Episodios

  • Kenn Ricci, CEO Flex Jet

    Kenn Ricci, CEO Flex Jet
    Nov 6 2025
    Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur and the Principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, where he also serves as Chairman. Kenn began his aviation career as an Air Force ROTC cadet at the University of Notre Dame and started his first company, Corporate Wings, in 1980. His love of aviation had him founding, acquiring or financing a broad range of aviation companies and ideas over his career. He has assembled one of the largest groups of private aviation companies which together account for over $4.0 billion of revenue, operate over 300 aircraft and employ over 5,000 individuals. Kenn was honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 and has been named one of the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News. In 2005, Kenn led the restructuring of the Mercury Air Centers, a $200 million company operating aircraft support facilities at 24 different airports. He sold the company to Macquarie Infrastructure Trust in 2007 in a deal valued at $615 million. In 2010, Kenn received the Harvard Business School’s Dively Entrepreneurship Award. In 2011, Kenn was the youngest recipient of the prestigious William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.
    Más Menos
    16 m
  • Bob Denning, CEO Perry's Ice Cream

    Bob Denning, CEO Perry's Ice Cream
    Oct 28 2025
    As the President & CEO of this 4th generation, 102-year-old organization, Robert has led the transformation of the company into the international world-class supplier and distributor it is today. Robert was promoted to President & CEO in 2000 after 20 years with the business. He holds an EMBA from the University at Buffalo, a BS in Business Administration from Buffalo State College and an AAS in Business Administration from Genesee Community College.

    With Robert’s leadership driving the achievement of long range strategic goals, increasing sales and geographic expansion have occurred. Perry’s now offers over 1,500 unique items in distribution and has revenue coming from three sources; the Perry’s Ice Cream Brand, a Contract Manufacturing channel, and Partner Brand distribution.

    Under Robert’s tenure, the company achieved its first international sales in 2007 to over 30 countries outside of the US, where these sales account for nearly 15% of the company’s manufactured revenues today. In 2008, after spearheading $10 Million in capital improvements, including equipment updates and a 20,000 sq. foot distribution center, the company was able to expand.

    Robert’s vision to expand geographically in 2016 resulted in Perry’s posting revenues exceeding $100 Million in sales for the first time ever. In this same year, the company doubled its direct store delivery distribution footprint to over a 100,000 square mile geography, which now includes New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, along with portions of Indiana, Kentucky and W. Virginia, while adding nearly 50 positions. Today, the company employs over 425 team members to support its growth strategy. This new territory is on a path to contribute $20 Million in sales within the first three years with incredible potential to sell the Perry’s Brand to more than 10 million new consumers.
    Más Menos
    18 m
  • Cleveland Furniture Company

    Cleveland Furniture Company
    Sep 22 2025
    The Cleveland Furniture Company has its roots right here in Cleveland, which date back to the 1970’s! Paul Cirino SR. (our Dad!) jumped into the furniture business with Furniture Land in 1975 and never looked back! Paul Jr and Jason Cirino grew up hanging around the Furniture stores and warehouses, and started working on the delivery trucks as soon as we were old enough! The Furniture Business is a Family Tradition for the Cirino’s, and we started supplying furniture to Furniture Stores in 2003. We have been supplying furniture stores in the Great Lakes region for decades, and now we can sell directly to you! We save our customers money because we buy In BULK, DIRECT FROM THE FACTORIES! A true FAMILY business, The Cleveland Furniture Company holds strongly to our values and the satisfaction of our customers and employees! Through decades of serving our community, we know what it takes to keep our customers satisfied! We are Family Owned CLEVELAND PROUD!...... and we look forward to SERVING YOU!
    Más Menos
    14 m
  • Daniel Roberson, Executive Director PNC Fairfax

    Daniel Roberson, Executive Director PNC Fairfax
    Sep 11 2025
    Daniel Roberson serves as PNC Fairfax Connection’s executive director, PNC’s free community resource center in Cleveland’s historic east side community. In his role, Roberson leads the center’s staff in sustaining and building upon successful community relationships and programs designed to empower individuals and businesses and help strengthen their economic vitality. With more than 14 years of banking and community development expertise, Roberson strongly advocates promoting both personal and community financial empowerment. Roberson previously served as PNC’s community development officer for northern Ohio. In that role, he was integral in leading PNC’s efforts to deliver financial wellness training to underserved individuals and communities. Roberson, who connects with local nonprofits, serves on multiple boards and is a church trustee and youth ministry leader.
    Más Menos
    7 m
  • Wesley Gillespie, President Erie Bank

