Greater Akron Chamber

Akron, OH · Founded 1974

Promoting business growth and regional economic development in the tri-county area

Primary audience
Business Members
Work area
Regional Advocacy
Topic
Economic Development
Contact
Steve Millard
Website Contact

About Organization

Promotes business in the tri-county area through advocacy, networking, and collaborative industry cluster development. Based in Akron, OH, the chamber serves as a catalyst for innovation, expansion, and venture creation. Operating with $4.5 million in annual revenue and 31 employees plus 120 volunteers.

What They Focus On

Economic Growth

Promotes regional economic development through strategic partnerships and support for business expansion initiatives

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, professional development resources, and support services for member organizations

Community Leadership

Develops business leadership capacity and facilitates collaboration on community priorities and regional challenges

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$4.5M

-6.5% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$4.4M

-1.3% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$4.1M

-8.6% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

31

+6.9% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $4,538,110 $4,446,629 $4,123,239 31
2022 $4,853,898 $4,504,976 $4,510,125 29
2020 $3,743,052 $2,967,692 $3,028,181 19
2019 $3,025,646 $3,104,464 $1,781,877 24
2018 $2,646,481 $3,496,535 $1,335,414 23

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Identifies priority issues through stakeholder consultation and analysis of business community needs

  • 02

    Strategic Planning

    Develops targeted initiatives based on member input and regional economic development priorities

  • 03

    Program Implementation

    Executes programs through partnerships with member organizations and community stakeholders

  • 04

    Impact Assessment

    Evaluates outcomes through member feedback and tracks progress toward organizational objectives

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Greater Akron Chamber

GRANT ALLOCATION

Coordinates grant allocation efforts through strategic planning and implementation support

AKRON INITIATIVE

Coordinates akron initiative efforts through strategic planning and implementation support

Community Engagement

Facilitates collaboration between business and community stakeholders on shared priorities

Business Advocacy

Represents business interests in policy development and legislative initiatives at state and local levels

Leadership Programs

Develops business leadership capacity through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Greater Akron Chamber.

Steve Millard

Steve Millard

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $359,161

Steve Millard is President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. Steve was attracted to the Chamber in 2018 to become a part of an emerging new collaboration among economic development partners led by the County of Summit, the City of Akron, the GAR Foundation, and the Chamber’s Board leadership.  The promise of an enterprise approach across disparate ecosystem partners to increase jobs, investment and opportunity for the region was a bold idea for the region and the business community that he wanted to be involved in creating.That bold idea became the unique collaboration that is working to advance economic development in Greater Akron called Elevate Greater Akron. The commitment by more than 20 ecosystem partners working together to do the right things to drive growth and success for the region has allowed for stronger collaboration and impact for the region.Prior to joining the Chamber in 2018, Steve spent more than 20 years leading in various roles in economic development including

Brynn Popa

Brynn Popa

Executive Vice President
Full-time
Compensation: $187,855

Brynn is the Executive Vice President for the Greater Akron Chamber. For the last 15 years, Brynn has been immersed in economic development work, where she has advanced public policy efforts impacting business, played leadership roles in the coordination of collaborative economic development partnerships and worked to enhance the climate for business success in Northeast Ohio. In her current role, Brynn oversees the many operational efforts as well as key strategic initiatives of the Greater Akron Chamber, including the Chamber’s work as the convener and collaborator for Elevate Greater Akron. Among all of her roles, perhaps one of her most prized is the one she plays as a leader of teams – identifying unique talent, helping people to harness their skills and advance the organization’s work in impactful ways. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Brynn is proud and humbled to have the opportunity to impact change in her hometown and is inspired by the collaborative spirit in the region, illu

