CONTENTS

Welcome from the Chamber 8

From the President’s Desk 12

Innovation Hub 16

Events 24

VEC 32

Adam Hickman 38

New Members 44

Ribbon Cuttings 52

Komara Outdoors 56

Member Search 57

Welcome from the chamber

Every issue of Valley Business offers a window into the people, companies and organizations shaping our region. This one feels especially telling.

This issue takes you inside the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, a project that builds on the Valley’s long-standing leadership in additive and advanced manufacturing while sharpening the focus on aerospace and defense. The Hub is meant to help accelerate the path from innovation to production, with space for companies to test and refine new technologies.

Just as important, it is helping grow the talent pipeline through training at Youngstown State University, along with support for paid internships and graduate-level projects tied to aerospace and defense.

We also share the story of VEC, Inc., a Girard-based, family-run firm that has built its reputation the steady way—through diversification, discipline and a long-term focus on people. Their story is a reminder that sustained growth is usually earned over time, not won overnight.

And then there is Adam Hickman, a Crestview graduate whose career has taken him from questioning college to coaching leaders at Disney and across the globe. His path is a strong example of how local beginnings and global work can coexist.

Taken together, these pages show that the Valley’s strength shows up in many forms, from bold new capacity to steady leadership to people who keep raising their own bar.

Make sure you turn to the back cover, where you’ll meet Komara Outdoors—Ed Komara Jr.’s traveling reptile education program that brings live animals and hands-on learning to schools, libraries, festivals and nursing homes. The photo says it all: Komara and his family, plus “Pete,” an Aldabra tortoise, and “Mac (& Cheese),” an albino Burmese python—a reminder that around here, learning is hands-on.

We’re proud to share these stories and proud of the people behind them.

Kim Calvert

Executive Vice President, Membership, Events & MarComm

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

The scene played out more than 18 years ago, but the conversation feels familiar.

Minutes from a Nov. 6, 2007, meeting of the Facilities/Infrastructure/Real Estate Subcommittee of the Trumbull County Economic Development Committee show the group discussed barriers to growth. One member said part of the problem was a lack of the right kinds of buildings for modern industry and argued the community needed new speculative space designed to meet the needs of business.

Another member noted that few grant programs were available to construct new buildings without a firm commitment from an end user willing to locate and create jobs.

Nearly two decades later, those observations still ring true. We continue to lack sufficient spec space and too many funding programs still require committed end users before construction can begin.

There are more interesting records from that period from the Trumbull County Planning Commission. Those records capture similar concerns across the other subcommittees. A member of the Business-to-Business Subcommittee observed that negative perceptions of the Mahoning Valley were driven by hard data: population loss, declining property values and a shrinking labor market.

That assessment proved more than factual. It was prophetic.

Over the next 16 years, the Youngstown-Warren Metropolitan Statistical Area lost a net eight people per day, every day of the year. During that same period, the region shed roughly 50,000 workers from its labor force.

There was more. A member of the Quality-of-Life Subcommittee said businesses consistently reported difficulty finding skilled workers. Concerns about employee work ethic and dedication were also raised.

All of this sounds familiar. But it would be incomplete—and unfair—to suggest nothing has changed.

We ARE making progress.

In 2021, the Regional Chamber recalibrated its economic development priorities, focusing its energy and resources on transformative strategies to prepare the area for sustained economic and job growth. Many peer agencies, including the Western Reserve Port Authority and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, along with others, leaned in.

Here are some of the results:

• Industrial spec space is under construction in Warren. In

North Jackson, a new spec building is already up and has a

tenant. Another is planned in Youngstown.

• The region’s labor pool has grown three consecutive years for

the first time since the 1990s.

• Depending on the data source, our population has increased

for two straight years, which is something that has not

occurred since the 1970s.

• Our home sale prices increased last year at one of the fastest

rates in the country.

• While we still struggle to meet demand for skilled workers, I

take some comfort in knowing it’s a universal problem. With

local partners like Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries and

the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition teaming with us to help marginalized individuals overcome barriers to

finding and keeping a job, we are tackling the issue as well as any community.

When I recently cleaned out my desk and came across the records from those 2007 meetings, my first instinct was to pitch them. In fact, my hand hovered over the trash can.

I’m glad I kept them. If the second half of this decade progresses like the first, we can draw inspiration by measuring how far we have come.

Guy Coviello

President & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

YOUNGSTOWN’S INNOVATION HUB

When Ohio announced its fourth Innovation Hub in February 2025, the designation landed in a region where the work was already underway.

The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense builds on the Valley’s long-standing leadership in advanced and additive manufacturing, sharpening its focus on aerospace and defense while accelerating the path from innovation to production. Backed by $26 million from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program and $36 million in local, federal and private investment, the initiative is designed to deliver lasting economic impact.

By 2029, project partners expect the Hub to help create approximately 450 new jobs and generate $161.6 million in economic output.

“In a nutshell, the Innovation Hub is what we are calling a proving ground of market-ready additive and advanced manufacturing technologies,” said the Hub’s Director, Megan Malara.

Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, creates three-dimensional objects one layer at a time. The technology has reshaped aerospace and defense manufacturing by enabling the rapid production of complex, customized parts, strengthening domestic supply chains.

The Hub represents a next step for America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute.

“Historically, America Makes funds a lot of R&D, early- to mid-TRL (technology readiness level) technology,” Malara said. “So, for us, this is really the next stage of technology moving toward the commercial space and being produced and manufactured so it is available in the marketplace.”

