Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know
Business & Finance
About
Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style.
Episodes
- Andrew Medvedev, Weatherhead School of Management
Andrew Medvedev became dean of the Weatherhead School of Management on July 1, 2024. His focus is on cultivating a culture of trust and belonging in the school, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and research, implementing impactful…
- Amber Gibbs, CEO Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
As Superintendent and CEO of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD), Dr. Amber C. Gibbs and her team support more than 15,000 Cuyahoga County residents with developmental disabilities and their families each…
- Emil Gamidov, CEO ONYX
Experienced entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of operating successful businesses in multiple different vertical markets. Skilled in Leadership, Recruiting, Development, Negotiation, Sales, Value Selling, Account Management, and Stro…
- Ryan Schreiber, CEO Streamline
Ryan Schreiber is a Cleveland-based entrepreneur and technology executive, best known as the Co‑Founder and CEO of Streamline , a consumer-focused technology company designed to simplify how audiences discover and access sports, shows, and…
- Max Pennington, CEO Cleanr
Max Pennington is the CEO and one of the co-founders of CLEANR, a Cleveland-based platform filtration technology startup venture focused on tackling microplastics at its source. Max graduated Summa Cum Laude from Case Western Reserve Unive…
- Castle Noel 2025 CEO
Step into the fantasy world of Mark Klaus, creator of CASTLE NOEL. “America’s Largest Year Round Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction.” Experience 40,000 square feet of amazing installations,
- Nicole McKinney-Johnson, President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Nicole McKinney-Johnson is President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), a role she has held since September 2024 after previously serving as interim CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors. With more than 25 years of exper…
- Kenn Ricci, CEO Flexjet
Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur and the Principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, where he also serves as Chairman. Kenn began his aviat…
- Bob Denning, CEO Perry's Ice Cream
As the President & CEO of this 4th generation, 102-year-old organization, Robert has led the transformation of the company into the international world-class supplier and distributor it is today. Robert was promoted to President & CEO in 2…
- Cleveland Furniture Company
The Cleveland Furniture Company has its roots right here in Cleveland, which date back to the 1970’s! Paul Cirino SR. (our Dad!) jumped into the furniture business with Furniture Land in 1975 and never looked back! Paul Jr and Jason Cirino…
- Daniel Roberson, Executive Director PNC Fairfax
Daniel Roberson serves as PNC Fairfax Connection’s executive director, PNC’s free community resource center in Cleveland’s historic east side community. In his role, Roberson leads the center’s staff in sustaining and building upon success…
- Wesley Gillespie, President Erie Bank
Mr Gillespie is the President of ERIEBANK, a subsidiary of CNB Bank. Wesley has been responsible for the expansion of the bank into the Cleveland market, as well as lead the growth efforts of ERIEBANK. In his role as President, Mr Gillespi…
- Brad Knapp, CEO ClearStead
On January 1, 2025, Brad was named President and CEO of Clearstead, succeeding longtime partner David Fulton who has assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus. As CEO, Brad is now leading a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years a…
- Roger Lipscomb, Executive Director Ohio 811
Roger Lipscomb has led OHIO811, Ohio’s “Call Before You Dig” Notification Center, as President and Executive Director since 2006. With over 30 years of experience in the utility infrastructure and excavation sectors, Roger’s steadfast comm…
- Joel Ashcroft, Area Commander for Greater Cleveland Salvation Army
Joel and Kathleen Ashcraft were both born in Ohio to Salvation Army officer parents. As transition is inevitable in The Salvation Army, they both moved and grew up in the greater New York City area. They have been officers of The Salvation…
- Paul Abbey, Founder of Rooted In Trees
