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Executive Interviews
Ohio is the state of perfect balance. In this section, you will find Ohio executives sharing their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. Their stories will explain how, in Ohio, business success can be achieved in the broader context of a fulfilling life.
Ed Burghard, Executive Director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, facilitated the discussions with these leading Ohio executives.
Mark Kohoot, Senior Director, Marketing & Business Development, ViaSat-ECC (Cleveland, Ohio)
Learn how ViaSat-ECC provides core technologies to advanced communications systems.
Learn more about Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates from Co-President John Nottingham. Ray Leach, Chief Executive Officer, JumpStart Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
Learn about JumpStart Inc., a national leader in helping Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs succeed. Dana Myers, President and Owner, Myers Motors (Tallmadge, Ohio)
Learn about Ohio's own Myers Motors' vision for the future of electric vehicles. Ray Dalton, President & CEO, PartsSource Inc. (Aurora, Ohio)
Learn what kept Ray Dalton in Ohio. Elaine Roberts, President and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority (Columbus, Ohio)
Learn more about Columbus Regional Airport Authority and Ohio's leadership in the logistics industry. Neil Adelman, CEO, BlueBridge Networks, LLC (Cleveland, Ohio)
Find out why Neil Adelman is passionate about Ohio. Debbie Holy & Ellie Chalko, Co-Owners, Cynergies Consulting, Inc. (Highland Heights, Ohio)
Learn how a positive work:life balance can benefit your company.
Margaret "Margy" M. Judd, President, Executive Arrangements, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
Learn how Margy Judd overcomes "The Hassle Factor" in Ohio.
Mike Broderick, President & CEO, Turning Technologies, LLC (Youngstown, Ohio)
Find out what brought Ohio native Mike Broderick home.
A. Eddy Zai, Founder & CEO, The Cleveland Group (Bedford Heights, Ohio)
Learn about A. Eddy Zai's professional and personal success in Ohio.
Hayley Savage, Owner, Hayley Gallery (New Albany, Ohio)
Learn how Hayley Savage fulfilled her lifelong dream in Ohio.
Deborah Donley and Paul Voinovich, Co-Principals, Vocon (Cleveland, Ohio)
Learn about Ohio’s unique environment that has made Cleveland-based Vocon successful.
Glenn Hasek, Publisher & Editor, Green Lodging News (Middleburg Heights, Ohio)
Learn why Green Lodging News calls Ohio home.
Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, Founder and CEO, Rise Sally Rise, Inc. (Tallmadge, Ohio)
Learn how Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett finds work:life balance professionally and personally.
James L. Hambrick, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, Ohio)
Learn how The Lubrizol Corporation serves customers worldwide from its headquarters in Ohio.
Rob Felber, President, Felber & Felber Marketing (Twinsburg, Ohio)
Learn how Ohio’s business environment helped grow Felber & Felber Marketing.
Duane Jebbett, President and CEO, Rowmark LLC (Findlay, Ohio)
Learn more about Ohio’s diverse business environment.
Chris Bardos, Co-Founder/Partner and Certified Fund Specialist, Ascend Advisory Group, LLC (Columbus, Ohio)
Learn more about Ohio’s diverse business environment.
Craig Zamary, Founder and President, Green Energy TV (Youngstown, Ohio)
Learn how the Ohio-based Green Energy TV brings renewable/alternative energy news to viewers around the world.
Ravi Kunduru, CEO, Ventech Solutions
Learn more about Ohio's thriving information technology industry.
Tony Dennis-president and CEO, BioOhio
Learn about how one of Ohio’s gems, BioOhio, is propelling the state into the bioscience industry.
Matt Dopkiss, Co-Founder, dynamIT Technologies, LLC
Learn how Ohio’s strong technology industry and business-friendly environment helped young companies like dynamIt Technologies LLC flourish.
Dr. Amol Soin, President & CEO, The Ohio Pain Clinic
Learn how Dr. Amol Soin returned to his Ohio hometown, bringing the most advanced techniques to treat pain management.
Paul Orban, Market Leader, BHDP Architecture
Learn how Ohio’s strong academic institutions and initiatives like the Strategic Plan for Higher Education are directly benefiting Ohio’s leading companies like BHDP Architecture.
Ellen Minerd and Jane Vitou, Co-Founders, Bootcamp Babes
Learn how Ohio’s business environment attracts small-business owners.
John Kratz, President, Information Control Corporation
Learn how Ohio's business climate has helped transform the technology industry.
Ric Powell, Managing Partner, Accel Advisors
Learn how Ohio’s business and community culture encourages work:life balance.
Wayne Earley, President and CEO, PolymerOhio
Learn about how Ohio's leading polymer industry influences site selection and expansion.
Richard Simpson, Managing Partner, Bricker & Eckler LLP
Learn how Bricker & Eckler LLP recruits and retains some of the sharpest legal minds in Ohio.
Dr. "Chip" Souba, Dean of the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University
Learn how The Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center has become a top leader in academic medical centers.
A.J. Hyland, President and CEO, Hyland Software Inc.
Learn how Ohio-based Hyland Software Inc. has a successful business track record.
Gary Cooper, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Cooper Farms
Learn how Cooper Farms continues to succeed in the wholesale food supply industry.
Eric Boltz, President, Marathon Sensors Inc.
Learn how Marathon Sensors Inc. competes in a global economy.
Bill Fuller, Vice President of Business Development, Akron Polymer Systems
Learn how Ohio's strength in the polymer industry and talented workforce helped APS succeed.
Bob Massie, President, Chemical Abstracts Service
Learn how Bob Massie and CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society and the global leader in chemical information, thrive in Ohio.
Jerry Hutton, Dean of Energy and Transportation Technologies, Hocking College
Learn what the future holds for Ohio's energy industry.
Rob Howlett, Founder and CEO, Circlesprout Ltd.
Learn how Ohio's low cost of living, short commutes, water activities and creative opportunities have brought this executive to Ohio.
Tillie Hidalgo Lima, CEO, Best Upon Request Corporate, Inc.
Learn how Ohio's environment helps Tillie and her company assist clients in improving bottom line profit performance by helping employees better integrate their work and personal lives.
Paul Kolada, Founder and Principal, Priority Designs
Learn how Ohio's creative and talented workforce is benefiting Paul and his business.
Tim Tsao, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Kahiki Foods, Inc.
Learn how Ohio's recent tax reform has helped Tim's entrepreneurial business.
Dr. Raymond Noe, Robert and Anne Hoyt Designated Professor in Management and Human Resources, The Ohio State University
Learn more about Dr. Noe's views and research on how work:life balance positively impacts profit performance.
Andre Thornton, Chairman & CEO, ASW Global
Learn how Ohio's world-class transportation infrastructure is critical to the success of this growing third-party logistics company.
Linda Abraham-Silver, President and Executive Director, Great Lakes Science Center
Learn how Ohio's fresh water supply will be a key consideration for capital investment and site selection decisions in the future.
Stan Ahalt, Executive Director, Ohio Supercomputer Center
Learn how Ohio's world-class cyberinfrastructure can benefit your organization.
Bahman Teheri, CEO and founder, AlphaMicron
Learn how Ohio's advanced materials industry is thriving due to the state's outstanding labor pool, marketplace access and work:life balance.
Glenn Balasky, Executive Director, The Zangmeister Center
Learn how Ohio's quality health care is attracting capital investment in Ohio.
Mike Mallett, founder and CEO of Corporate Research International
Learn how Ohio's promise of Balance Without Compromise is helping Mike attract the best and brightest talent.
Mark Kohoot, Senior Director, Marketing & Business Development, ViaSat-ECC (Cleveland, Ohio)
ViaSat-ECC, located in Cleveland, Ohio, develops innovative satellite and wireless technology for advanced broadband satellite and specialized military communications systems. ViaSat-ECC offers design and development services for some of the most advanced satellite, optical and tactical communication networks, in both the commercial and government sectors. In addition to advanced system and modem design, ViaSat-ECC is a fabless semiconductor design center that delivers advanced application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC).
The ViaSat-ECC division was formed when Efficient Channel Coding Inc. was acquired by ViaSat in 2005 to act as the ViaSat ASIC Design Center of Excellence. ViaSat-ECC digital design capabilities are enhanced by partnerships with Xilinx and Altera, the leaders in the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) industry. An FPGA is a semiconductor device that can be configured by the customer or designer for advanced digital processing.
ViaSat-ECC was founded with the goal of developing, manufacturing and marketing advanced communications products and services. Employees include system engineers, digital design engineers, software engineers and ASIC support engineers with a range of experience in designing ASICs for high-speed modems. ViaSat has received national recognition for its record of growth, including three years of recognition on the Inc. 500 list of private companies, BusinessWeek "100 Best Small Corporations" and Forbes "200 Best Small Companies in America."
Mark Kohoot joined ViaSat-ECC in late 2008 as senior director of marketing and business development. Previously he was with Eastman Kodak of Rochester, New York, responsible for restructuring the channel strategy of Kodak's $1.3 billion Consumer Digital group.
As an entrepreneur, Mark founded the Cleveland-based American World Trade in 2002 to manage exports for a variety of U.S. manufacturing companies. He also is the founder of DataFortress, the first fire-and water-resistant home data storage system, later acquired by Schwab Corp.
With significant international experience, Mark speaks several languages fluently. He and his family spent six years in the Netherlands during a series of pan-European leadership roles for AT&T and Lucent Technologies. His international experience is deep, with several years spent as the executive director of the French American Chamber of Commerce, a degree in international business from The Ohio State University, and graduate studies in marketing at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce (now Audencia) in Nantes, France.
Married with a son, Mark lives in Cleveland Heights and is involved in a variety of charitable causes for the arts and education. He enjoys the arts, outdoor activities, metalworking and woodworking, and studies on the evolution of science. Community activities include volunteering at University School, Project Learn literacy for children and Santa's Hideaway. He is also a member of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art and the French American Chamber of Commerce.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: First, the outstanding value of Ohio's cost of living allows our employees to enjoy a lifestyle that could not be achieved in Silicon Valley at twice the salary, and makes the pricing of our services more competitive. Second, the abundance of quality universities in Ohio provides an excellent labor pool and opportunities to collaborate on leading-edge technologies. Third, the truly supportive efforts of our legislators and the Ohio Department of Development who have made every effort to help us grow and prosper in Ohio.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: ViaSat-ECC was founded by local entrepreneurs with strong ties and advanced degrees from local universities, and aided by a strong relationship with NASA Glenn Research Center that continues to be a great source of internships and engineering talent for us. Recently, we began collaboration with the Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering at Cleveland State University, where our integrated circuit design is complementary to its mission, in addition to opening new potential markets for us. Personally, whenever I have had the opportunity, I have enjoyed being a guest lecturer on international business at Cleveland State University.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: The promise is very authentic. I think that it is safe to say that every type of business is represented in Ohio, so no matter what one's career goals are, they can be achieved at the highest levels of professionalism. And, we at ViaSat-ECC know that the highest of high-tech businesses can be started, nourished and flourish in Ohio. When you add that to the overall quality of life, lower commuting times, lower cost of living and access to outstanding educational resources, it is clear that professional growth is made easier in Ohio.
I was born and raised in Ohio and graduated from Ohio State, which gave me the exposure to the wider world. That led to graduate studies in France and Fortune 500 employment in Europe for more than six years. With many doors open, at decision time, my family and I chose to return to Northeast Ohio for my son's education, the arts and the overall quality of life.
Q: Thinking of people you know, share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations?
A: Russell Fuerst, ViaSat-ECC vice president and general manager, has a typical Northeast Ohio "boomerang" profile. He was born and raised in Cleveland, attending Case Western Reserve as an undergrad before getting his doctoral degree at the School of Optics at the University of Central Florida. From there, he learned some strong technical and business lessons from several high-tech companies and start-ups before returning to Cleveland to apply those lessons learned to founding and growing ECC. Here he is able to retain contact with his family and lifelong friends, while still maintaining a challenging and fulfilling career in a high tech industry that he has been educated and trained to thrive in. A balanced life means not having to compromise in any aspect, and Ohio provides the ability to eliminate the compromises on both the personal and professional sides.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work/life balance?
A: A happy and well-adjusted employee is a productive employee. Additional hours spent in the office end up with a diminishing return, particularly when a technological hurdle needs to be overcome. Technology often depends on "eureka" moments for advancements, and those sorts of moments can happen anywhere, at anytime. Furthermore, nothing can burden creative thought as much as knowing that a family member needs care, or some other issue that will distract from the task at hand. Our ability to offer employee remote access or 24-hour office access is a large part of attracting the talent we need to excel.
Because people are our most important resource, we do our best to accommodate. Some staff arrive early so that they can leave to be on time to collect their young ones from school. Others have flex-time so that they can earn another degree. We also have many people volunteering for a variety of public service and charity works, and we are happy to support these important "give-backs" to the community that help us prosper.
Q: If an executive from your industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry-specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: First, Ohio is an excellent hub for logistical purposes. We are strategically located within reach of most North American population centers overnight, and we have excellent highways, air, rail and shipping infrastructure that permit just-in-time practices as well as delivery. Second, talent and innovation from Ohio's workforce: No matter the needs, from blue collar to white collar to PhD's, they are available in Ohio. And in addition to the educational variety, the Midwestern ethics of smart work, initiative and integrity assure good workers. Third, Ohio's technology hubs and related infrastructure: There is too much to mention, but NASA Glenn, Wright-Patterson AFB, the state's research universities, Battelle, Cleveland Clinic Innovation Center, the fiber network of One Community and OARNet are among the good examples of the high-technology infrastructure that is in place and waiting to be used. Few regions in the world can boast this level of technological innovation and support.
Q: Trailing spouses need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: A trailing spouse should know that Ohio offers so many opportunities. Ohio is a great place to raise a family. The excellent quality of schools, the value and variety of housing, the outstanding healthcare, and the friendliness of neighbors all contribute to that. But it is the depth of the community that really lets a spouse get comfortable. World class arts, plentiful continuing educational opportunities, beautiful parks, professional sports, great dining and all the things one would expect in a major city are very accessible. And, our foundations and charities are unique, offering many opportunities for volunteerism for any interest. My wife Andrea and I consider Cleveland as a place with mid-Western ethics and sensibilities along with a very sophisticated and cosmopolitan social scene.
Q: What is the most unique thing you have discovered about Ohio that you share with others?
A: With such a variety to offer, and being unable to live without the famous West Side Market of Cleveland, this is the most difficult of all your questions. But as far as unique, I must say the Cuyahoga River Valley, Ohio's only National Park, is one of the most "quiet" assets despite being one of the most used recreation centers in the country. Our headquarters is located only steps from the vast parkland, and at the same time, only minutes from downtown Cleveland. The value of having a walk in nature or a quick bike ride at lunch time is hard to beat when one can clear one's head, think in quiet, have a breath of fresh air and take a moment to be thankful for where you have the privilege of living.
John Nottingham, Co-President, Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
John R. Nottingham is the co-founder and co-president of Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc., one of the leading new product and package innovation groups in the US with over 500 commercialized patents to date. Nottingham-Spirk product innovations have helped to create jobs and growth for Ohio companies and throughout the US for over 35 years. Notable design support projects include Crest SpinBrush®, Swiffer SweeperVac®, and Sherwin-Williams Twist & Pour® paint container.
The Nottingham-Spirk Innovation Center is a nationally recognized historical landmark overlooking the University Circle area of Cleveland. This world-class facility is one of the most complete, vertically-integrated product development centers in the US, combining product invention, design and engineering with rapid prototyping, structural packaging, graphics, new media, consumer research, quality control and sourcing of manufacturing.
John Nottingham received his industrial design degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art. He received honorary doctorate degrees from New York College of Health and Cleveland Institute of Art. He serves on the Boards of Trustees for Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Institute of Art, University Circle, Inc. and several private equity companies. John is married with three children and lives in Bratenahl.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: First, our University Circle location gives us ready access to world-class academic and medical facilities. Second, Cleveland has a diversity of established businesses and suppliers that we rely on for our type of creative activities. Third, Ohio provides the potential for our associates to obtain great balance in their lives while achieving professional success without sacrificing personal dreams. Only in Ohio can you strike that perfect work:life balance.
Q: John, as a Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, what alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: We recruit our talent from the fields of product design, engineering and marketing, and Cleveland is fortunate to have top tier colleges for all of these fields. We also have an internship program that ensures we hire the best from each field so that we see if their abilities and "chemistry" fits in with our culture. For product design, there simply isn't a better school than the Industrial Design Department at the Cleveland Institute of Art. For engineering we recruit from the renowned Engineering School at Case Western Reserve University. We also recruit marketing talent from Case's Weatherhead School of Management.
Q: In your experience, what should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio as a home for their family?
A: An executive recruiter here once told me that his second biggest challenge was to get job candidates and their spouses to consider coming here. Then he said that his biggest challenge was getting them to leave, once they relocated here. This may tell you everything that you need to know about evaluating Ohio for relocation.
Q: Real estate professionals often say location, location, location. What are your thoughts on Ohio's location and logistics capabilities?
A: If you look at a U.S. map, Ohio is centrally located to the vast majority of population centers. In fact we can typically make a day trip to anywhere in the US except the West Coast. Cleveland does not have the kinds of traffic jams that plague other metropolitan areas such as Chicago or New York. The fact that we can go from place to place often in less than half an hour is unheard of in other cities.
Ray Leach, Chief Executive Officer, JumpStart Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
Ray Leach brings his energy and leadership experiences from founding five high-growth entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial endeavors over the last twenty years to JumpStart Inc., one of the most active and innovative venture development organizations in the United States.
JumpStart is a nationally recognized venture development organization that helps Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurs succeed in rapidly growing their early-stage companies into large ventures. As part of its robust public-private partnership model, JumpStart recognizes the integral support of the Ohio Third Frontier program, the state's largest-ever commitment to expanding Ohio's high tech research, innovation, commercialization and company formation activities, which are increasing opportunities for all Ohioans.
Ray's career began at IBM and has been principally focused on information technology companies previous to creating and leading JumpStart in 2003. Ray is a Sloan Fellow and earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He also earned a BA in Finance from the University of Akron. Ray serves on the boards of the Council of Competitiveness in Washington DC, the Red Cross Blood Services of Northern Ohio, and is the Chairman of the Invent Now Kids board of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: At JumpStart, success is defined by the growth of several new companies that create hundreds or thousands of jobs for Northeast Ohio citizens. As a result, we evaluate the factors that make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and rapidly grow companies.
One of the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers is the Ohio Third Frontier program. Particularly through a program called the Entrepreneurial Signature Program, the Ohio Third Frontier has provided funding for technical assistance for entrepreneurs all over the state. No matter where an entrepreneur lives in Ohio, he or she has access to customized strategic and operational assistance, fundraising support, and networks and connections, all which are critical to success.
The second thing that Ohio offers is risk capital investment resources for all stages of companies, enabling companies to access the funds needed to grow. The Ohio Third Frontier has expanded the availability of pre-seed funds and seed funds (the first money into a company after friends and family money). Also, the Ohio Department of Development's creation of the Ohio Venture Capital Authority has dramatically raised the activity and profile of venture capital investing in Ohio. With the overall increase in entrepreneurial activity of the last five years, the number of venture capital firms investing in companies in Ohio has also increased dramatically; almost 90 firms have made their first investment in an Ohio company in the last five years.
A third benefit for entrepreneurs living in Ohio is a dynamic, thriving entrepreneurial culture. Across Ohio, there are a variety of social networks and programming activities that bring entrepreneurs together to share experiences, collaborate, and build upon their ideas. The number and types of these events have increased dramatically in the last several years, and entrepreneurs with aspirations to start a business in Ohio can now easily access these networks.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio has a well-diversified labor pool which meets the needs of any business. Between the outstanding four-year public university system and the strong network of community colleges, Ohio's higher education systems create highly skilled researchers, scientists, inventors, technicians and business managers who are ready to invent, commercialize and lead the companies of today and the future. The breadth of skill sets in Ohio's historic, current and future labor pool is a real asset to businesses in Ohio.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: JumpStart was co-founded by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, which continues to be a significant generator of new technologies and companies in Northeast Ohio. JumpStart often works with technologies that were invented at Case by working with the entrepreneurs who are helping develop these technologies into businesses. These businesses are attracting significant angel and venture capital, and creating jobs that strengthen Ohio. JumpStart also interacts regularly with many of the other universities and their technology transfer offices in its region, including Cleveland State University, the University of Akron, Kent State University and Youngstown State University.
Q: Ray, you've lived in a number of large cities. Based on your experience, how authentic is the Ohio Promise that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life?
A: It's 100% authentic. After having lived in and worked a number of other cities, including Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley and Chicago, I was attracted back to the Northeast Ohio area where I grew up because of the professional opportunities available here for those who are looking to make an impact. At the same time, Ohio offers all the amenities that our family was seeking including great schools and universities, friendly neighborhoods, professional and collegiate sports, and world-class art and cultural institutions. In Ohio, you can have the best of both worlds - professional and personal success.
Q: If an executive from your industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: An executive from our industry would be a venture capitalist looking to make a capital investment in a company in Ohio.
The Ohio Third Frontier program and Ohio Department of Development have created two specific incentives for investment in Northeast Ohio companies. The first is the Ohio Capital Fund (OCF), which is a "fund of funds" that was established to help increase private investment in Ohio companies in the seed or early stage of business development. OCF provides investment dollars to venture funds which commit to invest at least half of the monies in Ohio-based companies, corporations and individuals.
The second incentive is one of the best tax incentive programs of any state called The Ohio Technology Investment Tax Credit. The OTITC allows investors in qualified technology-based Ohio companies to reduce their taxes by 25-35% of the amount invested. This program plays a significant role in helping build a whole new set of investors who can lead new investment rounds, or partner with professional investors, to help companies access the capital they need to move to the next level of development and impact.
The third would be investment opportunities in the high growth companies in Northeast Ohio themselves. Building on the region's historical strength and expertise in advanced materials, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, the region is rich with companies exploring clean-tech business opportunities such as energy and electricity creation, fuel cells, bio-fuels, solar energy, clean water technologies, and cleantech industrial applications. The Cleveland Clinic and other top-tier medical centers have generated significant healthcare innovation including national leadership in medical imaging, orthopedics, regenerative medicine, cardiology and neurostimulation. Northeast Ohio also has innovative new ventures in a variety of other sectors including IT, agriculture, and business and consumer products and services. Professional investors would benefit themselves and their partners by learning about the great environment and opportunities that exist for them in Ohio.
Dana Myers, President and Owner, Myers Motors (Tallmadge, Ohio)
Myers Motors is the only company in the U.S. producing and delivering affordable highway speed all-electric vehicles. And, they're located right here in Ohio.
Myers Motors' NmG (No more Gas) is America's only all-electric, highway-legal, personal vehicle with a maximum speed of 75+ mph. It is a fully enclosed, single-passenger vehicle with two front wheels and a single drive wheel in the rear. With a 220-volt service, charging to 95 percent full can be accomplished in about 45 minutes. For those who don't need the fast charging option, the NmG will plug into any 110 volt, 20 amp service outlet. A fully energized NmG will go 25 to 30 miles, the average distance people drive their car every day.
The history of the NmG goes back to the Corbin Sparrow produced by Corbin Motors. The Corbin Sparrow was flawed with a history of electrical and mechanical problems and quickly bankrupted its company. Along came Ohio businessman Dana Myers who believed strongly that replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with electric ones can make the world a cleaner, better place. He bought Corbin Motors and started Myers Motors. Rechristened the NmG, Myers Motors offered the new redesigned electric vehicle for sale in 2006.
Dana lives in Silver Lake, Ohio with his wife, Barbara, and two children (one a sophomore in college and one a sophomore at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio). They attend Hudson Chapel, have been active with The Jesus Film Project and Walk Thru the Bible, and took their family to Africa four years ago to plant gardens in South Africa. Dana loves spending time with his family, reading and playing golf.
Not only has Dana achieved professional success with Myers Motors, but he's found that perfect work:life balance that only Ohio has to offer.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: First, Ohio has a great network of professionals and development programs. JumpStart TechLift Advisors, a program to help guide Northeast Ohio technology entrepreneurs, helped us tremendously. We were provided with a great deal of encouragement and advice, as well as introduced to important resources throughout Northeast Ohio.
Second, another benefit unique to Ohio is its easy access to multiple distribution channels, which will become even more essential when we introduce our high-volume production vehicle. We have the option to evaluate the most cost-effective methods to ship quantities of vehicles which may not be available in every state. We can continue using trucks, but we also have the option to use the railroads in the future. And in a few years when we begin to export vehicles, Lake Erie is a close and convenient international port.
Third, Ohio has a long and rich history in the automotive industry. Even though our vehicles are enclosed motorcycles, building them has overlap with the auto industry. We see this access to both a large pool of educated and skilled workers and an established supply network as important for our future growth.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: The University of Akron has been a really strong research partner for Myers Motors. Research projects with the University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have greatly improved our utilization of lithium battery technology and are leading the way to making our vehicles practical for more consumers. We are proud to have the University's Robotics Team, led by world-class researcher Dr. Tom Hartley, working with us to compete in the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Education Program, a national program designed to encourage young people to pursue careers in energy-efficient sciences and technology, made possible through a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. We have also benefited from hiring interns from Kent State University. Additionally, several institutions have talked with us about expanding their programming to provide training for building and maintaining electric vehicles, which will be essential as our industry grows.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work: life balance?
A: Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance. I have more time with my family and volunteer activities because I don't have to endure a long commute like in other major cities such as New York, Chicago or L.A. The ability to achieve work:life balance in Ohio attracts people to live in the state.
I believe community outreach is a critical component to a healthy corporate environment. Living in Ohio allows me to have the extra time to give back to the community.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: We enjoy our work and we love a job done well, however, we realize that work alone cannot satisfy all of an individual's needs. We try to maintain an atmosphere that encourages our staff to develop and maintain healthy spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects to their lives, including good relationships both on and off the job. People with a balanced life have less negative stress to distract them and can bring more creativity and energy into work with them. Creating a better work environment is part of creating a better life.
Q: Thinking of people you know, share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations.
A: My brother Scott Myers and his wife, Gina Burk, balance their professional and personal work as well as anyone I know. Scott followed me as the president of our family business, SD Myers Inc. His wife Gina operates Accent Communications, a business that provides communication and organizational strategy for non-profits and small businesses. They enjoy the region's many cultural offerings as members of the Akron Art Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art and Stan Hywett, as well as getting out to the Cleveland and Akron symphonies and local plays as often as possible. Even with their professional success, they find the right balance to give back to their community. They are both active in their church, help with various local ministries and agencies and find time to run half marathons (Gina also competes in triathlons), not to mention spending quality time with their families.
