CANTON, OH (May 17, 2012)

Approximately 150 volunteers are needed for this project. The SID is currently seeking volunteer assistance from area churches, non-profit organizations and community service groups, along with any individuals who want to help beautify our city!

The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Canton Development Partnership (a department of the Canton Regional Chamber) and the City of Canton are sponsoring the Color Downtown event and providing the flowers for the project. The City and SID are committed to continuing downtown’s beautification efforts by filling the flowerbeds with vibrant color during the summer months.

The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and will be held rain or shine. To volunteer for this enjoyable project, or for more information, please contact Annette Rosenberger, project manager, at (330) 458-2092 or annette@cantonchamber.org.

All volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. in the Community Room of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, located at 222 Market Ave. N. Doughnuts, fruit, coffee, tea and bottled water will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring gardening equipment, including gloves, shovels and trowels.

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Moyer graduated from the former Glenwood High School and Ohio University, and is currently enrolled at Stark State College. She is a commercial services processor at Nationwide Insurance and has been a member of the Souvenir Committee for five years, with this being her first as chairman. The mother of one son, she is a past member of the American Business Women’s Association and Society of Professional Journalists, and a current member of Plain Local Alumni Association and Shiloh Baptist Church.

She and her team of highly-energized volunteers are responsible for selling official souvenir and commemorative items at the majority of the 19 events throughout the nearly two and a half weeks of the Enshrinement Festival. Many of this year’s souvenir items, including the collector’s pin, will depict the Enshrinement Festival or Hall of Fame logo, and all items provide lasting memories of the festivities. Moyer will receive extensive assistance from vice chairman Butch Mankowski.

Chapman is a physician contracting representative for Medical Mutual of Ohio, headquartered in Cleveland. She has served as an Enshrinement hostess since 1998, and this is her fourth year in the chairmanship role. She is a member of American Health Insurance Plans and Toastmasters of America. Nancy and husband Thomas are parents of two daughters and one son, and proud grandparents of six.

Chapman will be assisted by vice chairman Daisy Suggs in selecting and preparing the numerous volunteer hostesses who are given various assignments, including assisting in the press box during the NFL/Hall of Fame Game and working on the stage during the Enshrinement Ceremony. Each member of the 2012 Class of Enshrinees and their presenters will have a hostess assigned to his family while in Canton, and other hostesses will be used to assist returning members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and their wives.

Lutz, a Canton native, is a registered architect and serves as president of Lawrence and Dykes Architects. In addition to his degree from Miami University, he completed the MBA Highlights program at Kent State University at Stark, as well as studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He was the First Play vice chairman at its inception, with this year being his fifth consecutive year as chairman. Lutz is a Canton Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and graduate of Leadership Stark County. He shares his time and talents as a member of the Meyers Lake YMCA board and American Institute of Architects. He and wife Laura are the parents of two daughters.

First Play committee vice chairmen are Matthew Petit and Laura Weisgarber. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2. Nearly 2,000 enthusiastic youngsters will pass an official NFL football through a three-mile child link chain, from the site in downtown Canton where the NFL was founded in 1920, to the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Emphasizing the importance of physical fitness starting at an early age, it is also a great ceremonial kick-off to an incredible weekend of football.

Marcelli, a Massillon native, is a Washington High School graduate and attended Walsh University. He is an executive sales associate at Putman Properties and a member of the Stark County, Ohio, and National Associations of Realtors. He received the Co-Star Power Broker Award in recognition of his accomplishments and is a member of the President’s Sales Club of the Ohio Association of Realtors. He and wife Lori are the proud parents of two daughters and two sons.

A member of the Autograph Committee since 1999, this is his second consecutive year chairing the committee, and he is assisted by vice chairman Scott Robertson. The committee oversees the sessions where fans have the opportunity to preserve football memories with autographs from the current Class of Enshrinees as well as some of the previous inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For ticket information on all Enshrinement Festival events, call (330) 458.2048 and check the Web sites for the complete schedule of events and latest news: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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Six Court members also were selected, to coincide with the number in the 2012 Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 2012 Court members include Erin Fitch, 18, of Canton, Ohio; Elizabeth-Burton Jones, 22, of Canton, Ohio; Taylor Kress, 19, of Alliance, Ohio; Tory Shephard, 20, of North Canton, Ohio; Alyson Sliman, 21, of Canton, Ohio; and Abigail Svetlak, 18 of Canton, Ohio.

Prazer, the daughter of Tina Vogt and Thomas Prazer, is a graduate of Sandy Valley High School and is currently attending Ohio University. Fitch, the daughter of Sharon and Frank Fitch, will graduate shortly from Jackson High School. Jones, the daughter of Marilyn Thomas Jones and Burton Vernon Jones, graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School and is currently attending John Carroll University. Kress, the daughter of Susan and George Kress, graduated from West Branch High School and attends The University of Akron. Shephard, the daughter of Jill and Bryan Shephard, is a graduate of Timken High School and Stark State College and currently attends University of Findlay. Sliman, the daughter of Cynthia and Sam Sliman, graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School and currently attends Walsh University. Svetlak, the daughter of Sheryl and Stephen Svetlak, graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School and attends Walsh University.

Kayleigh Kriss, mid-day personality and FM music director of WHBC Mix 94.1, and Ron Ponder, host of Points to Ponder on News-Talk 1480 WHBC, were masters of ceremonies, and Tonya Hodgson Stuck was choreographer. Candy Wallace, 2012 general chairman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival’s Canton Regional Chamber committees, assisted with crowning the new queen and six court members, and Bob Hill Quartet and Spotlight Theatre Company provided entertainment throughout the Pageant.

Judges for the event included Aimee Belden, community relations, Chesapeake Energy Corporation; Jennifer Jones, senior account representative, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Fonda Williams, development director, City of Canton; and Joe Halter, president, Solmet Technologies, and 2012 Enshrinement Festival General vice chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber committees.

Kara Abbott, 2012 Queen Pageant chairman, vice chairman Crystal McLendon, and the members of the Queen committee will work with Enshrinement Festival staff to coordinate all activities relating to the Queen and Court during their service as goodwill ambassadors and positive role models throughout the summer via participation in a wide range of community service projects.

At the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner, the Court will serve as escorts to the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, including: cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin, and tackle Willie Roaf. Further, the Queen and Court will represent the community at all Enshrinement Festival activities, happening from Friday, July 20 through Monday, Aug. 6.

ABOUT THE ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and the latest news, check the Web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OHIO (May 10, 2012)

When you enter the Hall of Fame, you’ll be greeted by president and CEO Stephen Perry, pick-up your Official Hall of Fame Hard Hat (you’ll need it on your exclusive tour!) and have your picture taken with Steve.

Throughout the evening, enjoy refreshments including beer and wine, and delicious hors d’oeuvres from Robert J. Events & Catering. But make sure you arrive ready to stir up your inner handyman! With your HOF toolbox, you’ll be on your way to hammer and saw your way through the Museum, networking as you go, on an exciting scavenger hunt. Along the way, you’ll be learning about the renovations happening around you.

The grand prize scavenger hunt winner will take home a VIP Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Package for two, including two tickets to the Private VIP Corporate Hospitality Tent for the Pre-Game Party, plus tickets to the NFL/Hall of Fame Game. The package includes a tasty buffet, beer and wine bar, and a special photo opp with one of the returning Hall of Famers. Next up is specialty entertainment, and seats at a Pro Football Hall of Fame table in one of the VIP Corporate Hospitality tents. Package valued at $480!

The Canton Regional Chamber’s Stir After Hours is being held on Thursday, May 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2121 George Halas Drive NW in Canton). The cost is $5 per ticket and tickets are availalbe online at CantonChamber.org or by calling (330) 458-2070.

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ABOUT THE “FUTURE 50″ PROJECT

The “Future 50” Expansion and Renovation Project, the largest in the Hall of Fame’s history, will provide major enhancements to the visitor experience and accommodate the growing number of Hall of Fame guests, especially during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. Completion will coincide with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary in 2013, and constitute the foundation for success in the next 50 years.

When combined with renovations of recent years, the $27 million “Future 50” Project will provide visitors with a completely new experience, including: new Ralph Wilson, Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center, new state-of-the-art, museum-quality environmental control system, new main entrance and grand lobby with two-story atrium, complete renovation of the exhibition galleries located in the Hall of Fame’s original iconic two-story rotunda, and new gallery for temporary exhibits, new indoor Event Center and outdoor event spaces, expanded Museum Store and enhancements to the museum’s surrounding campus.

