SMEI AKRON MAY LUNCH EVENT, ASSOCIATION ANNUAL …c.ymcdn.com/sites/ · ence in Dallas. We are now qualified ... which specializes in small business consulting, marketing, ... many

www.smeakron.com • www.smei.org

11:30 – 11:45 a.m. – Networking

11:45 – 12:15 – Lunch

12:15 – 1 – Presentation by Carl Albright,President & CEO,

InfoCision Management Corporation

Topic: “Developing Effective Leadership"

This presentation will help managers focus on developing theirstaffs and improving the overall morale of the company. It willhelp all leaders within your organization to bring out the best intheir employees while they make sure they follow corporateguidelines.

Takeaway points:• I now have a more effective way to manage my staff to get

the most out of them.• I have a better understanding of how to motivate different

personality types.• I now have a better understanding of what it takes to be a

better leader within my organization.

BIO: Carl AlbrightPresident and Chief Executive Officer

As President and Chief Executive Officer of InfoCision, CarlAlbright oversees all aspects of the company’s day-to-day opera-tions from sales to marketing to information technology. Carl isa 15-year veteran of InfoCision and has served in leadershiproles company-wide making him uniquely qualified to managethe full spectrum of InfoCision’s functions.

Carl began with InfoCision as an Assistant Call CenterSupervisor and worked his way up filling such roles as Directorof Telemarketing, Senior Vice President of Call CenterOperations and most recently Chief Operating Officer. Duringhis tenure, InfoCision has experienced a 10-year average of 14.5percent annual growth. In that time the company has launchednumerous employee benefit programs, added more than 3,000jobs and opened 23 call centers in Ohio, West Virginia andPennsylvania.

Carl currently resides in Fairlawn, Ohio with his wife Lori, sonsGriffin and Maddox and daughter Avery. He graduated with hon-ors in 1989 from The Ohio State University with degrees in jour-nalism and political science. That same year, he won ESPN’sNational Sports Trivia Championship.

SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL

OF AKRON

M A Y - J U N E 2 0 0 8

2913 Cedar Hill RoadCuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223

COST: $20 SMEI Members; $35 Non-MembersRSVP to Sue Warren at 330-945-7740 or [email protected] by noon May 12th.

Due to meal reservation requirements, no shows will be billed.

SMEI AKRON MAY LUNCH EVENT, ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING & PAST PRESIDENT RECOGNITION

Tuesday, May 13, 2008Silver Lake Country Club

1325 Graham Road, Silver Lake

Carl Albright, President & CEO, InfoCision Management Corporation,Presents: “Developing Effective Leadership”

Carl Albright

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This being my last President’s message, I would like to say ithas been my honor and privilege to serve each of you as mem-bers of this great organization. I would like to thank all of themembers for their support of SMEI of Akron my eighteenmonths as your President of SMEI of Akron. I also would like tothank, what I believe, is the hardest working Board of Directorsin any organization. Also I would like to thank Sue Warren, theheart and soul of our organization, for her dedication to SMEI.In working with Sue, I have realized and found that she putsin so much extra effort behind the scenes for SMEI Akron justto insure that every event is successful.

I would like to reflect on what my team and I have accom-plished during my term. We have won international recognitionby winning the SMEI Chairman’s Gold award and also the high-est SMEI award, the Raymond Bill award, last year at confer-ence in Dallas. We are now qualified for Chairman’s Gold awardagain for this year. The Raymond Bill award will be presented tothe affiliate with the highest number of points at the SMEI con-ference in Hawaii and we are looking forward to winning thisaward again also. These awards reflect work and dedication ofthis Board of Directors as each one has a part of the totalamount of points accumulated. Again, what a great board!

My time as president has also been a restructuring term. Asthe Akron Affiliate we changed our fiscal year to reflect thesame fiscal year as SMEI International. Changes needed to bemade in our by-laws, board job descriptions and our printedmaterials. We also tighten up many of the administrative pro-cedures and the check lists used for our affiliate. This revamp-ing will enable a smoother transition of a new President andother new Board Members each term that those changes takeplace.