Q: Trailing spouses need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: Whatever your family needs, Ohio has it. Many communities offer very strong educational programs. Northeast Ohio has an excellent professional arts community - museums, music, dance, theater - and solid training programs for children. We have teams from multiple levels of almost every professional sport as well as great college, high school and amateur sports. There are numerous good churches from which to choose, and many family-oriented activities are available throughout the region. Northeast Ohio also has access to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and many beautiful park systems offering educational and fun programs.
Ray Dalton, President & CEO, PartsSource Inc. (Aurora, Ohio)
When PartsSource outgrew its Northeastern Ohio facility, doubling sales to $100 million in 2007 alone, officials across the country tried to persuade President & CEO Ray Dalton to relocate to their states. No chance. Ernst & Young's 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year had already built and sold six successful companies in California, Oregon, New Jersey and Illinois. But for the last 17 years, he's called Ohio home.
PartsSource is the nation's only multi-manufacturer, multi-modality alternative parts supplier supporting both imaging and biomed parts requests for hospital equipment. PartsSource is committed to providing excellent customer service and superior pricing to every customer each and every day.
Ray's story is fascinating. He grew up poor in L.A., but through faith, confidence and perseverance, he's built an extremely rewarding business career. Still, nothing is more important to him than faith and family. In Ohio, he doesn't have to sacrifice them for business success.
With the office, the city and favorite outdoor activities all within minutes of home, Ray has the ability to do more each day, from running one of the nation's fastest-growing businesses to spending quality time with his grandchildren to directing a not-for-profit international humanitarian organization. Ray has found the perfect balance in Ohio.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: The top three things all begin with a P.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio's labor pool is world-class and readily available. I started PartsSource in January 2001 and we have grown to over 200 employees. We continue to hire and are able to recruit entry and middle level managers at a brisk pace. Ohioans want to work and they want to produce world-class products and services.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance. I have more time with my family and volunteer activities because I don't have to endure a long commute like in other major cities such as New York, Chicago or L.A. The ability to achieve work:life balance in Ohio attracts people to live in the state.
I believe community outreach is a critical component to a healthy corporate environment. Living in Ohio allows me to have the extra time to give back to the community.
For example, PartsSource uses its network to move excess or obsolete medical equipment from the U.S. to India, South American and other impoverished countries where it can dramatically improve the quality of life. In many cases, that equipment is in perfect working order, but the technology is considered outdated for hospitals in the U.S. In other cases, some of the equipment isn't working and PartsSource provides the needed parts to restore functionality. The outdated technology is used to save lives. Other organizations PartsSource actively supports include Mediquip Missions, Global Links, India Gospel League, Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Ships, Assist International and the Akron Pregnancy Center.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: They come to work energized and prepared. The lack of traffic, the peacefulness of the topography, and the closeness of family are all important. In addition, only in Ohio have I seen the closeness of multiple generations of families that stay together. Many of the other business areas I have experienced are transient and lack the glue that binds work ethic and family.
Q: Thinking of people you know, share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations?
A: I hired an engineer who runs the technical side of our business. Since coming to the company, he has been able to expand his role as a lay pastor. In addition, he is a major contributor to the community and is improving the quality of life for people in Ohio through mission trips as far away as India. The State of Perfect Balance is real for this employee, and I am proud to have brought him here.
Q: People need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should executives and their families consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: Coming to Ohio provided me the ability to get off the treadmill and enjoy both my life and my faith. I became a scoutmaster and am very involved in raising my three boys. The business environment and low cost of living in this area contributed to my success. In other locations where I've lived, like Los Angeles and Chicago, I would never have had the time. Being in Ohio has made a personal impact on the life of my sons and my grandchildren. Because of the quality of life here in Ohio, I have regained my life.
Learn more about Ray's journey by reading his book, Proceed With Confidence.
Elaine Roberts, President and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority (Columbus, Ohio)
Elaine Roberts is president and CEO of Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA), an independent, governmental entity responsible for operating three Central Ohio airports: Port Columbus International Airport (CMH, focus on commercial air service), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK, emphasis on cargo and passenger charter flights) and Bolton Field (TZR, a corporate and general aviation airport).
Previously, Elaine was executive director of the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority, CRAA's predecessor, and prior to that was executive director for six years of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, which operates T. F. Green (Providence) Airport and five other state-owned airports. She began her airport management career with the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 1983 where she served for 12 years.
Some of Elaine's notable accomplishments since her arrival in Columbus include leading the successful merger of the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority and Rickenbacker Port Authority and successfully guiding the airports through dramatic changes after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
In addition to her CRAA duties, Elaine sits on the boards of Experience Columbus, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and State Auto Financial Corporation. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Columbus Region Logistics Council, Executive Committee of the Columbus Chamber, Transportation Policy Committee of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, and the Infrastructure Steering Committee and Air Service Committee of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Elaine is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and has served in a number of official and organizational capacities within the American Association of Airport Executives. She is Second Past Chair and serves on the Executive Committee of AAAE-National Board as well as serving on the Board of the International Association of Airport Executives. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and sociology from Western Kentucky University, a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Louisville, and a law degree from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.
Q: What does Ohio uniquely offer that you feel have helped make Columbus Regional Airport Authority successful?
A: The airports we operate benefit from the advanced network of highways and interstates, which allows people from across the state and beyond to easily access Port Columbus and Rickenbacker. Ohio's diverse economy has also benefited our business as the demand for quality air service, whether for moving people or goods, is a reflection of the economy in general. Some industry sectors have helped support the economy while other sectors have struggled during this trying time in the financial history of our country. Strong community support for the Airport Authority's services and capital expansion plans has been very important to our success. I think that the community support, encouragement and enthusiasm we experience are unique to Ohio.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: Absolutely authentic! I've had the honor of interacting with the business community on the state and local levels through various task forces and boards. With every new person I meet I become more and more impressed with the commitment to excellence and diversity of businesses throughout the state. Besides being home to several Fortune 500 companies and many other highly successful businesses, Ohio boasts a robust mix of entertainment and leisure options. Whether your preference is travel, arts and culture, history and heritage or outdoor adventure, Ohio offers something for everyone. I personally lean toward the outdoor activities, such as camping and golf, during the summer and favor the theater during the winter.
Q: What business benefits do you feel CRAA realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: I'm a very strong believer in a positive work:life balance and am very supportive, even insistent, that my staff take quality time away from work. While one's work is important, spending time with family and friends is more important. Not only are employees more focused and effective with this balance, they should also be better parents, siblings, children and friends, making them an integral component of society.
Q: Given your experience in the logistics industry, what are your thoughts on Ohio's location and logistics capabilities?
A: Located in the middle of the North American population, Ohio offers superior distribution opportunities throughout the United States and Canada. This strategic location is supplemented by an established logistics infrastructure including international airports, an extensive highway network and expansive railroad service. At CRAA, we work to further Ohio's role in logistics through our work in the Rickenbacker area. Located south of Columbus, the Rickenbacker area offers a Foreign-Trade Zone, a cargo-dedicated international airport, an intermodal rail-truck terminal and a new industrial park called the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. Hundreds of logistics companies, from freight forwarders to shippers, are already in the area benefiting from the assets that Ohio and the Rickenbacker area have to offer.
Q: What is the most unique thing you have discovered about Ohio that you share with others?
A: I have discovered that Ohio is a surprisingly diverse state - not only geographically, but also the population is diverse. I find people in Ohio to be very friendly, knowledgeable and sophisticated and as a result, I have made many new lifelong friends since moving here eight years ago.
Q: Does Ohio have an international appeal?
A: Ohio is a sleeping giant internationally, something that Ohioans may not be fully aware of. The state economic output is as strong as many countries and Ohio's export activity has grown consistently to become one of the top exporting states in the nation. The state has a lot to offer socially as well, with outstanding entertainment, recreation, culture and approachability. Ohioans rightfully take pride in their state in welcoming visitors, both domestically and internationally, and I think this will make for a bright future. CRAA is working diligently with community and business leaders to attract nonstop international flights to Port Columbus which will allow us to capitalize upon this great asset.
Neil Adelman, CEO, BlueBridge Networks, LLC (Cleveland, Ohio)
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, BlueBridge Networks is a pillar of the region's technology community and part of a 13-city network of geographically diverse, state-of-the-art data center collocation facilities.
BlueBridge Networks is a provider of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity services which include high availability collocation, dedicated Internet access, managed security and managed storage solutions. BlueBridge Networks maintains the highest standards for uptime, quality and service, backed by the most reliable Service Level Agreements (SLA) in the industry.
Neil Adelman, CEO of BlueBridge Networks, is a management professional with over twenty-five years of experience in various industries including accounts receivable, subrogation, ISP, data center hosting and employment screening. In 2008, BlueBridge Networks was announced a finalist for the 2008 Economic Development Impact Awards for outstanding contributions in attracting, retaining and expanding business in Northeast Ohio.
Not only has Neil achieved professional success, he is passionate about the work:life balance he is able to achieve in Ohio.
Q: As a native Buckeye who's returned to Ohio, what are you thoughts about the state's promise that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life?
A: I grew up in Ohio and have lived in places such as Colorado, Florida and Israel. I am back in Ohio and can attest to the fact that this is a great place to live, build a career and raise a family. Ohio is the heart of the Midwest, with great communities, excellent schools, low cost of living, world-class arts, theatre, music, sports, entertainment and some of the best natural park systems in the nation.
If you like to quick "get-aways", we are a "one-tank trip" away from Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Toronto and West Virginia. Moreover, there are wonderful great small towns and Amish country events and excursions that are available all year round. There is so much to do when based in Ohio.
Q: Why locate BlueBridge Networks in Ohio and not a major Tier 1 market? What makes Ohio an ideal location?
A: Ohio is an ideal location for BlueBridge Networks and a great cost-effective alternative to major Tier I markets such as Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and New York. Here are the top three reasons Ohio is a great location for a company in the technology industry:
1). In a study conducted by SustainLane.com, Northeast Ohio ranked third lowest in risk among 50 of the largest U.S. cities in order of risk of natural disaster.
2). Telecommunications and fiber infrastructure is among the best in the nation. Northern Ohio sits on major fiber routes between Chicago and New York, and Southern Ohio has major links to fiber routes connecting to other major east coast locations. Affordable, large-capacity infrastructure is readily available connecting all major cities in Ohio. In addition to the vast commercial networks, Ohio funded the Third Frontier Network, now OSCnet, a high-capacity fiber network that connects major non-profit and educational institutions.
3). Ohio boasts a highly skilled labor force with strong Midwestern work ethic and productivity, possessing one of the highest ranking in the nation for least number of days lost on the job combined with our high productivity.
Q: Trailing spouses need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: Ohio is a great place to raise a family. Strong Midwestern values form the basis of developing the moral fiber of our children. Excellent school systems, a wide variety of communities, cultural diversity, and a multitude of choices for higher education on a regional and statewide basis make Ohio a great choice for raising a family.
Q: What one thing do you enjoy the most about Ohio that you share with others?
A: When I talk to people I know from out of state, I cannot say enough about the great park systems in Ohio. These are one of Ohio?s greatest treasures. I love the outdoors and nature. Ohio is truly a beautiful state, especially in the autumn.
Debbie Holy & Ellie Chalko, Co-Owners, Cynergies Consulting, Inc. (Highland Heights, Ohio)
Cynergies Consulting, Inc., dba as Cynergies Solution Group, is a privately held, nationally certified Women-Owned business headquartered in Highland Heights, Ohio. Debbie Holy and Ellie Chalko, who started Cynergies Solutions Group in 1997, attribute Cynergies' triple-digit growth rate to their unique ability to respond to their clients' technology staffing needs with best-in-class solutions.
Cynergies sources and delivers the most critical component in the technology industry – human capital. The company is dedicated to delivering the right talent, when needed, in time-sensitive environments where success depends on bringing products and services to market ahead of the competition. Cynergies leverages partners in a vast network of resources and applies proven processes so clients can operate without interruption to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
Debbie, co-owner and president, manages the company overall and directs all sales activities. With more than 25 years in information technology – including systems and application programming, consulting sales management, and human resources – she gives clients the security of a widely experienced, hands-on consultant both during and after the sales process. Her dual-degree in marketing and management is from John Carroll University.
Ellie, co-owner and executive vice president, is responsible for Cynergies' business operations and manages all recruiting and resource efforts. She has more than 25 years of experience in operations management including customer service management, information systems and technology operations. Ellie holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier University.
Debbie and Ellie shared with me how their company has benefited from encouraging a positive work:life balance for their employees.
Q: Given your backgrounds in human resources and operations management, what business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: We compete for great employees along with several other technology firms. We've learned that good pay is not the only factor that top talent is looking for. These folks realize that having a career that lets them balance life and work is crucial.
We've implemented many health and finance benefits for our field consultants that give them peace of mind. In addition, we have benefit programs for our home office staff that provide added flexibility. As a company, we've realized many benefits:
Furthermore, cost savings are realized in lower absenteeism, lower turnover and reduced onboarding expenses. In addition, Cynergies is a three-time winner of the NorthCoast 99 Award, which recognizes 99 great places for top talent to work in Northeast Ohio.
Q: You mentioned experience recruiting for new talent. In addition to the benefits you mentioned about work:life balance, why do you believe these new recruits choose Ohio?
A: We've recruited people to come to Ohio for jobs over the past 10 years, and a majority of them have stayed because there is so much to offer here. From affordable housing, to a variety of professional sports and cultural activities, and to ease of traveling, Ohio offers many benefits that new recruits realize when looking at Ohio.
Q: What do you believe are the most unique things about Ohio that you share with others?
A: What we believe makes Ohio unique is the diverse choice in places to live and variety of activities to choose from. The state has cities with world-renowned arts, professional sports and world-class medical care, and within driving distance are rural areas with unique crafts and foods.
At one end of Ohio is a beautiful lake with its many activities and at the other is the Ohio River with its rich history – and in between are beautiful inland lakes and rivers.
Ohio is a great place to raise a family, and at the same time, a great place to live and work with opportunities and entertainment for families and young people just starting out.
The state even has a diverse climate. Winters offer plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Summers can be spent by the water, in the city or even at one of the state's famous amusement parks. And, autumn offers some of the most beautiful scenery.
Margaret "Margy" M. Judd, President, Executive Arrangements, Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
Executive Arrangements, Inc., is a recruitment, relocation and events and meeting planning firm located in Cleveland, Ohio. The staff offers "high touch" to the recruitment process by providing candidates with area information personalized for their families, including a customized tour of the city and its suburbs to help them make an educated decision about a potential move. In addition, Executive Arrangements can conceptualize, plan and staff any event from beginning to end.
Margy Judd joined Executive Arrangements in 1991 and purchased the firm from its founding owner in the spring of 2004. With more than 20 years of event planning and relocation assistance, Margy leads a staff of 30 through hundreds of projects a year.
Dedicated to improving her community, Margy volunteers on a variety of boards and committees. She is a board member of the Cleveland Leadership Center, Playhouse Square Foundation, John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association, and Cleveland Bridge Builders. She serves on committees for the Tremont Trek Home Tour, Leadership Cleveland, and Positively Cleveland. She also is a member of the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management and In Counsel with Women.
Margy works every day to bring employees to Ohio and understands what makes Ohio truly unique.
Q: Ohio's promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Given your experience living in large metropolitan cities, how authentic is the promise?
A: There is something we like to call "The Hassle Factor" that - depending on where you live - can alter how you live your life. Cities with heavy traffic and congestion, expensive restaurants and crowded parking lots, and sold out shows and games ? might be exciting places to visit with lots of advance notice. It's nice to live in a city with a low hassle factor like Ohio. For example, if you decided today that you wanted four tickets to the ballgame or theater this weekend, you could not only afford the tickets, but you could get decent seats without having to had inherit them from your great grandfather. You can easily park within a couple of blocks of your destination and pay less than $15 to do so. You can get a reservation and afford to take your family out for dinner before the event. Ohio offers even the perfect blend of Midwestern friendliness and East Coast sophistication.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: Ohio offers me a talent pool with employees who have an excellent work ethic. Also, the state is conveniently located within 500 miles of most key cities in the Midwest and East Coast, allowing for easy business and pleasure travel. In addition, Ohio is very diverse, with exposure to cultures from all over the world, helping us to compete better in a global economy.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: Executive Arrangements is a member of the John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association, a 250-member group that brings together business owners and vendors to help grow their businesses through educational and networking events, provide exposure to other small business owners and offer advice and mentoring through their Business Advisory Network.
Mike Broderick, President & CEO, Turning Technologies, LLC (Cleveland, Ohio)
Located in Youngstown, Ohio, Turning Technologies, LLC, develops interactive response systems utilizing the latest software and hardware tools available and transforms them into state-of-the-art applications for audience response. The company's flagship products, TurningPoint Software and Responsive Innovations ResponseCard (keypads), integrate with Microsoft's PowerPoint software, providing the most advanced combination of knowledge and technology currently available in the field of audience and student assessment. In 2007, Turning Technologies was named the fastest growing privately held software company in the country by Inc. Magazine, and the 18th fastest growing of all companies.
Mike Broderick, president and CEO of Turning Technologies, and his wife spent 6 years in the late 80's working as missionaries leading medical and community relief and development activities in the Philippines. They returned to Northeast Ohio in 1991 where he became a partner and president of Creative Communications Corporation, which became one of the earliest pioneers in developing student response systems – a technology intended for use during classroom lecture.
In Ohio, Mike is able to balance Turning Technologies' phenomenal growth with a rich, full family life as well.
Q: You and your wife returned to Ohio after being away for several years. Why did you return?
A: A major reason my wife and I decided to return to Ohio is the balance I'm able to achieve between my career and family. Even with Turning Technologies rapid growth over the last seven years, I've been able to balance my time between my career and family.
I have more time with my family because I don't have to endure a long commute like in other major cities such as New York, Chicago or L.A. As much as anything, my family enjoys the variety of activities Ohio has to offer. Within a half-hour from my home, we can visit a national park, enjoy a world-class zoo, eat at a hundred good restaurants or attend a professional sporting event.
In addition, Ohio provides both a reasonable cost of living when compared with other markets and the availability of cultural, recreational and other assets contributing to a great quality of life. I'm a believer in the Ohio promise that you can achieve professional success while living a fulfilling life.
Q: What business benefits do you feel Turning Technologies realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: Family is a very important part of Turning Technologies culture, contributing to high levels of employee satisfaction and attrition rates near zero. A positive work:life balance keeps our team healthy and motivated as well as extremely creative and innovative – real keys for a high tech company.
Q: What are three key reasons you believe business executives should consider Ohio as an ideal location of choice for capital investment?
A: Ohio is home to a high quality, highly educated and available workforce. Also, the cost of living in the state is very reasonable, such as infrastructure, employee salaries and housing costs. In addition, Ohio boasts a high quality of available and accessible services.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio has a strong labor pool fueled by its heritage of a strong blue-collar work ethic and by the large number of strong colleges and universities across the state. As a result of the economic challenges of the last generation, people are eager to take on roles and responsibilities that more closely suit and challenge their abilities and education.
A. Eddy Zai, Founder & CEO, The Cleveland Group (Bedford Heights, Ohio)
A. Eddy Zai, founder and CEO of The Cleveland Group, has a diverse cultural background that enables him to truly understand and effectively engage in today's global economy. Born in Iran of Indian ethnicity, Zai was raised in England and Switzerland. He graduated from Boston University's School of Management with a major in marketing and finance.
Zai is a veteran entrepreneur. In 1991, Zai opened an international textile business in New York City, which he ran successfully before selling in 1998 so he and his wife, Tina, could move to Cleveland to start a family. There, he founded The Cleveland Group, now the fastest growing Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) company in the state of Ohio. In December 2008, the company won the prestigious Weatherhead 100 award, as the fastest-growing company in Ohio, expanding by 8,026 percent in the last five years. The Cleveland Group offers construction, real estate and global business consulting services to municipal, public and many reputable for-profit firms.
Married with three children, Zai is a volunteer youth-soccer coach in the local community of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He is a committed member of The Ishmael & Isaac Foundation, which fosters respect and understanding between interfaith communities.
Not only has achieved Zai achieved business success in Ohio, he has made Ohio home for his family. He has found the perfect balance between work and life.
Q: Eddy, you grew up in England and Switzerland. What are your thoughts about the Ohio promise that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life?
A: Ohio provides its residents with all of the big-city benefits of parks and recreation, world-renowned arts institutions, exemplary healthcare and quality education, with the accessibility of a small town. You won't get trapped in gridlock traffic here, or pay sky-high prices to enjoy the state's many benefits. Luxury here is affordable and, again, accessible. This means more people can enjoy all that the state has to offer.
Having lived in major cities all over the world, I am continuously impressed by the quality of life Ohio provides residents and business owners. It's a great place to raise a family and run a business. Because Ohio is simply a convenient state in which to live – commuting time is nominal, cost of living is far less than states with comparable resource – my employees and I can take full advantage of the state's rich cultural and recreational offerings. It is possible to strike a work:life balance in Ohio, and this type of personal fulfillment is valued by business owners and all working people.
Overall, Ohio is a great place to raise a family and run a business. The professional and amateur sporting events here provide great venues for family involvement. As a soccer fan, I really enjoy coaching a local youth team, which enables me to get more deeply involved in the community. In addition, Cleveland is fortunate to have an outstanding, yet affordable, arts community with the various theater organizations, museums, and the Cleveland Orchestra, all of which enrich the lives of residents. We also have access to world-class healthcare and some of the best schools, which, as a parent, is extremely important to me.
Q: What benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: Thinking outside the box – seeing beyond the obvious – is a critical business skill that is only accomplished when minds are open, exposed to new environments. Our life influences, whether hobbies or relationships we nurture outside the workplace, are important for infusing business with fresh ideas. What happens outside of the office is just as important as what is accomplished during a workday. The Cleveland Group takes pride in employees' abilities to approach business decisions from a well-rounded perspective. The work:life balance our staff enjoys is thanks to the company's commitment to ensuring that every person has an opportunity to explore their interests – to get acquainted with the world around them. This makes all the difference.
Q: Given your experience in business throughout the world, what does the state uniquely offer that has helped make your business successful?
A: The Cleveland Group has found success here because of the state's diverse opportunities and Ohioans' growing interest in propelling entrepreneurial endeavors. The people of Ohio support local businesses and this commitment has played a role in our growth here.
I believe that Ohio is experiencing a Renaissance of sorts, which will introduce intriguing business opportunities in a variety of industries as the state continues to adapt to the changing world and economy. The Cleveland Group has capitalized on some of these opportunities. We have been successful in several industries: construction, real estate development and global business consulting. Of course, we are always on the lookout for the next big idea. With the revitalization of the Midwest, we feel that our company is in the right place at the right time. There are countless opportunities in our area.
Another perk that Ohio offers is that the residents are both hungry for and supportive of new ideas. Over the past year, I have worked with another successful local business leader and friend to launch an Ohio chapter of an organization called TiE Global. The organization's goal is to foster entrepreneurship through networking, mentorships and idea-sharing. Throughout the process, I've been truly impressed by people's reception to the idea, and the state's integral support in helping get TiE Ohio off the ground. This speaks volumes to the openness of Ohioans to change and new business opportunities, which is crucial for the success of growing businesses like The Cleveland Group.
Q: If an executive from your industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: Because of The Cleveland Group's diversified business model, we have tapped into many industries. Right now, there are three growing sectors in Ohio that investors can take advantage of – healthcare, alternative energy and serving as North America's "supply chain" for foreign business. These sectors are thriving due to Ohio's high-caliber research institutions and generous grants, as well as the state's geographic proximity to some of the country's largest financial and transportation hubs.
Hayley Savage, Owner, Hayley Gallery (New Albany, Ohio)
Hayley Gallery opened its doors in New Albany in November 2007 featuring affordable works of art from local Ohio artists.
For owner Hayley Savage, opening the gallery has been a lifelong dream. Her older sister, a retired art teacher with a Masters Degree in Art Education and the former owner of a floral design and gift boutique, took Hayley to art museums all over New York City from the time Hayley was old enough to walk. That began Hayley's love of art. After graduating with a business degree from Hofstra University, Hayley made a vow to use her savings to purchase one piece of original artwork each year. As a result, over the last 25 years she has been able to assemble a serious art collection.
In May 2007, Hayley used her connections as an art collector to debut Art in New Albany (AINA). She created and co-chaired AINA as a fundraiser on behalf of Temple Beth Shalom in New Albany. After 25 years as a successful marketing executive working for companies including Time, Inc. and CBS/Sony Records in New York, APAC Customer Services in Chicago and Influent Inc. in Columbus, the unparalleled success of AINA reignited Hayley’s decades-long entrepreneurial passion to become a gallery owner.
Hayley Gallery includes various mediums, such as ceramics, glass, furniture, jewelry, photography and sculpture. Also, the gallery features a private showing room where prospective buyers can sit on the couch, while the piece of art is placed on the opposite wall. A dimmer allows them to get a better sense of how the piece would fit into their homes.
Living in Ohio has allowed Hayley to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening an art gallery and find that perfect balance to indulge in her other two passions – traveling the world and scuba diving. She is the mother of two children in middle school.
Q: Given your experience in new major markets – Chicago and New York – what do you believe Ohio offers that has helped make your business successful?
A: First, Ohio is dedicated to the arts. Secondly, for my business - fine art sales and consulting - we have virtually undiscovered yet unparalleled artistic talent that rivals any other major art center. Lastly, even though the wide variety of artwork produced here is on par with other areas of the country, art prices in Ohio are much more affordable and within reach.
Q: The Ohio promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. How have you experienced that promise in your professional and personal life?
A: I live this promise every day. I can literally walk to work and my kids can walk to my business and to our home from their middle school. I’ve been able to fulfill my lifelong dream of opening an art gallery. In Ohio, I have a work:life balance that I was not able to achieve in either New York or Chicago where I previously resided.
Q: What is the most unique thing you have discovered about Ohio that you share with others?
A: Ohio is a best-kept secret among Midwestern states. It has everything anyone could ever want without heavy traffic, high crime and exorbitant home prices. I feel safe in my surroundings, my kids are getting a sound education and the ability to have a work:life balance distinguishes Ohio from other states.
