Speakers

Ron Kent, is a lover and leader of people. He lives in Northeast Ohio where is the Executive Director of South Akron Youth Mentorship organization. He also coaches and consults with many other Non-Profit Executives in leadership. Ron has served in youth and non-profit work for over 14 years. Some of his passions are coaching, organizational leadership development, and fighting for the wholeness and healthiness of people and organizations. Ron is a proud husband to Ariel, and father to two amazing kids Ronnie and Alora.

Crown Point Ecology Center welcomed its new Executive Director, Kevin Gross in April of 2022.  Kevin comes to Crown Point with a diverse background of experiences garnered through service in several different positions over the last decade.  Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey in 2012.  Kevin grew up in southern New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia and developed an appreciation of nature, green spaces, and fresh sustainable food at an early age.  This early passion led to him becoming an environmental educator for the New York State Board of Cooperative Educational Services, crafting and facilitating programming for K-12 students and teachers.  After spending some time living and teaching in the Hudson Valley, Kevin began to lay down roots in Ohio when he joined the staff at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 2016 as the Program Coordinator for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.  Later, Kevin went on to run the national park’s volunteer program, one of the most robust and prestigious volunteer programs in the National Park Service.  Kevin then went on to serve as the Director of Community Engagement where he led the organization’s strategic advocacy efforts while promoting equitable access to the park and green spaces in surrounding communities.  Now at Crown Point, Kevin is overjoyed to be able to lead such a dynamic and creative team and to assist in the advancement of such an important and worthy mission.  As the organization continues its renaissance coming out of the tumultuous times of the pandemic, Kevin's strategic goals for Crown Point include increasing organic produce donations, fostering a welcoming and inclusive space, and a renewed focus on education and engagement programs.

Donna Skoda, MS., RD., L.D. is the Health Commissioner for the Summit County Public Health since July 1, 2015.  Her current responsibilities include overall management of the health district including the assessment and epidemiological components within the Health District, data and information systems and general strategic planning for the health district in the community.  She has served as the current past president for Stewart’s Caring Place Board of Directors. She also serves on the Open-M Free Clinic Board as well.

Previously, Ms. Skoda was employed in Cuyahoga County implementing community-based programs in the areas of nutrition and many other areas in public health, the community and within hospital systems.  She is a registered, licensed dietitian with a Master’s degree in Public Health and Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. She has worked in community-based public health programs for over 35 years.

Ken Fanger, President of On Technology Partners and a CMMC-RP (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Registered Practitioner), has over 30 years of experience specializing in cybersecurity and information technology systems management and design, and project management. Ken is one of fewer than 2,000 people to hold the designation of CMMC-RP, helping businesses with federal contracts to meet the new Department of Defense cybersecurity standards. 

Currently focusing on the manufacturing sector, he’s also worked in the pharmaceutical, legal, medical, nonprofit, and government fields. His MBA in Operations Management enables him to understand work/process flow, while allowing him to develop strategies for an organization’s future.

Ken is a sought-after speaker around the country, and is author of the acclaimed book RELAX: A Guide to True Cyber Security. Ken's current campaign is to "humanize security," a fundamental change toward a more holistic approach to cyber resilience and recovery.

Nathanael is a Funeral Director and also serves as the Executive Vice President & Treasurer of The Billow Co. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Nathanael worked for Ford Motor Company as a Senior Financial Analyst at Ford's Global Product Development Center in Dearborn, MI. He, along with his sister Stacy, are sixth-generation members of the family to serve at Billow's and Bissler's. Growing up in the family business helped shape his personal belief that working as a funeral director is not only a career but a life-dedicating vocation.

In 2018, Nathanael successfully led the merger of his family's 148 year-old business, The Billow Co. of Akron, with Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. With the retirement of Mr. Rick Bissler, the move ensured that the community of Kent would continue to receive local family-owned care when faced with the loss of a loved one.

He is a graduate of Tallmadge High School, Grove City College (B.S. Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, '11) and the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University (Master of Business Administration, '13). Nathanael is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent and his Catholic faith taught him to embrace the philosophy of service above self. He generously gives of his time, talent, and treasure in service to Akron and since returning home in 2017, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for many notable organizations, including the Akron Better Business Bureau, where he serves as Treasurer, the Rotary Club of Akron, where he serves as Vice-President and Chair of the Rotary International Foundation, Bluecoats Inc., of Summit County, where he serves as Treasurer, the Akron Roundtable, where he serves as Chair of the Development Committee, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital, where he holds the office of Vice-Chair and Treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In 2019, he was recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber and awarded their prestigious 30 For The Future Award, given to individuals who are trendsetters in their industry and who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service.

When time permits, he can be spotted on local golf courses with his brother Chris or out running the trails of Akron's Metro Parks.

Directions to the museum are below. We will provide you with a validation slip for complimentary parking. 

 

Directions & Parking

Parking is available in the O’Neil’s/State Street Parking Deck at 51 W. State Street (behind Barley House). 

More parking information and directions.

After you Park
Take the elevator to the ground level, take a right to go under the breezeway, and doors to the museum are straight ahead. If you are coming through Lock 3 Park, an entrance door is to the left under the red awning; ground level of the parking deck.

Katie Carver Reed is vice president at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. In her role, she is responsible for the Foodbank’s partnerships with nearly 600 hunger-relief programs, the Foodbank’s direct service programs, oversees government compliance related to food distribution, and leads strategy development and implementation for the organization.

She earned a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Leadership Studies from Baldwin-Wallace College. After serving as an intern for the Ohio Senate and Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Katie started her non-profit career at the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio where she focused on volunteer recruitment and community engagement. She is a recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce 30 for the Future Award, a Torchbearers alum, graduate of the Child and Family Leadership Exchange, and a member of Leadership Akron Class 37.

Katie lives in Highland Square with her husband, Kurt.  She enjoys spending time outdoors,  particularly bicycling on the Towpath Trail, traveling, and engaging with the region’s arts and culture activities.