ABOUT STIR AFTER HOURS

The Stir After Hours Small Business Networking series from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce adds a little swizzle and a lot of sizzle to our already successful Business After Hours event. Stir is about mixing business liaisons old and new, blending socializing with sales calls and swirling a little bit of dalliance into your dealings! Each month in our Action Newsletter we feature a monthly company feature article, and you can only be featured by coming to Stir After Hours! There’s no better way to reach our 2,600 member readers than with a feature that puts your company, product or service in the spotlight.

CANTON, OH (May 9, 2012)

The Stark County Safety Council, a committee of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, applauds Ohio Gratings and GBS (Malvern location) for having the foresight to be on the leading edge of workplace safety.

Every workplace should have an AED. Now, the Stark County Safety Council is making it possible. To allow more companies and employers to get these life saving devices in their facilities, the Stark County Safety Council has partnered with one of its members, US SafetyGear, to secure a discounted price for the Zoll AED Plus for all Stark County Safety Council members and Stark County employers.

This should be a serious wake up call to all of us. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a possibility at any time. It knows no particular day, time, place age or other parameters. Since we all spend at least one third of our day at work, what better place to have an AED in order to provide the best chance of survival in the event Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes?

In addition to the discounted price of the Zoll AEDs, when the Stark County Safety Council purchases these units, it receives free units to distribute to area non-profit organizations and other venues, which should have AEDs available but may not be able to afford their cost.

Your company can save a life, save money in preparing, and participate in making these units more common place in Stark County.

For more information about the program and to order your unit, visit StarkCountySafetyCouncil.com, or contact Connie Cerny at (330) 457-2061 or conniec@cantonchamber.org.

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CANTON, OH (May 9, 2012)

Carroll is scheduled to perform on the Emergency Medicine Physicians Stage at the Stark County Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 2, approximately 8:30 p.m.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Ribs Burnoff will run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Aug. 1, 2 and 3, beginning at 11 a.m. and concluding at 10:30 p.m. each day. In addition to fantastic ribs, a wide variety of other food will be showcased, including homemade ice cream, gyros, hummus, turkey legs, buffalo wings, funnel cakes, apple dumplings, bloomin’ onions, Italian sausage and other delicious midway fare!

Admission to the Ribs Burnoff is free. Onsite parking at the fairgrounds will be free each day until 4 p.m., after which time a fee of $5 per vehicle will be charged.

For more information, contact Laura Perry, event manager, at (330) 458-2054, or visit www.profootballhofef.com.

About Jason Michael Carroll
Jason Michael Carroll boasts accomplishments that are impressive enough for any new artist – a chart-topping debut album nearing a half-million in sales, three hit singles from that album (all of which he wrote or co-wrote), a Gold ringtone certification, and opening spots on some of country’s hottest tours. The key to Carroll’s success is evident in every note he sings – live or in the studio – and it lies in his authenticity. Whether it’s the empathy brought to bear on the tragedy of “Alyssa Lies,” the pure passion of “Livin’ Our Love Song” or the youthful exuberance of “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead,” Carroll knows how to connect with fans, and together with hard work, undeniable talent and good looks, that connection has launched one of country’s most impressive young careers.

And it is a career whose music aptly depicts Carroll as country’s Gen-Y family man, reflecting his generation’s transition from party to parenthood, and able to fully express the joys inherent in both worlds and the tensions that can come in moving from unencumbered freedom to the responsibilities of home and hearth. As a husband and father of four, Carroll sings eloquently about both sides of the equation in songs that recognize the firm foundation that country roots and a sense of community provide in a fast-moving world. With the April 2009 release of his sophomore album, Growing Up Is Getting Old (Arista Nashville), he fulfills the promise of his first record and takes his career a big step forward. The first single, “Where I’m From,” could have come from the pages of his life, and yet paradoxically enough, given his strengths as a songwriter, it is one he didn’t write.

“People ask me, ‘Do you only record songs you wrote?’ My answer is always, ‘No, if I believe in a song I didn’t write more than a song I did, I’d record it first,’” Carroll says. “And here I kind of had the chance to put my money where my mouth is.” The tale of two men from seemingly opposite worlds who meet by chance explores the similarities that lie beneath most of our differences.

“No matter where life carries you, and it carries us in all different directions, if you boil it down to the nuts and bolts of it, most of us are really the same,” Carroll says. The song is filled with points that hit home, from the seat he occupied in his father’s church and the fact that his son bears part of his grandfather’s name, to the effect cancer has had on those close to him. Its authenticity is ideal to an album that finds Carroll digging deeper creatively and solidifying his place in country music.

To accommodate even more fans at the concert, chairs or seating of any kind will not be permitted anywhere on the track area; grandstand seating will be available. Ticket information and sale dates to be announced soon.

In addition to the national musical acts in the evenings on the main stage, attendees can enjoy activities all day, including free musical entertainment on the daytime stage. Other family activities include an expansive children’s entertainment area with face painting, caricaturists, balloon twisters, Fantasy Football Zone of interactive inflatables, a master sand sculptor, Lowe’s Build & Grow, and much more.

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CANTON, OH (May 7, 2012)

The May AultCare Fast Break Breakfast, presented by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is happening on Friday, May 11. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the program and breakfast following at 7:30 a.m. The Canton Regional Chamber’s AultCare Fast Break Breakfasts are held at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton.

Tickets are $18 for Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce members, $21 for member tickets purchased less than 48 hours in advance and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.CantonChamber.org, or by calling (330) 458-2070.

Beyond this important segment of the program, Fast Break attendees have the opportunity to obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities at an event that has built a reputation as one of the most energetic lead-producing sessions around. Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more and receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business.

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CANTON, OHIO (May 3, 2012) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has named the following key committee chairs for the indoor events held at the Canton Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center for the Arts: Sherri Mosnot, Fashion Show Luncheon; Rich Wilder, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner; and Nancy Jedel, Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable.

Mosnot is a graduate of Louisville Senior High School and attended The University of Akron. A seven-year committee member, she has exceptional credentials to serve in a leadership role as the result of her position as district manager for Northeast Ohio with Limited Brands-Victoria’s Secret. She is an annual volunteer for Pelotonia, a grass roots bike tour with the sole goal of ending cancer through research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Along with husband Jim, she stays busy attending the activities of her son and two stepsons.

The Fashion Show Luncheon on Friday, Aug. 3, is themed “The Guide to Ultimate Style!” It will feature lively musical entertainment, generous door prizes, and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video to showcase professional models featuring the season’s hottest his and her fashions. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with festivities beginning at 11:30 a.m. Great tickets are still available, as are a variety of fantastic sponsorships offering excellent promotional and branding opportunities. Assisting Mosnot with the massive details for this event is vice chairman Ben Stoffer.

Wilder graduated from GlenOak High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University. He is a lumber-millwork specialist with Fred Olivieri Construction Company and has served on the committee for eight years, with this being his first as chairman. An Eagle Scout, he volunteers for Boy Scouts of America and formerly for Canton Jaycees, serves on the board of Building Trades for Jackson High School, and is a church elder and deacon. He and wife Tracy are the proud parents of one daughter.

Known for many years as Enshrinees Dinner, the event name has been changed to Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner to recognize that the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket will be presented at this event to each member of the 2012 Class of Enshrinees. It is one of three iconic symbols of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the other two being the bust, which is unveiled at the Enshrinement Ceremony and forever showcased at the Hall of Fame, and the ring, which is presented individually to each Enshrinee at his home stadium in the ensuing football season.

The Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner activities will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and limited tickets may still be available. In addition to the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket presentation, the program will feature an emcee of national acclaim and introduction of a large number of returning Hall of Famers. Serving as vice chairman of the committee this year is Marilyn Nave.

Jedel is retired after serving as an officer with several banks, including the former Society/Harter Banks, KeyBank and First Merit. She has been on the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable Committee for six years, with 2012 her second as chairman. She is a longtime volunteer for the Enshrinement Festival, having served for several years on the former Mayor’s Breakfast Committee and 20 years on the former Enshrinees Dinner Committee. Jedel is a graduate of Perry High School, Chicago School of Interior Design and Malone University. Her community involvement is extensive, including service with Quota International, Quota Breakfast Club, Women’s Initiative, East Central Ohio March of Dimes, Easter Seals and United Way, as well as assisting on fund drives for Walsh University, the Cultural Center for the Arts and American Heart Association. Jedel is married to husband Robert.

The Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5, and features a center stage roundtable presentation featuring members of the 2012 Class of Enshrinees just hours after their emotional induction ceremonies. The roundtable will feature an unscripted, up close and personal format where they share stories and memories of their careers. Todd Ascani is assisting Jedel as committee vice chairman. Tickets for this fan favorite event are available.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For ticket information on all Enshrinement Festival events, call (330) 458-2048 and check the Web sites for the complete schedule of events and latest news: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com

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CANTON, OH (April 19, 2012) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have named the following key committee chairs: Bernie Bresson, Community Parade; Karen Myers, Food; David Kiddey, Staging; and Joann Smith, Special Events.

Bresson graduated from the former Glenwood High School and is retired from Sheet Workers Metal Local 33 Metal Master Inc. He is an eight year member of the Community Parade committee, with this his first as chairman, and he also serves on the Timken Grand Parade committee as float coordinator. He is a 50-year Grange member and currently serves as president of Israel Lutheran Church and Lutheran Men in Mission Northeastern Ohio Synod, as well as serving as secretary of National Lutheran Men in Mission Board. Previously a 20-year 4H member and advisor, he currently also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. He and wife Chris, also a Community Parade committee member, have two daughters and one granddaughter.

The Community Parade is scheduled to kick-off at 2:30 p.m. on July 29, at Eleventh Street and Market Avenue North, and will travel south through the heart of downtown Canton. Bresson will be assisted by vice chairman Carol McLaughlin.

Myers is a 16-year member of the Food Committee, with this being her second year as chairman, and she brings great expertise to the task via her position as consumer services supervisor for the Canton City Health Department. A graduate of East Canton High School and Kent State University, she has also taken classes at Walsh University. She and husband Les have two children and three grandchildren.

The Food Committee oversees the menu and wine selections and works closely with caterers to ensure the success of the food service to 12,000 guests at the Enshrinement Festival’s Fashion Show Luncheon, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner and Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable. Serving as vice chairman of the committee is Dean Kahler.

Kiddey brings 14 years of committee and home improvement experience with him in his second year as chairman of the Staging Committee. He graduated from the former Glenwood High School, attended Kent State University, and is currently working in the accounting department of the Stark County Board of Elections. He is past president of Trendition House Color Association and has been active in the Jackson Band Boosters and Boy Scouts of America. He and wife Vicky are the parents of two children and grandparents to seven.

The Staging Committee directs the planning, preparation and production of the Queen Pageant, Fashion Show Luncheon, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner and Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable. Greg Briggs is assisting Kiddey as vice chairman.

Smith, coordinator of student teaching and field experience at Kent State University at Stark, is heading the Hall of Fame Special Events Committee for the 10th year. Prior to this position, she served as chairman of the Enshrinement Festival Souvenir Committee and long-time member of the Appreciation Party Committee, and she continues to serve as co-chairman of the Ribs Burnoff judging sub-committee. She shares her musical gifts as a choir member at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, and as a singer and secretary of the board of trustees for Voices of Canton. She and husband Fred are the parents of two sons and proud grandparents of two granddaughters.

As Special Events chairman, one of her major tasks will be to coordinate the Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Reception, which is staged as the first official function for the Enshrinees and their presenters, returning Hall of Famers and other out of town guests. Additionally, the Special Events Committee provides services such as emergency medical and dental assistance for guests of the Hall of Fame during their stay in Canton, and the committee is always on call to assist the Enshrinees and their families as needed. Smith will be assisted with these many duties by vice chairman Linda Leitzke.

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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Smer will lead the organization in its mission of attracting, retaining and most importantly, engaging Stark County young professionals. His work for ystark! will include managing networking and social events, professional development efforts, service and volunteer opportunities, along with expanding ystark!’s role in entrepreneurial engagement and economic development.

Smer joins ystark! from the Stark County Hunger Task Force, where he served as special projects coordinator, program director and ultimately executive director for the organization. Smer is an honors program graduate of Kent State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business management. He also obtained a Certificate in Supervisory Leadership from The University of Akron.

In addition to his involvement with the Stark County Hunger Task Force and ystark!, including participation on the education and service committees, Smer is an active volunteer with organizations throughout the county. Past and current service roles include volunteering for The Canton Palace Theatre and Grace United Church of Christ, as well as Senior Employment Center (advisory board member), Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival (ribs committee member), Plain Township Rotary (new generations committee member), North Canton Jaycees (2012 Jaycee Fair committee chairman), Kent State University Alumni Association Stark Chapter (lifetime member and board member) and Friends of Plain Township Parks (founding board member).

Smer has received many awards in his career to date, including recognition at ystark!’s own fifth annual ‘Twenty under 40!’ awards, to be presented June 5, 2012 at Glenmoor Country Club.

“Eric brings an immense background in fundraising, grant procurement, strategic planning and marketing to the organization,” said Dennis P. Saunier, president and CEO for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We’re looking forward to the growth of ystark! under his leadership.”

Candidates for the director position were vetted by a search committee, comprised of Chamber staff, local community leaders and members of ystark!’s executive committee.

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CANTON, OHIO (April 16, 2012) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that Brandy Alter has joined the staff as event manager.

Alter will be responsible for working with committee volunteers, sponsors, and other staff members to plan and stage the Enshrinement Festival Queen Pageant, Fashion Show Luncheon, Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner, and Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable, and will also be staff liaison to the Communications and Staging committees.

Alter is no stranger to the Enshrinement Festival, having served as a summer intern from 2006-2008. A graduate of Fairless High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University with a major in communication studies and a minor in business administration. In January 2009, she joined The J.M. Smucker Company, with her most recent position being senior representative in customer service relative to military accounts.

While in college, Alter served as president and treasurer of Delta Zeta Sorority, was very active in event planning and fundraising efforts, and was responsible for creating their first annual golf outing.

Alter noted that “Since interning with the Enshrinement Festival, I knew that event management was my dream job, so it’s a dream come true to secure this position. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff and exceptional corps of volunteers to ensure the continued success of this community treasure.”

“Brandy brings an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm to this position, and it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome her back to our team,” stated Joanne Murray, Enshrinement Festival director. “She comes to us with a proven track record relative to her ability to help us achieve our standards of excellence.”

For complete Enshrinement Festival news and information, check the Web site: www.profootballhofef.com and visit us on Twitter @HOFEFestival.

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CANTON, OHIO (April 10, 2012) – Three area leadership programs — Leadership Stark County, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Akron and Leadership Medina County — are now accepting applications for their 2012-2013 classes. Each leadership program equips participants for community involvement and leadership. They offer an intensive study of community issues and interaction with prominent decision-makers, enabling participants to expand their effectiveness as community leaders. Each organization’s signature program is complemented by a number of other opportunities geared to specific audiences, which are detailed on their respective websites.

Each program begins with a two-day opening retreat. After the retreat, participants spend one full day every month focusing on a certain aspect of their community. Focus areas include social services, business, government, education, and the arts as well as personal and professional leadership development.

Individuals must work or live in the county of the leadership program to which they apply. Application and additional materials can be found on each program’s website. Deadlines for the application process are as follows:

Leadership Akron: April 26, 2012; www.lakron.com
Leadership Medina County: April 30, 2012; www.leadershipmedinacounty.org
Leadership Stark County: April 27, 2012; www.leadershipstarkcounty.org

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CANTON, OHIO (April 9, 2012)

A Canton native, Abbott is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Kent State University. In addition to her service on the Queen Committee, she volunteered for ten years on the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks Committee, and has modeled in the Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show for the past six years. Community activities include past service as a United Way coordinator, and current service at St. Mary’s School in Massillon as coordinator of the Spirit Window and member of PTO and the Auction Committee. She and husband Steve are the proud parents of five children.

The Queen Pageant will take place Thursday, May 10, at The Canton Palace Theatre where 53 outstanding young ladies will vie for the crown. All seats are reserved at $18 each, and tickets can be purchased at the Canton Regional Chamber, Canton AAA, and Massillon AAA.