Deborah Donley and Paul Voinovich, Co-Principals, Vocon (Cleveland, Ohio)
Vocon is a fast-growing, Cleveland-based design firm that specializes in interior design, architecture and technology. The firm is known for integrating space, technology and innovation to support the collaborative creative process, making workspaces tailored specifically to a client’s focus and workstyle.
Vocon aims to think and act from the client’s perspective to establish a workspace that supports their internal process to generate growth, profitability and sustainability. The firm has worked with such high-caliber clients as KeyBank, Goodyear, Continental Airlines, The Cleveland Clinic, The Cleveland Cavaliers, FirstEnergy and The Weather Channel.
I recently spoke with Vocon’s co-principals, brother-sister leadership team, Deborah Donley and Paul Voinovich. Donley founded Vocon on her own in 1987, and Voinovich later joined his sister as co-principal. The firm contributes much of its success to its people and a family-friendly, team-oriented culture.
Both born and raised in Ohio, Donley and Voinovich shared with me what Ohio has uniquely offered that has made Vocon successful.
Q: The Ohio promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: [Deb] Ohio’s best kept secret is that you can raise children in what feels like a small town with all the benefits and resources of a major city. With Ohio being centrally located, it’s easy to conduct business around the country while providing your children with a balance of culture and some of the best public and private schools around.
Q: With your strong Ohio roots, thinking about people you know, can you share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has achieved excellence both personally and professionally.
A: [Deb] My Uncle George (Voinovich) grew up in the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, and went on to become a U.S. senator and Ohio’s governor in 1991 while fulfilling his duties to the community and maintaining a happy family life.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio Labor pool?
A: [Deb] Ohio’s labor pool is more diverse than people realize. Typically, people view Ohio as a manufacturing workforce. However, our professionals have a wide range of expertise and creativity. [Paul] I would have to agree with Deb that the professionals in Ohio possess a great deal of unrecognized talent. Vocon’s staff alone is comprised nearly 90-percent of Ohio graduates from Kent, Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati. I believe recent graduates find it easy to stay and start their careers here with the affordable housing available and reasonable cost of living.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well over recent years?
A: [Deb] Vocon has a strong mutually beneficial relationship with Kent State University. Many of our employees teach at the University’s College of Architecture & Environmental Design, and as a result, we’ve gained access to many great interns and employees to help grow our Vocon family.
Q: Real estate professionals often say, “Location, location, location.” What are your thoughts on Ohio’s location and logistics capabilities?
A: [Paul] Geographic location is Ohio’s best and most unique feature that helps to make businesses more successful. Vocon chooses to run a national company from one location with our single Cleveland office, handling the firm’s workload for an entire country. Our central location makes it easy to access clients from coast to coast, and we can reach clients in New York and Chicago within the hour by plane.
Glenn Hasek, Publisher & Editor, Green Lodging News (Middleburg Heights, Ohio)
Green Lodging News focuses solely on environment-related issues that impact profitability for the lodging industry. Via the Web site, blog and a weekly e-newsletter, Green Lodging News targets a segment of buyers and sellers who are serious about saving money and conserving natural resources.
Green Lodging News covers the hottest issues impacting hotel operations in the following areas: energy management, HVAC, waste management, design, cleaning and maintenance, water conservation, lighting, appliances, green design and more. In addition to covering news events, Green Lodging News helps link buyers and sellers in a virtual green marketplace.
Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor for Green Lodging News, has been a professional business writer and editor for more than 20 years. He has more than 14 years of experience writing about the hospitality industry and more than four years of experience writing about manufacturing-related issues.
Glenn began his communications career in 1984 when he worked as the editor of a small northern Ohio newspaper. His career in magazine journalism began in 1989 when he was hired to work as an editor with Hotel & Motel Management (H&MM) magazine. From 1996 to 2000, he worked as an associate editor for IndustryWeek magazine, a Penton Media publication. He returned to H&MM in September 2000 to work as the on-line editor-in-chief for the publication’s website. He founded Hasek Communications in October 2001 and launched Green Lodging News in 2006.
Glenn shared with me why he calls Ohio home.
Q: Being in publishing, you could base your business operations any where in the world. Why Ohio?
A: My two-year-old publishing business is based in Middleburg Heights, just outside of Cleveland. Ohio is a great location to grow a start-up business for the following reasons: the price of real estate and office space is reasonable, public transportation is accessible and easily available, and there are many educated entrepreneurs with whom to network and partner.
Q: What are your thoughts about Ohio’s education system?
A: I have personally benefited from Ohio’s commitment to education. For me, it all began with the quality education I received in the Cleveland Public School System and while attending two Ohio colleges, Bluffton College and Ohio University. My teachers and professors pointed me in the right direction and gave me the tools I needed to excel. Without the quality education I received in Ohio, the mentoring of area business leaders, and my own hard work, I would not be where I am today.
Q: If an executive from the publishing industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: Ohio is unique in that it offers the following three assets: the availability of a talent pool ready to work thanks to several leading publishing companies being based here; the opportunity for post-graduate training thanks to some of the country’s leading journalism schools (Kent State University, Ohio State University, Ohio University); and the availability of cutting-edge printing facilities and Web talent.
Q: What is the most unique thing you enjoy about Ohio that you share with others?
A: I enjoy spending time outside appreciating the natural beauty of the state. Ohio has more forested land today than it did 100 years ago. That is the best thing about Ohio.
Ohio has everything a young (or older) professional would want in regard to natural and cultural offerings. Cleveland’s scenic Metroparks, Ohio’s state parks (Mohican and Findley) and even a national park (Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area) are an easy drive away. I enjoy driving up to Lakeside, close to Lake Erie’s islands, or to Amish country in Holmes, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties to get away for the day. Cleveland, where I live, and all of Ohio for that matter, are rich with museums, art galleries, theaters and sports venues. Ohio definitely has it all.
Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, Founder and CEO, Rise Sally Rise, Inc. (Tallmadge, Ohio)
Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett is an associate professor at Kent State University and founder and CEO of Rise Sally Rise, Inc. in Tallmadge, Ohio. She named the company Rise Sally Rise after a game played by African-American girls in the schoolyard when she was growing up. In the game, a little girl cries as she sits confined in a saucer before friends encourage her to rise and “dry her weeping eyes.” According to Angela, Rise Sally Rise helps women of color break free of anxiety and fear to become the people they were meant to be fulfilling their leadership potential. Rather than simply researching and writing about women’s anxieties and fears, the company puts Angela’s findings into action to assist women.
Angela continues to teach classes at Kent State University, where she landed in 1989 after earning her Ph.D. in psychology from DePaul University. She developed a workshop and CD with her students called Believe and Succeed that helps students of color apply for and get into graduate school. She’s also won numerous awards for her teaching, research and commitment to women of color, most recently the 2007 Women’s Network Founder’s Award for the Economic Development of Women. Raised in Ohio, Angela volunteers for her church, her daughter’s elementary school and for Tallmadge Youth Football, where her daughter is a cheerleader.
Angela shared with me how positive work:life balance has enabled her to succeed professionally and personally in Ohio.
Q: Your business is committed to helping women live to their fullest potential. What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: The goal of Rise Sally Rise is to help women rise to their potential in the workplace, in their communities and in their vision of themselves. Therefore, surrounding myself with people who have achieved a positive work:life balance – and are committed to retaining a positive work:life balance and encouraging others to do the same – is essential to success as a company and as individuals.
Q: I also believe that work:life balance is critical to living a fulfilling life. The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, both professionally and personally, how authentic is the promise?
A: The Ohio promise is authentic. I am Ohio-born and bred. I attended Hubbard City Schools and received my undergraduate degree from Mount Union College. After spending ten years living out of state in large cities, I returned to Ohio. Living in the state has allowed me to pursue my professional goals and not sacrifice my personal ones. Everyday I am blessed to do what I love and be valued for it. Even though I own and operate my own business, I even make time to volunteer at my church and daughter’s school. The balance is there, but it takes discipline.
In addition, the Ohio networks and connections have allowed me to grow my business. Ohio offers wonderful places to raise a family, alongside people with values and integrity. I live within 45 minutes of two major cities, so my family has access to a variety of cultural events and opportunities. We are sports fans and between the Kent State Golden Flashes, the Mount Union Purple Raiders and the Cleveland Cavaliers, we get our sports fix.
Q: As an academic professional, do you believe the quality of an academic system is an important consideration in selecting a location for capital investment?
A: In addition to being a business owner, I am a tenured member of the faculty at Kent State University. As someone who teaches in the University System of Ohio, I am constantly amazed at all that Ohio’s universities have to offer. Ohio has some of the best professors in the country teaching both undergraduate and graduate students at our institutions. In addition, the opportunity to study abroad is first-class as well as the internship programs and service-learning opportunities. I urge everyone to take a closer look at Ohio’s public colleges and value the opportunity and experience they offer both traditional and adult students. Also, closely examine the type of professionals Ohio’s colleges and universities produce – they are quite extraordinary!
Q: If you had 30 seconds, what would you share about Ohio’s unique benefits that have helped make your business successful?
A: First, as a business owner, I appreciate Ohio’s affordable cost of living and cost of doing business. Second, Ohio is home to a network of women entrepreneurs who are dedicated to women’s business success. Finally, Ohio has a number of organizations, such as JumpStart Inc. and Coalition of African American Businesses, committed to providing resources and support to small business owners.
James L. Hambrick, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, Ohio)
The Lubrizol Corporation, with headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, is an innovative specialty chemical company that produces and supplies technologies that improve the quality and performance of products in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; specialty materials, including plastics technology; and performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives. Lubrizol's industry-leading technologies in additives, ingredients and compounds enhance the quality, performance and value of customers' products, while reducing their environmental impact.
Lubrizol is geographically diverse, with an extensive global manufacturing, supply chain, technical and commercial infrastructure. The company operates facilities in 27 countries, including production facilities in 19 countries and laboratories in 12 countries, through the efforts of more than 6,900 employees worldwide. Products are sold in more than 100 countries.
I recently spoke with James Hambrick, chairman, president and CEO at Lubrizol, about his thoughts on Ohio as a preferred location for capital investment.
James joined Lubrizol as a co-operative education student in 1973 and was hired full time in 1978. His career has encompassed a variety of responsible positions in operations, marketing, technology, and business development. During the 1990s, Mr. Hambrick led market development activities in the former Soviet Union and in China. He was elected vice president of Asia Pacific in April 2000, president in January 2003, CEO in April 2004 and chairman of the board in January 2005. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1978. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and serves on the boards of American Chemistry Council, Hospice of Western Reserve, University Hospital Health Systems, Greater Cleveland Partnership and Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education.
Q: If an executive from your industry were evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry-specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: The first asset I would recommend is the people of this region. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Lubrizol has found that recruiting high-quality talent in this part of the country is fairly straightforward and not so difficult. The bottom line is that Ohio has high-quality people that are motivated to support your organization.
The second asset to explore is the overall cost structure Ohio provides businesses. This would include looking at energy and infrastructure costs, combined with reviewing tax incentives. If you are in an industry that is energy dependent, you will be hard pressed to find a state outside of Ohio that can offer such low energy prices along with other business necessities. Add to this formula the tax incentives and you have a unique equation that encourages business investment.
The last asset to consider when looking at this part of the country is the access to a superior quality of life. With reasonable and varied housing stock, coupled with access to many cultural venues, Ohio is an ideal place to live, to work, to raise a family and to be an integral part of your community.
While I was not born and raised in Ohio, I have had the opportunity to live around the country and the world, and I still find Ohio to be one of the best-kept secrets. I have spent the last six years living in Northeast Ohio, and I look forward to many more years to come.
Q: You mentioned Ohio is a great place to live, to work, and to raise a family. What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work-life balance?
A: At Lubrizol we look at work-life balance in terms of flexible work arrangements that support helping employees create balance between work and their lives outside of work. By offering these types of programs, we are able to reduce work-life conflicts and obtain higher levels of employee performance and a quality work environment. All told, if your employees are able to achieve this important balance, they are more satisfied and ultimately more productive, which will positively impact your company’s performance.
But the real challenge is achieving this all-important balance. I have found over my career that many times you are out of balance because achieving this is not an option when striving to build one’s career. As your professional stakes grow more significant and consistently achieving success is required in order to advance your career, you may be forced to live out of balance for a period of time. For example, after a few years at your job, you may be lucky enough to have achieved success due to your perseverance and the support of your family; you have a good work-life balance. Then you receive a promotion and the balance is upset, leaving you with less time for your life outside of work. As you become stabilized in your new role and the learning curve lessens, you may again obtain good work-life balance, until another unexpected event occurs. There is always the never-ending cycle of imbalance, leaving it up to the individual to find the balance between achievement and enjoyment within their family, friends, co-workers and self.
So, as CEO, I recognize the challenges of achieving work-life balance. And I have empowered my leadership team not only to recognize the hurdles involved, but also to reward employees for their sacrifices. Because as employees reap the benefits of higher levels of responsibility and authority, so do their families and the company for which they work. The company sees higher levels of performance across the enterprise, and the family sees more job security, a potentially higher standard of living and so much more.
Living and working in Ohio can support an individual’s work-life balance. Speaking from my own experience and being a transplant to Ohio, I was pleasantly surprised by the many outdoor, cultural and sporting activities Ohio has to offer. My family enjoys fly fishing in the rivers and streams of Northeast Ohio, three seasons worth of equestrian events, all levels of team sports, the many arts and cultural venues, and probably most important, the wonderful friendships we have made over the years. All of this put together really makes Ohio home for us.
Q: You are very supportive of Ohio as a business location. What is the most unique thing you have discovered about Ohio?
A: When you look at the east or west coast regions you see a concentration of one or two factors that resonate with these areas, such as agriculture or financial services. But when you look at Ohio, solidly Midwestern, you see it contains a mix of elements, what I would call the right balance of factors. Ohio offers a blend of so many key components that makes it truly a unique state, including large and small cities, urban and suburban areas, new and old industries, leading healthcare services, agriculture, cultural outlets, and educational institutions. Not to mention we enjoy four full seasons throughout the state. And we have one of the greatest natural resources to our north, Lake Erie.
If you focus in on the Cleveland metropolitan area, the expanded home of Lubrizol, then I find even more distinctive qualities to share. I have found that few metropolitan areas that are roughly the same size today as they were 100 years ago, can still support vibrant and growing organizations quite like Cleveland can. What other city can boast about an award-winning international orchestra, arts and cultural museums, parks system, live theaters, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and national sports teams.
Q: I’m familiar with the work of The Lubrizol Foundation. How has this alliance, or alliances with other Ohio academic institutions, served your business?
A: Lubrizol has a long history of academic affiliations with several Ohio schools, most notably Case Western Reserve University (Case), Cleveland State University, University of Akron, The Ohio State University, University of Toledo and the University of Dayton. Our alliances began early in our history as four of our six founders attended Case, three graduated from what was then the Case School of Applied Science and one obtained a degree from the law school at Western Reserve University, the predecessor to Case Western Reserve School of Law. From this early connection sprang a commitment to support area schools and education programs, both from the company and its philanthropic arm, The Lubrizol Foundation.
We see these alliances as a way to stay connected to our surrounding communities and a way to provide great benefits to our business. For example, we are currently sponsoring two research projects in the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case. One is sponsored by our Lubrizol Advanced Materials business segment, in particular our Noveon® Consumer Specialties product line, and one is sponsored by our Lubrizol Additives business segment. The access to graduate-level research is vital to the company’s future product development and provides closer ties to the Case faculty.
Several of our employees teach classes at Cleveland State University, on topics ranging from corporate sustainability to wind power and new product development. We provide short-term and long-term internships to a wide range of students from a variety of schools. We provide monetary contributions to these schools that cover items such as equipment or fees, but we also provide in-kind contributions, such as employee time on research projects. We also consistently sponsor and provide participants for events like Polymers in Northeast Ohio, an annual conference that is run by Case but that draws on academic institutions throughout the region. And our outreach extends beyond the higher learning level. Lubrizol supports area elementary, middle and high schools, encouraging the study of science and math.
Adding to the company’s contributions are the grants awarded by The Lubrizol Foundation. The Foundation strives to complement and support the interests, values and vision of the company by awarding financial support primarily to educational institutions and charitable organizations in communities within the United States and where Lubrizol does business. This support is demonstrated locally by the fact that contributions to Ohio schools, including grade schools, high schools and colleges, captured more than 60% of the total 2008 annual grants the Foundation awarded.
While I have mentioned only a small portion of the relationships we maintain with Ohio schools, I believe you would agree our track record proves we have consistently supported science and engineering through education in Ohio. We recognize that through access to expertise and to potential employees, we can leverage this robust scientific community for the benefit of our shareholders. It has been a successful program for Lubrizol, and one we plan to continue.
Rob Felber, President, Felber & Felber Marketing (Twinsburg, Ohio)
Felber & Felber Marketing, located in Twinsburg, Ohio, is a public relations and marketing firm that executes targeted, business-to-business and business-to-consumer communications plans in addition to educating clients on how to effectively develop internal capabilities in public relations, marketing, advertising and promotion. Clients include SOPREMA, Inc., SIKA Corporation (formerly ICS Garland, Inc.), Garage Finisher, Zolio.com, Tremont Electric, LLC and Birol Growth Consulting.
I recently spoke with Felber & Felber Marketing’s President Rob Felber about what Ohio uniquely offers that has made his company successful.
Rob operates Felber & Felber Marketing, established in 1993, with his brother Bruce. Rob achieved his certified and master advertising specialist designation from the Promotional Products Association International in 1995 and 1997. He has served two terms as president of the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce and currently is on the Board of Directors at The Club at Key Center. Outside of work, Rob is very involved in his community. In addition to various community and nonprofit volunteer commitments, he is a firefighter and paramedic for the Pepper Pike Fire Department, public information/media relations officer of the Hillcrest Technical Rescue Team and a tireless coach and supporter to the ‘sport of the season’ as chosen by his athletic twin daughters.
Q: Congratulations on your recent office move and tripling your space! What top three things do you believe Ohio uniquely offers that have helped make your business successful?
A: Ohio offers several unique characteristics for businesses. The quality of recreational resources intertwined with a moderate climate and a well maintained road system allow for easy travel to prospect companies and off-work entertainment alike.
Q: What alliances have served your business well over the last eight years?
A: Felber & Felber Marketing has made several alliances with secondary and post secondary institutions. We are advisors to local high school career programs and participate as speakers at local business and marketing colleges. Our role with Kent State University’s Business School as well as our membership in John Carroll University’s Entrepreneurship Association allows us to fulfill our mission of giving back while keeping our hand on the pulse of the best local talent.
Q: You mentioned keeping your “pulse on the best local talent.” How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio possesses a labor pool of skilled and experienced professionals due to the attraction of a strong family-oriented environment and moderate cost of living. A steady flow of creative workers returning to Ohio has been seen over the past several years as a result of geo-political changes and the perceived risks associated with living in other major cities.
Q: Ohio’s promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: Ohio, just like the college experience, is a state where you can get out of it what you put into it. Put another way, you can easily balance a full family schedule, professional involvement in countless peer development groups – and have plenty of room left over for entertainment, the arts and recreational activities. The ‘everyone wants to network’ attitude spreads beyond traditional business groups and extends (or more accurately) integrates with nearly all of my activities. When we, as a family get involved in a community project such as the American Cancer Society’s 24 hour Relay For Life, we work alongside neighbors, colleagues and friends. We share our professional skills (somehow I am always the marketing chair), and we learn from each other.
Back in the office, I encourage my staff to be just as active in their own communities. And, if there is an ‘emergency’ during work hours with your chosen community involvement, it becomes just part of the normal working day. The attitude may be 24/7, but Ohio workers care for their colleagues and community beyond the 9-5 seen in other states. Perhaps our slogan should be Ohio – jump right in!
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: All work and no play makes for stressed and unproductive employees. Ohio’s cultural, sports and recreational opportunities are endless. Whether you are a cyclist, boater, camper or art enthusiast, Ohio’s world-class institutions and park system has something for all members of the family.
Duane Jebbett, President and CEO, Rowmark LLC (Findlay, Ohio)
Located in Findlay, Ohio, Rowmark LLC is a manufacturer of plastic sheet products for the custom engraving, signage and awards markets worldwide. Duane Jebbett was named president and chief operating officer in September 1998 of what was then called Rowmark Inc., nearly a year after the company began life as a separate entity. Since its formation in 1993, the business had operated as the sheet division of Findlay, Ohio, pipe extruder Hancor Inc. Hancor CEO, Fred Kremer, stepped down from that post and bought Rowmark outright from Hancor in October 1997, and then died in a company plane crash just two months later.
Jebbett, a Kremer protégé and now president and CEO, has steered the Findlay-based company to a global leadership position. He also engineered a management buyout of the family-held firm in late 2006 with a private investment firm, Clearview Capital LLC of Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Now called Rowmark LLC, the firm also has two other divisions – Premier Materials Concepts, a custom manufacturer of sheet and roll stock for the point-of-purchase and thermoforming markets, and Tromark SAS, a joint venture between Rowmark and Trodat GmbH, an Austrian maker of self-inking stamps. Jebbett serves as an officer on both the Rowmark and Tromark boards.
Before joining Rowmark, he was vice president of sales for Hancor and held other management positions during his career. He earned a degree in food service administration from the State University of New York, and graduated from the University of North Carolina’s advanced management program. He is a board member of PolymerOhio Inc.; CentraComm, an Ohio technology security company; and JB & CO., a commercial roofing company and is very active in his local community with area charities.
Duane shared with me his thoughts on Ohio’s logistics capabilities, along with his commitment to the state’s Midwestern work ethic.
Q: Given your business experience, what does Ohio uniquely offer that you feel has helped make your business successful?
A: Since we are a manufacturing firm, being located in Ohio gives us the opportunity to be strategically located to a vast majority of critical markets for our business. Ohio itself not only offers a great deal of industry to sell our products through, but also provides the infrastructure and main freeways to deliver goods throughout the country. We ship products globally to Canada and internationally. Also, the freeway systems to ports of call help us ship goods out quickly and effectively. The quality of the workforce within Ohio is very good. We believe this is driven by two key factors.
1. Midwesterners, by their very nature, are casual easy-going people that are hard working and yet considerate of others. Much of our labor comes from smaller towns that have great family values.
2. Another significant item in growing a business is continued technology growth. Ohio has some of the best universities and educational institutions that help drive growth into the business sector. Midwestern values, combined with these educational pursuits, create business opportunities and a great work ethic environment where technologies can flourish.
Q: You mentioned Ohio’s universities and educational institutions. Have you created any alliances with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: Over the years, the company has had many interactions with a variety of educational opportunities within the state. We are a plastic manufacturer and have been aligned with PolymerOhio, an industry trade group that has assisted us in securing interns with the help of the state. These programs subsidize the manufacturer for the intern with hope that the intern will gain real world experience within the manufacturing facility in Ohio and want to stay within the state to pursue their career. In our case, we’ve hired two interns directly as a result of this program and fully expect this to continue.
In addition, we are fortunate enough to be closely located to Owens Community College. This state sponsored school provides educational opportunities not only for our employees, but also is a source for future employees as we grow our business. The University of Akron is one of the best polymer schools in the country, and as a result we interface with the university when we face tough business challenges in our field. It is connected to PolymerOhio and offer educational opportunities for our technical and managerial personnel.
Nanotechnology is a considerable pursuit in the state and with the help of PolymerOhio this provides Rowmark an opportunity to make sure that we are on the cutting edge of innovation ensuring that our business grows consistently and keeps up as technology changes.
Q: Ohio promises that you can achieve professional success within the contents of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: Originally I was brought up on a dairy farm in New York. After transferring back to New York with a previous company, I was offered a job to move to Ohio. When I moved to Ohio, I quickly became integrated within the local community. I was energized by the business I was in, but most importantly by getting involved in the community through various charitable organizations. This provided my family and me the social and community outlets that are so important to have a fulfilling life. Additionally, my mentor reinforced this and always stated, “Leadership is best demonstrated by giving back to others.” This has proven to be so true and we now encourage our employees accordingly. Also within the state, there are numerous activities to take advantage of such as countless parks, sporting events and educational pursuits to provide a very satisfying life.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work and life balance?
A: A happy employee has a happy home life. The Midwestern work ethic combined with a fulfilling pursuit of social balance is always a great combination for life productivity. The easy-going nature of most Midwestern people provides a great atmosphere for families to flourish. This environment translates to the workplace where we find a stable employee base, strong work ethics and employees who love coming to work. We also find that our vendors in the Midwest are easy to do business with and carry many of the same values that we do as a company.
Q: If an executive entering the industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what industry specific assets that you would recommend exposure to?
A: First and foremost, make sure the industry executive understands the various grant and business activities available to them through the state sponsorship program. The Ohio Venture Capital Authority and the Third Frontier Project programs are significant. Ohio possesses some of the best educational institutions in the world and this combined with the countless businesses that currently reside in the state are great resources to grow a business.
Second, the most important asset of any business is the people. Ohio provides a strong labor pool with good work ethics.
Finally, community is critical for an industry. You need support from other industry and community groups for your company and employees. Our experience is that Midwestern communities pull together in good and bad times. It comes down to the character of the area.
Q: Earlier you mentioned that Rowmark LLC ships products internationally. What are your thoughts on Ohio’s location and logistic capabilities?
A: This is a significant advantage for anyone that has a business in the Midwest. Ohio’s location is a significant advantage in that it has access to waterways, major highways, airports and is close enough to travel to Mexico or Canada quite easily. Due to the central location to the east or west coasts by using a variety of forms of transportation, it is relatively easy to move goods in and out of the state to our ports of call. We ship every day to over eighty countries around the world and have facilities in Western Europe, and being located in Ohio is very important to meet customer service demands on a regular basis. Also, because of the heavy manufacturing environment the state already possesses, there is knowledge of how to move these goods from a logistical perspective.
Q: In addition, what do you think about Ohio's tax laws regarding manufacturing companies that sell to customers outside of Ohio?
A: Taxes of any kind are obviously a concern for any business, but we all know that they are necessary to support the infrastructure and services for our companies to operate. In 2005, Ohio significantly reformed the tax code and this has helped our business. The Corporation Franchise Tax and State Personal lncome Tax are being phased out over five years, which will reduce overall taxation on businesses.