Our membership team has had some memorable recruitingevents. One event was held at the MAPS Museum -- we had 45people come out and one tornado. Once during the evening wewere evacuated to the shelter for safety as the tornado wentthrough our location. And yes, we did have several new mem-bers that evening.

Our programming team really stepped it up on the speaker linealso. We had international speakers (ORSA), President’s andCEO’s (Alan Bleyer of AGMC and Carl Albright, InfoCision) andeven a business owner that built an international business onbears (Maxine Clark of Build-A-Bear Workshops®).

Additionally, we have had many great meeting and workshopsthrough out my term. The programming committee rallied themembership together to put on a fantastic Silent Auction toraise money for the organization and PSE. The program speak-er was a huge hit for the Silent Auction where Jeffery Hayzlett,Chief Business Development Officer and Vice President of TheEastman Kodak Company, was our keynote.

Our Public Relations/Internal Communications team stretchedeverything they had in them. If you saw our website a couple ofyears ago and you look at it today, you would not believe it is thesame organization. It took many hours of dedication to updatethe website. What a fabulous job this team has done! We haveupgraded to web surveys and it has been well received by themembership.

Our DSMA committee this year also had a really great DSMABanquet with the attendance at 460 guests. It takes the wholemembership to make this the successful event it is every yearand it continues to be one of the best awards banquets inNorthEast Ohio each year!

Our Youth Activities committee has been actively trying to con-nect with our PSE students at The University of Akron. Someof the members of the team are in conversation with Kent Stateto start a PSE chapter at that university also.

Our Certification team has promoted the Certification processto the membership so well that as mentioned on our last survey94.1% of the people filling out the survey knew about the pro-gram.

In closing again I would like to thank Sue Warren, the Board ofDirectors and our wonderful membership for the great privilegeof leading you as your President.

Nancy Bird will be taking over as your President and needs yourtotal support. In closing… I encourage each and every one ofyou to ask your current and future President and Board ofDirectors how you may continue to help make your AkronSMEI Chapter a successful organization!

CONNECT…With Your Peers DISCOVER…New Resources

EXCEL…and Grow Your Business

FROM THE PRESIDENT ...Sharon R. ReedPresident, SMEI of Akron

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11:30 – 11:45 a.m. – Networking

11:45 – 12:15 – Lunch

12:15 – 1 – Presentation by SteveHomolak, Compelling Business Solutions

“Stop Pushing on the Rope:How to Effectively Grow YourBusiness Through Up-FrontMarketing”

Many businesses spend a great deal of time, money and effort inpromoting and selling their products or services yet wonder whysales are still not growing. What they need to start doing is Up-Front Marketing.

Up-Front Marketing is important because it enables businessesto focus their efforts with a market-based plan and provide solu-tions to customers needs. It is the first and most importantstep in a complete marketing and sales process. By understand-ing Up-Front Marketing, you can begin to effectively and repeat-edly increases sales, and Stop Pushing on the Rope!

Presentation Take-Aways:• Maximize growth by focusing your marketing and sales

efforts.

• Beat competition through a compelling market plan.• Satisfy customer needs by developing the right products and

services.

Steve Homolak is President of Compelling Business Solutionswhich specializes in small business consulting, marketing, plan-ning and buying/selling of businesses. Known for his analyticaland strategic abilities and his sense of urgency, Steve’s mostvaluable skill is his balanced approach with business and people.

He started his career at the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Companywhere he worked in financial analysis and marketing. At theBFGoodrich Chemical Company, he played major roles in busi-ness development, analysis, planning, forecasting, and plantturn-arounds.

Following over 20 years of corporate experience and success, hewent on to consult in business development and marketing, andshortly thereafter earned his accreditation as Executive Associateof the Institute for Independent Business. He is also thePresident of the Akron Entrepreneurs Club, President of theAudio Group of Akron, and a COSE mentor and advisor.

He resides in Brecksville, Ohio with his wife and four children.He is active with his family and enjoys golf, volleyball and TaeKwon Do.

COST: $20 SMEI Members; $35 Non-MembersRSVP to Sue Warren at 330-945-7740 or [email protected] by noon May 9th.

