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Chamber breakfast honors Valley professionals
BOARDMAN
Members of the business community were honored at this year’s “Salute to Business” breakfast.
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber event, which took place at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center on South Avenue, presented eight awards and recognized 50 businesses for their chamber anniversaries.
Sharon Hrina, vice president of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, which employs 600 in the area, was recognized as the business professional of the year.
“There is no other rewarding work than providing care for others,” she said.
George Bakeris and Spiro Bakeris were recognized as business advocates of the year. The Bakerises continued to attract new businesses to the Ohio Commerce Center in Lordstown after purchasing the center in 2010.
Eric Ryan, president of JAC Management Group and Eric Ryan Productions, was recognized as entrepreneur of the year. JAC has managed the Covelli Centre and Packard Music Hall since 2009 and 2014, respectively.
Peppe Smith and her husband, Bob, owners of Camelot Lanes, were presented the small-business person of the year award. The Smiths purchased the bowling alley 25 years ago from Peppe’s family, who started the business in 1964.
“I love my work,” Peppe said. “But that’s because Bob lets me do the fun work.”
Deryck Toles, founder and president of Inspiring Minds, received the nonprofit professional of the year award. In April, the Warren-based organization will celebrate 10 years of providing educational programs to students.
Kevin Reilly, executive vice president of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, was presented the salute to labor achievement award.
Special awards were presented to Tracie Mavrogianis of AVI Foodsystems and Dominic Marchionda of NYO Property Group, for their contributions to the chamber membership event in May that garnered 371 new memberships.
The breakfast kicked off the 169th Canfield Fair. Craig Myers, fair board president, asked for a moment of silence to honor Judge James C. Evans, a fellow fair director, who died earlier this month.
Bo Pelini, head football coach of Youngstown State University, continued tradition with a season preview as the Penguins take on the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday. Pelini said the Penguins have the potential to be a good football team.
“We’re not there yet,” he said. “It’s a work in progress.”