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Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know

by #427890

Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jun 12, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's

    If Jim Mazany's career had a soundtrack, it would open with Prince. His first concert was the Purple Rain tour at Nassau Coliseum. Since then, his path has run from washing dishes on Long Island to culinary school in Hyde Park to leading brands like TGI Fridays, Logan's Roadhouse and Joe's Crab...

  2. 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 experiential learning, and creating a workplace in which...

  3. 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 year to live, learn, work, and play in the community.…

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  4. 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 Strong knowledge of various CRM programs. A true competitor…

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  5. 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 movies across streaming platforms. In his role, Ryan leads...

  6. 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 University with his degree in Chemical Engineering. Max was...

  7. 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, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. 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 experience in leadership, business development, and human...

  9. 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 aviation career as an Air Force ROTC cadet at the University of...

  10. 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 2000 after 20 years with the business. He holds an EMBA…

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  11. 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 grew up hanging around the Furniture stores and…

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  12. 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 successful community relationships and programs designed to…

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  13. 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 Gillespie has full responsibility for managing and directing the...

  14. 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 ago, with revenues and earnings having grown significantly...

  15. 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 commitment to public safety through education and…

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  16. 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 Army for the last 10 years, most recently serving as the...

  17. 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 and education, and undertakes major tree planting...

  18. 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 staff in 2013, she has transformed the organization…

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  19. 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 services, Katie brings deep clinical expertise and a personal...

  20. 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 experience in directing and executing technology strategy and...

  21. 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 resource allocation in the five county region. She has held this...

  22. 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 leadership, JA of Greater Cleveland has significantly...

  23. 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 and risk management firm providing commercial…

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  24. 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 Imaging and Diagnostics, Lisa is at the forefront of…

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  25. 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 decision making. These efforts led to Y.O.U. being recognized by...

  26. 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 Breakthrough Public Schools (BPS), one of the highest-rated...

  27. 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 sale within three days. He’s passionate about scaling…

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  28. 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, one of the largest early stage raises in Ohio’s history....

  29. 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 his leadership, the company expanded into the world’s...

  30. 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 Provider of PPE care and maintenance in the world, their...

  31. 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 increasing responsibility in the public transit industry. Birdsong...

  32. 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 Works, and Frito Lay. In 2018, he received the Business...

  33. 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 Signature Homes. He holds a civil engineering degree from Case...

  34. 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, Spain her junior year of college. Her continuing desire to...

  35. 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 ultimately pay for the cost of tuition and living. The...

  36. 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 Klaben Sr. Throughout the years, Richard worked in various...

  37. 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, and African American communities in health promotion and...

  38. 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 500 sales and business operations. Matt is a life-long...

  39. 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-market success has established a template for the company’s...

  40. 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 executive producer of the acclaimed documentary, Escape from...

  41. 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 Pharmacy Manager at University Hospital Health System Geneva...

  42. 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 supporting his city and finding success for his company all…

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  43. 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 in transforming spaces with a keen eye for color…

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  44. 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. He serves on the board of the Sorensen Institute and sits…

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  45. 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 of performances and concerts as well as hosting eight...

  46. 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 of our collective partners. Erika has held executive and...

  47. 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  48. 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 include leading a major effort to eliminate the waiting…

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  49. 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 for equity and excellence. He previously served as Chief...

  50. 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 and brings over 20 years of industry experience to the...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style.

HOSTED BY

#427890

Produced by Newsradio WTAM 1100 (WTAM-AM)

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know have?

Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know currently has 238 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know about?

Get to know business leaders in Northeast Ohio. Learn about their business and management style.

How often does Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know release new episodes?

Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know publishes regularly with 238 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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Cleveland's CEOs You Should Know is created and hosted by #427890.
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