In addition, the impact of the Tangible Personal Property Tax will be significant because it will eliminate tax on new equipment for businesses. Also, the new commercial activity tax provides a flatter and fairer tax than the previous tax regulations. All of these new tax code changes will continue to make Ohio more competitive and productive for our business.
Q: Finally, what is the most unique thing that you’ve discovered about Ohio that you share with others?
A: I love the people in Ohio! They are easy-going, hardworking and proud individuals that care about others. They are smart, well educated, and understand that innovation and technology are important for growth. Tradition is strong, family values are highly valued and there is no doubt that we have a bright future in front of us.
Chris Bardos, Co-Founder/Partner and Certified Fund Specialist, Ascend Advisory Group, LLC (Columbus, Ohio)
Ascend Advisory Group, LLC in Columbus, Ohio, provides wealth management strategies to individuals and small businesses in central Ohio and throughout the United States. With over $300 million in invested assets, services include customized portfolio management, portfolio analysis and wealth management strategies.
Chris Bardos, MS, co-founder and certified fund specialist (CFS) at Ascend Advisory Group, is committed to providing excellent service to his clients. Chris entered the financial services industry in July 1986. He has held an insurance license since 1986 and obtained his General Securities License (Series 7) in March of 1988. Additionally, he holds the Series 6 and 63 licenses. Chris received his CFS professional designation in 1998 from the Institute of Business & Finance. Less than three percent of licensed securities representatives hold this designation. (Source: Institute of Business & Finance.)
In 1996, Chris co-founded BKW Advisory Service Corporation, a Registered Investment Advisor, and served as the firm’s president and chief investment officer. The growth of the firm’s asset management business led Chris to later co-found Ascend Advisory Group in 2001 along with his two partners, Anthony Reilly and J. Bradley Gibson. Chris is listed in Standard & Poor’s Register of Directors and Executives and is a graduate of The Strategic Coach; a program designed exclusively for successful entrepreneurs. He also participated in The Strategic Coach Master’s Program. In addition, he has appeared on WBNS 10TV providing commentary on the financial markets and on retirement and investment planning. He has also been a speaker at local Rotary meetings, women’s investment clubs and industry seminars. He is a member of the Worthington Chapter of Amspirit Business Professionals and served on the board from 2003-2007.
Chris recently shared with me his commitment to his home state and thoughts about Ohio’s business environment.
Q: For the past 22 years, you have worked in financial services in the state of Ohio. What top three things does Ohio offer that have helped make your business successful?
First, I feel that Ohio has a very strong and diverse economy particularly in the service sector. Ohio has the financial strength and diversity to provide the capital resources necessary for industrial and commercial development statewide.
Second, Ohio has several top universities both at the public as well as private level, fostering a well-educated population. Because so many businesses are based here, people recognize the importance of using companies and people with expertise in their respective fields.
Finally, Ohioans generally have strong Midwestern values and are friendly. Having lived in Ohio my entire life, I appreciate and understand our value system.
Q: Your wife, Lori, and you have two children, so you understand the importance of a strong academic system. What is your opinion of Ohio’s academic system?
Ohio's academic system is very good. Many of the public schools (grades K through 12) provide a quality education, rivaling that of many of the private schools. For families that prefer to send their children to private schools, there are also many options to choose from.
The population in this state places a high degree of importance on their children being educated and having opportunities to grow and expand their minds. When our children enter the workforce, there are a variety of industries to pursue a career in.
Q: When a family relocates, it’s important that both spouses are comfortable with the new state or city they are moving to. What do you believe a trailing spouse should consider when evaluating Ohio?
When a trailing spouse evaluates Ohio, they should look at the school systems, diverse economy, employment opportunities and entertainment. In addition, Ohio schools are strong in academics, athletics and the arts. Children are encouraged from a young age to participate in sports, music, etc. not only to make friends, but also to develop skills such as teamwork and hard work.
Many large and small businesses are based in Ohio and many are owned or managed by women and minorities. The buckeye state encourages the entrepreneurial spirit. Also, given Ohio’s variety of industries and educational opportunities, there is a variety of opportunities for employment.
I would describe Ohio as pretty much a family oriented place. Along with the many sports teams in the state, Ohio also some beautiful parks, lakes, campgrounds and waterways. I especially enjoy the number of professional sports in the state. Ohio has two professional football teams, two professional baseball teams, a professional basketball team, a professional soccer team and harness racing. The Arnold Classic is held here every year and if you like to golf, there are many beautiful golf courses throughout the state.
The many music, craft and arts festivals as well as concerts and museums are very enjoyable. If you are a horse or auto-racing fan, there are a wide range of tracks to choose from. There are tons of things for kids to do.
For singles and young adults, there is no lack of nightlife either. Ohio is home to many fine restaurants, bistros and clubs.
Q: I agree, from sports to music, Ohio is a place for families. Now, the Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. How authentic do you think this promise is?
While I think having a balance between work and play depends on each person, your surroundings also are a big factor. Balance can best be achieved if there are interesting things to do outside of work. On a personal level, I train between five to six days per week. Ohio is big in the fitness industry, and throughout the state, there are plenty of places to go to get or stay in shape. There are tons of scenic bike/walking trails to enjoy.
I also have just begun teaching a weekend fitness/nutrition class at my church. Many of my peers and friends encourage devoting time helping others. This is one of the things which I enjoy doing outside of work which can help other people to also better balance their lives. Helping others is also something, which I think is at the core of strong Midwestern values.
I work in the city and live in the suburbs, but I can drive a relatively short distance and be in quiet, serene, natural surroundings. One of my daughter's friends, who is attending Arizona State, recently visited us and commented how green everything was here. She had never been to Ohio and thought it was beautiful to see all the grass, trees and flowers (things many of us may take for granted).
Craig Zamary, Founder and President, Green Energy TV (Youngstown, Ohio)
Driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to bring honest and fair reporting of renewable/alternative energy news to waiting viewers, Craig Zamary founded Green Energy TV in 2007. Green Energy TV is an online television channel that allows viewers to upload and watch renewable/alternative energy videos. Videos are reviewed and accessible to anyone with Internet access at no cost. Users can also post and search for green collar jobs around the world.
Green Energy TV is dedicated to using a portion of advertising revenue to install solar/wind energy projects in Third World Countries. These projects can provide impoverished people with access to electricity and fresh, clean drinking water.
Located in Youngstown, Ohio, Green Energy TV has brought renewable/alternative energy news to viewers from over 160 countries and 6 continents around the world. Zamary not only shared with me his passion for providing a one-stop-shop outlet for any green energy related news, but how he has achieved both professional and personal success in Ohio.
Q: As an Ohio native, what top three benefits does Ohio uniquely offer that brought you back to the state?
A: First, cost of living. When I started my first company, I lived in Utah at the time. My company grew very quickly and I soon moved back to Ohio because of the high costs of building, leasing, and living expenses.
Second, I returned to Ohio because of the availability of a high quality work force. The Ohio higher education system is excellent. Green Energy TV has found many talented minds to join our team.
Finally, Ohio has a great network of business services and professionals. When I launched Green Energy TV in 2007, I found the support system to start and grow my business. Located at the Youngstown Business Incubator, I have a great office space, an extensive network of connections, coaching and more!
Q: As an Ohio native who has lived around the world, what are your thoughts on the Ohio Promise that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life.
A: I think when it comes to professional success and life fulfillment it is all about achieving a balance between work and home life. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are balancing professional success with personal enlightenment and fulfillment. Ohio offers a balanced range of lifestyles that meet a wide range of interests. This includes professional opportunities, academics, cultural activities, sports, moderate climate, natural resources, reasonable cost of living and easy access to many parts of the country.
Q: Your family moved back to Ohio in 1999. From your personal experience, what do you think a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: This question definitely pertains to my family's situation. I am married and have three little ones. My wife lived in L.A., Boston, Florida and New York City, as well as internationally. Now that we live in Ohio, she's always telling me that we are never moving. She loves the family atmosphere, the community, clean air, the school system and the cost of living. For example, my wife enjoys living in a community with a strong family atmosphere. The pace is perfect - not too fast, not too slow - it is a happy medium.
Both of us love being able to drive around town without being stuck in traffic for an hour. When you live in other cities it can literally take an hour or more to go a few miles. We use that time we've saved to spend on things we like as opposed to sitting in traffic or searching for parking. We are close to other major cities such as Cincinnati or Columbus, and can drive to Chicago or New York City in approximately six hours and Washington D.C. in under five hours. Also, 50 percent of the U.S. population lives within a 500-mile radius of Ohio. When the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism created the slogan, "Ohio, The Heart of It All", they were spot on.
Also, we absolutely love where we live in Ohio. We have 1.5 acres, so our kids have a lot of area to play and we enjoy our large garden, fruit trees and space.
Q: Finally, what is the most unique thing you have experienced about Ohio that you share with others?
A: Ohio is so diverse. The state is rich in cultural, recreational and social activities while providing a wide range of industry and professional services for career development.
Ravi Kunduru, CEO, Ventech Solutions
To succeed in the information technology business, conventional wisdom said go to the Silicon Valley, Boston or Seattle. That was Ravi Kunduru's plan, until he got a taste of working and living in Ohio. Now he's making long-term plans to stay.
Ventech Solutions is the world's first Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 5 (v 1.2) software company serving companies in the United States and around the world. As CEO, Ravi Kunduru was poised to move his young firm to San Jose in 2000, but when the market softened, he waited. To his delight, Ventech continued to grow in Ohio's stable, diverse economy while IT companies "where the action was" struggled. As others cut staff, Ravi was adding skilled employees from Ohio's highly educated talent pool.
Having already operated companies in Australia, India, Atlanta and Detroit, Ravi and his wife, Sheela—also an executive at Ventech—discovered that Ohio is a wonderful place to raise their sons. The neighborhoods are safe, the people are welcoming and the commutes are short, providing more time for a successful career without sacrificing a rich family life. The balance is perfect in Ohio.
Q: In 2000, you were thinking about moving your company to California. What top three benefits does Ohio offer that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: First, the strength of Ohio's diversified economy has been the greatest single advantage in growing Ventech Solutions. Many other states depend on a single industry or a small group of industries, which limits the opportunities for doing business within the state. By contrast, Ohio's top 10 industries, which include aerospace, agriculture, automotive, bioscience, energy, logistics, manufacturing, polymer/plastics and professional/financial services, gross more than $500 billion annually.
We have found that, when one industry is stagnant, another is always expanding. Our broad industry expertise gives Ventech Solutions a wide pool of potential customers. I cannot imagine any other Midwest state that could be better than Ohio as our home.
Second, there are great people in Ohio. We are a people company and our success is purely because of our people. A balance in life when you work in a fast pace world is a must today for innovative thinking to stay ahead of the curve. No matter where you live in Ohio, you can strike this balance without sacrificing your personal and professional life. Our loyal staff works very hard and believes in the vision of the company.
Finally, Ohio has a business-friendly tax and government climate with access to investment capital. Well-organized state and local governments, including its strong public university system, also buffer Ohio's economy. Ohio's leaders continue to invest in information technology to improve the quality and efficiency of public services, and Ohio has the fifth largest IT budget in the nation. Ventech Solutions has found a fertile market in helping Ohio government use information technology more effectively.
Ohio has Angel and Venture Capital networks offerings more than $200 million to emerging entrepreneurial and expanding companies like Ventech Solutions.
Q: How would you characterize Ohio's labor pool in recruiting top talent for IT companies?
A: IT companies like Ventech Solutions are highly dependent on recruiting and attracting top talent. Ohio's quality educational system supplies all the talent we need and we always get "first class" candidates from the market to fulfill our corporate needs.
The state has 72 universities that provide four-year college degrees, in additional to at least 50 colleges that provide two-year degrees. Our goal for 2008 is to hire 40 recent graduates. We also recruit Ohio graduates to join Ventech Solutions as trainees in our research and development training labs.
Ohio's low cost of living, vibrant culture and excellent transportation system contribute to a work:life balance that makes it easy to retain quality employees. Combined with an internal culture that resulted in our being named one of the best places to work in central Ohio by Columbus Business First has helped Ventech Solutions achieve average employee tenure of five years.
Q: Over the last 2 years, Ohio has revamped its tax reform. What impact has this had on your business?
A: Ohio's tax reform is brilliant. The tax reform is a promising strategy for companies in Ohio to succeed. We plan to create at least 1,000 jobs in the next four years.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: It is a promise felt true with several hundreds of thousands of families in Ohio. For me and my wife, Sheela, both of us senior executives at Ventech Solutions and the parents of two boys, it is clear in our minds that Ohio provides the best of both-a balance for personal and professional life.
Our continued success even during tough economic conditions has proved me right that Ohio is the ideal location for Ventech Solutions as we continue to grow and expand. Today, we are poised to take the company public and grow to 1,000 employees by 2012.
We believe central Ohio has the talent and resources to become the "Silicon Valley" of the Midwest and we are committed to supporting that ideal.
Q: You are very passionate about work:life balance. Please share with me a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations.
A: I would like to tell you about our chief technology officer (CTO) and head of R&D who is a scientist from the Silicon Valley world—Dr. Shrinivasu Pappula, Ph.D. (Shrini).
Shrini has been an acquaintance of mine since 1996, during his days at Intel as one of the scientist responsible for Intel Pentium 4 processors.
I had my first phone conversation with him on June 5, 2004. He was looking for IT support services for his projects. He had just accepted an offer to join Google and he was in the process of transitioning his job. As a result of the passion and energy I personally carry for Ventech Solutions, I had a one-hour discussion explaining him the various things that Ventech does and the future that I clearly see for the company as a global leader in information technology. We both agreed that we should continue talking and spoke for two more hours later that day.
Next morning, Shrini called me and said, "Hey Ravi, you and your company is a combination that I have been waiting the last 15 years to associate with and some of my ideas closely match Ventech's. Do you think I can help you by becoming a part of Ventech?" Honestly speaking I was not sure about his phone call, because why would someone leave the hot pick company, Google, with a clear assurance that he will be a millionaire with the stock options to a small company where there is a huge risk involved. I suggested that I should fly to Sacramento, California to meet him that weekend.
During that weekend, it was clear to me that Shrini was very committed to what he offered to me on the phone. Ventech Solutions met the business philosophy and culture he was looking for in a company and he was exactly what Ventech was looking for, so Shrini joined the company in June 2004.
Shrini lived in California his entire life, and was commuting to Ohio every 3 weeks when he was first joined the team. During this time, he learned that Central Ohio much more to offer compared the Silicon Valley region. Since relocating, Shrini's wife and children love Columbus more than any other place they have lived. They found good friends in the community and vibrant parks and libraries close to their home.
As the CTO and head of R&D at Ventech, Dr. Shrini and his 125-member team are in the process of creating the next generation rapid information exchange platform VentRIX™ that will position Ohio and Ventech Solutions to be global leaders in information technology.
Dr. Shrini has repeatedly made his comments to the senior executive team at Ventech Solutions and to the business community that, "After moving to Ohio, I am able to see lot of clarity in my aspirations and my dreams coming true. I am committed to ensuring that Ventech Solutions develops the innovation and leadership in information technology and exports product all over the world."
Q: That's an amazing story. What business benefits do you feel Ventech Solutions realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: The most critical part of our success is ensuring that our employees see a positive work:life balance in everything we introduce in our company.
Ventech Solutions' work culture is employee and customer friendly. Our employees enjoy a flexible work schedules to balance their personal lives. Whether it's a sick-leave policy or a long-term leave of absence, the number one goal is to ensure that the balance between work and life for our employees is always maintained. We constantly work very close with our staff to assist them in any areas that they need.
In addition to having fun at work, employees enjoy several metropolitan lifestyle activities in Columbus. Such wonderful work:life balance has earned us the "Best Places to Work" award in 2005 and our customers have enjoyed uninterrupted service since 1996. With such a high client satisfaction index, Ventech Solutions is so unique by being an integral part of our clients' strategic and tactical requirements.
Q: What top three industry specific assets does Ohio have that you would like to share with information technology executives looking to relocate to the state?
A: First, Ohio has diverse markets and opportunity for any size company; second is the state's availability of skilled, knowledgeable workers; and finally, Ohio's excellent tax incentives and benefits a company can receive along with the access to available investment funds.
Q: As Ventech attracts employees from outside the state, what do you think a trailing spouse considers when evaluating Ohio?
A: It depends on the trailing spouse's professional and personal interests. The trailing spouse should take a serious look on the following:
- The state's excellent school system, universities and colleges that ensures a great education for children.
- The variety of Ohio's residential communities. Even if it is 20 miles away from work, it still takes only 20 minutes to commute to work during rush hour. People are friendly and welcoming, and the neighborhoods are ethnically and culturally diverse.
- If the family has young children, there are plenty of parks and outside activities to enjoy.
- If the family has a passion for travel, Ohio is the best place to live in and travel to the rest of the world. The airports are less crowded and have global access.
- If the spouse has a profession there are great opportunities to network and identify potential employers. Ohio is a diverse market with 59 Fortune 1000 headquarters.
Q: Real estate professionals often say location, location, location. What are your thoughts on Ohio's location and logistics capabilities?
A: As I discussed in other answers, Ohio has an extremely diverse economy with good potential for growth. Its central location provides easy access to other markets.
Strategically located in the Midwest, Ohio is within a day's drive of 60 percent of the entire U.S. population, 50 percent of the Canadian population, and 80 percent of the U.S. headquarters of Fortune 1000 companies.
Four international airports make travel stress-free compared with many other international airports in the United States.
Ohio has the lowest business taxes in Midwest and a government committed to tax reform.
The state offers enormous tax credits for starting and growing a business. Ohio also has a number of grants specifically focused for technology innovation. In short, Ohio government and local business communities have numerous initiatives to help entrepreneurs drive vision to reality in a quick, stable and profitable way.
The cost of living in Ohio is far less than other competitive states in our industry. It is at least 35 percent less than in California, New Jersey or Massachusetts. When you compare salaries and cost of living in technology industry markets, Ohio has the lowest in the Midwest if not the entire country. Housing and office rental costs are low, contributing to a higher quality of life for employees and a better location for the company.
Q: Finally, what is the most unique thing you have discovered about Ohio that you share with others?
A: Having lived and worked in Ohio for the past 12 years, I am confident in saying - "Ohio is capable of competing and succeeding in the 21st century. You will be amazed at the surplus of interesting things you, your family and your business will find in Ohio. Come visit and stay with us in Ohio."
Tony Dennis-president and CEO, BioOhio
BioOhio, founded in 1987 as Edison BioTechnology Center and formerly Omeris, is a non-profit organization designed to build and accelerate the bioscience industry, research, and education in Ohio.
As Ohio's top bioscience membership and development organization, BioOhio is focused on networking the distributed and outstanding bioscience assets of Ohio to accelerate growth of a globally competitive bioscience industry. BioOhio also is affiliated with BIO, which represents biotechnology companies in the United States and in 33 other nations, and AdvaMed, the advanced medical technology association.
BioOhio President and CEO, Anthony J. Dennis, Ph.D., is microbiologist, entrepreneur, technology advocate and—most importantly, an Ohioan. Dennis became president of Edison BioTechnology Center, the predecessor organization to BioOhio, on January 1, 2002. He is the third president in the organization's 15-year history. Dennis brought to BioOhio a strong familiarity with the state's bioscience community. After receiving B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in microbiology from The Ohio State University, he began to work for Battelle in Columbus, as an entry-level researcher and eventually as vice president for biotechnology. He then served a two-year term as president of IntraCel, a biotech company operating in Geneva, Switzerland.
In addition to his hands-on involvement with startup bioscience companies, Dennis is an expert in the general area of innovation and creativity in research, particularly as it applies to the development and commercialization of new products. He is currently completing a book that examines the key barriers to breakthrough innovation in the United States that will include recommendations on how to surpass these barriers. Dennis also has experience as a technology advocate and strategist in Ohio, where he has served as a member of the OSU Graduate Dean's Alumni Council and the OSU Agricultural Technology Development Council.
I recently spoke with Dennis about how Ohio has positioned itself as the ideal location for this emerging industry to continue to flourish.
Q. I think many people would be surprised to know that Ohio’s bioscience industry is vibrant and making an increasingly significant contribution to the state economy. Can you share some of the surprising facts about Ohio's bioscience industry?
Certainly, I am continually surprised at the size and extent of the industry and some of the remarkable things going on in Ohio. Ohio’s biosciences account for $146 billion of the state’s Gross State Product (the GSP is defined as the sum of all of the goods and services the state produces). The bioscience contribution is nearly 18 percent of our total GSP.
Ohio’s outstanding academic research institutions received $636 million in federal research grants alone. The average of 58 new companies that began operation in Ohio each year from 2004 to 2006 are statistics that really impressed me. These companies also had three IPO’s during that period including a successful $128 million IPO in a very tough market.
Q. You often have an opportunity to speak with bioscience executives about making a capital investment in Ohio. What are the three key reasons you believe they should consider Ohio as the ideal location of choice?
Ohio has tremendous bioscience assets, a dedicated and skilled workforce, and a highly favorable financial environment. The assets range from world-class research institutions like OSU, The Cleveland Clinic or Cincinnati Children’s to established companies like P&G, J&J (Ethicon) and Amylin, and all size and shape companies in between. The workforce is available and eager to perform. I routinely hear from other national and international companies that their Ohio operations are the best performing divisions in their companies due to the quality and work ethic of its employees. I could not imagine a more financially supportive environment. Between the Third Frontier program, regional initiatives and the complete overhaul of the Ohio tax code, there is no better place to grow your company.
Q. Ohio recently enacted sweeping tax reform. What aspects of the new tax structure have been judged by bioscience executives as particularly relevant to their profit and loss performance?
While the new tax structure is favorable for all size companies, it is especially favorable to larger drug companies that have millions—even billions—of dollars in product that is either being produced or distributed to out-of-state locations. In addition to the recent corporate tax reform, Ohio’s Investment Tax Credit program has had a major impact for investors in our emerging companies by rebating 25 percent of dollars invested in qualified companies to the investor. BioOhio is an official processor of the tax credit program and we have processed hundreds of rebates for investors over the past year.
Q. I think many executives might be surprised to know just how robust the bioscience assets are in Ohio. Which are the top three or four assets you tend to highlight most often in your conversations with bioscience executives and why?
The first thing that comes to mind is Ohio’s great research institutions. Second, I always comment on Ohio’s remarkable clinical capabilities. For the past decade Ohio has ranked in the top three states in the nation with the most “Best Hospitals” as rated by U.S. News and World Report. Third, Ohio has a remarkable support infrastructure in virtually every corner of the state, with bioscience initiatives in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Athens and Toledo that provide all forms of support for emerging companies. Finally, I always comment on the availability and willingness of Governor Strickland and Lieutenant Governor Fisher. This is especially true of the Lieutenant Governor who also runs the Department of Development and is a tireless advocate for the biosciences.
Q. In addition to bioscience, Ohio has exceptionally deep capabilities in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing. Do these capabilities provide any potential business advantage for bioscience companies in Ohio?
Bioscience products are not applied in a vacuum. If the products are classified as devices, there can be hundreds of components, many of which can be made at low cost and high quality in Ohio. If classified as drugs, they may need to be unit dosed, packaged, warehoused and distributed, making Ohio ideal. We are beginning to see the cross fertilization of technologies impacting the biosciences and I believe we will see this in a big way over the next 10 or 20 years. For example, materials science is developing new polymers that can release drugs more effectively extending the lives of blockbuster drugs. Nanotechnology will have a tremendous impact on diagnostics, drug delivery and even some forms of direct therapy. OSU has one of only four Nano-Biotech Centers in the nation. Finally, computerization of everything from improved imaging to electronic medical records will make healthcare accessible, more accurate and more affordable.
Q. Skilled labor availability is always a consideration when making a capital investment decision. How would you characterize the strength of Ohio's education system in the sciences? Do bioscience executives who choose to invest in Ohio have a difficult time finding or attracting the skilled labor they need to build their business?
Ohio’s education system has become very attuned to creating the knowledge worker of tomorrow. For example, BioOhio is working with the state to develop the Community College Network, which will be required to deliver bio-manufacturing workers with the right skills for all industries. Ohio Education Chancellor Eric Fingerhut is making a concerted effort to organize and mobilize Ohio’s educational resources at all levels by creating the “Ohio Skills Bank” as part of the process to balance workforce supply and demand. Regarding the difficulty in hiring talent to Ohio, the answer is unfortunately both yes and no. Certain specialty skills like pharmacists are in short supply across the nation, and Ohio is no exception. There are other skill areas such as regulatory compliance where we are making a concerted effort to develop talent. The good news is that we are aware of these issues and working hard to correct them through the Ohio Board of Regents and the Department of Education. BioOhio recently held a career fair in Toledo to entice employees laid off by Pfizer to come to Ohio, and many did. BioOhio and many national recruiters find that Ohio is a “sticky” state, meaning that once we recruit someone, they rarely leave because of the high quality of life and low cost of living in Ohio.
Q. The Ohio Promise is that professional aspirations can be achieved in Ohio without having to sacrifice your personal aspirations. In your experience, how authentic is this promise? Would you share a couple examples of executives that are achieving remarkable things in both their professional and personal lives because they have the time to do so in Ohio?
Just yesterday a CEO, who was recruited to Ohio from another state, shared the qualities that led him to not only make the move to Ohio, but to also flourish here. He noted that in addition to the excellent positioning of the company, one of the most compelling reasons he moved here was the personal attributes of the two individuals already in leadership roles. To his surprise, as he met people at all levels in the company, he found that the qualities he so admired in the two top individuals were embodied in most of the staff of the company. He also found the same great characteristics of dedication, hard work, commitment to family and joy of life in his community. I don’t think we will be seeing him leave Ohio any time soon.
Q. The stress from commuting to and from work in high population density areas is seen as a key contributor to sustained stress levels—even cardiovascular problems. Does Ohio offer a competitive advantage for executives and their employees looking to avoid such stress-inducing commutes?
Quality of life on the job is always very satisfying, but it needs to carry over outside of the workplace for a balanced and high-quality life. I was recently in San Diego for the national BIO show speaking with a serial entrepreneur who was fishing for opportunities in Ohio. I stopped him and asked “Why would you ever want to leave San Diego?” He replied that his cost of living was astronomical, he commuted for more than an hour every day (my commute is eight minutes), his children’s education and personal safety also were becoming concerns. We stay in touch and as I expose him to opportunities in Ohio, my guess is that he will find what he is looking for both professionally and personally right here. As Ohio continues to lead in the biosciences, more Ohioans who left to pursue their careers across the globe are returning to take advantage of the growing opportunities, to be near family and old friends and to enjoy a higher quality of life, at a lower cost.