Sante Ghetti

Sante Ghetti

Vice President, Investor Engagement
Full-time
Compensation: $148,515

Sante is the Vice President of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber.  In this role he works to support our members goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Sante chose the Greater Akron Chamber because he has a passion for supporting the business community and the region. His favorite part of his job is getting to know and working with people, he is always learning something new from everyone he meets. Professionally, Sante has a unique background having previously working in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. He is particularly proud of his time working for The White House as well as raising money for pediatric cancer patients and survivors. A few awards he has received as recognition for his work have been 2014 COSE Staff Service Award, 2018 Catalyst of Leadership & Excellence (CLE) Award, and he was a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2020.Sante has a wife and two daughters that inspire him dai

Hope Bell

Hope Bell

Senior Manager, Community Partnerships

Dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change, Hope is a passionate workforce development advocate with a proven track record in the non-profit sector. Hope has an exceptional ability to build bridges between organizations, stakeholders, and communities. With a strong commitment to collaboration and community empowerment, she has consistently demonstrated her capacity to create impactful partnerships that drive collective success.With extensive experience in workforce development, and 10 years of experience in strategic planning and program management, Hope has consistently championed programs that bridge the gap between education and employment. She has successfully conceptualized, developed, and executed innovative initiatives that equip individuals with the skills and confidence needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.Hope holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Morehead State University and continues to pursue professional dev

Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson

Director of Investor Engagement

Amanda Anderson is the Director of Investor Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she focuses on building strong relationships with investors and ensuring they maximize the value of their membership. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its reputation for fostering regional economic growth and its collaborative culture. Amanda is excited to leverage her background in relationship management to make a positive impact in the business community.

Courtney Talkington

Courtney Talkington

Director, Marketing

Courtney Talkington is the Director of Marketing for the Greater Akron Chamber. She brought an extensive career in corporate retail to the GAC, with experience in marketing strategy, brand development, and customer engagement. Courtney was drawn to the Chamber’s mission-driven culture, collaborative team, and commitment to serving the business community through leadership, innovation, and growth.A lifelong learner, Courtney is inspired by the ever-evolving world of marketing and its ability to enhance the member experience. She enjoys developing customer journey messaging, building processes, supporting events, and connecting with local businesses to understand their unique challenges and opportunities. Throughout her career, she has taken pride in fostering strong relationships with colleagues and mentoring others.Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and their three sons, a new daughter in law and two dogs. She stays busy attending high school football and t

Sheri Shields

Sheri Shields

Senior Manager, Small Business Engagement

Sheri is the Senior Manager of Small Business Engagement at the Greater Akron Chamber, working with the Economic Development team. In this role, Sheri works closely with small businesses with a focus on woman and minority owned companies. Prior to joining the Chamber team, she was a Chamber member and benefit provider. As a member, her experiences with the Chamber were great and when she was asked to join the team, she said yes! That was 25 years ago.Sheri’s favorite thing about her job is getting to work with and help people. She enjoys developing relationships, making introductions, and providing memorable experiences. Sheri is a proud Alumni of the University of Akron and stays engaged with the university.Sheri has a husband, two sons, and a very opinionated dachshund as a granddog. Outside of work, Sheri loves spending time with her family, traveling, going to parks, and enjoying music and theater.

Iryna Holovchenko

Iryna Holovchenko

Manager, Finance

Iryna Holovchenko is the Manager of Finance for the Greater Akron Chamber, where she oversees the organization’s day-to-day financial operations. She was drawn to the opportunity to expand her expertise in finance while supporting the local business community. This role also marks her first experience in the nonprofit sector, adding a new and meaningful dimension to her professional journey.Inspired by problem-solving, continuous learning, and professional growth, Iryna approaches financial management with curiosity and a global perspective shaped by her international experience. Her passion for accuracy and organization drives her work, and she values the Chamber’s collaborative environment.Originally from Ukraine, Iryna is proud to have successfully transitioned her finance career to the U.S. while maintaining her dedication to excellence. Before entering the finance field, she was a professional athlete and member of the Ukrainian national track and field team, competing across Euro