    Wesley Gillespie, President Erie Bank
    Sep 11 2025
    Mr Gillespie is the President of ERIEBANK, a subsidiary of CNB Bank. Wesley has been responsible for the expansion of the bank into the Cleveland market, as well as lead the growth efforts of ERIEBANK. In his role as President, Mr Gillespie has full responsibility for managing and directing the overall market-based Commercial and Industrial lending activities across the Ohio and Pennsylvania footprint. Mr Gillespie also has responsibility for the delivery of commercial services including Commercial Real Estate, Treasury Management, and Private Banking across the region. Mr Gillespie is responsible for building and expanding the ERIEBANK customer base by building relationships and ensuring the delivery of best-in-class service at every level
    Más Menos
    16 m
  • Brad Knapp, CEO ClearStead

    Brad Knapp, CEO ClearStead
    Aug 6 2025
    On January 1, 2025, Brad was named President and CEO of Clearstead, succeeding longtime partner David Fulton who has assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus. As CEO, Brad is now leading a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years ago, with revenues and earnings having grown significantly and the number of employees and assets under advisement increasing several times. The firm has acquired eleven firms in the past ten years and has added capabilities in tax compliance and financial planning while also forming Clearstead Trust, a nondepository trust company. Brad’s appointment as CEO was part of a longstanding management succession plan at Clearstead. He will continue to be instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings, investing in technology to improve the client and advisor experience, and expanding our geographic footprint through integrating strategic acquisitions. Brad holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and joined Clearstead in 2016. Brad has held positions in the private client and institutional groups at the firm and has served as President from 2023 to the present. Since 2018, he has run the firm’s Private Client and Trust practices. Brad has over 25 years of experience in wealth advisory and investment management, having held positions with two major financial institutions prior to joining Clearstead. Prior to joining Clearstead, Brad was a Senior Vice President with Hawthorn/PNC Family and Key Private Bank. Brad began his investment career at McDonald & Company, a regional broker/dealer and investment bank. Brad earned a BSBA degree in finance from John Carroll University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder and a member of the CFA Society of Cleveland. Brad is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and has earned the use of that designation.
    Más Menos
    13 m
  • Roger Lipscomb, Executive Director Ohio 811

    Roger Lipscomb, Executive Director Ohio 811
    Jul 21 2025
    Roger Lipscomb has led OHIO811, Ohio’s “Call Before You Dig” Notification Center, as President and Executive Director since 2006. With over 30 years of experience in the utility infrastructure and excavation sectors, Roger’s steadfast commitment to public safety through education and collaboration has made Ohio a national leader in damage prevention. His expertise led to the formation of the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition (OUDPC), a multistakeholder organization dedicated to advancing excavation safety statutes within the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Additionally, Roger has forged strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Ohio Homeland Security, and the Ohio Public Private Partnership (OP3), strengthening the resilience of Ohio’s critical energy, communications, water, and wastewater infrastructure.
    Más Menos
    11 m
  • Joel Ashcroft, Area Commander for Greater Cleveland Salvation Army

    Joel Ashcroft, Area Commander for Greater Cleveland Salvation Army
    Jul 21 2025
    Joel and Kathleen Ashcraft were both born in Ohio to Salvation Army officer parents. As transition is inevitable in The Salvation Army, they both moved and grew up in the greater New York City area. They have been officers of The Salvation Army for the last 10 years, most recently serving as the Divisional Youth Secretary and Divisional Candidates Secretary for the Northeast Ohio Division based out of Cleveland, Ohio. They coordinated youth work and lead the candidacy efforts for Salvation Army officership across the Division. Throughout the summer, they had the distinct privilege of running Camp NEOSA on beautiful Leesville Lake in Carrollton, OH. Prior to moving to Cleveland, they were corps officers in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY, and loved every minute of their 5 years there. It is their heart’s cry to see everyone they serve come to know the abundance of life available through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

    As the Area Commanders for Greater Cleveland Area Services, Captains Ashcraft will oversee the operations of five Greater Cleveland Corps in Collinwood, East Cleveland, Miles Park, Ohio City, and West Park. Additionally, they will supervise all operations at Harbor Light Complex & Zelma George Family Shelter.


    Outside of their professional lives, Joel and Kathleen can be found spending time with their three incredible children – Matthew , Evelyn , and Audrey. As a family, they love cheering on Matty at his baseball and basketball games, rooting for Evelyn and Audrey in their soccer games, trying new foods, and taking family trips! Joel is an avid sports fan, and Kathleen loves watching the newest murder mysteries and romantic comedies.

    Joel and Kathleen began dating when they were just 16-year-old high school sweethearts and were married shortly after graduating college. Prior to their service as officers in The Salvation Army, Joel worked in banking for M&T Bank, and Kathleen worked in property management for The Salvation Army. Joel and Kathleen hold master’s degrees in business administration from Asbury University.
    Más Menos
    6 m