Q. Bottom line, if a bioscience executive is considering a capital investment, do you believe Ohio should be on their short list of locations for due diligence? And, how can potential capital investors efficiently get the factual information to help them quickly research Ohio as a location choice?
Yes, Ohio should definitely be on everyone’s short list. The fact that Ohio won Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup three out of the last six years indicates that we are already on lots of short lists and winning more than our fair share of capital investments. The easiest way to get factual information about Ohio is to visit either our web site at www.bioohio.com or the Ohio Department of Development web site at odod.gov.oh.us.
Matt Dopkiss, Co-Founder, dynamIT Technologies, LLC (Columbus, Ohio)
Headquartered in Columbus, dynamIt Technologies, LLC is a web engineering, design and development firm focused on creating usable, efficient web sites and applications. Founded in 2004, dynamIt works with companies and organizations in need of smaller content management system-driven (CMS) web sites. The company quickly evolved and grew to cover all web applications including planning, strategy, architecture, design and programming.
The company serves small businesses and non-profit organizations to large industry players around the globe. Some of dynamIt’s most notable clients include The Associated Press, Pizza Hut and the British Broadcasting Corporation. Additionally, dynamIt has strong partnerships with marketing firms and advertising agencies as the technical complement to their planning, strategy and design teams.
Company founder, Matt Dopkiss, is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Dopkiss launched his first business in high school and later formed dynamIt with his partner in 2004, while still in college at Miami University. Dopkiss relied on Ohio’s strong business community and networking opportunities to take his company to the next level.
Q: What are the top three things Ohio offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: Community, a focus on technology and endless opportunity. Community is essential and Ohio offers many. I've been fortunate enough to become deeply involved in the community I interact with most, which is Columbus. The personal and professional benefits Columbus has offered me has been rewarding.
There is strong support here especially in technology and emerging business. Columbus was recently named the No. 1 “Up-and-Coming Technology City” in America by Forbes magazine. That speaks volumes about the type of activity that is going on in the Buckeye State. It represents all the talented professionals that have been hard at work in the area for years and all the excitement that is surrounding technology and its potential in this market.
The business opportunities here are endless. Ohio has more than 830,000 small businesses. dynamIt's flagship product is a content management system that is aimed toward small businesses as a way to help them control and publish content on their Web site. This spells opportunity for us, but it is also a great reflection of the kind of entrepreneurial environment that Ohio offers.
Q: You mention Ohio is a state for entrepreneurs. Would you agree that many of these business-savvy professionals were home grown at Ohio’s academic institutions? What is your opinion of Ohio's academic system?
A: Ohio's academic system is very impressive. Living and working in Columbus, I am always exposed to the madness that is The Ohio State University (OSU). Sportsmanship aside, it is important to see all the great work that is being done at institutions such as OSU and other colleges across the state. Cutting-edge and game-changing research is undertaken each day, and students are being exposed to an increasingly challenging, yet rewarding academic plan that can only benefit Ohio and its residents. Are there roadblocks? Of course. Keeping tuition affordable and extending academic opportunities to everyone is no easy task, and this is something that state officials are making a top priority to continue the tradition of academic excellence in Ohio. I consider myself lucky to have taken advantage of Ohio’s academic system during my time at Miami University and continue to enjoy being exposed to the tradition of OSU here in Columbus.
Q: As a Miami University alumnus, do you have any alliances with the university or other Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: Alliances with Ohio’s academic institutions are some of the most meaningful and beneficial connections we have made. I still frequently receive calls from members of my academic communities including my high school, Bishop Watterson, and college, Miami University. The support that we, as a firm, have received from both institutions has been phenomenal, and was essential in establishing the company as we were starting out. I've had the privilege of being asked back to both my high school and college to speak about entrepreneurship and our firm's success. These speaking engagements are some of the most rewarding work I can do, and they allow me to keep in touch with the communities of the past that have helped shape me into who I am today.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. As a young company, how have you and your team been able to attain balance?
A: The Ohio Promise is authentic, but I also think that it's your responsibility to ensure that you are balancing professional success with personal enlightenment and fulfillment. The community in where we operate dynamIt Technologies really allows me to achieve this. Whenever I hit a roadblock or just need a little getaway, I'll head over to the gym, just minutes away from our offices, with some of my team members to unwind and relieve some tension. It's perfect and refreshes and revitalizes us. We come back to the office with a renewed sense of our work, and often we've formulated some new ideas just by being away for a little bit. Sometimes the mind works best when it takes a break—when it isn't always set to full speed and has a chance to catch up.
I think you also can find balance professionally through networking. The networking opportunities in Columbus and Ohio are endless. We frequently have team members attend networking events sponsored by Columbus Business First or TechColumbus. It is a chance to get out of the office to connect with people from other areas and extend our personal and professional networks.
Q: Earlier in the interview we discussed Ohio’s notable academic institutions. In your opinion, what should a spouse consider when evaluating Ohio for relocating his or her family in addition to education?
A: I think there is a need for more emphasis on the idea of Ohio being the perfect place to raise a family—especially young children. In particular, the amount of ample opportunity and space that Ohio offers should be appealing to those considering a relocation to a family-friendly area. Ohio has a great collection of state parks, nature and bike trails and green space for the whole family to spread out and take advantage. Ohio has a leading e academic system and offers a wealth of opportunity to engage students and help shape the minds of our youth.
Q: Finally,real estate professionals often say location, location, location. What are your thoughts on Ohio's location and logistics capabilities?
A: Ohio's location is key. Ohio is a bustling state with a perfect blend of rustic rural American farms and vibrant urban areas. You've probably heard it many times before, but it's true and so important – Ohio is the center of it all. Fifty percent of the U.S. population lives within 500 miles of Columbus. This makes it a great location to both work and to live – it's close to all the action.
Dr. Amol Soin, President & CEO, The Ohio Pain Clinic (Dayton, Ohio)
Dr. Amol Soin, MD, president and CEO of the Ohio Pain Clinic, grew up in Dayton, Ohio. After finishing high school, he attended the University of Akron for medical school. After graduating, Dr. Soin entered anesthesiology residence at Rush University in Chicago, where he won recognition for his research on the effect of MRI’s on patient’s who have spinal cord stimulators. After completing residency, he returned to Ohio and entered the fellowship training program in pain management at the Cleveland Clinic. In 2006 and 2007, Dr. Soin was recognized as one of America’s Top Doctors in Pain Management.
Excited to return to his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, Dr. Soin brings the newest and most advanced techniques to treat pain management to the Ohio Pain Clinic, which opened in February. Dr. Soin expects to expand his practice into Columbus and Cincinnati within five to 10 years.
Q: What factors played into your decision to return to your Ohio hometown to start your medical practice?
A: Three key factors led me to start the Ohio Pain Clinic in Ohio: access to technology, skilled staff, and the state’s willingness to try new ideas. Personally, I have found the Ohio academic system to be excellent and willing to work with businesses. It is a big plus to have access to skilled academic minds and trained professionals. Currently, we are working with Wright State University to set up a system to teach medical students and a research symposium.
Q: Who has served as a role model to inspire you to achieve your professional and personal aspirations in Ohio?
My parents are both immigrants and worked very hard to achieve professional and personal success in Ohio. Their dedication and hard work encourages me to continue working toward my aspirations. I look at their lives as a model for me to live my life.
Q: What are your thoughts about the Ohio Promise that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life?
I think when it comes to professional success and life fulfillment it is all about achieving a balance between work and home life. I, personally, get the most fulfillment when I am with my family life. I think when people are happy with their home life, they bring that happiness to the work environment. Overall, productivity improves when people find that work:life balance. Living and working in Dayton has allowed me to achieve balance.
Q: Trailing spouses need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
Ohio is a great place to raise a family. There are lots of nice places to live in Ohio, and really a person can live in both rural and in a downtown city environment. The varied seasons are enjoyable, with lots of different activities throughout the year. There are good schools for children to attend and a great selection of higher education options. Also, Ohio offers both professional and college sporting teams that are great to watch. Ohio has a lot to offer for lots of people who may have varied interests.
Paul Orban, Market Leader, BHDP Architecture (Cincinnati, Ohio)
The architecture, interior design, planning and project management firm, BHDP Architecture is known as one of Cincinnati’s leading companies and a design innovator across the nation.
Headquartered in Cincinnati with offices in Columbus and North Carolina, the firm specializes in four distinct markets, which include corporate workplace, retail, higher education, and science and technology. BHDP has completed numerous projects in Ohio and across the country, which include Battelle, Otterbein College, Procter & Gamble, Ohio University and The Ohio State University.
I spoke with BHDP's Paul Orban, higher education market leader, on how his firm is “paying forward” Ohio-based universities who have given BHDP many of its top architects and designers.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: The following opportunities Ohio provides have allowed BHDP Architecture’s business to be highly successful: 1. A diverse client base that supports our four distinct markets; 2. Development and construction in science/research, corporate, and higher education facilities, which has provided the opportunity to deliver great experiences to our clients and end-users; 3. Location and means of travel—in terms of reaching other states—have allowed us to expand nationally by supporting our commitment to the success of our clients.
Q: You mention that location and means of travel have helped BHDP succeed, and so often you hear location is key for businesses to succeed nationally and globally. In what way does Ohio’s geographic location measure up?
A: Ohio’s location provides quick access to neighboring states and major cities of business and key industries. It is a prime strategic location for many businesses and industries. Honda of America and The Limited are two great examples. Ohio also offers real economic incentives, which are aimed at attracting new businesses to the State or retaining those already here.
Q: The quality of an academic system is an important consideration in selecting a location for capital investment. What is your opinion of Ohio’s education system?
A: Ohio offers a wide range of higher education programs, with 13 public university campuses, 24 regional branch campuses, 23 community colleges, one medical college and 73 independent colleges and universities. This provides a diverse offering of programs, degrees, and specialties for those seeking higher education within the State. Recent investment in the K-12 system has greatly improved the programs and facilities throughout our communities, better preparing these students for careers or continued education. With recent initiatives announced, I look forward to seeing how the recent Strategic Plan for Higher Education evolves and impacts Ohio’s economy and workforce. I hope the plan addresses how to better attract more Ohio students into higher education, graduate them, and retain them in Ohio after graduation.
Q: BHDP does a lot for work for Ohio’s higher education institutions. What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well (if any)?
A: BHDP Architecture has worked to establish the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Monzel Endowed Professorship. This professorship fosters the development of an enlightened, ethical, conscientious architectural workforce that helps ensure a better future through the application of sustainable design principles. We also have developed a strong co-op program for students at the University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Kent State University and Miami University schools of architecture and interior design, providing opportunities to gain professional experience in the field of architecture while allowing us to gain exposure to the best and brightest upcoming graduates.
Q: With such a strong connection to Ohio’s top architecture and interior design schools. How would you characterize Ohio’s young professionals?
A: Ohio is rich in architectural/design graduates due to the number of higher education programs offered, which supports our specific staff needs with talent that supports our core value of challenging the status quo for continuous improvement. We find strong graduates from The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati DAAP, Miami University and Kent State University among others. As a firm, we work hard to recruit and retain top young professionals entering the industry, and we hope this will help turn larger numbers of Ohio students into Ohio workers.
Q: Ohio promises that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: I feel this is an authentic statement—the professional and personal opportunities within Ohio support success and fulfillment both in and out of the office. Ohio is rich in cultural, recreational, and social activities while providing a wide range of industry and professional services for career development. The state’s higher education institutions also provide a variety of options for post-graduate degrees and continuing education.
Q: Since you have seen the benefits of having both a fulfilling professional and personal life. How do you think that carries over to the firm’s employees, does it produce a better workforce?
A: BHDP believes a work:life balance boosts productivity and creates a satisfying career while allowing employees to be happier both on the job and at home. Balanced employees bring energy and new perspectives to our work and reinforce core values such as integrity and social responsibility. In today’s work environment, it is easy to become bound by technology and endless deadlines. We stress proper balance to all employees and promote activities such as professional organizations and community service roles to reinforce this goal.
Ellen Minerd and Jane Vitou, Co-Founders, Bootcamp Babes (Rocky River, Ohio)
Bootcamp Babes was founded by sisters Ellen Minerd and Jane Vitou in 2004 to educate men and women of all ages on the need for daily exercise. They built their company on the belief that, in addition to eating and sleeping, exercise must become an everyday event in our lives. Just as people plan for their financial future, it’s important to plan for your physical future.
Teaming up with corporate fitness programs, Bootcamp Babes instruct employees of all ages and fitness levels on basic exercise routines that can be done as a group or individually. These routines do not require expensive equipment, gym memberships or tremendous amounts of time. Sessions are a minimum of six weeks, meeting two to three times a week either before, during or after work.
Q: Your business is has seen great success and recognition in just four years. What does Ohio uniquely offer that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A; The first thing that makes Ohio, specifically Cleveland, unique from our perspective is the ease with which we can move around the city. Our business revolves around getting to companies either before, during or after work, often crossing town several times a day. In many cities, traffic congestion would makes this an impossible task. But the highway system in Ohio is great and we are able to do what we do.
Secondly, we feel Ohio business owners are open to new ideas and willing to give us a try. As a small business, we have to rely on word of mouth for advertising. Our best advertisement comes from satisfied customers, which we have only because they were willing to open the door to us in the first place.
Finally, we feel Ohio has the right amount of business to keep our business growing for years. We will never run out of businesses looking to improve their wellness programs by joining up with the Bootcamp Babes to shake the fat!
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well?
A: We currently draw instructors from three Northeast Ohio colleges. Our ability to draw the best and brightest instructors right out of school ensures we will always be able to offer the best instructors to our corporate clients.
Q: The strategy behind your business reminds me of Ohio’s commitment to work:life balance. What business benefits do you realize from promoting work:life balance?
A: We feel that we benefit from a higher rate of employee retention because we offer them a great deal of freedom in creating their own style of teaching. We also match their schedules to ours, rather than the other way around. Because it is easy to get to and from the company, this practice allows them to work when it’s convenient for them and helps them achieve the Ohio promise of perfect balance. If we were in a city like Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta or New York, this practice would simply not be practical. Having our business in Ohio gives us a lot more flexibility to create the kind of work environment and culture that reflects our vision for our company.
Q: What one aspect of Ohio are you the most excited about to share with others?
A: To reiterate – there are not many places where we could grow our business as successfully as we have in Cleveland. For a big city, it still has a small town feel and our ability to navigate about town is what has helped us to grow as quickly has we have. Cleveland is a place that feels like home and allows people to succeed at work without having to sacrifice their family in the process.
John Kratz, President, Information Control Corporation (Columbus, Ohio)
As the largest privately owned IT services company in Ohio, Information Control Corporation (ICC) employs over 375 people, with an approaching $50 million in annual revenue. ICC specializes in providing services that drive business in four major areas: project services, software development, business intelligence and technology infrastructure.
ICC’s success is built on industry leadership, diversified services and strong partnerships with other industry leaders. I recently spoke with John Kratz, president of ICC, about how Ohio's business climate has contributed to the company’s success.
Since joining ICC as a limited partner in 1990, John has transformed the company from a small, value-added software reseller into one of the largest full-service information technology consulting firms in Ohio. As president, he believes in a client-centric business model that facilitates responsive, flexible and cost-effective delivery of services.
Q: Have you found Ohio’s business climate to be helpful in the technology consulting industry?
A: Ohio offers many unique qualities that have helped make ICC successful. From its strategic location to access a significant portion of the United States, to a well educated workforce, to a relatively low cost of living that enable us to attract out-of-state candidates, Ohio provides many assets that set it apart from other locations.
Q: Being an information technology company, how does Ohio’s labor pool meet your business needs?
A: As an information technology company, one our challenges is helping young people understand that there are tremendous career opportunities for people with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) qualifications. We believe that Ohio has the resources in place to attract these skilled workers with the state’s commitment to higher education, recruitment and strong business network.
Q: I often share with companies evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment that when you locate in Ohio, you'll build a profitable business and life. What are the top three technology specific assets you recommend I share with companies?
A: As a capital investment, Ohio has a lot to offer. We still working through the transition from a highly industrial area with some of the related labor issues but there are a ton of positive aspects already in place. The economy is diverse and has many modern elements to it. These include technology, logistics and infrastructure to support continued growth. The second asset is the labor pool that is well-educated and experienced in current technologies. The third asset is a central location that enables access to the entire United States in a matter of a few hours or less. It's not perfect but, all things considered, we stack up very well against any area I can think of in the United States.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve both your professional and personal aspirations without sacrificing one for the other. How authentic have you found this promise?
A: I believe the Ohio Promise is very real and certainly achievable in our state. Life is a continuous educational and developmental process. There are many synergies in place here that enable people to grow and enjoy a very high quality of life. When people move to Ohio, they usually don't leave Ohio. We offer a very balanced range of lifestyles that meet a wide range of interests. This includes professional opportunities, academics, cultural activities, sports, moderate climate, natural resources, reasonable cost of living and easy access to many parts of the country. It all adds up to a great quality of living.
Q: You mentioned that Ohio has many synergies in place that enable people enjoy a very high quality of life. What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: Employees with "positive work:life balance" tend to be more stable and are the people you can rely on for the long haul. They become the "core" of your organization. They will be more likely to be able to deal with the highs and lows that every organization experiences. They have things in perspective and react at the appropriate level.
Ric Powell, Managing Partner, Accel Advisors (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Accel Advisors brings a unique analytical approach to the diversity market space and helps its clients achieve measurable results from diversity practices in strategic sourcing, marketing and overall diversity management. Accel serves global companies from offices in Cincinnati, New York City, Richmond, San Francisco and Tampa and has specialized in supplier diversity consulting services since its inception.
Ric Powell, managing partner of Accel Advisors in Cincinnati, has more than 13 years of marketing, sales and operations experience within the consumer products, apparel and telecommunications industries. Prior to co-founding Accel Advisors, he held various sales, marketing and operations leadership roles at Cincinnati Bell and Cincinnati Bell Wireless including sales vice president, where he was responsible for $500 million in annual revenue and over 40 sales professionals. Prior to Cincinnati Bell, he worked with a division of Adidas America, Inc. as a market development director. Ric shared with me his thoughts about how Ohio keeps to its promise as “The State of Perfect Balance.”
Q: Many companies are trying harder to help their employees achieve better work:life balance, recognizing that better balance means happier, healthier and more productive employees. Ohio’s promises to provide businesses and employees with this work:life balance. Based on your experience, how authentic is the Ohio Promise?
A: The Ohio Promise is more than a promise, its part of our culture in Ohio. When it comes to having a fulfilling life, here in Cincinnati we have a multitude of great activities nearby, helping with personal life balance and business partnerships: rivers/lakes, park systems, great schools, museums (history, art, music), amusement parks, cultural activities, performing arts (ballet, symphonies, theatres) and major league sports teams.
Aside from enjoying the recreation and educational opportunities these organizations have to offer, we are lucky to have our executives sit on the board of many great arts foundations, such as the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Fine Arts Fund. We get to enjoy terrific theater as well as achieve our philanthropic goals.
Q: Thinking of people you know, share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations.
A: Our co-founder Rod Robinson is a great example of someone who is not originally from Ohio, but found fulfillment and success in Cincinnati. A native of Florida, Rod came to Ohio for a job and has plugged into the community in very fulfilling ways. Not only has he achieved business success with several companies, but he’s also found a passion for Tae Kwon Do and earned a black belt alongside his wife and son. He also sits on the board for the Fine Arts Fund. This is great example of creating balance and living a rich professional and personal life.
Q: Studies have found a strong correlation between employee satisfaction and productivity. What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: Employees who feel they have a great balance in their lives are more engaged in their work. If they feel comfortable with the path of their personal lives, they are more relaxed and are therefore more passionate, dedicated and inspired in their careers.
Q: If an executive from your industry was evaluating Ohio as a location for capital investment, what are the top three industry specific assets you recommend exposure to?
A: First, the marketing culture is very strong in Cincinnati, probably due to companies like P&G. Large global businesses attract and cultivate a lot of great thinkers who eventually move on to share their knowledge and experience with new and emerging entrepreneurs.
Second, locally there are quite a few strong investment companies that help emerging businesses accelerate growth. Having access to these companies and the funds they control is an advantage for entrepreneurs with great ideas.
Third, the skills of multi-cultural professionals are needed everywhere, so we spend a lot of time traveling to meet with clients. For us, our location and having access to so many regional transportation hubs gives us a strong advantage. Having access to so many convenient airports that are easy to navigate allows us to spend less time traveling from point A to point B, and more time doing business or spending time with family.
Q: Trailing spouses need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should a trailing spouse consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: The opportunity to connect with other people they can relate to is an important factor when choosing to relocate. No matter their age or background, going to a new city can be intimidating. In Ohio, opportunities to engage, get involved, volunteer or join groups are easy to find, so the new families feel at home much faster.
Q: Ohio is committed to providing a skilled, educated workforce to help the state’s business community grow and prosper. How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio is lucky to be home to more than 140 colleges and universities. The fact that we have so many institutions of higher education helps business on two fronts. First, it allows local businesses to participate in internship programs that not only help to train young people, but also gives businesses access to bright young minds, new research and thought leaders in various disciplines. Second, the high number of academic institutions creates a very large, highly trained employee base across the state.
Wayne Earley, President and CEO, PolymerOhio (Columbus, Ohio)
PolymerOhio is a connecting and networking group that is focused on enhancing the global competitiveness and growth of Ohio’s plastics, rubber and advanced materials industry. PolymerOhio's efforts are enhanced by the fact that Ohio companies include the entire supply chain of polymer production, academic institutions, economic development resources and service providers. Ohio’s strength in all aspects of the supply chain is a key asset that enables the polymer industry to continually improve and grow.
Wayne Earley, president and CEO of PolymerOhio, retired from Owens Corning in 1994 as the vice president of customer processes. Before working at Owens Corning, he worked for General Electric where he managed research and development. He is now president of Wayne A. Earley & Associates, Inc. working as a consultant on a very selective basis where he can clearly add value. Wayne is a member of a variety of boards of both private companies and organizations associated with the polymer industry. As I spoke with Wayne, his passion for the polymer industry and the state of Ohio stood out.
Q: I think many people are amazed at how strong the polymer industry is in Ohio and the significant contribution it makes to the state economy. They know our companies by name, but are not aware that they are based in Ohio. Can you share some of the surprising facts about Ohio's polymer industry?
A: Ohio's polymer industry is made up of more than 2,800 companies. Representing a broad spectrum of industries their revenues are nearly $50 billion. The state is a large producer of molded, extruded, thermoformed and processed thermoplastics. Ohio is home to the largest number of composites manufacturers and number one in paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants, and polymer compounding.
More importantly, universities in Ohio have significant polymer programs including Akron University, Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, the University of Dayton, Bowling Green University, Toledo University and Kent State University. Akron University and Case Western Reserve University are internationally known for their polymer education programs. Ohio also is home to federal research and several private research organizations, including Battelle.
With this expertise, Ohio has the complete supply chain of organizations from research to end users. One benefit we gain from this is the ability to commercialize new technology more quickly.
Q: You often have an opportunity to speak with polymer executives about making a capital investment in Ohio. What are the three key reasons you believe they should consider Ohio as the ideal location of choice?
A: First, Ohio is within one day's drive of more than 60 percent of the businesses that need polymer based products. Second, the state has a significant trained and productive workforce and education centers to keep employees' education up-to-date. Third, Ohio has supply chain partners for companies to help them react to change. Finally, Ohio’s energy costs are lower than most of those areas where companies consider to be alternate locations.
Q: Ohio recently enacted sweeping tax reform. What aspects of the new tax structure have been judged by polymer industry executives as particularly relevant to their profit and loss performance?
Whenever we talk to companies about Ohio's tax reform, they show a high level of interest in the fact that there is no tax on inventory, machinery and equipment. The only tax is based on a company's sales in Ohio and it is paid whether or not one is located in Ohio. The tax reforms alone often cause a company to consider coming to or expanding in Ohio.
Q: I think many executives might be surprised to know just how robust the polymer industry assets are in Ohio. What are the top 3 to 4 assets you tend to highlight most often in your conversations with polymer industry executives and why?
A: Ohio's has many assets including leading research facilities, supply chain support, trained workforce and energy costs that compare favorable to many states. But, probably the key asset is the state of Ohio's support for research and development. A topic that always raises eyebrows is Ohio's Third Frontier Project. The fact that the state is investing $1.6 billion over ten years is very impressive. The fact that polymer industry organizations win a significant share of these funds and companies get excited and ask "How can we get involved in those projects?" The Third Frontier Project has dramatically increased collaboration among Ohio's companies which speeds the commercialization of new technology.
Q: In addition to the polymer industry, Ohio has exceptionally deep capabilities in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing. Do these capabilities provide any potential business advantage for polymer companies in Ohio?
A: Ohio is the home to leading design organizations like Nottingham-Spirk, which developed Sherwin-Williams' paint can, and Plastic Technologies, the leader if PET bottle design for consumer liquids. Also, the state is a leader in advanced materials and nano-technology. More than 60 Ohio companies are research and commercialization partners with the Center for Mulitfunctional Polymer Nano-materials and Deveices (CMPND-pronounced compound).
At the same time, Ohio is evolving a leadership position in materials derived from renewable resources. The Ohio BioProducts Center has more than 40 companies from Ohio and other states and is establishing the capability to work with companies to use these important substitutes for petroleum derived materials. In 2007, leading companies gathered in Columbus for in-depth discussions of strategies needed to grow Ohio's position in renewable materials. At that meeting one large international leader stated, "no other state and very few other places could have assembled this group of companies to discuss materials from renewable resources."
Q: Skilled labor availability is always a consideration when making a capital investment decision. How would you characterize the strength of Ohio's education system in the sciences? Do polymer industry executives who choose to invest in Ohio have a difficult time finding or attracting the skilled labor they need to build their business?
Ohio has a large, well educated, experienced workforce for polymer manufacturers and researchers enabling a company to compete over the long term. This is one of the reasons why companies, not just R&D centers, want to locate in Ohio. The state also has a terrific internship program in the polymer industry. PolymerOhio manages a program funded by the state and can pay half the cost of an intern. Both the company and the student benefit greatly. Interns make significant contributions and often surprise their employers with their creativity and the quality of their knowledge.