Due to meal reservation requirements, no shows will be billed.

SMEI AKRON JUNE LUNCH EVENT

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

356 Fighter Group4919 Mt. Pleasant Road, North Canton

Steve Homolak, President, Compelling Business SolutionsPresents

“Stop Pushing on the Rope: How to Effectively Grow your Business Through Up-Front Marketing”

Steve Homolak

CORPORATE MEMBERS:

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SAVE THE DATE AND THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY

Thursday, May 15… 5:30pm – 7:30pm

May is “Member Get-A-Member Month” and it is your opportuni-ty to earn extra rewards in the process!

One of the most rewarding experiences as a member of an asso-ciation is to successfully introduce one of your peers to the ben-efits of membership. And, it’s even more rewarding when yousponsor a new member who joins SMEI during the month ofMay.

For every member that you personally sponsor who joins andpays their membership in an SMEI Affiliate or Chapter duringthe month of May, you will receive a $10 Starbucks Gift Card.

Plus, if you sponsor 10 new members who join and pay for theirmembership during May, you will receive a complimentary regis-tration to the 2008 SMEI Annual International Conference inHawaii (see www.freshideas.com for details).

Sponosr 5 or more members and you will be recognized at theSMEI 2008 International Conference with the “Order of the BellAward”

And the hits just keep on coming… each new paid member willreceive a complimentary SMEI Lunch Event or Dinner andWorkshop as an added bonus to the already-generous incentives.

So, start making your referral list and begin to spread the word.Your peers will receive the same benefits as you do, includingcomplimentary Webinars, a quarterly digital magazine, access tomany exclusive online benefits on the SMEI Web site, a greatdiscount on professional certification, and the opportunity toserve in a leadership capacity.

Checklist for success:• Invite your peers to the May 15th event• Promote the benefits of membership by sharing your story• Follow-up to confirm their registration to the May 15th event

We’re Wine’ing Down on Thursday, May 15 at The Tangier com-pliments of Sales & Marketing Executives International of Akron.Kick back and relax with old friends and make new friends whileenjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres and a great selection of wines andales.

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN SECURING AN EVENTSPONSOR…

…to help us offset the cost of this membership recruiting oppor-tunity. What about your company? Or, the company of one ofyour guests? The sponsorship cost is $300 and it’s a great way toshowcase a business, a service, or products to this audience ofprofessionals. Small business owners benefit from the sponsor-ship as well when they team up with a “two-fer” at a cost of $150each. Please contact Jim Hornyak, VP of Membership, [email protected] for details.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE will also be discussed during this event. Have you everconsidered what being “certified” as a Sales & MarketingProfessional could do for your career and your business? Yourmembership in SMEI–Akron and your SMEI sales or marketingcertification announces your professional competence to yourclients, employer, peers, and customers. Learn more about thisvaluable program and more on Thursday.

We look forward to seeing you! Event information will be postedon the Web site at smeakron.com as details are confirmed. PleaseRSVP to Sue Warren at [email protected]

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

Earlier this year SMEI-Akron conducted a Membership Survey tofind out what you think about our local affiliate and the pro-grams that it offers. Upon reviewing the results, we were verypleased to find that 94% of the survey participants already knowabout SMEI’s professional certification program. Next we weredelighted to see that nearly 50% of the respondents are interest-ed in becoming certified as marketing or sales executives! Weneed to know who the 50% are who are interested! Please con-tact Rock Tyson, CME, at 330.472.0880 [email protected] to get more information and getstarted!

Certification offers three major benefits:• An additional professional credential on your resume for pro-

motion or job transfer; • Validation of your knowledge in the areas of sales and/or mar-

keting;

• An educational opportunity that is less expensive and tediousthan a degree program.

Having the official CME®, CSE® or SCPS® designation follow-ing your name on your business card or professional stationaryis also beneficial because it can create a simple but effective ice-breaker when calling on a new client. It allows you to build rap-port and helps to substantiate a level of trust right from the get-go when you explain that certification represents your pledge ofhigh standards in serving your company, its customers and thefree enterprise system.