That evolution grew out of a coalition formed in 2023, when America Makes joined with the City of Youngstown, YBI, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Youngstown State University, state legislators and regional business leaders, like Humtown, to pursue innovation hub funding through the state.

The effort was awarded funding “based on a foundation of having success in this area,” Malara said, allowing partners to coordinate and amplify work that was already happening across research, manufacturing, workforce development and economic growth.

Malara said the region’s advantage is not just its additive manufacturing reputation, but the partners’ experience supporting companies.

“We have this great history and experience in supporting businesses, especially technology and manufacturing businesses,” she said. Her focus, she said, has been building the connective structure between partners so companies experience “that wraparound, all hands approach,” creating “that coordinated umbrella of activity.”

More Than a Building — But the Building Matters

YBI operates the Hub, overseeing facility management, entrepreneurship support, company growth and supply chain services for manufacturers.

Renovation of the facility—formerly The Vindicator newspaper—will proceed in phases, allowing usable space to come online while additional buildout continues, said Heidi Ruby, vice president of operations for YBI.

The first phase prioritizes mezzanine and high-bay manufacturing space, while infrastructure is being installed to support large-scale equipment, including electrical capacity, compressed air systems, onsite argon and high-speed internet. The mezzanine level will be infilled to meet structural and weight requirements, creating manufacturing-ready space while converting the area below into storage. The design also allows for flexible layouts and the potential for secured areas required for defense-related work.

Lower-level space with 18-foot ceilings is expected to be part of a later phase. The area has the capacity to house large pieces of equipment, but renovation plans are being shaped to avoid limiting future use based on freight elevator constraints. Instead, the design calls for cutting a large opening in the floor and installing a lift system that allows equipment to move vertically without restriction.

Upper floors, including a former newsroom area, are also being evaluated as part of the phased approach. While usable, the space is dated and presents challenges related to lighting, windows and heating and cooling systems.

“Structurally, the building is sound, 100%. It is the perfect facility to house something like this. It’s just going in and giving it what it needs to bring it up to today’s standards and what it would take to make the center for aerospace and defense,” said Ruby.

As the organization operating the Hub and supporting manufacturers at multiple stages of growth, YBI has seen demand quickly outpace its existing capacity.

“As far as light manufacturing space, we’re done,” said Stephanie Gaffney, YBI’s vice president of advanced manufacturing.

The additional Hub facility allows YBI to continue supporting company growth by expanding manufacturing-ready space and infrastructure aligned with industry needs.

Hub funding flowing through YBI supports demonstration activity and limited buildout for companies already operating in aerospace and defense, as well as manufacturers assessing whether to transition into those markets. The intent is to allow companies to test technologies, evaluate manufacturing approaches and access appropriate space without immediately committing to full-scale production.

Those services are extensions of YBI’s core capabilities, now aligned and scaled through the Hub’s framework. As demand develops, YBI expects its programming and support services to grow alongside the facility’s phased buildout.

Business Attraction, Expansion and Commercialization

While construction moves forward, business engagement is already active.

Lake to River Economic Development (LTR) is leading company attraction and site readiness efforts tied to the Hub, working locally, nationally and internationally to connect manufacturers with opportunities in the Valley. The priority is placing companies within the Hub facility, but when that is not feasible, LTR works to identify suitable sites across the region, with offsite companies remaining fully engaged in the Hub ecosystem.

“Our first objective is let’s get them into the actual physical structure for the Hub,” said Sarah Boyarko, LTR’s vice president of economic development. “If for some reason they cannot go there, we then take a step out and look at what available properties there are in our market.”

LTR’s work is closely coordinated with Hub partners, JobsOhio consultants and national and international business development teams, while its regional business retention and expansion program helps existing companies explore growth opportunities in aerospace and defense.

LTR is also using that business retention and expansion work to spread the word about the Hub and the services available through its partner network.

“There are a lot of companies in our market that might be considering transition into those target industries, but they have not pulled the trigger yet or they are doing something else small scale through our business retention expansion program, so it enables us to get the word out to make sure they understand what the resources are and at the right time, collectively, we are able to support their needs,” Boyarko said.

Complementing LTR’s attraction work, YBI’s Engine Tech Incubator supports early-stage technology and manufacturing startups through incubation, mentorship and commercialization support. The Engine works in coordination with LTR’s business attraction efforts by helping companies establish and grow operations in the region as they move toward market readiness.

The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) and Parallax Advanced Research are already supporting activity connected to the Innovation Hub.

“For us, we’re supporting the activities,” said Anthony Gillespie, director of Strategic and Technology Based Partnerships and Technology Transfer Office for Parallax. “A lot of our work looks at working with industry, academic and government partners that come to the Hub and are looking for support.”

Gillespie said that work centers on technology transition, commercialization and technology transfer, including helping small businesses pursue non-dilutive federal funding opportunities.

One key pathway is the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

“So, we’re working with the Hub as far as supporting clients that come to them that are preparing to get involved with that program,” he said.

Much of that support, Gillespie said, is already underway and does not depend on the physical facility being complete.

“As the building comes online, a lot of the work we do is complementary—it’s not dependent on the building being in place,” he said. “It’s really focused on the demand we receive as far as clients we interface with.”

From a business attraction standpoint, Gillespie said access to organizations that understand federal programs and innovation funding can be a differentiator for companies considering the region.