Shannon Baughman

Shannon Baughman

Coo

Shannon Baughman is the Coordinator of Business Engagement for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she helps connect the Chamber’s Polymer Industry Cluster, economic development, and membership teams to strengthen collaboration and support regional growth. With a background in workforce development, Shannon is passionate about helping businesses and people grow together and was drawn to the Chamber’s collaborative culture and community impact.Inspired by people and the power of connection, Shannon thrives on bringing the right individuals together and turning ideas into action. She believes that meaningful relationships drive progress and create opportunities for businesses and communities to succeed. A lifelong learner, she has earned dual associate degrees in Business Management and Human Resources and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration.Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and their German Shepherd, embracing adventure throug

Hans Dorfi, PhD

Hans Dorfi, PhD

Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Polymer Industry Cluster

Hans R. Dorfi is a global innovation and technology executive with over two decades of experience in leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe driving large-scale transformation in the polymer and mobility sectors. As Senior Vice President at Bridgestone Americas, he led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products.A champion of open innovation and ecosystem building, Hans has been an invited speaker at technology conferences and held board roles in startups, academic-industry consortia, and non-profits. He is currently the board chair of the Bounce Innovation Hub and served on the leadership team of the Polymer Industry Cluster.Hans holds advanced engineering degrees from The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and industry advisor to institutions such as Stanford, The Ohio State University an

Kirsten Delpinal

Kirsten Delpinal

Kirsten Delpinal is the Graphic Designer at the Greater Akron Chamber, where she is responsible for creating visually engaging and cohesive assets for the organization’s events, designing marketing materials to raise awareness of GAC initiatives, and ensuring consistency in the branding of the Chamber and its various programs and partners.As an entrepreneur, Kirsten understands firsthand the importance of community support for small businesses. She joined the Chamber to give back to Akron and help foster a supportive environment for local businesses. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University. She is also a proud graduate of the 2019 Class of Torchbearers and served on the board for three years as the Marketing and Communications liaison. In 2021, Kirsten was honored with GAC’s 30 for the Future award.A true creator at heart, Kirsten enjoys a variety of creative hobbies, including photography, watercolor painting, crocheting, playi

Anna Pitts

Anna Pitts

Senior Manager, Grants and Stakeholder Relations, Elevate Greater Akron

Anna Pitts is the Senior Manager of Grants and Stakeholder Relations at Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Anna joined Elevate for the unique opportunity to support racial equity, small businesses, and Akron’s growth as a global polymer capital. Inspired by people and place-based development, she enjoys supporting stakeholders in transformative projects, particularly through grant writing.Anna holds a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from California State University of Northridge, where she graduated with distinction. She is also a recipient of the 2024 Diverse Communities Scholarship from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Outside of work, Anna lives in North Canton with her partner, son, dog, and two cats. She enjoys travel, cooking, yoga, reading, and serves on the boards of PLEXUS LGBT and Allied Chamber of Commerce, Stark Library Foundation, and Drawing Together, a Southern California arts and wellness

Juliana Kless

Juliana Kless

Coo

Juliana is the Coordinator for the Business Commons of Cuyahoga Falls, where she supports local businesses and strengthens connections across the community. She first joined the Greater Akron Chamber as an advocacy intern, where she discovered her passion for the Chamber’s mission and impact. A graduate of The University of Akron with a degree in Political Science and Sociology, Juliana was drawn back to the organization for its people, purpose, and strong ties to Cuyahoga Falls. Curious and community-driven, Juliana is inspired by learning new things and building meaningful relationships. She enjoys coordinating events, managing projects, and using data to uncover insights that benefit members and local businesses. Outside of work, Juliana plays volleyball at Summit Sport and Social, loves to read, and volunteers annually with her grandmother for Ashtabula and Geauga County Family and Child Services.