Q: "The Ohio Promise" is that professional aspirations can be achieved in Ohio without having to sacrifice your personal aspirations. In your experience, how authentic is this promise? Would you share a couple examples of executives that are achieving remarkable things in both their professional and personal lives because they uniquely have the time to do so in Ohio?
A: I believe I was given the tools to have a successful career in Ohio. I was the first person in my family to receive a college degree. Early on, I was a researcher and worked on key products like DAP Tub-n-Tile caulk and the circuit boards that are at the heart of today's personal computers. Later, I became a strategic planner at GE and Owens Corning, managed GE and Owens Corning businesses and, eventually retired as a Vice President at age 56. But, retirement was a bore and the opportunities were too exciting. So I have been a consultant to a very broad range of businesses. But my current assignment at PolymerOhio is the best of all. I have the opportunity to help create and grow jobs in Ohio with a very dynamic industry that has a bright future. All this, and I never lived outside Ohio. Ohio has real opportunities for lifelong learning and exciting careers, particularly in the polymer and advanced material industry.
Q: There is a body of emerging literature connecting sustained levels of stress with increased adverse cardiovascular events. Not surprisingly, the stress from commuting to and from work in high population density areas is seen as a key contributor to sustained stress levels. Does Ohio offer a competitive advantage for executives and their employees by helping avoid induced stress associated bumper-to-bumper, prolonged commutes?
A: Well, first, the work environment in Ohio has always, to me, seemed to be less stressful than in the east and west coasts. And, I have spent significant time on both. A 30-minute commute is often considered a long drive in Ohio. And, the range of opportunities for activities, hobbies (mine is reading non-fiction) and sports is tough to match elsewhere. A member of my wife's family had a day-job and operated a small farm. Not everywhere can you have this wide range of interest. Ohio has real advantages and those who live here enjoy life. I know that I do.
Q: Bottom line, if a polymer executive is considering a capital investment, do you believe Ohio should be on their short list of locations for due diligence? And, how can potential capital investors efficiently get the factual information to help them quickly research Ohio as a location of choice?
A: Ohio should be on everyone's short list. If their business is dependent on polymer and polymer processing technology, then, the advantages available in Ohio will benefit their growth and profitability. These assets have both short- and long-term impact. And just as important, the state of Ohio wants companies to be here and has demonstrated that it intends to support this industry today and tomorrow.
Richard Simpson, Managing Partner, Bricker & Eckler LLP (Columbus, Ohio)
Bricker & Eckler LLP is one of Ohio's leading law firms. Located in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton, the firm represents individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, health care facilities, school districts and municipalities.
The firm provides superior client service through focusing on the industries in which its clients do business. Bricker & Eckler's team of experienced attorneys specialize in a number of distinctive practice areas.
Bricker & Eckler Managing Partner Richard Simpson is the former chair of the firm's bond, structured and public finance department, with a practice in municipal bonds and corporate law, emphasizing general obligation and utility revenue bond and note financings for municipalities, school districts and other political subdivisions. He also provides general corporate representation emphasizing finance.
Simpson is a frequent lecturer on bond-related topics for the Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Ohio School Boards Association. He has also served as lead bond counsel for several hundred municipal bond financings throughout the state.
He is a member of the American, Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations, a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and former member of the National Steering Committee of Bond Attorneys' Workshop.
I wanted to know what the esteemed legal firm thinks of Ohio's labor pool and its colleges and universities. What I found was that it doesn't have to look much outside of Ohio—many of the country's most promising legal minds are right in its own backyard.
Q: How does Ohio's labor pool match up to the needs of Bricker & Eckler?
A: Bricker & Eckler employs about 150 lawyers and 180 support staff across Ohio. It is typical for us to annually hire about 15 lawyers—counting both new graduates and experienced, lateral attorneys—and perhaps twice that number in support staff. We are fortunate to be located in Ohio, a state that has an extraordinary number of private colleges and public universities. We have found a consistently deep pool of qualified applicants for our positions year after year.
Q: As the Generation Y enters the workforce, what do you think makes Bricker & Eckler attractive to young professionals seeking an attainable work:life balance?
A: According to what I am reading and am personally observing, the ability to achieve an effective balance between work and life away from the office is especially important to the Generation Y employees. If we are going to be successful keeping these individuals at our firm over the long term, which is very important to us, we must create a working environment that allows for them to find that balance. We work hard to find ways to demonstrate our commitment as an organization to their needs. The firm emphasizes flexibility in terms of career paths, training and development programs, affirmation of diversity, and meaningful work experiences at the earliest possible time.
Q: The quality of an academic system is an important consideration in selecting a location for capital investment. What is your opinion of Ohio's academic system?
A: Ohio is blessed to have many of the finest public school districts in the United States. All of the major metropolitan areas have several districts that offer truly outstanding programs, with the kind of educational opportunities that would be available only at private schools in some states.
At the higher-education level, Ohio has been a national leader for decades. There are literally dozens of small, private liberal arts colleges, such as Baldwin Wallace College, Oberlin College, Kenyon College and Case Western Reserve University with outstanding national reputations, as well as large public universities and community colleges in every part of the state, offering top-quality undergraduate and graduate programs in virtually every field. Ohio's academic institutions are attracting students from across the country and around the world. I believe higher education is, in fact, one of the state's strongest growth industries.
Q: You seem impressed with Ohio's academic institutions, has Bricker & Eckler partnered with any of those institutions? If so, how has the collaboration benefited the firm?
A: This year, Bricker & Eckler has partnered with the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University to create a customized Leadership Development Program to help us address a challenge many major law firms face, which is the lack of leaders trained to fill the many leadership positions within our organization. Lawyers as a rule don't receive this kind of training in law school. They are taught to be advocates and adversaries, not leaders or managers of people. The first "cohort" of our lawyers started the 11-segment program in January and will finish in June. We are getting rave reviews from the 25 participants, and expect to see a tangible return on our investment in the form of improved operations across the firm. Having the resources of one of the country's largest and finest research universities right in our backyard, with creative minds ready to go to work to solve our particular problems, has made this program possible and cost-effective.
Q: "The Ohio Promise" is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. How authentic do you think the promise is, especially in the eyes of young professionals?
A: Every year our firm is in the market recruiting eight or 10 new law school graduates. We compete for this talent against law firms nationwide. For us to be successful in attracting the best and brightest new lawyers, professionals who can pick and choose among job offers from firms in virtually any city, we must be able to convince them that they can in fact "have it all" by choosing to come with us. We tell them that they can have a sophisticated, intellectually challenging law practice in a comfortable environment among supportive colleagues, as well as the opportunity to live and raise a family in a great community with outstanding schools, easy commutes and all the amenities. In other words, they can live a successful, fulfilling, balanced life.
But this "sales pitch" won't work unless it is true. These are very smart people. We can't pull the wool over their eyes. If what we are describing is not real, they will know it in a heartbeat and they will choose to go elsewhere. Fortunately, I am happy to report that we have been very successful in attracting the kind of talent we want. The "Ohio Promise" you refer to is quite authentic. Young professionals who are looking for that kind of balance in their lives can easily find it here.
Dr. "Chip" Souba, MD, ScD, MBA, Dean of the College of Medicine, Interim Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and CEO of the Medical Center, The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
The OSU Medical Center, the only academic medical center in central Ohio, is on the forefront in the future of medicine through its approach of personalized care. The center comprises six signature programs, which include cancer, critical care, heart, imaging, neurosciences and transplantation. The center also educates a large percentage of the region's physicians and provides advanced training and continuing education for clinicians.
Specializing in surgical oncology, Dr. Wiley W. "Chip" Souba is a thought leader on the subjects of leadership in academic medical centers, core values and mentoring. He is regularly ranked as one of "The Best Doctors in America" by his peers, has published 300 articles in peer-reviewed journals, is the co-author of Surgical Research and the editor of American College of Surgeons Surgery. Prior to joining OSU in August 2006, Dr. Souba served as chair of the Department of Surgery at the Penn State University College of Medicine, surgeon-in-chief at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center and director of the Penn State Hershey Center for Leadership Development.
I wanted to learn more about why the OSU Medical Center has thrived and become an authority among academic medical centers in the Midwest. What I learned was that Ohio provides a positive work:life balance that reduces job-site stress, which makes the OSU Medical Center a desired place to work and thrive.
Q: What do you think are the key advantages that Ohio uniquely offers that have contributed to the success of the OSU Medical Center?
A: I would point immediately to the exceptional workforce, the economy, and the ability to forge relationships and collaborations. Ohio, in particular, central Ohio, has a workforce that is exceptional. It's not only the intellectual capacity but it's the Midwest values that I believe speak to our strengths. Every state is challenged economically these days, but I believe the government and business leaders are committed to keeping our economy strong. This is important as the OSU Medical Center and other businesses make major plans for growth well into the next decade. In terms of collaborations, I am constantly amazed by how commerce, government and neighborhoods unite to improve their communities and the state. There is a positive energy and a level of excitement that is conducive to good business and partnerships.
Q: Health care professionals don't always keep regular 9 to 5 hours. With that being said, what benefits do you see the OSU Medical Center getting from having employees who really achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: A positive work:life balance reduces job stress and results in a more motivated workforce. Jobs in the health care field are intense, so in order to keep the OSU Medical Center a workplace of choice, we need to ensure that our employees view their jobs as a focus, not the focus in their lives. Ohio offers options and opportunities that make striking this balance very manageable.
Q: In you opinion, what is Ohio's one true gem that you share with others?
A: Although I was not a complete stranger to Ohio - I earned my undergraduate degree at Muskingum College - my eyes opened when I came to OSU in 2006 and found that Ohio was a very prominent player when it comes to business, education and the arts. As a home to many Fortune 500 businesses, academic institutions, as well as great art, athletic and entertainment venues, I don't think there are many states that can compare as favorably. I always "sell" Columbus and Ohio to recruits. It's really not difficult.
Q: As a health care industry leader, what is the OSU Medical Center's judgment of Ohio's workforce?
A: Most of our staff at the OSU Medical Center lives in the central Ohio area and we are very fortunate to have such an abundant and talented pool of people. Ohio places a high value on education and that is evident in the people that we hire who make us one of the top academic medical centers in the country. We also are aided by a strong work ethic throughout the community and a successful transportation system, which is essential for many employees.
Q: "The Ohio Promise" is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Do you agree and have you witnessed this promise in your experience?
A: I certainly agree that Ohio lends itself to not only a quality work/life balance, but also to a rewarding life beyond the 8- to 10-hour day. A stable workforce, a steady demand for the products and services we provide, and a great potential for growth and prosperity make this an ideal location for young professionals families. I have lived and worked all over this country and this is the place I call home.
A.J. Hyland, President and CEO, Hyland Software Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio)
Hyland Software Inc. (HSI) is a quintessential entrepreneurial success story. The company was started in 1991, fueled by a passion for technology that led to a remarkable business track record. Headquartered in Cleveland, Hyland Software is led by its president and CEO, A.J. Hyland.
I wanted to learn more about why Hyland Software is so successful in Ohio. What I learned is that Ohio provides the perfect balance between cost structure and market access—something that every entrepreneurial initiative can benefit from.
Hyland Software contributes to helping the world adopt "green" practices by moving companies to a paperless operation. Hyland Software has developed its award-winning OnBase® product, enterprise content management software that combines integrated document management, business process management and records management in a single application.
The company is committed to providing service and support that goes beyond customer satisfaction to produce customer "delight." Remarkably, A.J. commits to being personally available to his customers 24/7, 365 days a year. It is a commitment he rightly keeps. Hyland Software is the kind of company we are proud to have headquartered and prospering in Ohio.
Q: Hyland Software has a noteworthy history of success. Since its launch in 1991, the company has consistently outperformed the market. Hyland Software has more than 7,000 customers worldwide. It sounds like a classic tale of entrepreneurial success. Tell me about the creation of the OnBase® software program and how being in Cleveland has been most beneficial.
A: My brother started Hyland Software because he saw an opportunity to help organizations be more efficient and effective through better management of their key documents. The company was founded on an idea and then grew, one customer at a time. Today, we are a global operation with a strong customer base. I joined the company immediately after graduating from college and became president in 1997. I've had the opportunity to see our OnBase® product make a difference in the cost efficiency, functionality and profitability of many companies, as well as our employees win multiple awards for their efforts, including being recognized in 2007 by Mortgage Technology as one of the Top 50 Best and Brightest Mortgage Technology Providers.
From the very beginning, it was decided that Hyland Software would be headquartered in Cleveland and we've never looked back. Cleveland has everything our company needs to be successful. Our past, present and future are in this community.
Q: The recently reformed tax structure in Ohio makes the first $1 million dollars in a company's sales essentially tax-free. What would this have meant for Hyland Software back in the early 90's when you were gearing the company up for success?
A: If the current tax law were in place when Hyland Software was starting up it would have been a huge benefit. The startup phase is a time when every penny really matters. Typically, a startup is leveraged to the maximum and additional capital is difficult to find. Not having to pay state tax on the first $1 million in gross receipts means operational cash is made available for further product enhancement or for hiring additional employees to help propel the business. Even though this law wasn't in place when Hyland Software started, I know Cleveland and Ohio, as a whole, will continue to be great places for entrepreneurs to consider investing capital. Everything you need to create a successful business is readily available.
Q: To borrow a concept from the book "Good to Great," getting the right people on the bus is important to success. Has Hyland Software been able to find the right people in the Ohio labor pool? Have you had any problems recruiting talent from outside Ohio when needed?
A: The Ohio higher education system is remarkable. We have no trouble finding the talent we need to make Hyland Software successful. We have great relationships with a number of outstanding institutions like Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and Kent State University to name a few. Hyland Software gets access to the best and brightest talent, and in return, we give graduates the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology. We are now in the process of extending our reach to take advantage of the talent from other top-notch institutions, like The Ohio State University.
One additional point that I think often gets overlooked is the incredible work ethic of Ohio employees. While I am sure it is true elsewhere, Ohioans take great pride in the quality and quantity of their work. I never have to worry if Hyland Software is getting a good day's effort for a good day's pay. The productivity and loyalty of Ohio workers is something we don't talk enough about.
Q: When I spoke with Stan Aholt, executive director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center, he mentioned that many executives are unaware of how wired Ohio really is. Hyland Software is in the software solution industry, do you feel Ohio has the telecommunications connectivity companies need to be successful?
A: Ohio has given Hyland Software everything it needs to be successful. Our company effectively serves customers around the world. Domestic and international travel is easy from Cleveland because it is a hub for Continental Airlines, and the same is true in Cincinnati with the Delta hub. From an Internet service perspective, we have more than adequate bandwidth to meet our requirements. I think Stan is right when he says Ohio is a well-wired state.
Q: Ohio claims it is the state of perfect balance where professional success is achieved in the broader context of a fulfilling life. From your perspective, how authentic is the assertion?
A: I think Ohio is a terrific place to have a business. There really is an opportunity to achieve your professional goals without having to sacrifice your personal goals. One of the trends I see is people who moved away from Ohio and returning in hopes of starting a family and establishing roots. I think the opportunity to achieve a good work-life balance is real. It is easy to commute to and from work. I can easily be in downtown Cleveland in 15 minutes, and most importantly, my employees and I have time to spend with our families. I am sure other CEOs have told you that a good work-life balance helps improve morale, productivity and continuity. Each of these benefits has direct bottom line performance impact. I know many executives who have left Ohio and want to come back. They want to be part of their children's lives while they are young and don't want to be absentee parents as a result of earning a living. I think Ohio is definitely the "State of Perfect Balance." I am looking forward to seeing Hyland Software continue to grow and help foster a prosperous Cleveland, Ohio.
Gary Cooper, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Cooper Farms
Cooper Farms has been a successful business for 70 years. It employs 1,300 team members who work at four divisions throughout Northwestern and Western Ohio. Every year the company posts a 5-to-10 percent business growth in the highly competitive wholesale food supply industry. In a world where companies start and fail rapidly, sustained success is a remarkable accomplishment that offers important lessons. I wanted to understand how being in Ohio has uniquely contributed to Cooper Farms' amazing track record. To steal a phrase from the book Built to Last, I was eager to talk with Gary Cooper (VP and COO) and learn how he is "building a clock versus simply keeping time."
Q: Gary, how does being located in Ohio contribute to Cooper Farms' 70 years of success?
A: The first thing that comes to mind is people. In Ohio, we have found some of the most amazing people. The employees of our company share Midwest farm values of honesty, trustworthiness, common sense and family traditions. I know, without question, that every Cooper Farms associate comes to work each and every day with the goals of doing what is right and contributing their best. I appreciate that this may be the expectation every company has of its employees. But, I also know it is the rare executive who can legitimately claim that the expectation is reality. Ohio people give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and take great pride in doing the job right. We have friendly, caring people who are more like family than employees.
The second thing that comes to mind is the logistics capability in Ohio. Our business requires rapid and reliable access to our customers. Ohio is located within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population. It has a world-class transportation structure that includes road, rail, air and water. The reliability and low cost of transportation services has been key to helping us keep costs down and providing competitive prices.
Third, Ohio's agribusiness and automated manufacturing industries provide important synergies. Having access to operational knowledge of companies in these industries and the academic programs that support them is very helpful when we face challenges to further improve our process productivity. Over the 70 years Cooper Farms has been in business, this community of experts has been very helpful when we've needed support, particularly the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center and The Center for Innovative Food Technology.
Q: The Ohio promise is "balance without compromise" which simply means that professional success can be achieved in the broader context of a fulfilling life and you don't have to sacrifice your personal aspirations to achieve your professional aspirations. How authentic do you feel this promise is?
A: In my opinion, Ohio delivers on the promise. I have a daughter who is practicing law in Los Angeles. It is amazing that whenever she talks about Cooper Farms with her friends, the consistent response is that the product must be good because hardworking people in the Midwest make it. There is a level of trust associated with the Midwest that is based on our value system, straightforward approach and reliability. I've also noted that over the years many people who have left Ohio return to raise their families. They return because they want their children to be well grounded and have solid values. This is possible in Ohio to a large degree because people here believe in the importance of having a balanced life. Children are allowed the time to mature in a safe environment. They build confidence in themselves and they learn right from wrong. Parents are able to spend time with their family because commutes are short. Ohio is a place where you know your neighbors and can count on them to provide help when you need it. In Ohio, you are part of a caring community. This is the type of life I think many people aspire to, and it is definitely available in Ohio.
Q: How important is the food processing industry in Ohio?
A: The industry ships $23 billion worth of product annually and employs about 62,400 workers. It is an extremely important contributor to the state's economy.
Eric Boltz, President, Marathon Sensors Inc. (West Chester, Ohio)
Eric Boltz is president of Marathon Sensors Inc., headquartered in West Chester, Ohio. Marathon Sensors develops and markets atmosphere sensors and instrumentation for the heat treating, power generation, glass and ceramic, refining and petrochemical, metals reheat and incineration industries. Recently, Marathon Sensors was named the 2007 Exporter of the Year in Ohio (photo, left). Governor Strickland described the company as having the "kind of drive, vision, and innovation required to be a leader in Ohio's exporting industry."
I wanted to learn more about Eric's success because Ohio is undergoing a purposeful metamorphosis to become a leader in the global economy. I wanted to know if Eric believes Ohio's business climate changes are helping his company be more competitive worldwide.
Q: First, congratulations on Marathon Sensors being named Ohio's 2007 Exporter of the Year. That is an impressive honor that must make you and your employees proud.
A: The employees and partners of Marathon share the responsibility and deserve the recognition for their hard work. We knew that working with quality partners around the globe and not outsourcing our production and parts to cheaper places was the right way to do business. Our sales and service subsidiary in China and licensee in Mexico have worked hard to increase our market and maintain the quality that makes Marathon the best. Marathon exports approximately 50 percent of our products, while all manufacturing takes place in West Chester, Ohio.
Q: What would you say is "the key" to Marathon Sensors' global business success?
A: Without question, it is our employees. Ohio has an exceptionally strong, skilled labor pool. We have been able to tap into that pool and find the talent we require for both managerial and line work. Equally important, the talent is not cost prohibitive and that has been key to keeping the cost of our product down so we can set a competitive price point. We have found that we rarely have to engage in a national search because there is plenty of talent right here in Ohio. In addition, our employees have a great Midwestern work ethic. They take pride in what they do and are highly motivated to do what is right and to the best of their ability. When you have unwavering confidence in your employees, you have the time to focus on getting other things right in your business so your team's talent can be unleashed in the most competitive way.
Q: Do you have access to the best and brightest talent in the industry?
A: Absolutely. Marathon Sensors enjoys a very productive relationship with The Ohio State University as an example. OSU has been a great resource for licensing patents and we often collaborate with the university on programs. The graduating students are among the best in the nation and they have the skills we need to be successful in this industry.
Q: Ohio has methodically been improving the state's business climate to assist companies seeking to become international players. In presenting the award to you, Governor Strickland punctuated the point by saying, "Ohio is poised to become a leader in our fast-growing global economy, and we must continue to recognize that opportunities beyond our state borders are vital to Ohio's economic success." Do you feel the recent reform of the tax structure will help Marathon Sensors become an even stronger global competitor?
A: Public sector policies can either help a company or cripple it. The most important thing is to have a collaborative relationship between public and private sector leadership; a relationship that behaves like a risk sharing partnership. In Ohio, that relationship exists. The recent tax reform is a great example. It wasn't just a typical reform; it was a complete overhaul of the corporate tax structure. It was successfully completed because there was a clear vision established to have Ohio be the ideal location for globally minded companies to locate, and because the public and private sector leaders collaborated productively. The same thing was true with the earlier tort reform.
The new tax structure is designed to help companies with a global book of business. The fact that new machinery and equipment is exempt from property tax encourages companies to upgrade and become more efficient. The fact that sales to customers outside of Ohio are not taxed helps companies be more competitive in pricing while maintaining margin. So definitely, the new tax structure will help Ohio be considered a great place from which to conduct international business.
Q: Ohio claims to be the "State of Perfect Balance," promising that business success is achievable in the broader context of a fulfilling personal life. Do you feel Ohio delivers on that promise?
A: I feel that living in Ohio makes it easy to achieve balance in your life, and that balance is important. Ohio has a low cost of living. My friends who live in other locations are shocked at how much house can be purchased in Ohio for $200,000. Rather than tie up your cash in housing, you have more of it to invest in getting greater enjoyment from life. I grew up in Los Angeles and I know the challenges of raising a family or commuting to and from work in a large metropolitan area. There is a penalty you pay in your health and your family relationships. In Ohio, I live three miles from my office; my commute is about eight minutes. I can go home and have lunch if I want. I can be actively involved in the lives of my children and I know they are growing up in a safe environment and developing a solid set of values. The low cost of living in Ohio allows our family to take vacations anywhere we want, and to take advantage of the cultural opportunities in our own backyard. I believe my children are growing up in the kind of environment that provides the grounding they need to be successful in life.
Bill Fuller, Vice President of Business Development, Akron Polymer Systems (Akron, Ohio)
Akron Polymer Systems Inc. (APS) is a great example of a company successfully commercializing a cutting-edge technology in an industry that is a core strength for the state of Ohio: advanced materials. The company was founded in 2002 for the purpose of developing and marketing high performance polymers, and has been developing materials that can be used for aerospace, fuel cells, optical and photonic, and medical device applications. The company's affiliation with the University of Akron has facilitated collaboration on projects between the University and APS.
APS's CEO, Dr. Frank Harris, has extensive experience in synthesis, characterization and commercialization of high performance polymer systems. One of his technologies invented while working at the University of Akron is used to improve the viewing angle and image quality on LCD televisions. This patented technology is currently on the market and is the dominant technology used.
I had the opportunity to speak with Bill Fuller, who recently joined APS as vice president of business development. In my talk with Bill, I wanted to learn a bit more about Ohio as a choice location for entrepreneurs.
Q: Bill, why is Ohio a great place for a polymer company like APS to start up?
A: It is fairly well known that the polymer industry is one of Ohio's largest and most important industries. It includes more than 2,800 companies and more than 140,000 employees. The industry generates approximately $50 billion in annual revenues and more than $5 billion in salaries for its workers. When I learned how deep the industry was in Ohio, it made my decision to join APS even easier.
Q: APS does cutting edge work in optical film technology. Are people surprised when you tell them the company is based in Ohio?
A: A little. But, inside the industry Dr. Harris and other people at APS are well known for their commercialized technologies, published research and patents. Most of our staff came from the University of Akron, which has an outstanding reputation in the field.
Also, Northeast Ohio really has a critical mass of research and companies commercializing optical devices. With the research at the University of Akron in polymers and Kent State in liquid crystals, it's really makes sense for us to be located in this area.
Q: Are you able to find the talent you need to effectively compete?
A: There is an excellent professional community in Ohio that we tap into. There are a number of managers with technology start-up experience and of course we have a strong connection with the University of Akron for our researchers. In essence there is a lot of good talent in Ohio for investors interested in starting businesses and for entrepreneurial managers who want to take an early stage technology company to commercial success. I think if you take a close look at Ohio, it becomes obvious there's a low cost structure, plenty of skilled talent and a business climate conducive for success. Ohio may be one of the best-kept secrets in the entrepreneurial world.
Q: We promise executives that in Ohio they can achieve professional success in the broader context of a fulfilling life. Does this promise seem authentic based on your experience?
A: It does. I used to live in Cary, North Carolina and worked in Research Triangle Park. My commute was 11 miles, but it took me about an hour to complete each way. The issue was lack of infrastructure and so everything was always crowded - roads, restaurants, you name it. Also, Ohio offers established communities rich with culture, diversity, character and good school systems. There are one-of-a-kind places to find in every neighborhood, fantastic park systems, pro-sports teams and it's easy to get from place to place.
Q: It sounds like you enjoy the choices Ohio has to offer, and you have the time to take advantage of the opportunities.
A: I think a positive work:life balance is huge and it's an important part of my personal core values. I have two young children and a long commute didn't leave me the quality time I wanted to spend with them. Ohio also offers tons of interesting ways for families to spend that time together. Everything is close and affordable. There are cultural options like museums, concerts and plays; and there are outdoor opportunities like state parks and the Lake Erie shoreline. Being an avid mountain biker, Ohio offers excellent trails that are accessible and not overcrowded.