If you have any questions about certification or need a pep talkto help you rally and get started, please give me a call at 330-472-0880 or email me at [email protected] information can readily be found at www.smei.org byclicking the button for Certification.

--Rock Tyson, CME

Business Services: Flexible SpendingAccount & COBRA Consulting & PlanAdministration

Janet Palcko, is the managing partner for NEOAdministration, with over 15 years experience supporting andservicing corporations with consulting and benefit planadministration services. Janet joined the Akron affiliate ofSales & Marketing Executives, and over the years has servedon Programming; Membership; Event Planning committees,as well as Board President and various Vice President Boardpositions.

Janet’s professional responsibilities include all leadershipvision; account creation, sales, and service innovation as NEOAdministration’s CEO, as she also serves the roles of teambuilder, educator, and mentor for her company. Under herleadership, NEO Administration has flourished, growntremendous client relationships, and created a valuableemployee benefit and administration portfolio for clients.

Awards and recognitions include CFC certification (Certified& Flexible Compensation expert); Toastmaster awards; andthe Distinguished Sales & Marketing Achievement awardfrom Akron’s SMEI organization.

Janet discovered Akron’s Sales & Marketing Executives orga-nization just as she was entering the business world andstarting NEO Administration. Within her ‘industry’ she wasnot finding a professional group of peers to support her needto develop a portal into the business world and this commu-nity’s business network. Claudia Bowers-Sawyer first intro-duced Janet to SMEI. She found in SMEI Akron, a group ofprofessional business leaders who were supportive, greatcommunicators, and willing to share their insights.

Janet smiles as she explains that the SMEI Akron affiliate hasalways been a bit unique – complete with rich, great relation-ships that have lasted throughout her business lifetime. Shecomments that her individual and active participation provid-ed great professional benefits and results. She’s passionate inexplaining SMEI membership as it provides “side benefits”

such as an early (silent) mentor in Donna Early; the profes-sional development of committee work to plan and achievesuccess with an SMEI symposium (attended by over 500); andthe insight, wisdom, and leadership support provided by somany past SMEI presidents.

So just what are her perspectives as a busy professional andwhat does she find beneficial from SMEI membership? Herfirst memories of SMEI Akron included a dynamic speakerattended by over 120, the fact that as a new person to busi-ness she found in SMEI a group of peers to help her grow, keytopics very relevant to her professional ambitions, and theeducation aspect that SMEI provides.

Janet states that SMEI Akron has helped her become a moregoal-oriented leader; a better team builder; and a better rolemodel and mentor to others.

She wants all SMEI members to realize key assets that mem-bership provides:

• The more involved you get in the organization – the morebenefit you derive (especially true for new members orinactive members who need a jump start!).

• You will learn more (and yes, there’s nothing new underthe sun) through active membership, than you everthought possible.

• You will develop rich, rewarding relationships – many ofwhich last a business lifetime!

• Attendance at workshop and keynote addresses and net-working with other business leaders helps you get out ofyour own little “professional” rut and broadens your per-spectives.

• SMEI membership may lead you to other interests (suchas Janet’s desire to participate in the non-profit world).

She comments when you are the business leader – thedreamer and visionary of everything – the builder of the team– the one who “owns” the project and must take it up andover the top – then SMEI membership and the professionalnetworking with peers and other business owners and execu-tives – is imperative to the success of one’s professional, busi-ness life.

She encourages the current Board to name, identify, andknock on the doors of the top 20-30 companies in this market– to gain their valuable input and leadership inspirations overthe next couple years. We hear you, Janet, and we thank you– we promise to deliver on your request!

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MEMBER PERSPECTIVES

Janet Palcko, Partner NEO Administration

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Your Name Company

Phone Email

To nominate an individual(s) for the 2009 Executive of the Year Award or DSMA recipient, please complete this form and mail,fax or email to: (duplicate if additional copies are needed)

SMEI Akron / Sue Warren 2913 Cedar Hill Road • Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223

Fax: (330) 945-7749 • [email protected] www.smeakron.com

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

Nominee’s Name

Position

Company/Organization

Address

Business Phone Email

Executive of the Year or DSMA?

How has the nominee contributed to the sales, marketing, leadership of his/her company/organiza-tion? (Attach another page if needed)

Executive of the Year Criteria(SMEI’s highest honor)

♦ Outstanding leadership of adynamic and growingorganization

♦ Significant corporate achievement♦ Community/civic involvement♦ Must be a recognizable figure in

the greater Akron/Canton area forhis/her contributions

Distinguished Sales andMarketing Award (DSMA)™

Criteria:♦ Sales/marketing experience and

performance♦ Professional/business recognition♦ Professional/Trade Organizations♦ Community/civic involvement♦ Career Achievement Summary

Up to 15 individuals will be selected for the DSMA award.

37 th Annual DistinguishedSales & Marketing Awards™

NOMINATION FORM

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

DISTINGUISHED SALES & MARKETING AWARD (DSMA)™&

The Akron Affiliate of Sales & Marketing Executives International

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THANK YOU ALL FOR COMPLETING OUR RECENT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SURVEY – LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE RESULTS

What do you like best about your involvement with SMEI?# of responses % of responses

Contact/Meeting interesting new people 18 58.0%High quality programs/presentations/events 4 12.9%Networking 4 12.9%Haven’t actually started on

membership committee 1 3.2%Knowing what programming is available

to marketing professionals 1 3.2%Timely info about events 1 3.2%No pressure to participate 1 3.2%Topics pertain to my industry 1 3.2%

(n=31) 100%

Question: Overall, how would you rate yourinvolvement with SMEI? # of Responses % of Sample

Excellent 8 22.2%Good 14 38.9%Fair 12 33.3%Poor 0 0.0%Very Poor 2 5.6%Total 36 100%

Question: Has your involvement in SMEI met yourexpectations?

# of Responses % of SampleYes 26 72.2%No 10 27.8%Total 36 100%

Why hasn’t your involvement in SMEI met your expectations?# of responses % of responses

Lack of sales contacts/business relationships 2 22.2%Unable to attend events/Don’t have time 2 22.2%It’s hard to break into the existing

cliques/Members not open to new members 2 22.2%Most members not from manufacturing community 1 11.1%Not contacted for any events 1 11.1%My phone calls/emails receive no response 1 11.1%

(n=9) 99.9%

Question: What do you think you benefit fromMOST by participating in SMEI?

# of Responses % of SampleNetworking opportunities 12 40.0%Professional development 9 30.0%Getting new ideas 3 10.0%Listening to experts 6 20.0%Total 30 100%

Question: Would you recommend SMEI to your co-workers or colleagues?

# of Responses % of SampleYes 27 81.8%No 6 18.2%Total 33 100%

Why wouldn’t you recommend SMEI to a co-worker or colleague?

# of responses % of responsesI am only the marketing staff 1 20.0%I don’t feel it serves a purpose 1 20.0%My experience left me feeling I wasted $250 1 20.0%Need to see more value from

organization relating to my profession 1 20.0%No formal system for introductions 1 20.0%

(n=5) 100%

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SMEI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

HONOLULU, HAWAIISEPTEMBER 18-20, 2008

Go to smei.org for further details and to register!

SMEI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

HONOLULU, HAWAIISEPTEMBER 18-20, 2008

Go to smei.org for further details and to register!

APRIL 8TH WAS A REAL TREAT WITH SPEAKER GUEST, MAXINE CLARK, CHIEF BEAR OFFICER, BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP®

Look at this crowd!Sharon Reed and Maxine Clark!

Sharon was responsible for inviting Maxine to be our speaker and workedwith her staff for 2 years to make this event happen.THANK YOU SHARON!

Maxine Clark with SMEI Akron Board of Directors, Martin Tass, Past President, and Sue Warren, SMEI Akron Executive Director

9


WHAT A NIGHT!

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Brent BellesPresidentB-Squared Printing & Marketing Solutions10026 Derbyshire Avenue, N. Canton, OH 44720330.899.9111Fax: 330.899.9922brent@coolmarketingsolutions.comwww.coolmarketingsolutions.comPrimary Product/Service: Printing and Marketing Products and

ServicesSponsor: Sharon Reed

Laurie FacsinaPresidentArtemis Wealth Management2950 Cannon Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087216.789.2640Fax: [email protected] Product/Service: Sponsor: Janet Palcko

Ashley FairhurstAccount ExecutiveFirst Communications3340 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44333330.835.2668Fax: [email protected] Product/Service: Telecommunications

Maureen FiorinaAccount ExecutiveSoftware Answers202 Montrose West, Ave., Suite 290, Akron, OH 44321330.665.9007 x 3019Fax: 330.665.2285www.software-answers.comPrimary Product/Service: Software & IT Services

Dean LangfittAssociateThe Ruby Group2251 Front Street, Suite 206, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221330.929.9449 x 1040Fax: 330.929.9440dlangfitt@TheRubyGroup.comwww.TheRubyGroup.comPrimary Product/Service: Sales Training and Business CoachingSponsor: Cheryl Ward

Sharon KreighbaumOwnerStaged Makeovers871 Ashbrooke Way, Hudson, OH 44236330.472.6607sharon@stagedmakeovers.comwww.stagedmakeovers.comPrimary Product/Service: Interior Redesign & StagingSponsor: Tim Dimoff & Berni Repko

Mary DiCaudoBanquet CoordinatorRaintree Country Club4350 Mayfair Road, Uniontown, OH 44685330.699.3232Fax: [email protected] Product/Service: Golf, BanquetSponsor: Sharon Reed

Bonnie SampsonNational Accounts ManagerThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company1144 E. Market Street, Akron, OH 44316330.796.2255Fax: [email protected] Product/Service: TiresSponsor: Cheryl Ward

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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SHARON REED, PRESIDENT OF SMEI AKRON, PRESENTS NEW MEMBER PLAQUES TO RECENT NEW MEMBERS:

Ashley Fairhurst, Account Executive, First Communications

Ron McDaniel, CEO, Buzzoodle

Kathi McNamara, Corporate Account Specialist, State Industrial Products

Joe Palmisano, Partner, Physicians Imaging Solutions

Tom Sherman, President/CEO, Growth Dynamics Corporation

www.smeakron.com • www.smei.orgNewsletter by Print Digital, Inc. • 330.686-5945 • www.digi-print.com

SMEI ContactsSharon Reed, President:

330-495-8111

Sue Warren, Executive Director: 330.945.7740 • [email protected]

Michelle Henry, Director-Internal Communications: 330.412.9097 • [email protected]

May 13, 2008Lunch Event – Carl Albright,

President & CEO,InfoCision Management, presents“Developing Effective Leadership”

Silver Lake Country Club

May 15, 2008Member-Get-A-Member

Recruiting EventTangier

5:30-7:30

June 10, 2008Lunch Event

Steve Homolak, President,Compelling Business Solutions,presents “Stop Pushing on theRope: How to Effectively Grow

your Business Through Up-Front Marketing” 356th Fighter Group

SEE OUR WEBSITE AND REGIS-TER AND PAY ONLINE:www.smeakron.comOR call the SMEI office

at 330-945-7740. Due to meal

reservation requirements, no shows will be billed.

Non-members must pre-pay.

COMMITTEES

ONLINE REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT NOW AVAILABLE FOR MONTHLY EVENTS!

WWW.SMEAKRON.COMCHECK OUT OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE!

ENHANCEMENTS ARE BEING MADE WEEKLY!

Call the committee chair below for meeting dates and information:

Membership Jim Hornyak330.221.2525 • [email protected]

Programming Tim Dimoff330.255.1101 • [email protected]

Certification Rock Tyson, CME330.472.0880 • [email protected]

Public Relations Cheryl Ward330.668.7777 • [email protected]

Youth Activities Millie Babb330.384.7809 • [email protected]

Documents

SMEI AKRON MAY LUNCH EVENT, ASSOCIATION ANNUAL …c.ymcdn.com/sites/ · ence in Dallas. We are now qualified ... which specializes in small business consulting, marketing, ... many