The Regional Chamber will support the Hub’s work across four key areas: leadership and governance, community engagement and convening, workforce development support and leadership development. The Chamber’s involvement includes active participation in the Hub’s governance and advisory activities through regular gatherings, like the Chamber’s annual Columbus Drive-In and D.C. Fly-In, as well as at the organization’s Lattes with Legislators series and impromptu meetings to support effective coordination and decision-making.

The Chamber will also convene quarterly community meetings to inform stakeholders on Hub progress, foster transparency and gather feedback to guide ongoing activities. In addition, the Chamber will engage local and state elected officials to build awareness, alignment and support for Hub goals and objectives, while supporting Hub companies through the JobsNow workforce initiative by connecting employers to talent pipelines, training resources and placement support.

“The Chamber helps ensure this effort is aligned with the Valley’s needs by fostering stronger connections, clearer pathways and real opportunity for companies and workers,” said Lyle Huffman, executive vice president of Government Affairs & Community Impact for the Chamber.

Building the Workforce in Parallel

YSU’s College of STEM, through Workforce Education and Innovation and the Excellence Training Center, has received Hub funding to support training in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and unmanned air systems, according to Jackie Ruller, executive director of Workforce Education and Innovation and the Excellence Training Center. The funding also supports wages for YSU student interns employed at advanced manufacturing companies in northeast Ohio, as well as graduate students working on aerospace- and defense-related projects.

Two STEM graduate students are currently supported through the program, both engaged in work that combines unmanned air systems and additive manufacturing technologies, Ruller said. Upskilling opportunities are also available for existing workers in areas such as robotics, programmable logic controllers and additive manufacturing, helping ensure the region’s workforce evolves alongside industry demand.

Looking ahead, Malara said partners want to broaden that pipeline.

“We also want to involve other players in the region, the CTCs (career and technical centers), community colleges and other workforce development partners,” she said. “The immediate work has been with YSU, but we want to make sure the region has the workforce necessary to support manufacturing and then on the flip side, make sure we are creating really good jobs for the region.”

Learn more about the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense at youngstownhub.us.

Q&A With Megan Malara

Director, Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense

Hubbard native Megan Malara, Ph.D., has returned home to lead one of the region’s most forward-looking initiatives. As director of the new Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, Malara is helping position the region at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, workforce development and national competitiveness.

We sat down with Malara to talk about what success looks like in the Hub’s first few years, how it builds on America Makes’ legacy and why this moment feels different for the region. She also shared a few personal reflections on leadership, career advice and how she resets outside of work.

Q: What does success look like in the first two to three years for the Hub and how will the region begin to feel that impact?

A: Success will include locating new companies to the region, growing our regional businesses with connections to the aerospace and defense supply chain and deepening the bench of advanced manufacturing talent to fulfill new, good paying jobs.

Q: The Hub builds on more than a decade of America Makes’ leadership in additive manufacturing. How does this initiative elevate that legacy and what makes this moment different for advanced manufacturing in northeastern Ohio?

A: Among many things, America Makes supports technology development. Our Innovation Hub builds on this work through supporting tech commercialization into market-ready parts and products. This, along with our regional focus, allows us to generate substantial economic impact in our community.

Q: Your background spans academia, health care, manufacturing and federal policy. How do those experiences shape the way you approach leading an initiative that sits at the intersection of technology, workforce development and national competitiveness?

A: I have always been motivated by service to others. With my previous experience, I was able to weave technology, education and the broader impacts of both toward that goal. In this current role, I’m excited to be on a similar path, but specifically toward supporting my home community.

Q: Workforce development is a central pillar of the Hub’s mission. What skills or mindsets do you believe will matter most for the next generation of manufacturing talent?

A: Technology is evolving rapidly. It is important to look beyond acquiring explicit technical skills. It will be incredibly valuable for all of us to learn how to adapt, have a willingness to jump in and practice continuous learning.

Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you that doesn’t show up on your resume?

A: I enjoy hiking and camping. I like to go on vacation to our national parks to unplug and relax. A few years ago, we camped at the Grand Canyon in January. On our coldest night, the windchill was 5 degrees, which admittedly was not very relaxing.

Q: What helps you reset and recharge when you step away from work?

A: Spending time with my partner, Andrew, and our four cats (George, Lemon, Yoshi and Ferb).

Q: When did you realize you were interested in STEM-related fields? When did you decide to pursue that?

A: I was most interested in math and science in high school. I had a lot of support and encouragement academically, and engineering seemed like a natural fit for my skills and interest.

Q: What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received? And what advice would you give girls and young women who are interested in manufacturing or engineering and thinking about taking that step?

A: “You don’t get what you don’t ask for.” Generally, the people in your network are looking to support you, but they need to know how. There is power and value in speaking up and going after opportunities that interest you.

We know girls and women are just as interested and as capable to pursue careers in STEM. My advice would be that while you will encounter adversity in some way at some point in your career, it is important to remember that only you get to define who you are, what you stand for and what you bring to the table.

EVENTS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

YSU Youth Orchestra Symphonette Concert

March 31, 6:30 p.m.

Ford Family Recital Hall at DeYor Performing Arts Center

Cost: Free

Contact: Michael Butler at [email protected]

Dana School of Music Concert Band and Wind Ensemble Concert

April 12, 4 p.m.

Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium

Cost: $9 for adults, $8 for students & seniors, free for children & YSU identification

Contact: Michael Butler at [email protected]

Stambaugh Youth Concert Band Spring Concert

April 14, 7:30 p.m.

Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium

Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for students & seniors

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

Mean Girls presented by MTC

April 17-26, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Main Stage at Youngstown Playhouse

Cost: $28 to $31

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

YSU Youth Orchestra Spring Concert

May 3, 4 p.m.

Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium

Cost: Free

Contact: Michael Butler at [email protected]

Youngstown Symphony Orchestra: Inextinquishable

May 15, 7:30 p.m.

Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium

Cost: $72, $57, $42 and $27; free for students & children

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

Ballet Western Reserve Spring Gala

May 16, 3 p.m.

Ford Family Recital Hall at DeYor Performing Arts Center

Cost: $32 for adults, $27 for students & seniors, $19 for children

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

Studio 32 Spring Recital

May 17, 3 p.m.

Edward W. Powers Auditorium at DeYor Performing Arts Center

Cost: $27 for adults, $16 for children

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

Jamie’s Dance Force Recital

May 22, 6:30 p.m.

Edward W. Powers Auditorium at DeYor Performing Arts Center

Cost: Pricing varies, reserved seating

Contact: Jamie’s Dance Force at (330) 856-1711 or

[email protected]

Urinetown

May 29-June 7, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Main Stage at Youngstown Playhouse

Cost: $21 to $31

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

Epic Dance Spring Recital & Showcase

June 7, noon, recreational show; 3 p.m., competitive show

Cost: $32

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

The Shark is Broken

June 19-28, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

The Youngstown Playhouse Downtown

Cost: $21

Contact: YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or

[email protected]

OTHER EVENTS

33rd Annual Holocaust Commemoration

April 14, noon-1 p.m.

Mahoning County Courthouse Rotunda

Cost: Free

Contact: Melissa Bateman at (330) 746-3251, ext. 159 or

[email protected].

OH WOW!’s 15th Birthday Bash

May 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

OH WOW!, Youngstown

Cost: BOGO free admission

Contact: Katie DeToro at (330) 744-5914 or [email protected]

OH WOW!’s 15th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

May 15, 5-8 p.m.

Woodland Estate, Youngstown

Cost: $100, sponsorships available

Contact: Katie DeToro at (330) 744-5914 or [email protected]

JCC Logan Campus Opening Weekend

May 23

Cost: JCC membership or guest pass required

Contact: Tara Bishop at (330) 746-3251, ext. 112 or

[email protected]

Camp JCC

June 1-Aug. 7, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Tuition information available at

www.jccyoungstown.org/campjcc

JCC of Youngstown Suzi Solomon Golf Classic

June 8

Registration information and sponsorship opportunities

available at www.jccyoungstown.org/golf

Contact: Nic Bush at (330) 746-3251, ext. 114 or

[email protected]

HEALTH & WELNESS

*For events at Boardman Park, contact Mia Albaugh at (330) 726-8105

or visit boardmanpark.com

Matters of Balance

March 30, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room,

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

These classes are open to the public and designed for anyone who could benefit from additional support with balance, confidence and safe movement.

Tai Ji Quan

April, Mondays & Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room,

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Tai Ji Quan is a gentle movement class open to participants of all ages, with a special encouragement for older adults looking to improve balance, flexibility and overall mobility. These low-impact classes focus on slow, controlled movements that support strength, coordination and confidence.

Matters of Balance

April, Every Monday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room,

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

These classes are open to the public and designed for anyone who could benefit from additional support with balance, confidence and safe movement.

Matters of Balance

May, Every Monday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room,

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

These classes are open to the public and designed for anyone who could benefit from additional support with balance, confidence and safe movement.

Tai Ji Quan

May, Mondays & Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room, Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Tai Ji Quan is a gentle movement class open to participants of all ages, with a special encouragement for older adults looking to improve balance, flexibility and overall mobility. These low-impact classes focus on slow, controlled movements that support strength, coordination and confidence.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

EGGstravagnza

March 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Boardman Park

Cost: Ticketed event. All proceeds support Olivia’s Grace.

Visit boardmanpark.com to purchase tickets.

Join Boardman Park for the Annual Spring EGGstravaganza Fundraiser. Bring your little ones for a fun-filled day of Easter-themed activities!

Memorial Day Celebration

May 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

The Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Boardman Kiwanis Club, starts at Boardman Center Intermediate School on Market Street and proceeds north to U.S. Route 224, then marches toward Boardman Township Park. After, the Memorial Day Service will be at the Maag Outdoor Theatre. We invite all veterans and community members to join us as we recognize, remember and express our thankfulness for the sacrifices of our military forces to preserve our way of life.

LUNCH & LEARNS

Boardman Park’s Monthly Lunch & Learn

April 2, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Register: RSVP is required. Register online or call the Boardman Park Office at (330) 726-8105.

Boardman Park’s Lunch & Learn series is a free educational program designed for older adults looking to stay informed, engaged and connected. Each session features guest speakers from trusted local organizations who share valuable information on topics important to seniors, including mental health, insurance, wellness and other resources that support healthy, independent living. This session will focus on common mental health topics.

May 7, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: Free.

Register: RSVP is required. Register online or call the Boardman Park Office at (330) 726-8105.

Boardman Park’s Lunch & Learn series is a free educational program designed for older adults looking to stay informed, engaged and connected. Each session features guest speakers from trusted local organizations who share valuable information on topics important to seniors, including mental health, insurance, wellness and other resources that support healthy, independent living. This session will focus on common mental health topics.

OTHER EVENTS

Tech Thursday

April 2, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room,

Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Do you have a new phone or laptop? Are you receiving suspicious texts, phone calls or emails? Do you want to learn more about reconnecting with others on social media? Understand technology and learn the warning signs at Tech Thursday. A light snack will be provided.