Elisha Murray

Elisha Murray

Office Coordinator

Elisha Murray is the Office Coordinator at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Elisha oversees the scheduling, set-up and supplies associated with our event space, coordinates with vendors to keep the office well-stocked and well-organized, greets guests and connects them with the appropriate individual, and answers the main phone-line for member inquiries. She is energized and inspired by connecting with others and uses that passion to make the 388 Main St. office a welcoming and inviting space for employees, members, and other visitors.Professionally, Elisha has a wide range of experience in Management and Sales and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Akron. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Elisha and her husband opened their own landscaping business where she serves as Office Manager and Bookkeeper.In her free time, Elisha enjoys going for walks on the Summit Metro Park trails or around her neighborhood. She is an avid Audiobook listene

Emily Lundgard

Emily Lundgard

Vice President, Elevate Greater Akron

Emily Lundgard is the Vice President of Elevate Greater Akron, the region’s collective economic development initiative. Emily’s deep passion for collaboration, civic service, and community is at work every day in her role convening and supporting the leaders of Elevate as they advance a shared vision and set of priorities to bring prosperity to Greater Akron. Approaching each day with a forward-thinking mindset is a necessity for Emily, who leads with authenticity and hard work.Over the last 16 years, Emily has worked in the public, non-profit, and philanthropic sectors, bringing to bear her expertise in policy and advocacy, communications, strategy, and coalition building. She is most proud of launching the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, serving as Cuyahoga County’s first special assistant for regional collaboration, and working to bring more housing affordability and stability to communities across Ohio.Emily is Ohio born and raised. She is originally from Dayton, received her both b

Jen Golembiewski

Jen Golembiewski

Senior Manager, Member Engagement

Jen Golembiewski is the Senior Manager of Member Engagement at the Greater Akron Chamber.  In this role she works to support our members’ goals, ensuring our members are connected, engaged, and supported in our shared work and mission. Jen chose to work with the Chamber to do what she can to help Greater Akron flourish; she wants to continue the legacy of her grandmother, who owned a steel factory in Akron and was very active in the community.  Prior to coming to the Chamber, Jen held various positions in management, business operations, and enrollment communications; she enjoys serving others and connecting people with the resources needed to advance their professional efforts. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA in integrated marketing from Walsh University.  Jen lives in Stark County with her husband and two children, who are Irish twins. She is a board member on her son’s wrestling team and loves to watch her children participate in sports and the performi

Robyn Durlin

Robyn Durlin

Manager, Digital Marketing and Web Design

Robyn Durlin is the Manager of Digital Marketing and Web Design for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Robyn creates graphics, designs, and other visual materials for the Chamber to use in its marketing and communications efforts. Robyn joined the Chamber team after 15 years in digital design for the retail advertising and marketing industries. She decided to step away from the corporate marketing world to join an organization where she could make a difference in her local community.  Originally from Maine, Robyn attended Lyndon State College (now Vermont State University) where she earned bachelor’s degrees in digital media and graphic design, before moving to Greater Akron in search of a more robust job market.  She now lives in Portage County with her husband and two cats, where she enjoys spending time outside kayaking, beach combing, hiking, and camping. Robyn also frequents concerts and likes to take trips to visit her family in New England. 

Sarah Deitrick

Sarah Deitrick

Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster

Sarah Deitrick is the Director of Operations, Polymer Industry Cluster for The Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, Sarah advances the work of the PIC by executing on the various initiatives of the cluster by managing daily operations, coordinating working committees, and supporting membership, marketing, communications, and events. She finds fulfillment in contributing to work that makes a lasting impact. Sarah chose to work at the Chamber to play a part in driving the Polymer Industry Cluster’s mission, vision, and regional impact that contributes to economic growth and prosperity within the community.As a third-generation Akronite, Sarah has a deep-rooted passion for historic preservation advocacy and the adaptive reuse of buildings that reflects her strong connection to the region. Her commitment to safeguarding Akron’s architectural heritage also extends into various roles she has served within Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron, a volunteer non-profit organization ded