At the conclusion of the Pageant, a Queen and six court members will have been selected on the basis of personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community. The number of court members selected coincides with the number of members of the 2012 Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Queen and her court will serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors throughout the community, and one of their most memorable experiences will be their ride on a float in the Timken Grand Parade.

The Queen Committee is responsible for working with Enshrinement Festival staff in coordinating all activities relating to the Enshrinement Festival Queen and court and serving as chaperones during their community service activities and official event appearances.

For more information regarding tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Brandy Alter at (330) 458-2052 or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhofef.com.

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OH (April 2, 2012)

The rules you learned in elementary school may have earned you a good grade, but won’t grab your readers’ attention. Attend this session to learn how to wrap the right words around your products and ideas.

The April AultCare Fast Break Breakfast, presented by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is happening on Friday, Apr. 13. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the program and breakfast following at 7:30 a.m. The Canton Regional Chamber’s AultCare Fast Break Breakfasts are held at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton.

Tickets are $18 for Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce members, $21 for member tickets purchased less than 48 hours in advance and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.CantonChamber.org, or by calling (330) 458-2070.

Beyond this important segment of the program, Fast Break attendees have the opportunity to obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities at an event that has built a reputation as one of the most energetic lead-producing sessions around. Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more and receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business.

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About the Speaker
Kraft began his word-filled career at The Timken Company, where he rose to the position of Manager – Community Relations. In 1995, he switched jobs to become the Word Doctor (aka Director – Public Relations) at Aultman. In 1997, he went solo with WordKraft.

WordKraft clients include global organizations like Eaton, Timken and NGK, and a diverse group of local and regional companies. In addition to providing clients with the words for marketing literature and technical documents, WordKraft also develops customized training for clients’ customers and employees. Finally, Kraft shares his expertise and builds client communication skills through customized writing and presentation skills seminars that are as entertaining as they are informative.

CANTON, OH (March 30, 2012)

This year’s Twenty under 40! are:

Aimee Belden, 35, Chesapeake Energy
Jessica Bennett, 30, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
Allyson Bussey, 33, Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau
Kirt Conrad, 39 , SARTA
Erin Hollenbaugh, 31, Kent State University Stark
Jill Kaminski, 32, Stark County Prosecutor’s Office
Kerri Kutz Salvino, 39, Diebold, Inc.
Kristen Moore, 29, Day Ketterer
Michelle Mullaly, 39, Canton Symphony Orchestra
Matt Nyeste, 35, 415 Group
Michael Oesch, 33, Bruner-Cox LLP
Amy Parker, 28, Osnasburg Fire Department
Warren Price, 39, The City of Canton
John Scott, 37, Gentle Dental
Melissa Sliman Lombardi, 29, Aultman Health Foundation
Eric Smer, 26, Stark County Hunger Task Force
Katie Tolin, 38, Rea & Associates, Inc.
Ron Van Horn, 29, Schauer Group
Angel Williams, 39, The Timken Company
Timothy Wires, 37, Stark County Family Court

Nominees were selected based on career acumen, community service and trusteeship, and personal and professional achievements. The Twenty under 40! selection committee is comprised of diverse business and community leaders representing a range of industry sectors from around Stark County.

The recognition of these deserving young professionals is made possible through ystark! and The Repository, in conjunction with Aultman Health Foundation, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, LPA, Diebold, Inc., Huntington National Bank and The Timken Company.

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CANTON, OHIO (March 29, 2012)

In addition, Biery Cheese has been named Business of the Year.

The awards recognize exceptional Stark County businesses for excellence and outstanding achievement during 2011. All four Business Excellence Award winners and the Business of the Year recipient will be honored during the gala awards dinner on Tuesday, April 24, at The University Center at Kent State University at Stark, 6000 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton. Tickets are $48. Visit CantonChamber.org or contact Monique Thompson Kennedy at (330) 458-2070 to register. Registrations must be made by April 18.

The Business Excellence Awards committee, chaired by Ronald Manse CPA, tax partner, Bruner-Cox LLP, selected this year’s winners. Selections were made on the basis of business and employment growth, expansion of operations/efficiencies, consistent outstanding customer service, investments in capital improvements, innovation/expansion of product line(s), responsiveness to business and industry challenges and adversity, and consistent community involvement.

NEW this year will be the presentation of the first annual Business Excellence Scholarship Award, presented by Day Ketterer and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The scholarship will be awarded to the local college student who writes the winning essay entitled: “The Impact of Business and Free Enterprise on the Historic Development and the Continuing Success of the United States as a Global Leader.” For more information, contact Jennifer Novotny at (330) 458-2034.

The Business Excellence Awards of Greater Canton are made possible by our sponsors: Bruner-Cox LLP, Day Ketterer, Attorneys at Law, Farmers National Bank, The Repository and Stark State College.

About the 2012 Business Excellence Award Winners

Established in 1992, Emergency Medicine Physicians is one of the leading providers of emergency medical services in the nation. EMP was founded by three emergency medicine physicians, Dr. Dominic J. Bagnoli, Jr., Dr. David C. Packo and Dr. William B. White, who had a vision for creating a better way to deliver emergency medicine care. Their dream: provide the best in emergency care for patients while creating an environment where physicians can excel on the job, and live the life they’ve always wanted. The group has achieved this vision by focusing on core values that create a culture where patients, physicians and hospital partners thrive. The privately owned and managed group has grown to over 700 emergency medicine physicians, treating nearly 3 million emergency medicine patients each year in over 60 locations – and they’re still growing. In 1995, the founders formed EMP Management Group, Ltd. the core entity overseeing the business interests and executive management for the entire organization, designed to provide physician management services to the hospital partnerships they had formed. In the ensuing six years, additional hospitals and groups partnered with EMP and more supporting companies were developed, including Medical Billing and Financial Services, Commonwealth Management, Ltd., a real estate company, and Center for Emergency Medicine Education, the educational arm of EMP. They also formed EMP Holdings Ltd. in 2001 to support the medical groups which are collectively poised to see over 3 million patients in 2012. In addition to the core companies, EMP holds controlling interest in several other emergency medicine related businesses developed to help their medical groups meet their strategic goals.

Gregory Industries has a proud legacy of metals expertise. Beginning with their earliest roots in Brooklyn, New York, the Thomas Gregory Galvanizing Works was established in 1896. Built on the core values of quality products and business integrity, the firm thrived with expansion into new facilities in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. T. Raymond Gregory founded the present day firm in 1957. With pioneering efforts in large-capacity kettles and the later combinations of roll-forming and continuous galvanizing, Gregory Industries grew in success and reputation by supplying exceptional-quality galvanized steel to numerous industries. Today, Gregory Industries is regarded as a leader in proprietary manufactured products, continuous galvanized coatings and metalworking services. Traditions of quality, service and excellence remain commitments to their customers, alongside fresh approaches to innovation and competitive value. The long-time Stark County business’s 13th Street Plant has grown from a handful of employees in 1985 to over 120 employees today. In the past ten years, the company has dramatically increased sales and market share across four product divisions, and has recently added a new product division for batch-dip galvanizing located at their 15th Street Plant. The company has always been an innovator, from perfecting the process for continuous galvanization of highway guardrails, to robotic operations, and this state-of-the-art mini batch-dip galvanizing operation. This growth has been fueled and supported by $20 million in capital investment over the same period. In addition to new operation, Gregory Industries also added a new roll forming mill, greatly increasing capacity in the Strut Products division.

For 85 years and three generations of family ownership, Miracle Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Company has earned the reputation as “the best in the business.” Miracle serves Stark and the surrounding counties, including expansions into Akron, Cleveland and Youngstown, on the principles of honesty, integrity and professionalism. Their family of services has grown from plumbing and heating in the 1920s, to now encompass six unique divisions, including air conditioning, water and gas line installation and repair, drain and sewer services, lawn sprinkling, and their famous bathroom remodeling division, Bathrooms by Miracle. The company has grown from a one-person plumbing service when it was founded by Harvey R. Miracle in 1927, to over 40 employees today, of which all technicians are required to obtain all applicable licenses and additional training on new products. In 1995, the company opened its largest location in Canton. The facility includes corporate offices, a showroom for product presentations, an 8,000 sq. ft. warehouse and an additional five acres of adjoining land for future development and expansion. Miracle has just recently prepared these additional acres for expected growth. In 2007, Miracle and president Steven Brown were awarded Contractor of the Year by the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of Ohio. They have continuously been a leader in technology, offering products such as Mity Mole, which allows water line installation without digging a trench; video camera technology to view sewer and drain lines underground; Bio-Clean, an environmentally safe product that utilizes natural bacteria to unclog slow-moving drains; Beckett Heat Manager, a product guaranteed to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent for boiler type heating systems; and On Demand Water Heaters, an alternative to the traditional tank water heaters, providing a continuous flow of on-demand hot water.

