Ohio arts groups tap Naffah and Ryan

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two Mahoning Valley residents have been appointed to statewide arts groups.

Dr. Farid Naffah of Bazetta has been named to the Ohio Arts Council, and Eric Ryan of Struthers is now on the board of directors of Ohio Citizens for the Arts.

It is the first time in many years that Mahoning Valley residents have been part of either group, according to a press release from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

Dr. Naffah, a gastroenterologist, was appointed by Gov. John Kasich to the Ohio Arts Council, which is a state agency that funds and supports the arts.

Dr. Naffah has created an amphitheater at his home, where he holds events to raise money for his Avamar Foundation, which provides the elderly with financial assistance to cover prescription costs.

Ryan was selected by the board of directors of Ohio Citizens for the Arts – which obtains funding for arts programs – to join its ranks.

The president and founder of JAC Management and Eric Ryan Productions, Ryan is credited with the turnaround of Covelli Centre in Youngstown, which he has operated since 2007. In 2014, JAC took over operations of Warren’s Packard Music Hall and also has improved its revenue stream.

Ryan received the chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year award this year.