired from the presidencies of McMaster Fuel Ltd. and McMaster Motor Company. The former company was developing hydrogen fuel systems for internal combustion engines. The latter company was developing the latest McMaster rotary engine invented by his father, Harold A. McMaster, and his uncle, Robert G. McMaster, both deceased. Dr. McMaster was involved with a prior version of the McMaster rotary engine in the early 1970s. Dr. McMaster was vice president of corporate development for Glasstech, Inc., when he retired in October 2001 after a 24-year career. He was subsequently retained as a consultant. Glasstech, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of glass bending and tempering systems for the international automotive and architectural glass industries. Dr. McMaster has been involved in research, development, and engineering in the glass industry for 38 years. His main interests are in the advancement of glass forming, tempering and annealing technologies and their commercialization. He holds, or co-holds, 26 patents. Dr. McMaster has given technical presentations concerning glass tempering in Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. He has published several technical papers concerning glass tempering and wrote the update of the Annealing and Tempering Section of the 3rd edition of The Handbook of Glass Manufacture 1984 and co-wrote the Annealed and Tempered Glass Section of Engineered Materials Handbook, Volume 4, Ceramics and Glass 1991. In addition to the board of The Buckeye Institute, Dr. McMaster also serves on the boards of the McMaster Family Foundation, Owens Community College Foundation and the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges as well as on the Toledo Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board, the University of Toledo College of Medicine Advisory Council, and the University of Toledo College of Medicine Medical Research Society. He also serves on Session as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Maumee. On the personal side, Dr. McMaster enjoys playing the piano, listening to classical music, singing in the church choir, flower and vegetable gardening, traveling, and learning about prosperity, Christianity, and U.S. and world history.
Michael A. Muse
AIA-Architect/Principal, The Collaborative Inc.
An architect and principal of The Collaborative, Michael Muse’s career focuses primarily on higher education. He has completed highly impactful projects on Ohio private institution campuses including: Ashland University, Baldwin Wallace University, Capital University, Defiance College, Lourdes University, Otterbein University, and Ohio Wesleyan University. At the State level, he has worked with Bowling Green State University, Clark State Community College, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Terra State Community College, the University of Akron, the University of Toledo, and Wright State University. Mr. Muse places a special emphasis on working with groups to explore options, and then build consensus amongst diverse constituents. Having joined The Collaborative in 1995 he steadily gained responsibility due to his excellent design and management skills. In 2006 he became a principal and was named board president in early 2015. Active in both the Ohio and Toledo chapters of The American Institute of Architects, Michael serves as Honor Award Committee Chair for AIA Toledo. His attention to detail creates projects which excel programmatically, with thoughtful spaces and intuitive plans. Independent juries from AIA Ohio and AIA Toledo have recognized sixteen of his projects for design excellence. Education: Bachelors of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University, 1992; Masters of Architecture from the University of Michigan, 1995. He is a registered architect in the States of Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia.
Youngstown
James G. Fahey
Chief Learning Officer, HBK CPAs & Consultants
James Fahey, PAFM is the Chief Learning Officer at HBK CPAs & Consultants, a Top 100 CPA firm with offices in OH, PA, NJ and FL. He has more than 25 years CPA firm experience working in human resources, recruiting, training and development, technology and practice management. His CPA firm experience covers a 25 person local firm, an 85 person regional firm and now a 500+ person national firm. This broad experience helps him understand the unique needs of CPA firms large and small. He is a prior board member of the CPA Firm Management Association. Mr. Fahey earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management & Human Resources from The University of Akron.
James M. Gasior
President & CEO, The Cortland Savings and Banking Company
James M. Gasior has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Cortland Bancorp and its banking subsidiary, the Cortland Savings the Banking Company, since November 2009. He is also a member of the Company's Board of Directors and has been a Director since 2005. Mr. Gasior previously served on the Company's executive management team as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and was Corporate Secretary of Cortland Bancorp and the Bank from November 2005 - October 2009. He joined the Company on March 30, 1990. His previous positions at the Company include General Audit Officer, Operations Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Senior Lending Officer. Mr. Gasior is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs. He is also a member and Director of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Ohio Bankers League, the Financial Managers Society, the RMA Northeast Ohio chapter, the Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance Advisory Council at Youngstown State University, YSU's University Outreach.
Life Trustees
David L. Belew
Retired Chairman, Beckett Paper Company
Robert E. Mercer
Retired Chairman, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Ward J. Timken
President, Timken Foundation of Canton
Charles J. Tyburski
Of Counsel, Black, McCuskey, Souers & Arbaugh