Tower Industries produced their first countertop, made of their Meridian® Solid Surface product, in 1995 after much perseverance from president and CEO Todd D. Werstler and the urging and inspiration of his father, Robert D. Werstler, vice president, emeritus. Since their inception, they have grown to 45 employees, with 12 expansion positions in 2010 alone along with 50 percent sales growth and 300 percent profit growth the same year. While they began as a manufacturer of solid surface materials, primarily used in the manufacture of Tower-made kitchen countertops, the company has morphed into a full-service manufacturer of multiple surfacing materials, including granite, quartz and cultured marble for kitchen and bath use. In 2003, they expanded into the former Central States and Sonoco products plant in Massillon, with a staggering 55,000 sq. ft., giving them the needed space to continue to expand the operations based on the needs of customers and changing consumer trends. With increased demand for granite and quartz hard surfacing options, they added a million-dollar stone processing line in 2005. Likewise, in 2010 they invested another $500k when they added a stone sample processing line to fulfill customer request and subsequent contract obligation as the sole North American supplier of quartz samples for a large Korean building products company. They have also expanded their solid surface manufacturing operation with the acquisition of a continuous casting line, providing Tower Industries with the ability to manufacture Meridian® sinks and related items at a rate of one per minute. The company continues to diversify product offerings, placing a focus on solid surface shower surfaces to universities, hotels, hospital systems and housing authorities, and as a result, further developing their place as the leader of sanitary, institutional shower items.

Business of the Year winner Biery Cheese was started in 1929 by Norman F. Biery, a dairy farmer who had a very difficult time selling his milk due to the economic conditions. He created a cooperative alongside other local farmers, hired a Swiss cheese maker from Switzerland and began making cheese from the milk. Today, Biery Cheese employs over 400 people, increasing from 225 in the past three years alone. Their belief in constant technological improvements has led the company to invest heavily in equipment during the same time, in order to continue to grow and stay ahead of the competition, with a total three-year investment of over $15 million. In the past 18 months, the facility has more than doubled in size, and the expansion will allow Biery Cheese to double its current sales volume. The company has created many new product lines for its customers, including snack cheeses that are individually wrapped, a reduced-fat product line, thinly sliced products to help foodservice operators reduce costs, unique packaging techniques to help deli operators gain efficiencies, and cheese variety trays for convenient snacking and party planning. Giving back to the community and charitable organizations is an essential value for Biery Cheese and the Biery family. In 1984, Lynne and Dennis Biery created the Biery Family Foundation to help support the giving efforts, and the company and foundation are large supporters of the YMCA, United Way, American Cancer Association, 4-H, Louisville School District, Walsh University, Malone University, and University of Mount Union, along with many local events and athletic teams. Dennis and Lynne Biery were among the winners of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community Salute Awards, have won various safety awards, and two medals in the U.S. Cheese contest, among others.

Canton, Ohio (March 29, 2012) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has named the following key committee chairs: Scott Sanders, Balloon Classic and Todd Hawke, Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks; Vicky Sterling, Ribs Burnoff; and John Fehrenbach, Timken Grand Parade.

Sanders is president of Kreighbaum-Sanders and Sanders Funeral Homes, Inc., and served as 2002 General Chairman of the Chamber’s Enshrinement Festival committees. He came to that position with 12 years of leadership experience, after having chaired the former Kickoff Sunday Parade and Race committees, as well as the Grand Parade and Marketing committees. He is a graduate of Canton South High School, The Ohio State University and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. A former East Canton Citizen of the Year and Jaycee Outstanding Citizen, Sanders has been active in a wide variety of community activities, including East Canton Club, Ohio Funeral Directors Association, Osnaburg Township Citizens Fire Committee, and Stark County Fair Beef Committee and Marketing Committee. He and wife Julie are the proud parents of three sons.

Assisting Sanders as vice chairman of the event committee is Randy Reed, as the event proudly celebrates its 26th anniversary this year. What started in 1986 with 25 balloons at Weis Park has grown to a capacity field of nearly 70 balloons on the campuses of Kent State University at Stark and Stark State College, with nearly 125,000 people enjoying the two-and-a-half day event.

The Balloon Luminary was added in 1993 and is currently known as the Night Glow, and a further milestone was marked in 1995 when the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks came under the umbrella of the Enshrinement Festival and joined forces with the Balloon Classic Invitational.

The Food Fest Committee is chaired this year by Todd Hawke, principal at GDK & Company. He is a graduate of Kenton Ridge High School and Ohio Wesleyan University, and has served in various capacities on the Food Fest Committee since 2002. He is actively involved in the community and serves on the boards of the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of East Central Ohio and American Cancer Society of Stark County. Todd and wife Tricia have one son and one daughter.

Hawke will be assisted in the planning and staging of the Food Fest by vice chairman Carles Moore.

It’s important to remember that this year’s Balloon Classic and Food Fest activities will take place one week earlier than usual, and will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21 and 22. This adjustment has been made in order not to conflict with the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships in Longview, Texas, because the most experienced pilots, ballooning officials, scoring teams, and weather experts are already annually committed to the Nationals. The date change also eliminates a date conflict with two other major balloon festivals, one in New Jersey and one in Iowa.

The combined Balloon Classic/Food Fest event will include a wide variety of food and beverage vendors, children’s activity area, musical entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display.

Sterling, vice-president of sales and marketing for Pinnacle Press, Inc., is serving her second year as chairman of the Ribs Burnoff Committee, after serving in a wide variety of sub-committee leadership positions since 1994. A graduate of Louisville High School, she also served on the security committees for the Balloon Classic and Enshrinement Ceremony. A past member of the board of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, she is a past recipient of the Chamber’s Award of Merit, and also a recipient of the Canton Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award. She also extends her time and resources to the Aultman Health Foundation and Aultman Women’s Board, Leadership Stark County, Canton Blues Festival, J.R. Coleman Women in History Luncheon and Canton Ad Federation. The mother of two, Sterling is married to Todd and has four grandchildren.

Long-time Ribs Burnoff committee volunteer Brian Harbert is serving as vice chairman of the committee. Together, they will oversee all aspects of the Ribs Burnoff, which will take place Aug. 1 through 3 at Stark County Fairgrounds. Special attractions include a wide variety of rib and specialty food vendors, beverages, children’s entertainment area, fantasy football zone of interactive inflatables, enormous sand sculpture and musical entertainment.

Fehrenbach, CEO of Direct Marketing and Research LLC and national sales manager for VSI Sales LLC, is a graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School and ICM School of Business. A member of the Timken Grand Parade committee since 2003, this is his first year as chairman. Extremely active with the Boy Scouts of America for 42 years, he is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and is a Wood Badge Training and Course director, Venture Crew advisor and Scout Master. Tapping into his love of music, he is a member of St. Joseph Raphael choir and Greater Canton Men’s Choir. He and wife Marie are the parents of four children, and grandparents to four.

Fehrenbach will partner with vice chairman Joanna James to attend to the myriad of details involved in staging this family event. The Timken Grand Parade will step off at 8 a.m., Sat., Aug. 4. It will be enjoyed by nearly 200,000 spectators along the 2.2 mile route, as well as by millions more via the television broadcast. The parade will feature the current Class of Enshrinees, many returning Hall of Famers, marching bands, giant helium balloons, fabulous floats and animal and specialty units. Call (330) 458-2048 now to guarantee a bird’s-eye view of all the units by purchasing reserved chairs or bleacher seats for only $8.50 each.

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 19 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OHIO (March 19, 2012) – Leadership Stark County, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Signature Class.

The ten-month Signature program provides personal and professional development to enhance leadership capacity in the workplace and in the community. The curriculum includes an intensive study of community assets and issues led by interaction with prominent decision-makers.

Prospective candidates and employers are encouraged to attend an informational breakfast on Thursday, Mar. 22, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

At this free, no obligation session, applicants and prospective candidates will be offered an overview of Leadership Stark County’s Signature program, an explanation of the application process, tuition assistance information and a question and answer segment. Please make reservations by contacting Joy Walko at (330) 458-2095 or joyw@leadershipstarkcounty.org.

