Four YSU business alumni honored

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Warren P. Williamson, Jr. College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University presents the 2015 WCBA Outstanding Alumni Awards at the WCBA Alumni Banquet at 6 p.m. Oct. 16, in Williamson Hall at YSU.

Honorees are Anthony Vross, co-owner, Simon Roofing, Outstanding Business Alumnus; Thomas Meola, president and CEO, Northern States Metals and Solar Flex Rack, Outstanding MBA Alumnus; Melanie Cann, vice president of human resources, Cafaro Co., Outstanding Recent Alumna; and Chris Allen, North American Talent Acquisition Manager, Vallourec USA Corp., Outstanding Service Award.

To make reservations for the banquet by Oct. 10, visit the WCBA website. For information, contact Christine Shelton, coordinator of external relations, WCBA, at 330-941-3068 or cgshelton@ysu.edu.

ANTHONY VROSS

Vross is a lifelong resident of the Youngstown area. He graduated from YSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an accounting major and economics minor. He joined Simon Roofing, a family owned business, in 1979 and served in a variety of positions before being named a co-owner in 1984.

Throughout his 36 years with the company, Vross has gained extensive experience in executive administration, research, manufacturing, customer service, installation, distribution, sales and marketing.

Within the commercial roofing industry, Vross is recognized as the inventor of the Fume Recovery System, which has been used nationwide by schools, food-processing plants, hospitals, and many other odor-sensitive environments. He is also the developer of the roof abrader, flameless hot-air torch and re-roof alternatives, as well as many other innovative concepts and technology within the industry.

He has written several articles in national publications, including Retail Facility Business Magazine, Buildings.com, Shopping Center Business and Commercial Building Magazine. Vross has also served as a national speaker on roof-related topics to roof consultants, plant and facility engineers, roofing contractors, asset and property managers and architects.

THOMAS MEOLA

Meola earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from YSU. While at YSU, he played football and was a member of the 1979 national championship team. After graduation, he joined Premix Inc., in North Kingsville, Ohio, a leading developer and manufacturer of thermoset composite materials and customer molded parts, as assistant controller.

During his tenure, he had roles of controller, chief financial officer and, ultimately, president and chief operating officer. After four years as president for Premix, Meola joined Northern States Metals in Youngstown, where he serves as president and chief executive officer.

A leading manufacturer of metal fabricated parts serving diverse globally markets, Northern States Metals has grown by developing innovative products and services and is recognized for its acclaimed patented Solar Flex Rack product line. He credits YSU for contributing to Northern States Metals success as they depend on YSU for developing talented engineers and business leaders.

Meola has served on the board of directors of the American Composites Manufacturing Association, the Advisory Board of Directors for Factory Mutual Insurance Co., the Ashtabula County Civic Development Corp. and the Ashtabula County YMCA Board of Directors.

Meola lives in Ashtabula with his wife, Renee. They have two children.

MELANIE CANN

Cann earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources and an MBA from YSU. She joined the Cafaro Co., a large real-estate developer now based in Niles, in 2000. Cann was promoted from manager to director and later advanced to vice president of human resources and business aviation director.

Cann has worked with YSU business students, participating as a speaker at WCBA college events and assisting with the development of professional portfolios. She recently served as president of the Warren Junior Women’s League and serves as an executive board member for Goodwill Industries. Cann was given the 40 Under 40 Award from the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals.

CHRIS ALLEN

Allen is North American Talent Acquisition Manager, Vallourec USA, the world leader in premium tubular solutions primarily serving the energy markets. He graduated from YSU with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications studies in 1992.

Allen started his career with Vallourec Star in 2013 as human-resources staffing manager of the Youngstown Operations and was later promoted to the North American Talent Acquisition Manager to expand recruitment of external talent from Canada, the United States and Mexico. He is responsible for sourcing and recruiting of all external talent for interns as well as full-time employees.

Allen has participated in many WCBA undergraduate student events serving as a mentor to business students. YSU students and graduates have been hired at Vallourec Star for both internships and full-time employment.

Allen serves as a member of YSU’s Pete’s Pride and has assisted with enrollment, career development and community outreach efforts for the WCBA. Allen also serves as an executive board member for the American Red Cross, Lake to River Mahoning Valley Chapter.

Banquet sponsors are Bodine Perry LLC; The Cafaro Foundation; Gasser Chair Co. Inc.; Packer Thomas; PNC Bank; Simon Roofing; Vallourec Star; Callos Resource LLC; Cortland Banks; Hill, Barth, & King LLC; Anness, Gerlach & Williams, CPAs; A.P. O’Horo Co.; Cohen & Co. Ltd.; H.D. Davis CPAs, LLC; Huntington Bank; Hy-Tek Material Handling, Inc.; Falcon Transport Company/Comprehensive Logistics, Inc.; L.E. Roberts Consulting; Northern States Metals; Better Business Bureau; City Machine Technologies, Inc.; Cope Farm Equipment, Inc.; Donald & Barbara Graham; Hometown Pharmacy Solutions; Hunter-Stevens Land Title Agency, Ltd.; Jocelyne Kollay Linsalata; Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation; Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic, CPAs; and Sherman Creative Promotions, Inc.