Conservation Conversations

April 15, 6-7:30 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Register: Register at boardmanpark.com

This informative, hands-on workshop focuses on smart water use at home. The presentation will highlight simple and effective ways residents can conserve water, utilize rainwater for projects such as gardening and help prevent backyard water retention issues.

Senior Fun Day

April 16, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: $2 and includes a guest speaker, lunch, exercise and bingo.

Register: Limited to 80 individuals. RSVP online or call the Boardman Park office at (330) 726-8105.

Capes & Crowns

May 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: This is a ticketed event. More details will be shared as they become available.

Capes & Crowns is a magical and action-packed time at Boardman Park designed for moms and mother figures to enjoy a special night out with their children. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes or royalty. The night will feature music, dancing, themed activities, crafts and games.

Tech Thursday

May 7, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Stambaugh Room, Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Do you have a new phone or laptop? Are you receiving suspicious texts, phone calls or emails? Do you want to learn more about reconnecting with others on social media? Understand technology and learn the warning signs at Tech Thursday. A light snack will be provided.

Baby Bargain Boutique

May 16, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Masters Pavilion, Boardman Park

Cost: Free with the donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit a local food bank.

Boardman Township Park invites families to the annual Baby Bargain Boutique, a one-stop shopping event for gently used baby and children’s items. This popular sale features more than 100 local vendors offering clothing (sizes newborn through 14), toys, books, equipment and more.

Pre-Schoolers in the Park

May 19, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Tots Town Playground, Boardman Park

Cost: Free

Join us for a morning of learning, movement and outdoor fun at Preschoolers in the Park. This program invites preschool-aged children and their caregivers to enjoy the park through stories, songs and nature exploration. Little ones will participate in interactive song time and story readings followed by a gentle, guided nature hike through the park.

Senior Fun Day

May 21, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center,

Rotary Room, Boardman Park

Cost: $2 and includes a guest speaker, lunch, exercise and bingo.

Register: Limited to 80 individuals. RSVP online or call the Boardman Park office at 330-726-8105.

PET EVENTS

Paw-Lapalooza

April 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lariccia Family Community Center, Boardman Park

Cost: Fee

This fun-filled day will celebrate our four-legged friends while bringing the community together for activities, education and opportunities to support local animal welfare efforts. There will be contests and prizes, as well as doggy swag bag while supplies last.

For events at Boardman Park, contact Karen McCallum at (330) 726-8105 or [email protected].

For events at Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown Playhouse & DeYor Performing Arts Center, call the YourArts Box Office at (330) 259-9651 or visit experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.

Regional Chamber Events

Contact Chuck Rudge, senior events coordinator, at (330) 744-2131, ext. 1225 or

[email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events.

Mahoning Valley Safety Council

April 1, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Leo’s Ristorante

Cost: $35/members; $45/non-members

Power Lunch

April 7, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

INC Collab Mixer / Opportunity Ready Graduation

April 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $10

Annual Meeting

April 16, 7:30-9 a.m.

Location: WAYPOINT 4180

Cost: $50/members; $60/non-members

Power Lunch

April 21,11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

Good Morning, Lordstown / North Jackson / Newton Falls!

April 28, 7:30-9 a.m.

Location: SHAPES Unlimited

Cost: $35/members; $45/non-members

Good Morning, Mahoning!

May 5, 7:30-9 a.m.

Location: The Lake Club

Cost: $40/members; $50/non-members

Power Lunch

May 5, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

Mahoning Valley Safety Council

May 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Youngstown Country Club

Cost: $35/members; $45/non-members

ATHENA Award Dinner

May 14, 6-9 p.m.

Location: Waypoint 4180

Cost: $125/members; $140/non-members

Power Lunch

May 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

Good Evening, Austintown!

May 21, 5-7 p.m.

Location: Hollywood Gaming at

Mahoning Valley Race Course

Cost: $40/members; $50/non-members

MVYP 25 Under 35 Gala

May 28, 5:30-9 p.m.

Location: The Lake Club | Cost: $100

Power Lunch

June 2, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

Mahoning Valley Safety Council

June 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: The Grand Resort

Cost: $35/members; $45/non-members

D.C. Fly-In

June 10-11

Location: Washington, D.C. | Cost: $800

Power Lunch

June 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: TBD | Cost: $20

VEC’s long game: Diversification, discipline and family leadership

VEC, Inc. is a Girard-based family-run electrical, mechanical and fabrication construction services firm that operates in a variety of markets across the Eastern and Midwest U.S. In the front row, from left, are Tricia Ferry Frate, executive vice president, Operations; Mary Ferry, owner; Rachel Barber, executive vice president, Finance; and Elizabeth Angelo, director of safety. In the back row, from left, are Bruno Frate, vice president, Manufacturing / Industrial Construction Services; Rex Ferry, CEO & president; Dominic Spelich, executive vice president, Client Services; Jeff Barber, executive vice president, Projects; and Jason McClellan, vice president, Oil & Gas.

At VEC, Inc., growth has come through steady expansion, diversification and a long-term focus on people.

Valley Electrical Consolidated, Inc. was founded in 1975 and through the acquisition of Evets Electric, which was founded in 1965, marked their 60th anniversary in 2025. The path to today’s VEC, Inc. later included owner and Leavittsburg native Rex Ferry, who graduated in 1969 and went straight into the electrical trade.