Individuals must work or live in Stark County in order to apply. Tuition assistance for small businesses and entrepreneurs is available. Application and additional information is available at LeadershipStarkCounty.org. The deadline to apply is April 27, 2012.

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Leadership Stark County is a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

CANTON, OHIO (March 19, 2012) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has named the following auxiliary committee chairs: Alex Hoce, Communications; Dan Paumier, Special Services; and Dennis Manzella, Security & Logistics.

Hoce is a career firefighter/paramedic currently with the Jackson Township Fire Department, and also a part-time captain and assistant training officer for Canton Township Fire Department. He has fond memories of participating in Enshrinement Festival activities since he was a child, including selling pop, working the trash patrol and assisting with first aid efforts at the Ribs Burnoff. A graduate of Central Catholic High School, he attended University of Toledo and obtained a bachelor’s degree in emergency management from University of Richmond, Virginia. He is a member of the International Association of Firefighters and planning committee for Stark County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board “Youth Matters” project. Hoce will be assisted by committee vice chairman Sally Hoce. The Communications committee assumes responsibility for communications equipment utilized at all Enshrinement Festival events. Members are responsible for distributing equipment, charging radios and telephones, monitoring EMS activities and serving as a clearinghouse for inquiries from guests, patrons and media. Paumier is retired from Westfield Insurance, where he served in the information technology department. He has served on the Special Services committee since 2002, and this is his first year in the leadership position. His volunteer activities include SarahCare of Canton, Big Brothers of Stark County, and Elves and More of Northeast Ohio. He is married to wife Sally. Assisting Paumier with committee duties is vice chairman Diane Novak. The Special Services Committee assists many of the event committees with varied duties, including media and sponsor hospitality, registration at the Balloon Classic media flight, transportation for Drum Corps Competition and hosting the Timken Grand Parade float judges. Manzella is assistant vice president of marketing for Western Reserve Group. This is his first year as chairman of Security & Logistics, and he previously served as chairman of the Appreciation Party Committee and is also currently a member of the Hall’s Enshrinement and Game Committees. A graduate of St. John’s University and New York University, he is a member of PIA of Ohio and Indiana, and Big “I” Agent Association of Ohio and Indiana. He is married to wife Rose Ann. Serving as vice chairman of the Security & Logistics committee is Michele Shaffer. The Security & Logistics committee issues security passes for all personnel servicing the events, oversees the delivery, distribution and security of food, beverage, flowers, favors, programs and other items necessary to the success of the three indoor events, and monitors movement of people from the perimeter rooms into the main auditorium for the program portion of each of the three events. The committee also provides security support for the Queen Pageant, Drum Corps Competition, Community Parade, Ribs Burnoff, Concert & Fireworks, Race and Timken Grand Parade committees. Approximately 700,000 people are expected to enjoy the Enshrinement Festival which consists of 19 diverse events over two weeks, with the central focus and highlight being the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf. For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OH (Mar. 5, 2012) – Canton may be a football town, but there’s a new kid on the block! The Cleveland Cavaliers’ official NBA D-League team, the Canton Charge, have taken to the courts for their inaugural season. Join us on Friday, Mar. 9, for our b-ball networking blowout at the AultCare Fast Break Breakfast!

Celebrate a new kind of “March Madness” this month with Scott Woodruff, senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Charge, for the full home court advantage – an insider’s look into the makings of wine and gold and what it means for Canton.

The March AultCare Fast Break Breakfast is happening on Friday, Mar. 9. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the program and breakfast following at 7:30 a.m. AultCare Fast Break Breakfasts are held at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton.

Tickets are $18 for Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce members, $21 for member tickets purchased less than 48 hours in advance and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.CantonChamber.org, or by calling (330) 458-2070.

Beyond this important segment of the program, Fast Break attendees have the opportunity to obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities at an event that has built a reputation as one of the most energetic lead-producing sessions around. Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more and receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business.

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CANTON, OHIO (March 2, 2012)

The FREE outdoor summer festival, presented by Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber, is happening in downtown Canton on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, and will feature headliners Walter Trout on Friday at 8:30 p.m., and Coco Montoya on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., along with music ALL DAY from noon to 10:30 p.m.! Visit CantonBluesFest.com for a full list of festival performers!

Walter Trout’s practical schooling in blues started when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1973 and got gigs behind Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulsom, Percy Mayfield and Joe Tex. But the real turning point was his tenure with British blues giant John Mayall. Trout became part of the Bluesbreakers’ lineage of great guitarists along with Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Beginning in 1984, he shared six-string duties with Coco Montoya in Mayall’s band, creating a flexible guitar dynamic that helped provide the Bluesbreakers a renaissance that returned the group to the apex of the international blues touring circuit. Trout began leading his own group in 1989, and cut his debut album, Life In the Jungle, rapidly becoming a star in Europe. His first stateside release, 1998′s critically heralded Walter Trout, made him start down the road towards becoming the fixture of the American blues-rock scene that he is today. For more information about Friday Canton Blues Fest headliner Walter Trout, visit www.WalterTrout.com.

Mentored by legendary bluesman Albert Collins, self-taught guitar slinger Coco Montoya went on to become the guitarist for John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for ten years before leading his own band. Billboard called Montoya “the real McCoy in a world of blues guitar pretenders,” and the Village Voice. Montoya plays with an emotional intensity few string benders possess – and he plays left-handed and up-side down in the style of Albert King and Jimi Hendrix.

Blues Fest VIP Passes are available again this year. Buy your two-day pass online for $75 and take advantage of FREE food, beer and incredible views of the stage. One-day Blues Fest VIP Membership passes are also available for $45. Contact Krista Schumacher, event manager, at kristas@cantonchamber.org to reserve your VIP Passes now!

The Canton Development Partnership’s 2012 Canton Blues Fest is made possible in part by Cormony Development and Standard Plumbing and Heating Co., along with sponsors (as of this printing) including Phil and Nancy Sonner, Buxton Roofing, Coon Restoration & The Canton Club, The City of Canton, The Repository, Mix 94.1 and News-Talk 1480 WHBC, PPI Graphics and the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District.

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Applications and tickets for the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen Pageant are still available at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Queen Pageant will take place Thursday, May 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Canton Palace Theatre. All seats are reserved at $18 each, and tickets can be purchased at the Enshrinement Festival Office, as well as through Canton AAA, and Massillon AAA.

The Enshrinement Festival Queen Pageant is not a beauty pageant. While overall appearance is certainly an important component, contestants are judged based on personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community. If there is a tie at any point in the judging process, it will be broken by utilizing the scores for personality, poise, and beauty – in that order.

Candidates cannot be less than a high school senior and 18 years old by May 1, or more than 23 years of age before Sept. 1, and must reside and, if employed, work within a 30-mile radius of Stark County. A Queen and six Court members will be selected to coincide with the number in the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin and Willie Roaf.

In addition to greeting guests at most of the 18 events during the two-week Enshrinement Festival, scheduled for July 20 through Aug. 6, the Queen and Court will volunteer their time to civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Turnaround Community Outreach Center, Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and many more. Certainly one of the most memorable experiences for the Queen and Court will be their ride on the float in the Timken Grand Parade.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and the latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OHIO (February 22, 2012) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of the Canton Regional Chamber has named chairmen for three key committees: Bob Timken, Steering Committee; William Schauer, General Chairman Alumni Association; and Ron Dougherty, Safety Management Committee.

Timken, managing director of Cormony Development, LLC, most recently served as the 2011 general chairman of the Chamber’s Enshrinement Festival committees. The function of the Steering Committee is to assist and facilitate as needed to successfully accomplish the Enshrinement Festival mission statement and goals. This committee’s approval is required for crucial Enshrinement Festival issues, such as annual budget, ticket pricing changes and policy issues.

Timken previously served on the board of the Canton Regional Chamber, Canton Country Day School, and Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and as chairman of the ArtsinStark annual fund drive. His civic involvement has also included participation on the committee engaged in analyzing the local environment for attraction and retention of young professionals, now functioning as ystark! His current activities include service on several boards, including the Downtown Canton Land Bank, Mercy Medical Center, and ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council. He is a member of the advisory council for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Timken graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from The College of Wooster and previously served as congressional aide to U.S. Representative David Hobson (OH) and as director of federal government affairs at McGough & Associates, Inc. He and wife Sara reside in Canton with their three daughters.