Bob Massie, President, Chemical Abstracts Service
(Columbus, Ohio)
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), a division of the American Chemical Society and the global leader in chemical information, provides the most comprehensive databases of publicly disclosed research in chemistry and related sciences. In 2007, CAS celebrated its 100th year of serving scientists and other researchers around the world. CAS is located on a 54-acre campus in Columbus, Ohio. President Bob Massie has overseen a number of significant changes at CAS since he took charge 15 years ago. CAS products have shifted to web-enabled services; 50 percent of CAS' revenues were print-based in 1993. Today, 96 percent are electronic. CAS employees come from around the world, speaking more than 50 languages. Bob also has seen improvements in Ohio over that time period that have reinforced his love of the Buckeye State.
Q: No company survives 100 years without doing something right. What makes CAS a special place to work?
A: CAS information services have been the best in class throughout every era in those hundred years. To compete on a world stage, we have depended on great people; and CAS scientists and technical staff love living in Columbus. Our campus is pretty special. It is located 10 minutes from downtown and the state capital. There is a beautiful river flowing beside it and we have a view of Ohio State University's famous horseshoe stadium. Our associates can walk our grounds year-round, picnic by the river, and park on-site, while creating superb research tools for the world's scientists. CAS employees enjoy a work:life balance that allows them to be their best at both work and in the community. This is very important to me and to our associates.
Q: CAS has a very diverse group of associates. They could move anywhere and be successful professionally. Has retaining top talent been an issue in Ohio?
A: CAS scientists and technology workers come from all parts of the world. Scientists speaking dozens of languages have made Ohio their home. Through their dedication and outstanding skills, they have helped CAS build the world's largest and most comprehensive, chemistry-related information resources. In addition, they have added immensely to the diversity and culture of Columbus.
I must admit though, one of our scientists did leave CAS to follow his personal passion and start a successful, local Vietnamese restaurant. He is doing very well. Good restaurants are part of the fabric of Ohio that help deliver a fulfilling quality of life.
Q: Fifteen years ago, you chose to move to Ohio. What is it about the state and the Columbus area attracted you and continues to keep you here today?
A: I came to Columbus and CAS for the work:life balance, no doubt. It is simply unbeatable to live and work here. The airport is fifteen minutes from any number of communities as well as our office; so we can easily catch planes to meet customers and partners around the world. With 60 percent of our revenues coming from outside the United States, our management group is constantly in the air to Europe, Japan, China, India or wherever serious sci-tech research is conducted. But the beauty of Ohio and the Columbus region is that when you are home, you are home. You don't have to plan your trip to the airport as if it were a major campaign.
I live 10 minutes from the airport, and most of my colleagues are no more than 20 minutes away. Our offices, the downtown area and Ohio State University are even a bit closer. In today's travel climate, with business travel increasingly stressful and delay-ridden, it is invaluable to know that access to the airport is hassle free.
Q: One thing I hear from executives is that the financial component of the capital investment decision is pretty straightforward, but being able to meet the needs of employees and their families is the harder part of the equation. What would you tell an executive who is considering Ohio about the advantages in choosing Ohio as the location for capital investment?
A: CAS celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, with 98 of those years in Columbus. In fact, CAS, a global business with 1,400 employees, is based in Columbus because its second "editor" decided to move to here in 1909. I suppose that demonstrates that even at the turn of the last century, the advantages of Ohio for work and a full life were already known!
One further personal observation: I've worked and lived in Europe, the Middle East, Canada and a number of East Coast cities. In Ohio and the Columbus area, I've found it unique how newcomers are welcomed, and I appreciate the open social and networking climate. Those who wish to do so can participate in the charitable, social and recreational world here without any apparent limits. Charitable giving and community involvement are second nature in central Ohio. And with the short commutes I mentioned, we have more time for those endeavors, which make life outside of work better rounded.
Jerry Hutton, Dean of Energy and Transportation Technologies, Hocking College (Nelsonville, Ohio)
There is a sign on historic Route 33 near Nelsonville, Ohio that reads "This Road Leads to The Future." Jerry Hutton believes the message is even more relevant today than it was when the road first opened. Jerry is the dean of energy and transportation technologies at Hocking College. He also is a man with a clear vision of how Ohio will lead the United States in the creation of an advanced energy industry. I wanted to learn more about how to answer the question "Why Ohio?" when talking about this emerging industry. Our conversation was fascinating, and I found Jerry's perspective compelling and inspiring. Ohio appears to have everything: from the right skilled labor pool, natural assets, a collaborative public and private leadership and a broadly shared view of what needs to happen in order to build a sustainable, world-class advanced energy industry. How fitting is it that Route 33 runs by the new Hocking College Energy Institute? Once again, for Ohio "This Road Leads to The Future," and all of America will benefit.
Q: Jerry, the Hocking College Energy Institute is an amazing concept. It is a great example of collaboration between academia and both the private and public sectors. If I am an executive in the advanced energy industry, do I see the creation of the Energy Institute as the kind of practical approach to problem solving I can expect in Ohio?
A: We envisioned the Energy Institute as a holistic center for learning about advanced energy technologies. There will be a driving focus on fuel cell technology, but all areas of advanced energy will be explored.
The new Energy Institute was created to address the need for the skilled labor pool critical to successfully commercializing advanced energy technologies. We provide extensive training programs and decided to locate the Institute directly across from the Logan-Hocking Industrial Park. We expect this 7.5-acre property to be home to a number of advanced energy companies who can tap into our students through internship programs. These internships will ideally lead to full-time employment opportunities for our graduates and provide businesses with the skilled employees they need.
The Energy Institute also will house an applied research center for business and affordable incubator space for new advanced energy businesses.
So, while the Hocking College Energy Institute is exceptional, the practical approach that led to its creation is not unusual. Ohio is a state of very practical people. In fact, if you were an executive looking to start or move your advanced energy company, I think you'd find Ohio as a place strong in practical innovation.
The recent tax reform is a great example of a challenge that was approached methodically in a broad collaboration between public and private sector leaders. These leaders stayed focused on successfully finding a practical solution to better enable Ohio based companies to compete in the global market. Take a look at tort reform before that. Consider the collaboration it took to create the strength of the automotive industry in Ohio, or capabilities in the logistics industry. This is a state that tends to approach economic challenges in a bipartisan manner with all stakeholders at the table.
Q: But "Why Ohio?" and "Why Now?"
A: Ohio is building on a foundation of success in the advanced energy industry. First, the universities and colleges in Ohio have outstanding programs for students in technical fields as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These graduates are one reason why Ohio has a strong presence of advanced engineering, advanced materials and advanced design companies. Second, there is a world-class computational and telecommunications capability in Ohio requiring skilled workers. Third, there is a strong technology and transportation infrastructure, created over time to support other industries that simply needs to be leveraged. And fourth, Ohio has the abundant natural resources like coal, water and wind that are important to a robust advanced energy industry.
Why now? Because Ohio's public and private sector leadership agrees on the importance of developing an advanced energy industry as a driver of Ohio's future economic well being. For example, Governor Strickland has made building a strong advanced energy industry in Ohio a high priority for his administration. This strategy is supported financially as well. The Energy Institute received a $1.6M U.S. EDA grant to help in this mission. The Third Frontier Program has funding available to support qualified and promising new technology with commercial potential. Large corporations like AEP are investing in ways to make advanced energy applications cost effective and feasible for broad scale application. There has never been a better time to invest capital in Ohio if you are an executive in the advanced energy industry. Of course, we'd like businesses to consider investing in and around our new Energy Institute to take advantage of our training programs and college graduates.
Q: Ultimately, do you see Ohio leading the nation in creating a viable advanced energy industry?
A: I think the potential is definitely there. In Ohio there are already a number of successful initiatives and ongoing research programs that explore advanced energy applications. For example, the Air Force is interested in the possibility of using liquefied coal as a replacement for jet fuel. If it can be successfully accomplished in an economically feasible manner, imagine the possibilities. As another example, Technology Management Inc. in Cleveland and the Ohio Soybean Council recently collaborated on the first public demonstration of a kilowatt-scale solid oxide fuel cell system that runs on vegetable oil from soybeans. Even more exciting advances in fuel cell technology research and development are summarized on the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition Web site. We have the potential to make Ohio the "Energy Valley" of the United States. Everything required to be successful is already here in Ohio. The key is to harness the capabilities in this state and direct them toward aggressively pursuing creation of a nation-leading advanced energy industry.
Q: Clearly, to be successful in building an advanced energy industry, it will take an entrepreneurial spirit. How entrepreneur friendly is Ohio?
A: Everything an entrepreneur needs to succeed is available in Ohio. In fact, I would encourage entrepreneurs to seriously consider locating their start-up businesses in Hocking County and the surrounding area. What their due diligence will find is that they can enjoy low overhead and have easy access to a major metropolitan center within an hours drive. We have a number of support resources for entrepreneurs (like the Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs located in Athens), incubator centers, access to venture capital and a vibrant community of successful entrepreneurs available to provide wisdom along the way.
Q: Our Ohio promise is that you can pursue your professional aspirations and your personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. We call Ohio the "State of Perfect Balance." In your opinion, is the promise authentic?
A: Absolutely! I think reducing stress in your life helps you be more creative and productive. Hocking College and the Energy Institute are located in an area that is beautiful, offering many recreation opportunities and abundant natural resources. There are cultural opportunities too. There are colleges, museums, theater and city amenities just a short drive away. We have entrepreneurs who have started their business in our area with the intent of moving to a big city once their cash flow would allow it, only to find that there really isn't a compelling reason to burden their P&L with additional overhead cost after they have experienced how easy it is to do business and enjoy life in our area. I like the phrase "State of Perfect Balance." I think it captures what Ohio offers quite well.
Rob Howlett, Founder and CEO, Circlesprout Ltd. (Cleveland, Ohio)
One consistent theme in my conversations with executives centers on Ohio as an ideal location to call home and raise a family. In fact, many Ohioans return to our state to find the perfect balance between professional success and family life. In addition, many non-Ohioans find the balance in Ohio is exactly what they are seeking in their life.
I recently spoke with Rob Howlett, founder and CEO of Circlesprout Ltd. Rob is a graduate of The Ohio State University who left Ohio to pursue his professional career and decided to return when he and his wife, Ellen, wanted to start a family. Rob is an unabashed Buckeye and prouder than ever to be one. He left Cleveland seeking professional and personal success only to find that it was most easily attainable in Ohio, the state of perfect balance; the state he proudly calls home.
Q: What have you found are the key differences between the locations you've lived and Ohio?
A: Once I graduated, I moved to Chicago to start my professional career. I was in my 20's and the city seemed exciting. There were lots of people, activity and hustle and bustle. It was very different than my Ohio experience. But, after a while the city lost its luster. The sheer volume of people, crazed pace, and high costs became more noticeable. Additionally, the transient culture did not make it easy to create sustainable friendships. I was always surrounded by people, but never felt like I was really getting to know anyone on a personal level. In fact, the volume of people quickly became problematic. It translated into long commute times, long lines and high costs to visit any local attraction or event. I lived four miles from my office in Chicago and I could literally jog home faster than drive home. Los Angeles had the same dynamic. It was no different in San Francisco, either. In fact, when we lived in San Francisco we would drive to the suburbs to do our grocery shopping and go to the movies simply to avoid the excessive crowds.
My wife Ellen and I decided to move to Cleveland, Ohio to get back to a more balanced life so we could raise a family. It is amazing to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art and encounter no lines to get in. We can actually take time to enjoy the Ansel Adams collection. I live on the 12th hole of an amazing golf course and five minutes away from our child's day care center. I have a short commute to work. I can spend quality time with my children in the morning and again in the evening. I'm not getting home after they've gone to bed for the night or leaving for work before they get up in the morning.
Q: You mentioned that it was harder to form friendships with people in the other locations you lived. Why do you think that it is easier in Ohio?
A: In part, it is the Midwestern culture. In Ohio, people want to know you as a person. Everybody looks out for each other. In the cities I lived before returning, it was unusual to know your neighbor's name. People tended to rent versus own and move frequently. As a consequence, there wasn't the same desire to invest in getting to know somebody on a personal level.
Friendships are important, especially for children. In Ohio, our children are making lasting friendships and Ellen and I know the parents of their friends. We see each other at school and social events because everybody has the time to get involved. We feel like we are part of a community and with that comes an increased degree of safety. I know my neighbors are helping to look after the interests of my family. They keep a watchful eye on our property when we are not around and are quick to lend a helping hand when needed.
I have a good friend who lives in New York City. I was visiting him one time and while we were walking, I noticed he kept his head down. I asked him why, and he said it was to avoid being hassled by strangers. I found that quite revealing. In Ohio, people keep their heads up so they can say hello to their neighbors and friends. It made me appreciate that in Ohio, you can actually see the world versus just the tops of your shoes.
Q: What are the biggest misperceptions about Ohio that you encountered when you lived outside of the state?
A: Probably the number one misperception is that Ohio doesn't have a lot to offer. This perception is fueled by sit-coms and late night shows that poke fun at our state and cities. Additionally, when executives visit Ohio they normally don't have time to get a good look at how their counterparts live. When I tell my friends about the amount of home I am able to afford, the low cost of living and the short commute I have to get to work, their jaws drop. It is hard for them to wrap their minds around the fact that they could be enjoying the same balance Ellen and I are.
The second misperception is that Ohio has no water activities. I hear this a lot from my California acquaintances. Honestly, for most of the west coast the ocean is cold. I'd much rather be able to enjoy the Great Lakes. It is a lot more fun. People don't realize that Ohio has access to 20 percent of the world's fresh water supply. And boaters can actually afford dock slips. There is so much recreational activity on the lake that the hardest thing is to choose what to do on any given day.
The third most common misperception is that the creative opportunities are few and far between in Ohio. People are amazed when I tell them that the Cleveland Orchestra is regarded as one of the top five in the nation. Cleveland is also home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. There are 21 art museums in Cleveland. And if you consider professional sports a form of art, there are the Browns, the Indians and the Cavaliers. Most important, though, is that it is all accessible and affordable. We find if Cleveland doesn't have exactly what we want, then the chances are good Columbus or Cincinnati will. Both cities are a short drive and Ellen and I take advantage of their offerings whenever we want to.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve both your professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. How authentic do you feel the promise is?
A: After we moved to Ohio, I was able to buy a wonderful home I am thoroughly enjoying and save enough money to start my own business, which is doing extremely well. If we were still living in any of the cities we lived, that simply wouldn't have been possible. My earnings would have been spent to just keep our heads above water because of the cost of living. I feel my family and my employees live in a safe environment that is conducive to them doing their best work. My employees have a strong work ethic and people take their job responsibilities seriously in Ohio. Often my biggest problem is ensuring they take all of their vacation days! My children are making lifelong friendships and getting a high quality education. I am not stuck in commuter traffic and am an active part of my kids' childhood so when they are grown and Ellen and I are empty nesters, I'll be able to have a wonderful relationship with them as adults. Call it the American dream if you want, but I am definitely living it in Ohio.
Tillie Hidalgo Lima, CEO, Best Upon Request Corporate, Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
There are people we meet in life who have amazing business accomplishments and who inspire us to achieve more professionally. Then there are people who, through the way they live their lives, inspire us to make a difference personally. Tillie Hidalgo Lima is one of those rare individuals who is incredibly inspiring both personally and professionally.
Tillie is CEO of Best Upon Request, a concierge services firm that helps companies improve bottom line profit performance by helping employees better integrate their work and personal lives. Under her leadership, Best Upon Request has nearly quadrupled in size and in 2005 was awarded the Small Business Excellence Award for minority business of the year by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. But her role as a mother and volunteer leader in organizations like the Girl Scouts, YWCA, the Cincinnati Chamber's Women Excel Executive Advisory Board, Leadership Cincinnati Steering Committee and Agenda 360, is what provides Tillie with a fulfilling life, which, as she puts it, "helps define my dash."
Q: We are saying to executives that everything they need to build a successful business is here in Ohio. Has that been true for Best Upon Request?
A: Yes, in several ways. Most important to me is the quality of the people in Ohio. For example, there is a wonderful Midwest work ethic among those on our leadership team. They are energetic and engaged in life. These qualities translate into a passion for providing customer service and in our business that means superior performance for our clients. I also have been impressed by the support we receive from the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. They have been a source of information we have leveraged often to help build our business. The quality of the Ohio education system is also top notch. I have personal experience with both the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University. Both have cutting edge research programs and amazingly vibrant campuses. Based on my experience, the graduates of those programs are well prepared to be highly successful in life.
Q: As a small business leader, do you feel Ohio has a friendly business environment for entrepreneurs?
A: One of the more remarkable programs in Ohio is the Third Frontier Program. My husband is involved with the initiative. This program provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with other professionals and get guidance on best practices that can make them successful in the marketplace. Grant money is available to support entrepreneurs that have qualified technical projects with great commercial potential. This program has the potential to put Ohio on the map for entrepreneurs and is a definite reason to take a close look at Ohio as a place to invest capital. In addition, there is a great infrastructure in place to help small businesses access venture capital funding, making it easier for entrepreneurs to realize their dreams.
Q: We claim success in Ohio is defined in the broader context of a balanced life. Your company mission is to support employer efforts to help employees achieve work:life integration so they can achieve more professionally and personally. What benefits do your clients see when their employees achieve that goal, and do you think the choice of business location plays a role in this outcome?
A: Yes. We have data from our surveys that demonstrate employees can save an average of two hours per every fulfilled concierge service request. Almost 60% of respondents say that this saved time is invested in increased productivity on the job. It also results in employees taking less work home and having more available time to spend in pursuit of their personal goals. We've also found the new generation of employees want a more fulfilling life. They want to integrate their work and personal lives in a way that allows them to accomplish their goals in both. I think Ohio offers the possibility to have the best of both worlds. Time freed up by being more productive during the work day is of little value if you can't afford to capitalize on it, or there are few opportunities to enjoy yourself.
Q: What has been your personal experience with balancing personal and professional success in Ohio?
A: One of the things I cherish about Ohio is that I can be home for dinner with my family. It is an important time for us. I have always made it a priority to be part of my children's lives as they grow up because I believe it is a lot harder to have a meaningful relationship with them after they are adults if you didn't have one when they were children. In Ohio, there are a lot of things to do as a family - bike trails, parks, the Ohio River, the small towns, the theme parks, the museums, the restaurants and downtown Cincinnati. This is a great state in which to raise a family and provide the solid grounding children need to be successful in making their way in a global economy. I think Ohio is an ideal location to raise a child.
Q: Talk to me about the Ohio business climate for minority led companies. Would you recommend it as a location to consider for capital investment for a minority company?
A: Diversity is an area of great personal passion for me. Best Upon Request was an honoree for the 2006 and 2007 Torch Awards, the Marketplace Ethics Award of the Better Business Bureau. And in 2007 we were ranked 47th on Hispanic Business magazine's 100 fastest-growing Hispanic companies in the United States. I'm also frequently asked to speak on the subject of diversity. I think Ohio's potential to be a beacon of light for valuing diversity in the workplace is outstanding. Ohio is a place where individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and my experience is that the people in Ohio live the YWCA concept of "lift as you climb." In Ohio, I see examples of minority leaders reaching out a hand to lift others whenever possible. I would say to minority business leaders that Ohio is a state that is definitely worth a close look and would welcome their business with an open heart.
Paul Kolada, Founder and Principal, Priority Designs (Columbus, Ohio)
Priority Designs is a company with a unique and refreshing outlook on life. Paul Kolada is the principal and owner of the firm. Paul believes in challenging his employees to work for a higher purpose than just routine business. He believes that, in doing so, people's work product will be better and their lives more fulfilling. In his own way, Paul captures the essence of the Ohio Promise - professional success is defined in the broader context of a fulfilling life. I decided to talk with Paul about the impact Ohio's business culture has on his company's efforts to create a global book of business and how Ohio's labor pool meets his need for creative talent.
Q: Ohio has made some changes to the tax structure to make it easier for companies to compete internationally. Has Ohio's business climate helped you in this regard?
A: We really appreciate any assistance we can get from the public sector to do business worldwide. Right now, Priority Designs has a number of clients and suppliers in the Far East. In fact, I am going to China to speak with a few people next week. Strategically, we see serving the global market a key to future growth. Ohio's new tax structure promises to be a wonderful enabler for us. The fact that revenues generated outside of Ohio are not taxed is a great benefit. We have to invest money to secure more international business and if we had to pay state taxes on top, the margin would be reduced.
Also, my team and I appreciate the quality of telecommunication services in Ohio. I literally can't think of anything we are lacking to deliver a quality design service. This is extremely important when working with clients who are literally on the other side of the world.
Q: You have created an extraordinarily positive work culture at Priority Designs. I know you concentrate on doing so through unique programs like sponsoring an annual derby car race. In fact, your reputation among industrial engineers as a desirable place to work is second to none. What role do you think location plays in helping you create an organization in which employees enjoy a good work:life balance?
A: I think creating a culture that values work:life balance starts at the top. I am committed to having it in my life, so it is easy to encourage everyone at Priority Designs to do so. The reputation we enjoy is because the people who work here are happy. Word gets out and professionals take notice. We often get inquiries about potential employment because people want to work at a place with top-notch professionals and feel great about the work they do.
I believe location plays a role in enabling people to more easily achieve a good work:life balance. If employees have a long commute, then they have less time to devote to the other parts of their life. Virtually anywhere in Ohio, in less than a 30-minute drive from work, you can live downtown or in the quiet of a rural location. You can choose the lifestyle that is best for you. Contrast this with working in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles or any mega-city. You either sacrifice disposable income to live close to work, or you sacrifice time by enduring a long commute. Nothing saps creativity quicker than the constant grind of a bumper-to-bumper commute.
If your location is not conducive to work:life balance there is inevitably less time to create lasting relationships because they require an investment of your time. You're probably not as involved in your church or community. You're likely not volunteering and giving back through social organizations. You may not be investing the quantity or quality of time you want in building a strong marriage or relationship with your children. None of these things sound like things you'd want to trade off, so I think it is fair to argue that location must have a positive impact on the ability to achieve a good work:life balance.
Q: For your company to be a successful global player, access to quality creative talent seems critical. Are you able to find the caliber of talent that your clients deserve in Ohio?
A: Absolutely! Some of the world's best design talent is available in Ohio. There are several outstanding educational institutions in this state that produce exceptional graduates. Equally important, these professionals have core Midwest values of honesty and straight-forwardness and they tend to be unpretentious and extremely hard working. Two programs I'd highlight are the Department of Industrial, Interior and Visual Communication at The Ohio State University, and the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati.
We regularly have two students from the DAAP co-op program on rotation. This program is unique and, I would argue, produces some of the best, practical designers in the world. These are exactly the type of people our clients deserve: designers who listen to client needs and come up with workable and elegant solutions.
Ohio has an amazing labor pool of creative talent and a sustainable academic infrastructure to meet a company's long-term expansion needs.
Q: Creative people like to be inspired. Does Ohio offer enough creative stimuli to feed the soul?
A: Very poetic way of asking the question. The creative culture is definitely available in Ohio. You simply need to take advantage of it. In Columbus, there are some wonderful art museums and a vibrant local artist community. The Wexner Center is a fantastic facility that inspires you from the moment you look at the unique structural design of the building and continues to inspire with the art exhibits featured in its galleries.
Other assets include great off-Broadway shows, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium with Jack Hanna as its Director Emeritus, to name a few. These all provide a wide range of stimuli for inspiring creativity.
Then when you consider Cincinnati is only a four-hour drive from Cleveland, you can select from such diverse things as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, to Amish Country in Holmes County, to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. We find our employees have no complaints about a lack of things to do with their free time. The best way to appreciate what Ohio has to offer is to experience it.
Tim Tsao, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Kahiki Foods, Inc. (Columbus, Ohio)
From being recognized as "The best Polynesian restaurant in the world," and "One of the top 100 restaurants of the 20th century," Kahiki Foods has evolved into one of the top manufacturers of authentic Asian frozen food products. It was a real pleasure speaking with Tim Tsao about the incredible success of the company his father founded.
I was particularly struck by the Kahiki Foods mission statement that focuses on operating with "passion and the Aloha spirit." The Aloha spirit recognizes the interdependence of people and encourages mutual regard and affection with no obligation in return. While the Aloha spirit is a guiding principle of Kahiki Foods, I couldn't help reflect on how well the concept also describes Ohio. Tim and I had a great discussion about how Ohio is a state that people can truly call "home." A place where people say what they mean and mean what they say. A place where entrepreneurs can find a business community that wants them to succeed.
Q: Kahiki Foods is a phenomenal success. Do you think Ohio is a good place to start, expand or relocate a business?
A: Yes, for a variety of reasons. I think the cost structure in Ohio is better than most states, incentives are available to help reduce risk and quality labor is readily accessible and affordable. Ohio's central location minimizes distribution costs and the state's recent tax reform makes doing business here more affordable. All of these benefits make Ohio a location that warrants due diligence by any executive looking to make a capital investment.
Kahiki Foods has a steady stream of top-notch talent from the Food Science and Technology Department at Ohio State University. The talent we've brought into our team are passionate and eager to learn more. Equally important, we are able to find line associates for the operational side of our business. Hard-working, loyal workers with a passion for the work:life balance they enjoy in Ohio. We have many employees that have been with us for over 15 years.
Q: Let's talk more about the business climate. How does the new tax structure in Ohio help entrepreneurs increase their odds of business success?
A: The two aspects of the tax reform that are of greatest interest to entrepreneurs are 1) no tax on the first $1 million in annual gross receipts and 2) the elimination of taxes on the sales of goods and services to customers outside of Ohio. It is important to appreciate that entrepreneurs often put everything on the line to pursue their dream. They risk their own money, investors' money, often their friends' and family's money and may even max out their own credit cards. It is a big deal to go out on your own. As an entrepreneur, you are often boot-strapping your way to success. Having the state as a risk-sharing partner is an important, positive consideration when you are investing your money and reputation.
Q: You've lived in D.C., San Francisco, Beijing and New York City. How does living in Ohio compare to those locations?
A: In Ohio it is easier to found and grow a business. The environment is not as cutthroat as the cities where I've previously lived. Business costs are definitely lower. The public sector is very helpful and the banks are easy to work with.
It is also very easy to network here. There are many energetic communities of entrepreneurs and seasoned industry professionals alike, all with the desire to share and grow.
The other big difference is that I now actually get a good night's sleep. It is easy to get around in Ohio and you don't have to trade a long commute to live in a family friendly neighborhood. In the other places I've lived, I'd often drive to work in the dark and drive home in the dark at the end of the day. With a 45-60 minute, one-way commute and the extra hours required for offsetting overhead costs, you end up sacrificing your personal life for professional success. It wears on you after a while and the added stress can take a toll on your health.