“I was fortunate enough to get into an apprenticeship right out of high school, so I started my four-year apprenticeship as an electrician in 1969 and for 20 years I banged around with the tools and eventually created a relationship with the man who started this company, Mike Russell …,” he said.

Ferry began working in the field for Russell’s Valley Electrical Consolidated, which did significant work at the former General Motors Lordstown facility at the time. Over time, he moved into foreman and superintendent roles, then became a project manager in the early 1980s.

He acquired Valley Electrical Consolidated in 1990, setting the stage for its growth into what is now VEC. At the time, the company employed about 25 people and provided electrical construction services for industrial clients in the Valley, including the GM Lordstown plant. In fact, because of the amount of work at the GM plant, it’s where Valley Electrical Consolidated truly got its start.

Through the 1990s, the company expanded outside the tri-county area, taking on work across Ohio and hiring additional talent to support heavy industrial electrical construction. During that period, Ferry’s daughters, Tricia Ferry and Rachel Barber, began working full time for the family business after spending their school years helping clean offices and wash vehicles. Both would go on to build long careers inside the company.

The early 2000s marked a period of accelerated growth. Jeff Barber, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Rachel’s husband, joined the company and launched the Systems Integrator Division in 2001. Two years later, the company acquired Evets Electric, expanding into the oil and gas industry.

Rex Ferry said that acquisition positioned the company to provide services “right at the wellhead” through the finished product, including compressor and metering work.

In 2010, the company acquired JL Allen, adding general contracting capabilities and expanding its service portfolio. Over time, the business diversified into multiple divisions, including industrial electrical construction, oil and gas, systems integration, power and electric utility work, civil and infrastructure services and general contracting.

Today, the company employs about 80 people in-house and approximately 230 in the field across multiple trades, including electricians, welders, fitters and civil crews. Work spans

several states, depending on project demand.

As the company grew, leadership formalized its core values of faith, family and community. Annual leadership retreats were introduced to guide strategy, followed by field leadership conferences that brought supervisors together for training and collaboration.

There were difficult times. A three-year period starting in 2016 tested those systems.

“What we learned in the difficult times of that,” Rachel Barber said, “everybody buckled down, everybody pushed their shirt sleeves up, everybody stayed extra.”

She said leadership emphasized cost discipline and process improvement across the organization. “We fine-tuned every process,” she said. “You didn’t spend a penny without coming and verifying why.”

That same year, Rachel Barber, Tricia Ferry, Jeff Barber and Dominic Spelich, Rex’s nephew, were promoted to executive vice president roles overseeing finance, operations, projects and client relations. Rex Ferry stepped back from day-to-day operations while remaining involved in strategy and long-term direction. Also, 2016 marked the transition to VEC, Inc.

Now 74, Rex Ferry splits time between Ohio and Florida and is pulled into operations infrequently.

Under the second-generation leadership team, diversification has remained a core strategy. Rachel Barber said adding divisions helped the company manage the cyclical nature of construction work.

As executive vice president of finance, she oversees corporate compliance, contract review, licensing and the company’s subcontractor onboarding process. While a controller manages day-to-day accounting, she remains hands-on in guiding financial discipline as the company continues to grow.

Operational investments have continued. Rex Ferry said the company has a prefabrication facility in Hubbard to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Components are assembled offsite and delivered ready to install, with items counted in sets of five or more typically prefabricated.

In addition, the company has two locations in Girard, including its headquarters, and an office in Tennessee.

The company has also invested in equipment designed to save labor on job sites.

That operational approach shapes how the company pursues large projects. Rex Ferry said the company often prefers manageable scopes rather than serving as the primary contractor.

“We like the surrounding, the little pieces, controllable crews,” he said. “You don’t have the massive amount of people, the massive headaches.”

Recent local work includes projects tied to Ultium Cells and Amazon. The company also maintains a service presence at Vallourec, where one employee is stationed onsite daily for maintenance work.

In June 2024, the company expanded into the Nashville, Tenn., market, driven by work tied to Ultium Cells 2 in Spring Hill, Tenn. Tricia Ferry said that project prompted leadership to consider a permanent presence in the region.

“That work had us thinking this location sounds like something strategically the company would need,” she said.

The company established an office in the former Saturn plant administrative building and employs six people in the Nashville area, including union field workers and in-house management.

As executive vice president of operations, Tricia Ferry oversees operations, IT, field services and talent management.

“I have sat in many different seats throughout my time here, but I felt my niche was people,” she said. “We didn’t have a true HR department, so that was something I felt I was able to bring everyone together, check in on everyone.”

She described a care program that supports employees and their families during illness or hardship, along with a corporate chaplain who is available to workers and their families. A culture committee gathers feedback through quarterly surveys and meets to act on that input.

“We try to be available as much as we can,” she said.

Family remains a visible part of the company’s identity. Rex Ferry said at one point the company had 28 family members working in-house and in the field. And Tricia Ferry’s husband, Bruno Frate, is vice president of Manufacturing/Industrial Construction Services.

Also, family connections extend beyond the Ferry family, including employees who are married, fathers and sons and cousins working together, Rachel Barber said.

“I’m proud that they want their gen two for them to work here,” she said. “It’s a good place to work, that they are proud to work here and they’re proud to have their family work here.”

The third generation is also present. Barber said her daughter, Elizabeth Angelo, works at the company as director of safety.

Community involvement is structured through the VEC Community Foundation, established in 2011. Employees can contribute through payroll deductions tied to additional vacation days, with funds directed to causes selected by employees.