Morgan Bock

Morgan Bock

Director, Executive Office

Morgan is the Director, Executive Office at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she provides administrative and project support to Steve Millard, the Chamber’s President and CEO, as well as the Leadership Team. She chose the Greater Akron Chamber because of its strong commitment to supporting local businesses and its focus on community engagement. During her interview, she was impressed by the culture and work environment and knew it was the right place to grow her career.Professionally, Morgan has a background in business operations and management, with experience launching and growing multiple fitness studios. She played a key role in opening five businesses, including Orangetheory Fitness locations in Akron, Canton, and Copley, Ohio, as well as Brickell, Florida, and Mayweather Fitness Boxing studios in Brickell and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was recognized as Orangetheory Fitness’s Studio Manager of the Year for Northeast Ohio and led one studio to become the second fastest

Jean Barbato

Jean Barbato

Director, Conxus

Jean brings 15 years of experience in higher education working with recruitment, advising and retention for non-traditional, adult completion programs, and grant management in workforce training and apprenticeships. She also has 35 years of experience as a small business owner and understands the difficulties and the importance of training and retaining employees. Jean is the Director of ConxusNEO & Workforce Initiatives, with oversight of the sector partnership, the U.S. Department of Labor Scaling Apprenticeship grant and the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge program. Her responsibilities include collaborating with local community-based organizations who serve underrepresented, underserved people in the greater Akron region to provide training and to gain quality job opportunities for career growth. Jean earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from Walsh University in North Canton, OH. She is on the Advisor

Ameeca Holmes

Ameeca Holmes

Senior Manager, Healthcare Sector Partnership

Ameeca is an Akron native and comes from a local hospital with 11 years of experience. Ameeca is passionate about community outreach efforts and has led many grant initiatives related to youth development, education, and public health issues focusing on maternal and child health. All of her previous work experiences have awarded her the knowledge and skills to raise awareness and facilitate beneficial programming in adverse communities.Ameeca received her bachelor’s and Masters of Arts from Kent State University. At ConxusNEO, she will manage the Healthcare Sector Partnership and continue to foster and promote relationships in the community with local healthcare facilities to support workforce development opportunities.

John Rizzo

John Rizzo

Vice President, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance

John Rizzo is the Vice President of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance for the Chamber. In this role, he works to connect chamber members to key information on relevant political activities, convene regional stakeholders on pressing issues facing the business community, and advocate for identified solutions. Coming from a family of small business owners, John really enjoys working with companies to understand and pursue the various policies and opportunities they stand to benefit from. Although not every effort results in a “win”, he finds it rewarding to facilitate conversations that identify real issues and solutions and work to achieve tangible results on behalf of small businesses.John Rizzo received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Akron from which he is a proud alumnus. He also serves on several nonprofit committees and advisory boards within the region and participates on various panel discussions during advocacy-related events.Coming from a large

Anna Richards

Anna Richards

Senior Manager, Programs and Events

Anna is the Senior Manager of Programs and Events at the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role she creates opportunities for our members to come together, make connections, and stay informed. Anna has always enjoyed bringing people together and helping others, so she chose the Chamber to be a part of an organization that connects people and businesses in the region.   Anna dedicates time to volunteering, especially with the University of Dayton Cleveland Alumni Community actively serving in the Akron Chair and Service Chair roles.Outside of work, Anna loves to spend time with her husband and two boys. They enjoy crafting, traveling, kayaking, and baking.

Halee Gerenday

Halee Gerenday

Director, Marketing and Communications

Halee Gerenday is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Akron Chamber. In this role, she brings visibility to the work of the Chamber and our regional partners, and ensures our members stay connected to information that will support and strengthen their businesses. She chose to work at the Chamber because she wanted to support community growth and utilize the power of storytelling to showcase the people and businesses here in Greater Akron.Halee received her bachelor’s degree in digital media journalism & sport communications from Ashland University. Professionally, she is a proud recipient of a first-place award for Best Reporter in Ohio by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2017 for her work with the Medina Gazette.For Halee, home is in Medina County with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and being outdoors – whether it’s reading a good book on her patio, camping at one of Ohio’s State Parks, snowboarding or walking the trail with her dogs.