Q: It's interesting that you mention the potential negative health implications of sustained stress. Studies from Duke, Yale and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute show that mental-stress-positive patients are at increased risk of various cardiac events. Your sense that daily stress can negatively impact health has a scientific basis.
A: I am not surprised. I know that simply by getting more and better sleep I am more productive. If you are able to lead a well-balanced life, I think you will also lead a longer life. Ohio is called the "State of Perfect Balance." I believe that is true for the employees of Kahiki Foods and for me too.
Dr. Raymond Noe, Robert and Anne Hoyt Designated Professor in Management and Human Resources, The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
I have been exploring the possible business implications of Ohio's promise of perfect balance. I believe balance is a key to sustainable performance excellence, and have been trying to absorb as much knowledge on the subject as possible. When I was presented with the opportunity to speak with Dr. Raymond Noe, a distinguished professor in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, I leapt at the chance to ask him for his thoughts on many of my questions. Dr. Noe is a Robert and Anne Hoyt Designated Professor in Management and Human Resources. He is a well-respected author and serves on the editorial boards of several journals focused on organizational behavior and human resource management. I found our conversation fascinating and educational. I know you will as well.
Q: Studies have started to emerge that suggest a positive work:life balance can improve shareholder value for companies. Do you believe that work:life balance can help deliver increased profit?
A: Yes, I do believe work:life balance positively impacts profit performance. But the definitive studies to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship are yet to be published. The literature is reporting on studies that evaluate proximal criteria versus distal factors. However, these studies provide convincing directional evidence that a connection exists. For example, a study by Vanderbilt University and Hewitt Associates found companies on the Fortune "Best Places to Work" list substantially outperformed the S&P 500 over a three-year, five-year and ten-year time frame. The published material suggests employees who have a positive work:life balance deliver real benefits to their employer through productivity gains, higher retention rates and increased honesty. Each has a cost avoidance component associated with it that can also translate into improved shareholder value. There also are studies showing a positive correlation between work:life balance and customer satisfaction.
Q: I've been reading medical literature indicating that long-term stress has negative health implications. I also read an interesting report that looked at Boeing Aerospace and Lockheed Martin retirees that suggests the longer you work past age 55, the shorter your life span. One hypothesis is that the body is not able to recover as easily from the health damage of sustained stress. What are your thoughts on the potential impact a life with balance in Ohio might provide?
A: There is no doubt that work:life conflict leads to stress and that stress has a negative impact on health. Over the long run, the implication is a greater utilization of health benefits by employees. Therefore, if you can replace work:life conflict with work:life balance, an employer should realize a reduction in health care costs over time. This would clearly provide an opportunity for improved shareholder value.
To my knowledge there have not been any specific studies run to look at the health impact of Ohio's lifestyle as it relates to stress. But, logically it makes sense that the ability to achieve work:life balance in Ohio would have a positive effect. Top-of-mind, a key reason why work:life balance is easier to achieve in Ohio is that the pace of life is less frantic. The transportation infrastructure makes it easy to get places, so travel stress is reduced. The infrastructure is "right sized" for the population density so it can handle the traffic flow. You only have to drive once in L.A., D.C., Chicago, Boston or New York City to appreciate how much stress can be induced because the transportation infrastructure isn't sufficient to accommodate the demand on it. Another reason may be that in Ohio, people are transparent and honest to deal with. There is less "gamesmanship" in interactions and people can be themselves. It can be very stressful to always have to "be on" in every interpersonal interaction for fear of being taken advantage of. You don't have to do that in Ohio because there is genuineness to the interactions here.
Q: I have been hearing from the experts that the best and brightest of Generation Y value a location's ability to deliver work:life balance when selecting a job. Is this consistent with what you are hearing and reading?
A: When it comes down to having a job versus not having a job, then location isn't the driving factor. But when we talk about recruiting the "best and the brightest," these graduates have options and the ability to have the time to enjoy life is a key consideration in their final decision. I believe Ohio has great appeal. You can essentially choose the lifestyle that best suits your personal needs in Ohio. If we just consider Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, each has very unique characteristics and cultures. However, they all have a lot of cultural and academic resources that can contribute to a balanced life. Another reason I believe Ohio has appeal to Generation Y is that we have a hard time convincing graduates from our university to leave Ohio. Their desire to find employment in Ohio is a great testimony for the ability to find work:life balance, but it doesn't help our university's goal of creating an even stronger national image. Another phenomenon I find telling is that many of the graduates from Ohio colleges and universities who do leave the state come back when they get married and want to raise a family. It speaks highly to Ohio as an ideal place to create a well-rounded life.
Q: Do you think that an executive who chooses Ohio is in any way disadvantaged in his or her professional career?
A: I don't think making the choice to live and work in Ohio presents a disadvantage. The state has a very diverse population that provides cultural exposure and an exchange of ideas. In part, the number of colleges and universities in Ohio that seek to enrich the international representation of their student population drives this. At The Ohio State University, we have a strong focus on ensuring our graduates have a global perspective and the opportunity in their academic career to study abroad. Additionally, Ohio is home to 59 Fortune 1000 company headquarters. These companies have a global footprint and recruit employees from around the world to work in their headquarters. These professionals contribute to the diverse tapestry of Ohio communities. Finally, it is so easy to travel from Ohio to anywhere that professional seminar and learning experiences are within reach. I really do not believe an executive is disadvantaged at all if he or she chooses to live and work in Ohio.
Andre Thornton, Chairman & CEO, ASW Global (Akron, Ohio)
This week I had an opportunity to talk with Andre Thornton, chairman and CEO of ASW Global. Andre's professional history is marked by a series of successful roles ranging from an acclaimed major league baseball player, to father of three sons, to his current role as leader of one of the largest minority owned and certified third party logistics company in America. By locating in Ohio, ASW Global has easy access to much of the country. And, by operating in Foreign Trade Zone #181, Andre has a competitive advantage through the ability to provide more than 150 clients with tax and duty benefits. I learned a lot from Andre about the opportunity for minority business leaders to enjoy personal and professional success in Ohio.
Q: How has Ohio's business environment helped ASW become the highly successful logistics company it is today?
A: To a large degree the answer is location, location, location. Ohio is a wonderful location for a logistics company's headquarters. We have access to 65 percent of the North American population within a one-day haul. In addition, Ohio's world-class transportation infrastructure gives our clients access to rail, water, air and road to cost effectively move their product. I have been courted by a number of states to relocate ASW Global, but I can't imagine how we could replicate the commercial benefits of operating our business in Ohio.
Q: What is your perception of the labor pool in Ohio?
A: Ohio has the right type of labor force to support future ASW Global expansion and to meet the needs of our clients. The labor force in Ohio understands logistics. The logistics industry in Ohio is well established and ASW Global has access to the wide range of resources available.
In addition, the Ohio educational system is excellent. We are able to find top talent graduating from Ohio universities and colleges and have hired a number of these graduates to meet our operational needs. I raised three sons and the education they received in Ohio prepared them to compete for acceptance in any program in the country. We find the access to professional sports, the arts community, remarkable parks and recreation, the world-class medical care system and a low cost of living allows us to recruit from among the best and brightest graduates. Equally important is that these state assets allow us to retain these employees and develop them to be outstanding contributors to our business.
Q: Does the opportunity to achieve a good work-life balance in Ohio translate into a meaningful benefit for you?
A: I have lived in Ohio for 30 years. What I like most about this area is the ability to do everything I want to do in both my professional and personal life. Ohio's transportation infrastructure makes everything in the state accessible to me. The airports are not crowded, I never feel claustrophobic. I can watch professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey or soccer. I have access to a world-renowned symphony, excellent museums and one of the country's best golf courses at Firestone Country Club. Other states may offer great venues for entertainment as well, but in my experience, they are not as easily accessible as they are here in Ohio.
Q: As a minority business leader, what is your perspective of Ohio as a location choice for minority led businesses?
A: I am very bullish on Ohio. I can easily see the upside potential for Ohio to be a leading state in nurturing minority led businesses. I bet few people know that the biggest cities in Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati) are led by black Mayors. We have strong representation of minority leadership in the public sector on which we can build. Minority leadership in the private sector is growing. ASW Global is one of the largest minority owned companies in Ohio. Sam's Club of Wal-Mart is a client and their management recently asked me to share the ASW Global story with them. We have 59 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in Ohio. Imagine what could be achieved if the leadership of those companies and ASW Global could work together to nurture accelerated growth of the minority business community in Ohio. I believe no other state has the same potential as Ohio to lead the nation. The challenge moving forward is to fully realize that potential. Minority business leaders with a passion for contributing their talent to helping realize the dream even faster should definitely consider joining the Ohio business community.
Linda Abraham-Silver, President and Executive Director, Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) in Cleveland, Ohio is one of America's largest interactive science museums. The President and executive director of the GLSC is Linda Abraham-Silver, a West coast transplant who has come to love the balance she has found in Ohio. One very interesting topic we discussed was the growing importance of fresh water as a natural resource. I have been reading about more and more locations like Georgia running out of drinking water because of drought conditions and I wanted to learn more about Ohio's fresh water supply. As it happens, the GLSC (and nine other partners) recently collaborated to create a traveling exhibition that addresses the topic. I think you'll be surprised by what I learned.
Q: How does living in Ohio compare with living on the West coast?
A: I was born in San Francisco and lived in L.A. for 17 years before moving to Ohio. You can think of me as a California girl turned Clevelander. The most significant difference is that life is easier here in Ohio. You don't have the complications of congestion or unaffordable real estate. I was most surprised by the natural beauty of Ohio. I traded the shores of the Pacific Ocean for the shores of Lake Erie and I love it!
Q: What has been the biggest difference you've observed about living in Ohio?
A: In L.A., there is an expectation that you will do whatever it takes to be successful professionally. You arrange your life around your work. You are defined by your professional success. In Ohio, the expectation is that you will lead a balanced life. Employers expect you to and support you in taking care of your family and community. You are encouraged to lead a well-rounded life and be engaged in your community through volunteerism or serving on Boards. In Ohio, you are defined by how balanced your life is. I find it a much more rewarding way of living. Ohio has been an exceptionally welcoming state. I think the Cleveland area is a community that really empowers women, promotes education and has amazing natural resources as well as cultural opportunities. Ohio is a state where you can make a personal impact. I believe, in Ohio, my children can truly make a meaningful and authentic difference and be recognized for it.
Q: The GLSC is located on the shore of Lake Erie. In light of the recent reports of severe drought conditions across the nation, I have been thinking more about the role water plays in our economy. Tell me about the new water exhibition the GLSC has helped create, and your thoughts about Ohio's fresh water supply.
A: Water is a natural resource more precious than oil and more valuable than gold. It is required for life. The traveling exhibition is titled "Water H2O = Life" and is opening at the American Museum of Natural History on November 2. The exhibition will raise the public awareness on the importance of intelligent management of our world's water supply. If water is the "new oil," then Ohio is the new equivalent of Saudi Arabia. Ohio has access to the world's second largest supply of fresh water, roughly 20 percent of all the fresh water on the planet. This is going to be an amazingly important competitive advantage for Ohio's economy as demand for fresh water increases globally.
I never really thought about the impact of a fresh water supply on a company's decision to select a location for capital investment. But, it makes a lot of sense. If the company requires a reliable supply of fresh water to operate, Ohio will be an extremely attractive choice. As demand on a location's fresh water supply grows, the frequency of mandated restrictions on that water would increase. I assume the cost of that water would increase as well. It is not hard to imagine the costs associated with accessing fresh water will become an important expense line item that would depress profits. If it was my company, I would be thinking long-term and certainly view Ohio's fresh water supply as a positive consideration in my site location decision.
Stan Ahalt, Executive Director, Ohio Supercomputer Center (Columbus, Ohio)
One of the great things about Ohio is there are amazing stories of people who are achieving outstanding professional and personal success. Stan Ahalt, Executive Director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), has one of those incredible stories. He left college to work at a lumberyard, switched to working at a grocery, discovered a personal passion for engineering, went back to college and earned a Ph.D. and now is running one of the most sophisticated high performance computing centers in the world. And now Stan has a vision to make the competitive benefits of high performance computing accessible to the Ohio business community. Stan has a very clear, very bold professional vision and he is making it happen in Ohio. He is not an Ohio native yet has found himself in love with the life he has been able to enjoy in this state. Stan's story is the quintessential example of why Ohio is called the "State of Perfect Balance."
Q: As I have studied Ohio's history, one constant has been the ability to cost effectively and efficiently move products and services to market. The transportation and logistics infrastructure has always been world-class. But what about our digital commerce capability? What is your opinion of Ohio's technological strengths?
A: I was in California last week giving a talk to an audience of high performance computing experts. In my presentation I made the claim that Ohio has the best "cyberinfrastructure" in the nation and then asked the audience if the statement was accurate in their opinion. The collective perspective was yes. In Ohio, the creation of this world-class cyberinfrastructure has been enabled by a strong and forward-thinking public-private collaboration. In Ohio, we have more than DSL capability to offer businesses. We have a real core infrastructure that enables Ohio-based companies to leverage high performance computing to be more competitive in the global economy. Ohio further differentiates itself from other states through its world-class analytics capabilities. Companies like Lexis-Nexis, the Ohio Computer Library Center, Chemical Abstracts Service and others provide the analytical expertise to capitalize on the ability to rapidly move bits and bytes of information. Executives should definitely evaluate Ohio's cyberinfrastructure and consider the competitive advantage it could represent before choosing any other location for capital investment.
Q: I read an article explaining how P&G leveraged high performance computing to solve a manufacturing challenge on the Pringles production line, and routinely uses sophisticated virtual design tools to provide superior products that improve consumer lives. But, P&G is a Fortune 500 company. How does Ohio's cyberinfrastructure translate into a competitive advantage for smaller companies with less financial resources to bring this type of computing power to bear on business problems?
A: In Ohio, the solution is Blue Collar Computing™. It is a service provided by the Ohio Supercomputer Center that makes the potential of high performance computing accessible to Ohio companies. Blue Collar Computing offers the hardware, software and people required to get started in using the technology to solve complex business problems. For example, we worked with Edison Welding Institute to create an online tool that allows engineers to simulate welds without having to learn complex programming codes and languages. OSC developed the Web layout, the middleware, and is hosting the application on its supercomputers.
Because of our charter from the Ohio Board of Regents, OSC can provide the comprehensive solution services of Blue Collar Computing at cost, making it affordable for companies to leverage the power of high performance computing. We enable companies to solve problems more efficiently and effectively, which translates into the ability to more effectively compete for global market share in their business category.
Q: You've convinced me that Ohio has a world-class cyberinfrastructure and an enabling capability through OCS to translate it into a competitive advantage for Ohio based companies. But is the Ohio business climate innovative enough to be a world leader in high performance computing?
A: Ohio has made impressive strides that have established the benchmark for what great looks like within the small (but growing) global community of high performance computing professionals. Ohio's university systems are a driver of innovation, and the relationship between academia and the private sector in Ohio is continuing to strengthen. The $1.6B Third Frontier Project is a great example of a collaborative approach to enabling the continued development and commercialization of higher risk, promising research. We need to keep pushing in this direction to create incentives for industrial research. In my mind, Ohio has a core capability in "practical" innovation. Maybe it is the heritage of the Midwest, but Ohioans like to find ways to translate scientific breakthroughs into products and services that have market value. I think Ohio is definitely on a path to be the global leader in knowing how to leverage high performance computing for practical and profitable applications. I also think OSC will play a key role in making that vision a reality.
Q: What you have been able to accomplish to date professionally is, frankly, remarkable. But have you had to sacrifice your personal aspirations to do it?
A: No. I am not originally from Ohio. When I first moved to Ohio in the late 1980s, I had no expectation of caring as much as I do for this state. In fact, the depth of my passion for Ohio is a constant surprise to me. But the people in Ohio are refreshing. They exude the Midwestern values of honesty, transparency and trustworthiness. I get to work daily with people who are straightforward and practical. I don't have to fight to get from point A to point B in Ohio. Everything is accessible. The state has great resources and room to build. I find it a wonderful place to live. The cultural, recreational, medical and other services that help make a great life are available and affordable. Perhaps the best way to illustrate the point is whenever I am returning from my travel and land in the Columbus airport, I get an overwhelming sense of coming "home." It is one of the best feelings in the world. Ohio is big enough that a person can access the resources required to accomplish important goals, and small enough that you can actually leave a personal mark with your work. For me, making a real difference is priceless and I can do that in Ohio.
Bahman Teheri, CEO and founder, AlphaMicron (Kent, Ohio)
I recently had an opportunity to speak with Bahman Taheri, CEO and founder of AlphaMicron. This is a cutting-edge company that is pioneering the application of polymer technology in the world of fashion. AlphaMicron is utilizing liquid crystals for color changing garments and light sensitive eye wear. Soon, the company's products will be found in the cockpits of U.S. fighter planes as well as in haute couture in Paris. The work at AlphaMicron is just one example of why Ohio is a leading state in both polymer research and application.
Q: In Ohio, our promise is that executives and their employees can achieve their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. Are you finding this to be an authentic statement?
A: Absolutely. There are three areas I would highlight in my answer—1) financial partnership, 2) excellent labor pool, and 3) access to the marketplace. The Ohio Department of Development offers a number of programs to help share risk and has been excellent to work with. There is a strong, supportive infrastructure in place that includes organizations like NorTech that make the business environment friendly for entrepreneurs. In addition, I have been very impressed with the quality of the labor pool available for employment. We have been fortunate enough to form a close relationship with Kent State University and many of our employees have either graduated from the institution or have had an affiliation with it. We hire engineers, scientists and artists as well as classic business people. We are able to find and successfully recruit hardworking, genuine and truly innovative talent across a variety of disciplines. Finally, Ohio's location and transportation infrastructure has helped AlphaMicron create a global book of business. To achieve our commercial aspirations, we need to serve the world's consumers and having our company in Ohio will help us deliver our growth projections.
Q: You indicated most of AlphaMicron's sales will be to customers outside of Ohio. Have you found the new Ohio tax structure to be helpful in competing in the global market?
A: I was really pleased to learn that in Ohio, only sales to companies within Ohio are subject to the commercial activity tax. This will be increasingly important as AlphaMicron's sales outside of Ohio continue to grow. I also like the fact that the first $1 million in annual gross receipts are not taxed. This is a big help to entrepreneurial companies and frees up additional revenue for reinvestment in company expansion. This is partly why I believe Ohio is a business friendly state.
Q: In addition to offering everything needed to grow a successful business, the Ohio promise speaks to allowing you to achieve your personal aspirations. Is this part of the promise authentic as well?
A: I believe it is. Throughout my career, I've lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London. All are great entertainment cities. But in reality, taking advantage of many of the opportunities can be limited because of issues like traffic and cost. I found nothing was easy to access and everything required a significant investment of time to enjoy. For example, when I lived in San Francisco, if I wanted to go out for a cup of coffee at, say, Starbucks or Peet's Coffee, I'd have to invest 10 minutes getting the kids ready and into the car, 20 minutes to get to the coffee shop, 10 minutes to get served, 20 minutes to drive back home, and a few more minutes to get the kids out of the car. Before I knew it, I had invested an hour to simply have a cup of coffee. In the city I live now, a short 5-minute walk with the kids on their bikes and I am at the same coffee shop. And to top it off, I will have passed by my neighbors who know who I am.
Ohio gives me the gift of time to invest in life's simple pleasures and in the most important priority in my life—my family. I can spend quality time with them and I can make a difference in their lives. You can imagine how much extra time saving one hour of driving a day gives you. This is more time to spend with your family, not to mention less aggravation from being stuck in traffic.
As for my children's education, the city we live in is consistently ranked among the nation's top for secondary education. Also, the lower cost of living allows me the flexibility to send my children to private school (if needed) and have enough money to enroll them in other after school activities like piano lessons or horseback riding class. I think that I can give my children a more well rounded education and better prepare them for the life ahead of them.
Q: Don't you give up exposing your children to culture as they grow up?
A: No. Ohio has outstanding cultural opportunities. In Cleveland, we have the world-class Cleveland Orchestra, the Playhouse, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Art Museum, Science Museum and the Inventors' Hall of Fame, among many other attractions. We also have professional baseball, basketball and football events practically in our back yard. We have at our disposal all the big city amenities without the big city issues like crime and traffic.
When we lived in San Francisco, I never found time to enjoy the sights like Alcatraz. When we moved to Ohio, we took a trip back to San Francisco to visit friends and I went to visit Alcatraz for the very first time. Anything culturally I can't get in Ohio that I want my children to see, we see as tourists. The time and cost savings by living in Ohio allows us to take meaningful family trips to places such as Europe or the east and west coasts. Cleveland's airport makes it easy to fly to any destination we want because it's the hub for Continental. In fact, we are a short one-hour trip to New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Toronto and many other places.
Q: How important do you feel the work-life balance Ohio offers is to your business?
A: It has an enormous positive impact on the bottom line. At AlphaMicron, we hire high quality scientists and engineers who often get recruited by other companies. But they choose to stay with AlphaMicron because of the work-life balance they are able to enjoy.
To illustrate this point, we have scientists working at our company who go home every day to have lunch with their family. The close proximity of things in Ohio and the ease with which you can travel between places makes a meaningful difference in people's lives. They would not be able to have the type of relationship they do with their children if they lived in some of the places they could have chosen for employment. It would simply not be practical and in many cases not even possible.
Glenn Balasky, Executive Director, The Zangmeister Center (Columbus, Ohio)
The Zangmeister Center (www.zangcenter.com) is an amazing outpatient resource for patients with cancer and blood disorders. It helps patients dealing with difficult health challenges get easier access to medical expertise by providing a full range of services including oncology care, clinical trial access, treatment and prevention as well as patient advocacy. The Center is an innovative approach to helping improve the quality of life for patients.
Glenn Balasky, Executive Director, has a professional aspiration of leveraging his healthcare business experience to enable The Zangmeister Center to fully realize the dream of setting the "gold standard" in comfort and convenience of medical care for oncology patients. Glenn moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2004. As I talked with Glenn, I was struck by his passion for making a difference in the lives of others and how that included not only oncology patients, but also his family.
Q: Glenn, in Ohio we promise executives that they and their employees can achieve their personal and professional aspirations without having to trade one for the other. Everything you need to build your business is available here in Ohio, but business success is delivered in the context of a fulfilling life. Is this promise consistent with your experience?
A: I think it is. As a businessperson, you are dependent upon a variety of other services and the business community as a whole. I think this is an area where Ohio excels. There is everything you could possibly need as far as supporting services, from accounting, legal, construction, transportation and so on. All those services are more than readily available and easy to access.
Q: If an executive outside Ohio in the healthcare field were to ask you if they should consider Ohio for capital investment, what would your counsel be?
A: I'd tell them this is a place where you are going to be able to plug-in very easily. There are professional networks and companies eager to help and have a great track record in doing so. I think the excellent transportation infrastructure is a hidden secret for Ohio. It is not New York City or Chicago, and that is what makes it good. It is easy to get in and out of Ohio. That is good for transportation of goods and services as well as business travel. I'd also point out that the pace of life is not as hectic as the large and crazy cities. People aren't spending an hour and a half commuting to and from work. There is less stress in life as it relates to running a business.
Q: It sounds like in Ohio you have the gift of time to devote to achieving your personal aspirations. How does that play out in your life?
A: I used to live in Chicago, where getting from one place to another was neither convenient nor efficient. It was also stressful. Now I have a short commute. At work I have more time to devote to quality thought which leads to better business decisions. At home I have the opportunity to see my children off to school and attend my son's ball games. I am not as stressed out when I get home, so the time I spend with my family is better quality time. My wife and I believe sitting down and having dinner as a family is very important, and in Ohio I am able to do that consistently.
Q: Do you find Ohio offers you enough opportunities to do things as a family?
A: Absolutely. Ohio is centrally located and you can easily hop in the car and explore some wonderful outdoor activities. I recently took my family to Grand Lake St. Mary's State Park. It was a great location with a 13,500-acre lake, hiking trails and a lot of fun things to do. Within a two-hour drive I can go skiing in the winter, go boating, go hiking in the woods or jump on a plane and visit any resort I want. Flights from Columbus are reasonably priced and the airport is not the hassle of an O'Hare or LaGuardia. My family and I have yet to run out of things to do or places to explore.
Mike Mallett, founder and CEO of Corporate Research International (Findlay, Ohio)
I really enjoyed my conversation with Mike Mallett, founder and CEO of Corporate Research International (CRI, located in Findlay, Ohio). CRI has been named two years in a row to the Inc. magazine's Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private firms in the U.S. CRI provides consumer insight to clients through the effective use of mystery shoppers to collect data. CRI has a confidential client list that includes some of the top company names in America. CRI employs roughly 150 people at the headquarters operation and manages over 350,000 field representatives. It is no "mystery" why CRI has been successful when you read their capabilities presentation (www.mysteryshops.com). Mike believes he is a great example of Ohio's promise of work-life balance.
Q: Mike, the Ohio promise is "Balance Without Compromise." In Ohio, business success is delivered in the broader context of a fulfilling life. Or, as I like to say, you can achieve both your professional and personal aspirations without sacrificing one for the other. Has this been your experience as you've built the CRI business?
A: Good question. I am the "poster child" for this question. I live minutes from my office. I have a wonderful house in a great community with excellent schools for my children. Family life is extremely important to me. It is a personal priority to attend my kids' school and sporting events and support them as they grow. I also need to be successful in business so I can provide the quality of life I want for my family. Ohio offers me the opportunity to find that perfect balance that I could not conceive of finding in Washington D.C. where I was living before moving to Findlay. I would have missed a lot of things in my kids' lives if we had stayed there.
Q: Obviously CRI is very successful, but are you finding everything you need to continue growing your business in Ohio?
A: I really appreciate the business resources the state has available and the quality of labor CRI has access to. We are expanding rapidly. We have a need to fill high level IT positions, and we have no trouble finding the quality of talent required. Findlay is located right in the middle of Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo.
Q: How does Ohio help you achieve your personal aspirations?
A: When I lived in D.C., if I wanted to attend an event with my children, I would have to leave work early to beat the traffic and would still have a long commute home. It forced me to have to make a priority choice between my work and family. It was impossible to achieve an effective balance. You simply couldn't take that much time off from work and be successful. You don't have that problem anywhere in Ohio. I have family members who live in Columbus, and they are able to find a good work-life balance as well. In D.C., it took forever to get anywhere.
