LIMELIGHTS, CAREER PATHS

NEW HIRES

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber recently hired three new members for its team:

Anthony Catullo, manager of business development for Mahoning County, will be responsible for supporting local companies through the chamber’s business retention and expansion program.

Leslie Cusano joined the chamber team in fall 2015 as marketing coordinator. She assists with the production of all marketing materials and is responsible for the organization’s website, social-media pages and event photography.

Vince Ricottilli is using his many years of sales experience to help grow the chamber’s membership as an account executive.

MANUFACTURING

Vallourec Star recently promoted Garrett Francis to vice president of operations. In this new role, Francis oversees the steelmaking, pipe rolling and finishing operations along with planning and logistics for the company’s facilities in Youngstown; Muskogee, Okla.; and Houston. Francis was previously general manager of the Youngstown operations.

FINANCE

Dan Schiavone, a small-business lender in the commercial lending department of Canfield-based Farmers National Bank, was recently honored by the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp. as “Lender of the Year.” The honor was announced recently at MVEDC’s annual Lenders’ Appreciation event. Schiavone has been with Farmers since 2007.

AUTO INDUSTRY

For the 10th-consecutive year, the dealerships owned by David A. Flynn ranked No. 1 in automotive sales. The Automotive Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio’s final sales figures confirm that the Flynn Auto Group outpaced the next competitor by 2,572 new and used vehicles, selling a combined total of 7,600 vehicles last year.

The Flynn dealerships in Northeast Ohio are: Columbiana Cadillac Buick Chevrolet, The Honda Store and Donnell Ford in Boardman, Donnell Ford Lincoln of Salem, Power Chevrolet Buick GMC in Calcutta and Performance Trucks in New Waterford.

jewelry sales

Diane Theis of Boardman was recently recognized at Premier Designs’ Regional Rally in Pittsburgh as the No. 4 retailer in the region for selling $34,662 in jewelry, and she was recognized as the No. 4 Sponsor for signing six new jewelers between June 16 through Dec. 14, 2015. Dallas-based Premier Designs Inc. is a direct-sales company for high-fashion jewelry. Theis has been an independent distributor for 10 years with a team of 40.

AWARDS

The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce announced the award recipients to be honored at the 63rd Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 28 at The Links at Firestone Farms Banquet Center.

The 2015 honorees are: Madison Ewing, young citizen of the year; Crown Theater Production, outstanding community service; Chris Davis, business person of the year; Ashley Orr, special recognition award; Vylee Garstick, lifetime of service; Lowell Schloneger, lifetime of service; and Humtown Products, business of the year.

The chamber’s Business Development Committee will honor these businesses: Birdfish Brewing Co. and All Good Things Natural Market, adaptive reuse and upgrading; Reichard Industries, business expansion; Town Center at Firestone Farms, planned-unit development; Kim Starr, entrepreneur/developer.

Milestone awards will be given to the Columbiana Area Safety Council for 10 years of work; Yurchyk & Davis, certified public accountants for 25 years; Municipal Signs & Sales for 30 years; Universal Percussion for 40 years; and First Presbyterian Church for 150 years.