Workforce development also remains a priority. The company partners with Mahoning County and Trumbull County career and technical centers and recruits from regional colleges to introduce students to careers in the trades.

“Those that are here, if they want to be here, the opportunity is there,” Tricia Ferry said.

Rachel Barber, who has worked at the company for 28 years, said the company’s future remains tied to the Mahoning Valley.

“I see us still here in the Valley,” she said. “I don’t see us going anywhere.”

For Rex Ferry, the company’s trajectory continues to center on its workforce.

“We care about our people and that is how we have been successful,” he said.

What Grit, Gratitude and Growth Can Build Over a Lifetime

How Adam Hickman went from questioning college to coaching leaders at Disney and across the globe

When Adam Hickman graduated from Crestview High School in 2002, college initially didn’t feel like a fit.

“Not for me,” said the former New Waterford resident now living in Poland.

Two decades later, Hickman holds four degrees, including a Ph.D., has authored or co-authored three books, has spoken to audiences around the world, advises C-suites and boards and helps shape leadership development within one of the world’s most complex and recognizable organizations, the Walt Disney Company.

His work centers on building organizations where culture and leadership development are deliberately designed to drive sustained performance and outcomes.

As vice president of organizational and employee development for Partners Federal Credit Union, serving the Walt Disney Company, Hickman leads a team of human resources professionals in the areas he calls the “light side” of HR.

That includes everything from internal communications to onboarding to learning and organizational development. Career pathing is a major focus of his team’s work, and more recently, so is guidance around AI development and safe ways to use it grounded in cybersecurity practices.

For Hickman personally, much of his work centers on senior leadership.

“I primarily work on C-suite development and executive coaching,” he said, often serving as a coach and between executives navigating complex decisions.

Hickman has been with Disney for about four years, following more than a decade at Gallup, where he advised Fortune 500 executives on employee engagement, strengths-based leadership and organizational transformation. His work spanned industries including financial services, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and energy.

“I had kind of hit a pinnacle at Gallup,” Hickman said, adding Gallup supported employee growth and didn’t stand in the way when a better opportunity emerged, so when he signaled an openness to new opportunities, a Disney contact reached out.

“It was the right day at the right moment,” he said.

That timing followed an intense period of professional visibility. In 2019, Hickman published a dissertation outlining a psychological model for remote workers and the impact to employee performance. When COVID-19 hit, demand for that research surged almost overnight.

“I think I worked a year and a half straight, Monday through Sunday,” he said. “I was burned out and tired.”

Parallel to his corporate work, Hickman has maintained a long-running academic and writing track. He has taught as an adjunct professor at institutions including Adrian College, Kent State University, the University of Nebraska, Capella University and Hiram College.

A role teaching freshman at Kent State directly led to his first book. Assigned a textbook he believed was flawed, Hickman asked a dean if he could write his own and use it instead.

Permission granted, he wrote Leadership Theory in Action, a textbook that remains in use at Kent State and has been adopted by other institutions.

His second book, Grit and Gratitude: The Science and Art of a Successful Career and Life, grew out of a commencement address at Hiram College, where Hickman was asked to reflect on what had shaped his own success.

“When I got off the stage, I had a bunch of parents ask me about what else I had on the topic. I said nothing. The board at Hiram asked me to talk about what has made success for me and those were the two things, grit and gratitude,” Hickman said.

That sort of response, along with outreach on social media, messages and emails, prompted him to expand the message into a book focused on resilience, mindset and leadership under pressure.

His most recent publication, Work Stronger: Resilient Bodies, Focused Minds, Stronger Careers, began as what Hickman describes as a passion project. In 2020, his health was deteriorating, which prompted a demanding diet and exercise routine that drew frequent questions from those curious about how to design their own journey. He co-wrote the book with his neighbor, a Youngstown anesthesiologist, connecting neuroscience, physical fitness and workplace performance. The project attracted attention from leaders and organizations, including former Youngstown State University President and head football coach Jim Tressel, Ohio’s lieutenant governor, and Westside Barbell, a legendary strength-training gym in Columbus.

Two additional books are now in progress. One focuses on performance management in the modern workplace. The other is a collaborative project with his son, pairing a student perspective with Hickman’s viewpoint as a parent and employee.

Hickman’s speaking work has followed an equally organic path. While at Gallup, he was limited to Gallup-branded engagements, even as demand for his insights grew following following his dissertation. After leaving the firm, he publicly signaled he was open to opportunities.

In his first year, he spoke at more than a dozen conferences. From there, invitations compounded.

Drawing on insights gained from advising and engaging with leaders across Dubai, Seoul, Saudi Arabia and North America, Hickman brings the hindsight of the world’s most influential leadership environments to the foresight of emerging leaders. That perspective shaped his role as the 2024 commencement speaker at Hiram College, where he challenged graduates to translate global lessons into purposeful impact at the start of their careers.

At the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Harvey Awards Banquet, Hickman was the keynote speaker, presenting on the needs of followers from leaders drawn from a survey of 100,000 people: trust, hope, stability and compassion.