Schauer was the 2006 general chairman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. For the third consecutive year, he now oversees a committee comprised of past general chairmen, many of whom will offer assistance to the Enshrinement Festival in the areas of sponsor recognition, promoting community awareness and support in planning and producing Enshrinement Festival events.

Corporate treasurer of Schauer Group, Inc., he is a chartered property and casualty underwriter, as well as chartered life underwriter. He is past president of the Arthritis Foundation of Canton, and has served as a member of Canton Palace Theatre Association board, and Cultural Center for the Arts budget and marketing committees. In addition, he has participated in fundraising for the Downtown Canton YMCA, Malone and Walsh Universities, United Arts, United Way, and Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. He and wife Bobbi have three sons.

Dougherty, of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., is serving his 17th term as chairman of the Safety Management committee. He also serves as chairman of the Joint Coordinating Committee that serves as liaison between the Enshrinement Festival department of the Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A Canton native, Dougherty graduated from Canton Lincoln High and was honored in 2000 as a Distinguished Alumnus. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School, and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1957 as a lieutenant and captain. He is the only Stark County lawyer to hold the office of president of the Ohio State Bar Foundation, and he served as chairman of the Stark County Public Defender Commission for 26 years, as well as Canton Assistant City Solicitor. Active in and chairman of various Enshrinement Festival activities since its beginning in 1963, Dougherty was the founder of the Enshrinement Festival General Chairman Alumni Association, and its Individual Award of Merit recipient in 2009 and the 2002 Award of Merit recipient from Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he was The Wilderness Center 2004 honoree and is the immediate past chairman of the board of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has one daughter, one son and three grandsons.

In 2012, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Enshrinement Festival will mark the 49th anniversary of honoring the legends of professional football, which includes conducting a world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collaborative efforts of this leadership team, combined with the professional staffs at the Canton Regional Chamber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the dedicated team of more than 4,200 volunteers, will ensure the success of 18 diverse events over two weeks from July 20 to Aug. 6, 2012.

The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, are expected to produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions will experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival as events are televised and covered by other media.

The central focus and highlight of this year’s Enshrinement Festival will be the Aug. 4 Enshrinement Ceremony for the 2012 Class of Enshrinees, comprised of cornerback Jack Butler, center Dermontti Dawson, defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin and tackle Willie Roaf.

For the complete schedule of events, ticket information, and latest news, check the web sites periodically: www.profootballhofef.com or www.profootballhof.com.

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CANTON, OHIO (Feb. 6, 2012)

The deadline to submit the application and a $68 application fee is Monday, Mar. 12, by 5 p.m. Candidates cannot be younger than a high school senior and 18 years old by May 1, or more than 23 years of age before Sept. 1. Candidates must reside and, if employed, work within a 30-mile radius of Stark County.

While not mandatory, all potential candidates are invited and encouraged to attend the fourth annual “Screen the Queen Pageant” session, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Canton Regional Chamber from 9 to 11 a.m. This session will help young ladies decide if they would like to enter the Pageant, and give them a better idea of what to expect if they do.

Participants will have the opportunity to review the 2011 Queen Pageant DVD, learn about the judging experience from past years’ judges, hear from a past queen who will share her memories, and ask questions about the process. This informative, informal session is FREE, but reservations must be made in advance by calling Kathy Lindenberger at (330) 458-2056.

The Queen Pageant will take place Thursday, May 10, at The Canton Palace Theatre. All seats are reserved at $18 each, and tickets can be purchased at the Canton Regional Chamber, Canton AAA and Massillon AAA.

At the conclusion of the Pageant, a Queen and six (6) court members will have been selected on the basis of personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to community. The number of court members selected will coincide with the number of members of the recently announced 2012 Class of Enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame – Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, and Willie Roaf. The Queen and her court will serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors throughout the community, and one of their most memorable experiences will be their ride on a float in the Timken Grand Parade.

Kara Abbott has been named chair of the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen Committee. An 11-year committee member, this is her second year in this leadership role. As the 1995 Enshrinement Festival Queen, she has a unique perspective on the process and the qualifications necessary to attain the crown. Assisting her with leadership responsibilities will be Crystal McLendon, committee vice chair.

A Canton native, Abbott is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Kent State University. In addition to her service on the Queen Committee, she volunteered for 10 years on the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks Committee, and has modeled in the Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show for the past six years. Her community activities include past service as a United Way coordinator, and current service at St. Mary’s School in Massillon as coordinator of the Spirit Window, and member of the PTO and the Auction Committee. She and husband Steve are the proud parents of five children.

The Queen Committee is responsible for working with Enshrinement Festival staff in coordinating all activities relating to the Enshrinement Festival Queen and court and serving as chaperones during their community service activities and official event appearances.

For more information regarding applications, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kathy Lindenberger at (330) 458-2056 or visit the Enshrinement Festival Web site at www.profootballhofef.com.

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Learn about the vision of Gervasi Vineyards – from delizioso culinary endeavors and fine vintages fresh from the vine, to the eclectic marketplace and exquisite new Italian villas.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the program and breakfast following at 7:30 a.m. AultCare Fast Break Breakfasts are held at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 4375 Metro Circle in North Canton.

Tickets are $18 for Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce members, $21 for member tickets purchased less than 48 hours in advance and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at www.CantonChamber.org, or by calling (330) 458-2070.

Beyond this important segment of the program, Fast Break attendees have the opportunity to obtain business leads through enjoyable networking activities at an event that has built a reputation as one of the most energetic lead-producing sessions around. Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more and receive 30 seconds at the microphone to promote your business.

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CANTON, OHIO (Feb. 2, 2012)

Diners to the participating downtown Canton restaurants will receive one half-priced entrée for each entrée they purchase at regular price. Select downtown restaurants will offer this special discount to diners every Wednesday in February and March. The discount is valid after 5 p.m. only.

In order to receive the discount, a coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Coupons can be downloaded from www.DowntownCanton.com, or clipped from upcoming issues of The Repository on Wednesdays.

Downtown Deals will feature 11 downtown Canton restaurants, including:

• * Arcadia Grille
• * Bender’s Tavern
• * Desert Inn
• * Napoli’s Italian Eatery
• * Pete’s Grill & Pizza
• * Peter Shears Downtown
• * Picciano’s Martini Bar (appetizers only available)
• * Primo’s
• * Sports Therapy Bar and Grill
• * Thatsa Wrapp
• * Thorpe’s Grill at the McKinley Grand

“The Downtown Deals Wednesday promotion is an excellent opportunity to experience some of the incredible local restaurants in downtown Canton,” said Mike Gill, director of the Downtown Special Improvement District. “Diners can experience all types of cuisines and enjoy both casual and fine dining with this exciting promotion.”

For details about Downtown Deals Wednesday, visit www.DowntownCanton.com, or contact Annette Rosenberg at annette@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2092.

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The new program, conceived and launched launched last year with help from JumpStart Inc., provides grants to entrepreneurs who plan to locate new, high growth business ventures in the City of Canton. More than 60 applications were received for the very competitive inaugural funding cycle, and four finalists were invited to a formal presentation. After careful consideration and review by the Canton Entrepreneur Launch commission, entrepreneur Karl Beitzel’s company, Jack Hooks, was selected for grant funding.

Canton Entrepreneur Launch is designed to create organic business growth by providing grants to start-up businesses that have the potential to attract additional growth capital, create substantial economic impact and develop job opportunities within the Canton community.

“We were thrilled to receive so much interest and to see such a healthy entrepreneurial spark in our region,” said Mayor William J. Healy II. “This year we wanted to make a significant investment that could take a business to the next level. We believe that Jack Hooks can use this money to make great progress in their venture.”

Jack Hooks manufactures a revolutionary series of fishing hooks for the retail consumer market that, according to Beitzel, are “are the strongest, fastest and sharpest hooks ever made.” Jack Hooks’ proprietary, patent-pending, knotless hook allows professional and recreational anglers alike to attach a hook to their line in fewer than five seconds.