Alyssa Carpenter

Alyssa Carpenter

Vice President, Economic Development

Alyssa Carpenter has a unique role, serving in a dual capacity as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Akron Chamber and the Director of Business Development for Team NEO, focusing on the rubber, plastic and polymer industries serving Stark and Summit Counties. Alyssa views the work of economic development much like a puzzle with intersections of building relationships, problem solving, and pulling the partners in the public and private sectors together in order help our companies and communities grow and prosper.For her work professionally, Alyssa earned the Ohio Economic Development, Ohio Certified Economic Developer certification. She also frequently presents as a guest speaker as part of the Ohio Economic Development (OEDA) programing on topics of economic and professional development, as well as more locally, via Team NEO’s NODE program.Most of her time outside of work involves her kids, Caroline and Grant, and their school activities. Alyssa also enjoys ente

Heather Flohr

Heather Flohr

Director, Finance & Operations

Heather serves as the Director of Finance & Operations at the Greater Akron Chamber, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organization's success and sustainability. Her responsibilities span a variety of critical functions, including overseeing grant reporting and compliance, providing human resource support to staff, and managing the Chamber’s day-to-day office operations. Since joining the Chamber in 2019, Heather has been motivated by a desire to contribute to the Chamber’s positive impact on the Greater Akron region.A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Heather served with distinction from 2004 to 2012. During her eight years of service, she earned several medals and Letters of Commendation, reflecting her dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Her military background has equipped her with invaluable skills, including discipline, adaptability, and a strong sense of service.Heather’s academic achievements include a bachelor’s degree in Social Ps

Daisha Okolo

Daisha Okolo

Coo

Daisha Okolo is the Coordinator for the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance, a partnership between the Greater Akron Chamber and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she helps strengthen communication across both chambers, connects members with key information, and supports advocacy efforts around shared regional priorities. She chose this position because she believes in the power of community collaboration and the impact it can have on businesses throughout the region. Professionally, Daisha is driven by the people and communities who have supported her journey. She enjoys researching legislation, identifying emerging issues that affect local businesses, and communicating these insights clearly to members. She takes pride in creating alignment across partners and helping stakeholders stay informed and engaged. She will earn her master’s in Applied Politics in December 2025 and has been recognized in the top 10% of her graduate class, in addition to serving as Co-Chair of

Marshall Moore

Marshall Moore

Marshall Moore is the Industry Consultant for the Greater Akron Chamber’s Polymer Industry Cluster. In this role, Marshall leads the Polymer Pilot and Scale-Up Task Team and supports the U.S. EDA’s Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub initiatives. He also provides technical insight and strategic guidance to the Polymer Industry Advisory Council and Leadership Committee, helping to shape innovation efforts and industry engagement across the region. With a career spanning operations, research and development, and executive leadership, Marshall brings a deep understanding of innovation systems, continuous improvement, and sustainable manufacturing.Marshall has held senior leadership roles at companies including Summit Materials, Synthomer, OMNOVA Solutions, and Chemtura, where he drove advancements in R&D, sustainability, and product innovation. A longtime supporter of the Chamber’s work, he has been actively involved in the Polymer Industry Cluster since its inception, serving on advisory commit

GC

Greg Cramer

VP, Economic Development
Full-time
Compensation: $137,833
BA

Brian Anderson

VP, Research
Full-time
Compensation: $117,754

Milestones

1974

Organization Founded

1974

Established to serve business community development and economic growth initiatives

2000

Regional Expansion

2000

Extended programming and membership services to serve broader regional business community

2023

Program Enhancement

2023

Launched enhanced member services and expanded advocacy initiatives for business community