Paul Abbey is the founder of Rooted in Trees, a non-profit organization established in 2020 which works to restore and preserve the native tree canopy in Northern Ohio. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on community engagement…
- Patty Starr, CEO Health Action Council
Patty Starr is president and CEO of Health Action Council and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization--build stronger, healthier communities where business can thrive. Since joining the Health Action Council…
- Katie Payne, CEO Lifebanc
Katie Payne is the Chief Executive Officer of Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s only nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization. A registered nurse and healthcare leader with nearly two decades of experience in transplant and donation servi…
- William Wappler, CEO Surgere
William Wappler is a visionary in technology, innovation, and AI. William’s focus is on managing the rapid growth of Surgere, while supporting a strong organizational culture and exemplifying our core values. He has over 20 years of experi…
- Grace Gallucci, CEO Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency
Grace Gallucci is the Executive Director for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for greater Cleveland, responsible for transportation and environmental planning, as well as resourc…
- Al DiFranco, CEO Junior Achievement
Al DiFranco proudly serves as President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. Prior to becoming President of JAGC in July 2022, Al was the organization’s Vice President for Development and Programs for four years. Under Al’s…
- A conversation with the leadership team at Brunswick Companies
Todd Stein CEO of Brunswick Companies proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Hirsch and Rachel Weinberg as Co-Presidents marking a pivotal moment in the company's evolution as a third-generation family-owned, independent insurance a…
- Lisa Giganti, CEO Lumina
Lisa Giganti Chief Executive Officer at Lumina Imaging and Diagnostics. Lisa Giganti is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, innovation, and financial management. As the Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Imagin…
- Craig Dorn, CEO Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Craig Dorn , President and CEO, joined Y.O.U. in 1989. Craig has headed operations, programs and strategic planning throughout his Y.O.U. career. In addition, he has led efforts to create a culture that gathers and uses data to drive decis…
- Andrew McRae, CEO of Breakthrough Public Schools
Andrew M. McRae is a passionate and experienced educator, public speaker, and transformational leader with over 16 years of serving in underserved communities in Houston, Tulsa, and Cleveland. As the founding Chief Academic Officer for Bre…
- Augustine Wadian & Noah Jackson, Premier Home Pros
Augustine “AJ” Wadian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Premier Home Pros, a home improvement company projected to hit $180 million in revenue by 2025. AJ sparked the idea for the company, launching it with his partners and closing their first…
- Michael Sirpilla, CEO Society Brands
Michael Sirpilla is a co-founder and CEO of Society Brands Inc., a tech-enabled consumer products company headquartered in Canton, Ohio that acquires e-commerce native brands. Society Brands recently raised $205MM for acquisition financing…
- Jeff Beck, CEO Window Nation
Jeff Beck is a distinguished leader in the home improvement industry, known for driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustained growth. His career began at Leaf Home Solutions, where he rose through the ranks to become CEO. Under…
- Steve Allison, CEO Fire-Dex
Fire-Dex, provides innovative PPE customized to keep firefighters safe. A family-owned company that is committed to the health and safety of first responders. Partnered with their sister company, Gear Wash , the largest Independent Service…
- India Birdsong Terry, General Manager and CEO of The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
India L. Birdsong Terry serves as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). She joined RTA in September 2019 and brings over 15 years’ experience working in positions of increasi…
- Mark Allen Roberts, CEO OTB Solutions
Mark Allen Roberts is a senior level sales and marketing leader with over 35 years of experience in driving profitable sales growth in market leading organizations. He has done so at companies like Timken, VMI, Gardner Denver, Mobility Wor…
- Ted & Kelly Otero, Otero Signature Homes.