The young company is already generating a buzz in the industry. The California Dreamin’ Series hooks were designed in collaboration with a veteran tournament angler, Marc Beyers of Norco, Calif., to meet the high demands of professional anglers in tournament competition. BassMaster’s Elite Series Professional Angler Keith Poche has signed a one-year endorsement agreement with Jack Hooks and will use the Jack Hooks California Dreamin’ Series in the Bassmaster Classic tournament, held in Louisiana from Feb. 24 through 26, when he competes head to head with the world’s best Pro Anglers for the 2012 Season Championship.

Jack Hooks is now in the process of establishing a North American sales distribution network. Operations and production will be located in Canton.

“This is my hometown and I am committed to creating jobs and value in the local economy,” said Beitzel. “Growing new industry helps to keep a community healthy, and I hope Jack Hooks will contribute to that trend.”

The company plans to use the Canton Entrepreneur Launch grant to support an assembly operation in Canton, develop additional product inventory, and obtain basic marketing support to build up its operations until they are capable of perpetuating self-sustainable sales. Starting modestly with a handful of staffers, the company hopes to grow to 75 average-wage employees over the next five years.

Those companies who did not receive funding in this application cycle will have access to additional assistance. “We are partnering with Victor Pavona and the Stark County Business Development Center (SBDC) to ensure that all applicants receive necessary business support and advisory services,” said Derek Gordon, assistant safety/service director for the City of Canton. “The SBDC will continue to remain an active partner as we move forward, supporting the program by providing needed connections and continued counseling, not only to Jack Hooks, but to other applicants of the Canton Entrepreneur Launch program.”

The Canton Entrepreneur Launch program will begin a second round of funding later this year, and details about the next round of funding will be available online at CantonLaunch.org.

All applicants also have access to the Canton Entrepreneur Launch’s partner, the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network, a connected group of regional entrepreneur support organizations offering space, capital and connections to entrepreneurs across 21 counties of Northeast Ohio.

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CANTON, OH (January 19, 2012)

The young professionals worthy of this award are the ones actively working to make Stark County a destination for young professionals to live, work and play. Winners of the 2012 award will be celebrated at an eclectic gala in June.

Eligible “young professionals” are between 21 and 40 years old, and span all career industries. ystark! membership not required for nomination. Full eligibility information and details on the nomination process are available at www.ystark.org. All nominations must be received by Feb. 12.

The ‘Twenty under 40!’ planning committee is led by Aron Kitzmiller, director of marketing, Westfield Belden Village. Recognition of these deserving area young professionals is made possible through ystark! and The Repository, in conjunction with Aultman Health Foundation, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, LPA, Diebold, Inc., Huntington Bank and The Timken Company.

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The Canton Regional Chamber’s 98th Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, located at 1101 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton. The annual dinner will feature Ward J. Timken, Jr., chairman of the board of directors for The Timken Company, and James W. Griffith, president and CEO for Timken.

Few organizations possess the staying power of The Timken Company, with communities, investors, employees and suppliers collectively sharing in achievement, year after year. The company’s success is reflected in its significant diversification, extensive global growth, and value driven to the bottom line, with dividends paid each year and every quarter, from before the Great Depression, to the Great Recession and beyond.

It’s also evident in the company’s steadfast investments, focused on a promising future. When it comes to good fortune, Timken is our community’s constant.

“This year’s annual dinner provides a rare opportunity for our local business community to gain firsthand perspective about The Timken Company, straight from the source,” said Dennis P. Saunier, Chamber president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Tim and Jim joining us for this special evening.”

At the Annual Dinner, the gavel will be passed from outgoing Board Chairman George W. Lemon, retired president, Technical Products Group, to the 2012 Board Chairman, Rick L. Haines, president of AultCare. The Chamber will recognize and thank the outgoing board members and usher in new members for an exceptional 98th year.

Also during the dinner, the Canton Regional Chamber and ArtsinStark, The County Arts Council, will present the 2012 Business for the Arts Award. The award is recognizes an outstanding business for support and participation in the arts in Stark County, which improves the quality of life and promotes economic development. This year’s recipient is Solmet Technologies, Inc.

The 98th annual dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Registrations for the annual dinner can be made online CantonChamber.org or by calling (330) 458-2070. Tickets for the event are $88 for members and $98 for non-members, and tables of eight are available. All registration payments must be received in advance and reservations must be received by Jan. 30. Register now, space is limited.

This year’s annual dinner is made possible by our sponsors: Aultman Health Foundation, AultCare, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, Canton Chair Rental, Chesapeake Energy, Day Ketterer, Ltd., DeHoff Realtors, Diebold, Inc., Fresh Mark, Inc., Huntington Bank, Innis Maggiore, The Karcher Group, Kenan Advantage Group, Kent State University at Stark, KeyBank, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., LPA, Leonard Insurance, Malone University, Mercy Medical Center, The Repository, PNC Bank, Schauer Group, Inc. / Chubb Group, Stark State College, Superior Beverage, The Timken Company, University of Mount Union and Walsh University.

About Keynote Speaker Ward J. Timken, Jr., Chairman, The Timken Company
Ward J. “Tim” Timken, Jr. is chairman of the board of directors of The Timken Company. He was elected to the board in 2002 and later served as vice chairman prior to being named chairman in 2005.

Previously Timken served as president of the company’s Steel Group, leading it to record levels of profitability. In 2000, Timken served as corporate vice president in the Office of the Chairman. Responsible for strategy development, he played a pivotal role in the acquisition and integration of Torrington, the largest acquisition in the company’s history. His other positions at the company included key postings in Europe and Latin America in the 1990s.

Timken serves as chairman of the board of Team NEO, an organization that advances Northeast Ohio’s economy by attracting businesses worldwide to the 16-county “Cleveland Plus” region. Timken also serves on the board of directors of Pella Corporation and several other boards, including the American Iron and Steel Institute of which he is past chairman, the National Association of Manufacturers Executive Committee, the Ohio Business Development Council, the Ohio Business Roundtable Executive Committee, the Stark Development Board, Firestone Country Club, the Timken Foundation and the Timken Charitable Trust.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.

About Keynote Speaker James W. Griffith, President & CEO, The Timken Company
James W. Griffith is president and chief executive officer of The Timken Company and a member of the company’s board of directors.

Since being named president in 1999, Griffith has led a transformation of The Timken Company focused on creating ever-increasing levels of value for customers and shareholders. By harnessing its legendary quality and industry-leading innovation, Timken has pushed beyond its historic leadership in the tapered roller bearing market into a vast global market for technologies to manage the friction generated by moving parts and improve the transmission of power in a wide array of machines.

Griffith joined The Timken Company in 1984 and has held positions as plant manager, vice president of manufacturing in North America and managing director of the company’s business in Australia. From 1996 to 1999, he led Timken’s automotive business in North America and the company’s bearing business activities in Asia and Latin America. He was elected president, chief operating officer and director in 1999 and was named chief executive officer in 2002.

Griffith is president of the World Bearing Association and chairman of the board of directors of the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET). He is vice president of the Management Executives’ Society and serves on the boards of directors of the US-China Business Council and Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR). In September 2011, he began a two-year term as a member of the management board of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He also serves on the board of the University of Mount Union.

Griffith holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.

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But the real goal of this special holiday service project was to provide new bikes and helmets for foster children in our community. ystark! partnered with Pathway Caring for Children, and ultimately provided 82 new bikes and helmets to the kids Pathway supports.

“It was remarkable to see the kids’ faces light up when the curtain opened on the bikes that were waiting for them. One 15-year-old girl said that her new bike was the first thing she has ever really owned,” said Eric Belden, executive director of Pathway Caring for Children. “This project has allowed the kids to forget about their sad situations for a moment and enjoy what the holiday spirit is all about.”

The bikes and helmets were provided through donations from local young professionals, with business support from Chesapeake Energy, along with Aultman Health Foundation, The Canton Charge, The City of Canton, Miixers Lounge, The Ohio Vortex, Siegfried Enterprises, Inc. / McDonalds Restaurants, Beese, Fulmer Investment Management Family and Prodigy Sound.

“We had an amazing group of volunteers and supporters that dedicated many hours and dollars to make this program a reality,” said Aimee Belden, ystark! director. “We’re very proud of our first ystark! community service project, especially one that gives us the experience of seeing the joy on the children’s faces, and look forward to continuing our giving in 2012.”

The Yuletide Breakfast Fest is the first service project that ystark! has taken on since they recently joined forces with the past members of the Canton Jaycees.

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