NEW MEMBERS

Regional Chamber New Members Oct. 1, 2025 to Jan. 15, 2026

AGRICULTURE

GREEN VALLEY SEED

Columbiana

greenvalleyseed.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ASHTABULA ARTS CENTER

Ashtabula

ashtabulaartscenter.org

YOUNGSTOWN KNIGHTHAWKS

Youngstown

facebook.com/ytownnigthhawks/

ASSOCIATIONS

MAHONING COUNTY FARM BUREAU

North Royalton

ofbf.org

BUSINESS SERVICES

AUDEN ENTERPRISES

Warren

AVA DRONE SERVICES, LLC

Hubbard

avadroneservices.com

BALENTINE SOLUTIONS, LLC

Youngstown

balentinesolutions.com

CMC SIGNATURE NOTARY SERVICES

Hubbard

cmcsignaturenotary.com

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT- STRUTHERS

Struthers

expresspros.com

JESSICA CREATIVE STRATEGIES

Salem

jessicacs.com

PRODUCTIVITY PARTNERS

Youngstown

productivitypartners.net

STRATEGIC AIR CAPTURES

Cortland

strategicaircaptures.com

WORK.FLOW.WELLNESS.

Youngstown

CONSTRUCTION

ADVANCED UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS (AUS)

Columbiana

digaus.com

EPOXY DEPOT

Austintown

INFINITY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

Warrensville Heights

infinityconstruction.com

STEEL CITY METAL ROOFING AND TRIM

Cortland

steelcitymetalroofingandtrim.com

THE DIRT SURGEON, LLC

Cortland

TOTAL FIRE PROTECTION

Mineral Ridge

totalfirepro.com

WINDOW DEPOT AND HOME TEAM HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Youngstown

windowdepotyoungstown.com

EDUCATION

BARREL OF MONKEY’S CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOL

Austintown

facebook.com/BarrelofMonkeysDC

BUCKEYE RANGECRAFT, LLC

Brookfield

buckeyerangecraft.com

FINANCE

TOAST

Beachwood

FOOD SERVICES

JOEE’S VENDING

Beaver Falls, Pa.

joeesvending.com

GOVERNMENT

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

North Jackson

jacksontwp.net

VILLAGE OF EAST PALESTINE

East Palestine

VILLAGE OF McDONALD

McDonald

mcdonaldvillage.com

HEALTHCARE

DR. ALYCE CISINE, LLC

Hubbard

dralycecisine.com

HOPE COUNSELING & ADDICTION SERVICES

Youngstown

atcov.org/hope-counseling

MATTHEW’S EYE ASSOCIATES

Boardman

maureenmatthewsmd.com

MEADVILLE MEDICAL CENTER

Hubbard

mmchs.org

MIND & BODY COUNSELING SOLUTIONS

Boardman

mindandbodycounseling.net

OHIO VALLEY TEEN CHALLENGE

Youngstown

atcov.org

SOLERO BEHAVIORAL TRANSITIONS YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown

newvistahealth.com

VALLEY RECOVERY PARTNERS

Austintown

valleyrecoverypartners.org

HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR

ACCURATE RECYCLING

Stoughton, Mass.

BUCKEYE BRANCH & TREE SERVICE

Warren

facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581935189357#

H & J BRICK RESTORATION

Youngstown

hjbrickrestoration.com

Regional Chamber Ribbon Cuttings

Sept. 27, 2025 to Jan. 7, 2026

THE BRACEVILLE AFRICAN AMERICAN

HERITAGE MUSEUM

Newton Falls

baahm.org

PEAK DANCE & GYMNASTICS COMPANY

Boardman

www.facebook.com/p/PEAK-Dance-and-

Gymnastics-Company-61576899853617/

COLEMAN HEALTH SERVICES

Warren

colemanservices.org

COLLINGWOOD CENTER

Campbell

collingwoodcenter.com

DAIRY QUEEN - NILES

Niles

dairyqueen.com/en-us/locations/oh/niles/

5790-mines-rd/43145/

LA LA’S DAYCARE & LEARNING CENTER

Campbell

www.facebook.com/people/La-Las-Daycare-

Learning-Center/100064145101117/

JADE’S EVENTS & DESIGN CO. & POP UP ON MAIN

Kinsman

www.facebook.com/p/Jades-Events-

Design-Co-61579787845855/

CENTURY 21 – BANKO GROUP

Poland

http://rc.lakesiderealtyhomes.com/

users/wendy-banko

KANPAI SUSHI

Boardman

www.facebook.com/p/KanPai-Sushi-Youngstown-61579120568159/

MERCY HEALTH – OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Warren

mercy.com/locations/specialty-locations/occupational-health/mercy-health-boardman-occupational-health

MEADVILLE MEDICAL CENTER

Hubbard

mmchs.org

THRIVE 10:10

Girard

thriveneighbors.org

LAKEVIEW ACE HARDWARE

Cortland

acehardware.com/store-details/05527

ELITE PHARMACY

East Palestine

elitepharmacy.com

TSAOCCA BOBA TEA

Niles

tsaocaaniles.com

SIMS TRUCK CENTER

Warren

simsbuickgmc.com

EPOXY DEPOT YOUNGSTOWN

Austintown

epoxydepotusa.com

SOUL WELLNESS & AESTHETICS

East Liverpool

soulwellnessandaesthetics.com

COOKIE CUTTERS HAIRCUTS FOR KIDS

Youngstown

haircutsarefun.com/location/youngstown-oh

KLINE’S FARM DEVELOPMENT – POTTER’S CIRCLE

Liberty

altobellihomes.com

ROCKPORT WEALTH ADVISORS

Youngstown

rockportwealth.com

THE SANDBAR & GRILL

Youngstown

thesandbarandgrill.com

SHOP OF TREASURES

Niles

shopoftreasures.com

MAGNOLIA’S CREATIVE COTTAGE

North Lima

magnoliascc.net

MADE & FOUND

Austintown

madeandfoundohio.com