Who We Are
History
Geauga Growth Partnership was established as a private economic development nonprofit partnership, inspired by nearby Ashtabula Growth Partnership and Greater Cleveland Partnership.
It was during a Geauga Economic Leadership (GEL) breakfast meeting at Kent State University Geauga Campus in November 2008, when guest speaker Joe Mayernick, executive director of Growth Partnership of Ashtabula County, caught the attention of area business leaders. Feeling the impact on Geauga businesses from the 2008 economic recession, 25 business and civic leaders met that day to strategize creating a nonprofit that could help Geauga businesses thrive.
Some of the players in the room that day were Frank Samuel, who had been Science and Technology Advisor to the Governor of Ohio from 2000-2007, Geauga County Commissioner Tracy Jemison, Middlefield Bank VP Jay Giles, then University Hospital Geauga Medical Center President Richard Frenchie and others who had a vision for a county-wide business-led economic development organization.
Funded by a start-up grant from the Cleveland Foundation Lake-Geauga Fund, Geauga Growth Partnership was founded in 2010. The goal was to set up programs and processes to enable business growth and prosperity, building upon the County’s remarkable assets. The vision: Leading Business Growth in Geauga County.
Mission
Geauga Growth Partnership’s mission is to enhance the economic climate in Geauga County by attracting new business, supporting existing businesses, and preparing the workforce of the future.
Leadership
Geauga Growth Partnership is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of Geauga County business owners, executives and community leaders.
The staff consists of a team of experience professionals.
Kimm Leininger, President
Monica Bricker-Thompson, Director of Programs
Betsy Covington, Director of Engagment
Marcia Owen, Director of Operations
Consultants provide both pro-bono and fee-for-service business assistance.
Business Consulting Services available to Geauga businesses through the expertise of:
Dave Kraninger – Business Consultant
Stuart Miller – Healthcare Consultant
Richard Seif – Marketing Consultant
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors represent a wide variety of Geauga businesses and community organizations.
Chairman: John W. Epprecht
Vice President, Great Lakes Cheese
Vice Chairman: John C. Steigerwald
At-large
Secretary: Richard J. Frenchie
Principal, The Frenchie Group
Treasurer: Stephanie Ronyak
Controller, The Arms Trucking Company
Cliff Babcock
General Manager, Junction Auto Family
Sheryl Clemson
Clemson Towing
Jeff Coy
COO, Kinetico, Inc.
Jay P. Giles
At-large
David K. Ford
Vice President, The Federal Improvement Corporation
John Solich
Senior Lender, Middlefield Banking Company
Lee Imhof
President, Troy Chemical Industries
Tony Madormo
Plant Manager, Covia Holdings / Best Sand Division
Jacquelyn Malone
Vice President/Relationship Manager, Huntington Bank
Renee M. Nied
Consultant, Economic Development, First Energy Corporation
Matthew Nipper
Senior Vice President – Commercial Market Leader, KeyBank
Jim Patterson
President, Patterson Farms
Angela Spalsbury
Dean and Chief Administrative Officer – Kent State Geauga
Bonnie Troyer
Principal, HR Strategies & Solutions
Charles White
Co-Owner, Newbury Business Park
Larry Yoder
Operations Manager, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling