Cleveland's Ceos You Should Know

As Superintendent and CEO of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD), Dr. Amber C. Gibbs and her team support more than 15,000 Cuyahoga County residents with developmental disabilities and their families each year to live, learn, work, and play in the community. Gibbs worked in mental health before moving into direct care, supporting people with DD at an agency provider before joining Cuyahoga DD in 2008. She served in a variety of supervisory and leadership roles before becoming Superintendent and CEO in 2023. Notable accomplishments include leading a major effort to eliminate the Medicaid waiver waiting list in Cuyahoga County and building collaborative relationships that enable the community to better support people of all abilities. Gibbs fosters a culture of service excellence among the agency’s 600 employees, and she champions the voices of people who receive services from Cuyahoga DD, making sure they have a say in decisions the agency makes that affect them. Amber ensures

Experienced entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of operating successful businesses in multiple different vertical markets. Skilled in Leadership, Recruiting, Development, Negotiation, Sales, Value Selling, Account Management, and Strong knowledge of various CRM programs. A true competitor with a WIN mentality.

Ryan Schreiber is a Cleveland-based entrepreneur and technology executive, best known as the Co‑Founder and CEO of Streamline, a consumer-focused technology company designed to simplify how audiences discover and access sports, shows, and movies across streaming platforms. In his role, Ryan leads company strategy, fundraising, partnerships, and product development, helping Streamline address growing fragmentation in the streaming ecosystem. A graduate of Middlebury College, Ryan brings a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, having worn multiple hats as a founder—from product and marketing to sales and operations. He is an active voice in Ohio’s tech and startup community and frequently speaks about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the role of AI in building scalable consumer platforms

Max Pennington is the CEO and one of the co-founders of CLEANR, a Cleveland-based platform filtration technology startup venture focused on tackling microplastics at its source.Max graduated Summa Cum Laude from Case Western Reserve University with his degree in Chemical Engineering. Max was selected as a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree in the Green Tech space for his work at CLEANR, as well as Crain’s Cleveland Business’ 20 in their 20s.   Max co-developed CLEANR’s patented, award-winning VORTX technology, which is inspired by nature based on how fish filter out their food. CLEANR’s VORTX technology won the American Filtration and Separation Society’s New Product of the Year Award. CLEANR has launched their first product, powered by VORTX, CLEANR for Washing Machines, which can attach to any washing machine and capture over 90% of microplastics down to 50-micron - our laundry is the largest source of microplastics into the environment. CLEANR for Washing Machines won a CES Innovation Award in Home Appliances in 2

Step into the fantasy world of Mark Klaus, creator of CASTLE NOEL. “America’s Largest Year Round Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction.” Experience 40,000 square feet of amazing installations,

Nicole McKinney-Johnson is President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), a role she has held since September 2024 after previously serving as interim CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors. With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, business development, and human resources, she has guided CRCC with strength, vision, and stability during a pivotal time in the agency’s history. McKinney-Johnson is also deeply engaged in the community, serving on the University Hospital’s Rainbow & Babies Foundation Board, the Leadership Council for the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, and the Foundation Board at Lakeland Community College.

Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur and the Principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, where he also serves as Chairman. Kenn began his aviation career as an Air Force ROTC cadet at the University of Notre Dame and started his first company, Corporate Wings, in 1980. His love of aviation had him founding, acquiring or financing a broad range of aviation companies and ideas over his career. He has assembled one of the largest groups of private aviation companies which together account for over $4.0 billion of revenue, operate over 300 aircraft and employ over 5,000 individuals. Kenn was honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and has been named one of the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News. In 2005, Kenn led the restructuring of the Mercury Air Centers, a $200 million company operating aircraft support facilities at 24 different airports. He sold the company

As the President & CEO of this 4th generation, 102-year-old organization, Robert has led the transformation of the company into the international world-class supplier and distributor it is today. Robert was promoted to President & CEO in 2000 after 20 years with the business. He holds an EMBA from the University at Buffalo, a BS in Business Administration from Buffalo State College and an AAS in Business Administration from Genesee Community College.With Robert’s leadership driving the achievement of long range strategic goals, increasing sales and geographic expansion have occurred. Perry’s now offers over 1,500 unique items in distribution and has revenue coming from three sources; the Perry’s Ice Cream Brand, a Contract Manufacturing channel, and Partner Brand distribution.Under Robert’s tenure, the company achieved its first international sales in 2007 to over 30 countries outside of the US, where these sales account for nearly 15% of the company’s manufactured revenues today. In 2008, after spear

The Cleveland Furniture Company has its roots right here in Cleveland, which date back to the 1970’s! Paul Cirino SR. (our Dad!) jumped into the furniture business with Furniture Land in 1975 and never looked back! Paul Jr and Jason Cirino grew up hanging around the Furniture stores and warehouses, and started working on the delivery trucks as soon as we were old enough!   The Furniture Business is a Family Tradition for the Cirino’s, and we started supplying furniture to Furniture Stores in 2003. We have been supplying furniture stores in the Great Lakes region for decades, and now we can sell directly to you!   We save our customers money because we buy In BULK, DIRECT FROM THE FACTORIES!   A true FAMILY business, The Cleveland Furniture Company holds strongly to our values and the satisfaction of our customers and employees! Through decades of serving our community, we know what it takes to keep our customers satisfied!   We are Family Owned CLEVELAND PROUD!...... and we look forward to SERVING YOU!

Daniel Roberson serves as PNC Fairfax Connection’s executive director, PNC’s free community resource center in Cleveland’s historic east side community. In his role, Roberson leads the center’s staff in sustaining and building upon successful community relationships and programs designed to empower individuals and businesses and help strengthen their economic vitality. With more than 14 years of banking and community development expertise, Roberson strongly advocates promoting both personal and community financial empowerment. Roberson previously served as PNC’s community development officer for northern Ohio.  In that role, he was integral in leading PNC’s efforts to deliver financial wellness training to underserved individuals and communities. Roberson, who connects with local nonprofits, serves on multiple boards and is a church trustee and youth ministry leader.

Mr Gillespie is the President of ERIEBANK, a subsidiary of CNB Bank.  Wesley has been responsible for the expansion of the bank into the Cleveland market, as well as lead the growth efforts of ERIEBANK. In his role as President, Mr Gillespie has full responsibility for managing and directing the overall market-based Commercial and Industrial lending activities across the Ohio and Pennsylvania footprint. Mr Gillespie also has responsibility for the delivery of commercial services including Commercial Real Estate, Treasury Management, and Private Banking across the region. Mr Gillespie is responsible for building and expanding the ERIEBANK customer base by building relationships and ensuring the delivery of best-in-class service at every level

On January 1, 2025, Brad was named President and CEO of Clearstead, succeeding longtime partner David Fulton who has assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus. As CEO, Brad is now leading a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years ago, with revenues and earnings having grown significantly and the number of employees and assets under advisement increasing several times. The firm has acquired eleven firms in the past ten years and has added capabilities in tax compliance and financial planning while also forming Clearstead Trust, a nondepository trust company. Brad’s appointment as CEO was part of a longstanding management succession plan at Clearstead. He will continue to be instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings, investing in technology to improve the client and advisor experience, and expanding our geographic footprint through integrating strategic acquisitions. Brad holds the Charte

Roger Lipscomb has led OHIO811, Ohio’s “Call Before You Dig” Notification Center, as President and Executive Director since 2006. With over 30 years of experience in the utility infrastructure and excavation sectors, Roger’s steadfast commitment to public safety through education and collaboration has made Ohio a national leader in damage prevention. His expertise led to the formation of the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition (OUDPC), a multistakeholder organization dedicated to advancing excavation safety statutes within the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Additionally, Roger has forged strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Ohio Homeland Security, and the Ohio Public Private Partnership (OP3), strengthening the resilience of Ohio’s critical energy, communications, water, and wastewater infrastructure.

Joel and Kathleen Ashcraft were both born in Ohio to Salvation Army officer parents. As transition is inevitable in The Salvation Army, they both moved and grew up in the greater New York City area.  They have been officers of The Salvation Army for the last 10 years, most recently serving as the Divisional Youth Secretary and Divisional Candidates Secretary for the Northeast Ohio Division based out of Cleveland, Ohio.  They coordinated youth work and lead the candidacy efforts for Salvation Army officership across the Division.  Throughout the summer, they had the distinct privilege of running Camp NEOSA on beautiful Leesville Lake in Carrollton, OH.  Prior to moving to Cleveland, they were corps officers in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY, and loved every minute of their 5 years there.  It is their heart’s cry to see everyone they serve come to know the abundance of life available through a relationship with Jesus Christ.As the Area Commanders for Greater Cleveland Area Services, Captains Ashcraft will oversee the

Paul Abbey is the founder of Rooted in Trees, a non-profit organization established in 2020 which works to restore and preserve the native tree canopy in Northern Ohio. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on community engagement and education, and undertakes major tree planting initiatives to combat canopy loss and enhance environmental health. Prior to founding Rooted in Trees, Paul served as the interim CEO/President of Cleveland’s Holden Forests and Gardens, which includes the famed Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden.Raised in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Paul has always been an avid nature and wildlife lover. He graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in Political Science and later earned an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace. His career spans investment banking and wealth management, culminating in his role as the founding partner of Fairport Asset Management (now HighTower Advisors LLC).Today, Paul is also actively engaged in various community organizations, servin

Patty Starr is president and CEO of Health Action Council and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the organization--build stronger, healthier communities where business can thrive. Since joining the Health Action Council staff in 2013, she has transformed the organization yielding broad national expansion and seven consecutive years of growth.Patty is a member of the Advisory Board at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Board of Directors for Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO). She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Better Health Partnership, Ohio Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative and Health Action Council before becoming executive director in 2013. In 2022, she was named a Woman of Influence by Cleveland Business Journal, and In 2018, she was named among Notable Women in Healthcare by Crain’s Cleveland Business.  Prior to Health Action Council, she was the senior director of health insurance and benefits at the Council of Smaller Enterprises (CO

Katie Payne is the Chief Executive Officer of Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s only nonprofit organ and tissue recovery organization. A registered nurse and healthcare leader with nearly two decades of experience in transplant and donation services, Katie brings deep clinical expertise and a personal passion for saving lives through donation.Her journey into this work is rooted in personal loss—her brother Billy became a donor after a tragic accident, an experience that profoundly shaped her sense of vocation. Prior to joining Lifebanc, Katie served as Executive Director at LifeLink of Georgia, where she led operations across clinical services, hospital development, donor family support, and public education, helping increase donation volumes by 18% and organs transplanted by 36%. Katie holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the

William Wappler is a visionary in technology, innovation, and AI. William’s focus is on managing the rapid growth of Surgere, while supporting a strong organizational culture and exemplifying our core values.  He has over 20 years of experience in directing and executing technology strategy and financial growth for global Fortune 500 companies. Previously, as President of a leading software company in California, where he led the business in automating production control.  William earned a combined degree from the University of Illinois and Illinois State and holds an MBA from Northwestern University. 

Grace Gallucci is the Executive Director for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for greater Cleveland, responsible for transportation and environmental planning, as well as resource allocation in the five county region. She has held this post since 2012.Ms. Gallucci has more than 30 years of finance and planning experience in the field of transportation. Her prior posts include working for the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority where she held the titles of Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the Finance and Performance Management functions, as well as those of the department of Research, Analysis and Policy Development. She also held the positions of Director, Office of Management & Budget and Director of Finance for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. She started her career in transportation as an analyst for the Office of Transportation, Broward County, Florida, working on both highways and

Al DiFranco proudly serves as President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland. Prior to becoming President of JAGC in July 2022, Al was the organization’s Vice President for Development and Programs for four years.Under Al’s leadership, JA of Greater Cleveland has significantly increased its financial resources, expanded its student reach, and recently began a multi-million campaign to create the Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center in Downtown Cleveland. In 2025, JA of Greater Cleveland will also host JA’s National Leadership Conference for the first time.Al previously served as Director of the MBA Program at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and President and CEO of the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce.Al received his Master’s in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University, Certificate in Leadership from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace Coll