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Board of Directors 

2024 Officers

Chair: Julie WeselChemstress Consultant

President: Kimberly Beckett, Downtown Akron Partnership

Vice Chair: Greta Johnson, County of Summit

Treasurer: Pam Hickson-StevensonAkron-Summit County Public Library

Secretary: Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins

2024 Executive Committee

Jessica CherokGAR Foundation

Malcolm J. Costa, Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

Michael Derr, Downtown Resident

Dawn Distler, METRO RTA

Tracy Dowe, Fifth Third Bank

Chris GriffithLock 3

Pam Hickson-Stevenson, Akron-Summit County Public Library

Greta Johnson, County of Summit

Paul LevyThe University of Akron

Gregg Mervis, John S. Knight Center

Brian J. Moore, Roetzel

Donald J. Pavlik, PNC

Gary Rickel, Community Volunteer

Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins

Julie Wesel, Chemstress Consultant

Term Ending 2024

Chris Burnham, Development Finance Authority of Summit County

Luis Escudero Muniz, El Patron Tequileria & Cuisine

Jaclyn Flossie, Red Oak Behavioral Health

Sue Hobson, Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Ralph Palmisano, Hanna Rasnick Evanchan Palmisano Hobson & Fox

Tiffany Roper, Snap & Flare

Tony Troppe, Everett Group

Laura Wallerstein, McDonald Hopkins

Term Ending 2025

Jessica CherokGAR Foundation

Michael Derr, Downtown Resident

Dawn DistlerMETRO RTA

Emily GellatlyStudent

Pam Hickson-StevensonAkron-Summit County Public Library

Paul LevyThe University of Akron

Dave LieberthAkron History Center, Inc.

Rana MatarAkron Municipal Clerk of Courts

Gregg MervisJohn S. Knight Center

Donald J. PavlikPNC

Ilene ShapiroCounty of Summit - Summit County Executive

Charlie SomtrakoolCilantro Thai & Sushi

Dominique WatersCommunity Volunteer

Term Ending 2026

Donae Ceja, Tactical & Practical LLC

Carla Chapman, Akron Public Schools

Malcolm Costa, Akron Summit Community Action, Inc.

Tracy Dowe, Fifth Third Bank

Kirk Gardner, FirstEnergy

Chris GriffithLock 3

Greta Johnson, County of Summit - Summit County Executive Office

Brian J. Moore, Roetzel & Andress

C. Allen Nichols, Akron Bar Association

Amy PattonHuntington

Gary Rickel, Community Volunteer

Tom Rybak, TMR & Associates

Julie Wesel, Chemstress Consultant

SID Board (Ex-Officio)

Chair: Lee Walko, Brennan Manna & Diamond

Denise Armstrong, McKinley Commercial Services LLC

Michael Kunce, Ocasek Management

Alicia LaMancusa, Akron Children's Hospital

Ryan Pritt, Pritt Properties

Sean Vollman, City of Akron

Margo Sommerville, President, Akron City Council

Downtown Akron Partnership Non-Discrimination Policy

Downtown Akron Partnership does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.

Downtown Akron Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.