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Maintains active programming serving member organizations and regional economic development priorities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AL
Amanda Leffler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AT
Andre' Thornton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AT
Andrew Twardzik Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AA
Anne Armao Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BW
Bernett Williams Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BP
Bhavin Patel Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BK
Bill Koehler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BH
Brian Harte MD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BN
Brian Nelsen Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BS
Brian Steere Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CG
Chris Gessner Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CW
Chris Walker Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CM
Chrissy Myers Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CM
Christine Mayer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CM
Chuck Mullen Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CT
Cliff T Deveny MD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CF
Craig Ferriot Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CH
Craig Hassinger Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Dan Sublett Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DW
Dan Weekley Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DD
Dawn Distler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DP
Don Padgett Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DT
Donzell Taylor Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DA
Dunja Augustin Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DG
Dwayne Groll Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EZ
Elizabeth Z Bartz Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EL
Erin Leppo Palmer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
ES
Erin Spring Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EK
Ethan Karp Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GM
Gary Miller PHD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GF
Gino Faciana Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HJ
Halle Jones Capers Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
IS
Ike Sampson-Akpan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
IS
Ilene Shapiro Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JM
James Mullen Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Jason Dodson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JT
Jason Tuma Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JS
Jennifer Savitski MD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JM
Jim Merklin Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JD
Joe Daleiden Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JL
Joe Luckring Finance Chair 1.00 hrs/week
JH
John Higgins Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JL
John Langell MD PHD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JP
John Petures Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JP
Joseph Paul Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JF
Jr Fowler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Julie Brandle Board Chair Elect 1.00 hrs/week
KW
Katherine White Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KB
Ken Babby Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KP
Kendra Philon Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
KD
Krista Dobronos Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LM
Lakisha Miller-Barclay Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LD
Laura Duda Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LL
Leia Love Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MD
Marc Divis Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Marc Merklin Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Marie Brilmyer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MS
Mayor Shammas Malik Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Meghan Meeker Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Michael Morrison Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MM
Michelle Moran Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
NV
Neille Vitale Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PJ
Para Jones Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
PG
Peter Geise Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RD
Ramona Davis Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RC
Ren Camacho Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RW
Rich Wallack Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RF
Richard Fry Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RP
Roberta Palacio Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RP
Ron Paydo Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SV
Sean Vollman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SS
Shaleeta Smith Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
SW
Steve Wilt Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TB
Tami Bolder Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TL
Teresa Legrair Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TR
Terry Robinson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TR
Tia Ramlow Board Chair; Executive Com 1.00 hrs/week
TD
Todd Diacon PHD Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Tony Costanzo Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TB
Traci Buckner Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TD
Tracy Dowe Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TA
Tyler Amos Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
VG
Valerie Geiger Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
ZW
Zach Wemple Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$1.1M

Highest Paid

$403K

Steve Millard

Compensated Officers

5

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Steve Millard President & CEO $359,161 $43,787 $402,948 40
Brynn Popa SR VP, Strategic Initiativ $187,855 $37,213 $225,068 40
Greg Cramer VP, Economic Development $137,833 $32,580 $170,413 40
Sante Ghetti VP, Investor Engagement $148,515 $7,166 $155,681 40
Brian Anderson VP, Research $117,754 $15,507 $133,261 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$279K

Total Forgiven

$281K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

14

Loan Details 1 loan

$278,882
Forgiven
Forgiven: $280,800 100%
Approved Mar 6, 2021
Lender Westfield Bank, FSB
Jobs Reported 14
Forgiven On Nov 16, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$52K Grants Received
$125K Grants Given
5 Organizations

Top Funders

3 total
UW
United Way Of Summit And Medina
$25K
CH
Children's Hospital Medical Center Of
$17K
CC
Cascade Capital Corporation
$10K

Top Grantees

2 total
TN
Team Neo CLEVELAND, OH
$100K
OL
Ohio Local Information Initiative Inc. COLUMBUS, OH
$25K
United Way Of Summit And Medina Children's Hospital Medical Center Of Cascade Capital Corporation Team Neo Ohio Local Information Initiative Inc.
United Way Of Summit And Medina Children's Hospital Medical Center Of Cascade Capital Corporation Team Neo Ohio Local Information Initiative Inc.

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

2 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

2

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

2
Greater Akron Chamber Foundation
Akron, OH
Business Development/ Education
501(c) 501(C)(3)
Women's Network Inc
Akron, OH
To Connect, Empower, And Inspire Women
501(c) 501(C)(3)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with Greater Akron Chamber

Phone

(330) 376-5550

Social

Visit Website
388 S Main St 205 Akron, OH 44311