Ted Otero: Ted Otero is a Cleveland native from Independence and now resides in beautiful Auburn Township with his wife and business partner, Kelly, and their two children Isabella and Austin. He is the founder and President of Otero Signa…
- Megan McNamara, Co-Founder Prayers from Maria Foundation
Megan graduated from Marquette University with a liberal arts double major in Spanish and English and earned a minor in Philosophy. As an AFS student she attended the University of Sevilla and went on to attend the University of Madrid, Sp…
- Nick Lopez CEO, Lime Painting
Nick Lopez attended Arvada West High School and left Colorado as a wide-eyed first-generation college student to work on a BS in business marketing from Michigan State University. His plan was to walk on to the wrestling team, which would…
- Richard Klaben, CEO Klaben Auto Stores
Richard Klaben, CEO of the Klaben Auto Stores Richard Klaben has been the CEO of the Klaben Auto Stores since 2010, but active in the business since 1974 when he began detailing cars for the founder of the business – his father, Albert Kla…
- Centers For Black Health and Equity
The Center for Black Health & Equity is a leading nationally recognized public health entity that provides solutions to issues impacting African American health. We engage health care organizations, public health officials, faith leaders,…
- Matt Jones, CEO Affinity Whole Health
Matt Jones, CPA serves as CEO of Affinity Whole Health. Founded in 2012, Affinity has assisted thousands of men and women with hormone therapy and injectable weight loss. Matt's career began in public accounting, he spent time in Fortune 5…
- Ilan Sobel, CEO Bio Harvest Sciences
Ilan Sobel has been the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences since July 2020. Ilan has brought the company’s first product, VINIA, to North America, building a direct-to-consumer machine that is now generating significant revenues. VINIA’s go-to-mar…
- Robin Ganzert, CEO American Humane
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., serves as president and CEO of American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the first to serve animals, whenever and wherever they are in need of rescue, shelter or protection. She is the exec…
- Richard F. Trice Jr., R.Ph., MBA, President Glenbeigh Hospital & Outpatient Centers
Richard F. Trice Jr., R.Ph., MBA President Glenbeigh Hospital & Outpatient Centers Rick Trice is the President of Glenbeigh Hospital, part of the ARMC Health System. Before joining the ACMC Healthcare System in 2017, Rick served as Pharmac…
- David Dannemiller, Regional President First Financial Bank
David has been a banking leader in Northeast Ohio since 2011, as part of a career that includes more than three decades of banking experience nationally, focused on corporate and commercial banking. Cleveland is his home, and he enjoys sup…
- Paula Blankenship, CEO of Heirloom Traditions Paint
With over a decade of pioneering work at Heirloom Traditions Paint and my current leadership role as CEO of CamCoat, I bring a wealth of experience in product development and the creative direction of our products. My core competencies lie…
- Matt Caulkins, CEO Appian
Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board Matt Calkins is Appian's founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Matt grew Appian from a startup in his basement to the most successful software IPO of 2017 with only $10 million of outside capital.…
- Craig Hassall, President and CEO of Playhouse Square
Craig has worked in the arts in the United Kingdom, Australia and now, the United States. His current role is in Cleveland, Ohio as the President & CEO of Playhouse Square, a unique collection of 12 venues presenting an impressive season o…
- Erika Anthony, Executive Director of Cleveland Votes
Erika L. Anthony, a native New Yorker, is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland VOTES . Cleveland VOTES is a nonpartisan, democracy-building movement that works to reconstruct and strengthen power through active participation…
- Jon Reiss, CEO Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission
The Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission understands the issues today’s veterans are facing. Most of the staff is comprised of veterans dedicated to serving their fellow veterans and their families.
- Amber Gibbs, CEO of Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Amber C. Gibbs joined Cuyahoga DD in 2008 and served in a variety of supervisory and leadership roles, most recently as Chief Administrative Services Officer, before becoming Superintendent and CEO in 2023. Her notable accomplishments…
- Dr. Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Dr. Warren Morgan is Chief Executive Officer for Cleveland Metropolitan School District where he leads one of the largest school systems in Ohio. As an experienced educator, Dr. Morgan recognizes the potential of every child and advocates…
- Travis Nelson, CEO of Diversified Fall Protection
Travis Nelson is the CEO of Diversified Fall Protection, the largest turnkey fall protection integrator in the U.S. for regulatory-driven systems and services. Nelson is a distinguished leader and influencer in the fall protection industry…
- Stuart Muszynski, CEO Values in Action Foundation
Presented by Cleveland, Ohio-based, non-profit organization, Values-in-Action Foundation , the Kindland movement is bringing together communities, businesses, organizations, and schools by recognizing and sharing the acts of kindness aroun…