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PODCAST

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers

Greater Akron Chamber

Want to discover the personalities, leaders, and voices who are making things happen and making a difference in our region? Welcome to Dreamers, Drivers, and Doers, where Greater Akron Chamber CEO and President Steve Millard engages in conversations with business owners, influencers, and government officials to discover what makes a group of people come together, the possibilities on a local and regional level, and the potential of an area that pulls together. Fascinating journeys, strong opinions,

government entrepreneurship

All Episodes

31:56

Ep. 130 - Downtown on the Rise: Economic Development...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/08/12

What does it take to spark real change in a city’s core? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, newly appointed Downtown Akron Development Corporation Executive Director Christopher Hardesty shares his vision for revitalizing downtown Akron. From transforming historic buildings into housing to reshaping public perceptions of safety and walkability, Chris discusses the power of partnerships, capital investment, and inclusive planning. He also highlights key collaborations with groups like

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29:35

Ep. 129 – Internships That Matter: Fueling Akron’s...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/08/05

What if the key to Akron’s future workforce is sitting in your office right now... as an intern? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, shares how a well-designed internship program can do more than just support young professionals—it can fuel long-term economic growth and keep top talent rooted in the region. From hosting future lawyers to welcoming visits from presidents, her stories show the real impact internships can

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34:20

Ep. 128 - Inside the State & Federal Budgets: What...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/07/29

What actually gets decided in Columbus and D.C.—and how does it affect your business? In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Steve Millard talks with John Rizzo, VP of the Akron Canton Advocacy Alliance, for a deep dive into Ohio’s newly passed state operating budget and the federal reconciliation bill. From expanded tax credits and workforce programs to economic development tools and line-item vetoes and next steps, John breaks down what’s in the budgets, what they mean for your bottom line,

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23:30

Ep. 127 - Inside Synthe6: Building the Future of...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/07/22

Turning polymers into startups isn’t easy—but Akron is making it faster, smarter, and more collaborative. In this episode, Steve Millard talks with Nick Glavan of Bounce Innovation Hub aboutSynthe6,a new accelerator built to help materials science founders move from breakthrough ideas to real-world impact. With funding, expert mentorship, and connections to the Polymer Industry Cluster, Synthe6 is redefining what’s possible in Northeast Ohio. Applications are open through July 31 at

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33:19

Ep. 126 - Workforce Upskilling Made Easy: Ohio...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/07/08

As workforce needs continue to evolve across Ohio, the Ohio TechCred program remains a critical tool for helping employers close skill gaps and invest in their teams. In this episode, Jean Barbato, Senior Manager of the Manufacturing Sector Partnership at ConxusNEO, explains how businesses can take advantage of TechCred to receive up to $2,000 per employee for tech-focused credentials—up to $180,000 annually. With the July application window now open, this conversation is a timely look at how

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32:16

Ep. 125 - Popping with Potential: Downtown Cuyahoga...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/07/01

Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is full of flavor... and not just from the popcorn. Kaylee Piper of the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership and Brent Vanfossen, owner of Metropolis Popcorn, join Dreamers, Drivers, Doers to talk about the city’s downtown revival. From DORA and the Riverloop Project, to small business growth and 50+ popcorn flavors, hear how local energy, investment, and creativity are transforming the Falls into a must-visit destination.

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30:09

Ep. 124 - Selling Akron to the World: Gregg Cramer’s...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/06/24

What do the White House, global trade shows, and Akron’s economic revival have in common? Gregg Cramer. In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Gregg reflects on his 18-year legacy at the Greater Akron Chamber, where he helped launch the “Akron USA” movement and brought global attention and investment to the region. From retaining giants like Goodyear to pitching Akron’s potential overseas, Gregg shares how strategic partnerships, persistence, and long-term vision have shaped the region’s

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38:12

Ep. 123 - Economic Development through Community...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/06/17

When Zac Kohl bought his East Akron home for $4,500, he wasn’t just investing in property—he was planting roots in a neighborhood he believed in. Years later, that belief has grown into a movement, with community development, housing restoration, and now adynamic new food hall at the heart of it all in this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Zac, Executive Director of The Well CDC, joins Barry Dunaway to talk with Steve Millard about transforming Middlebury through local ownership, economic

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32:28

Ep. 122 - Navigating Growth and Change with Chuck...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/06/10

What’s holding business leaders back from expanding, innovating, or taking that next big leap? For Chuck Mullen, it often comes down to fear—and he’s here to challenge it. Chuck, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly, joins Steve Millard for a candid conversation on how to lead through uncertainty, navigate mergers, and build trust in a changing world. Drawing from 20+ years in public accounting, Chuck shares what’s stayed the same—and what absolutely hasn’t—when it comes to scaling a

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18:42

Ep. 121 - PGA Golf in Akron: A Look Back at 2024...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/06/03

As the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club from June 18–22, we’re revisiting a conversation with Don Padgett, Executive Director of the tournament. In this episode, originally aired in 2024, Don and Steve Millard discuss the tournament’s deep roots in Akron, its economic and charitable impact, and what makes it more than just a golf event. Whether you’re a fan of the sport or just looking for a premier summer experience in Greater Akron, this episode offers a

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26:28

Ep. 120 - Small Business, Big Impact: Art, Advocacy,...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/05/27

In celebration of Small Business Month, this episode, originally spotlights the woman entrepreneurs building community and driving local impact. Steve Millard talks with Tara Mosley and Joelle Diane Zellman about Women Supporting Women, a vendor event that showcased the power of women-led small businesses in Greater Akron.

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30:24

Ep. 119 - Frey Canty’s Journey of Passion,...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/05/20

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Frey Canty, owner of The Soulful Vegan, Downtown Akron’s first Black female-owned restaurant. What began as a personal fitness journey and a love for sharing workouts online turned into a powerful pivot—from running a gym to creating plant-based meals that filled a gap in Akron’s dining scene. Frey opens up about the barriers she faced as an entrepreneur, her experience with community support

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35:46

Ep. 118 - Tracy Carter on Shaping Healthcare Policy...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/05/13

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard talks with Tracy Carter, System Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy at Summa Health. Tracy shares her inspiring journey from a young intern seeking mentorship at 18 to becoming a key voice in healthcare policy and advocacy at one of the region’s leading health systems. Tracy discusses the importance of proactive relationships across all levels of government, her fierce advocacy for

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32:54

Ep. 117 - A Century in Motion: The Akron Urban...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/05/06

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEOSteve Millard sits down with John Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League. As the Akron Urban League approaches its 100th anniversary, John discusses the organization’s enduring legacy and its evolving role in workforce development, youth engagement, and small business support. From safe spaces for teens and esports programs to business incubators and community partnerships, John is focused on building

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32:45

Ep. 116 - Leading with Empathy and Vision in Healthcare

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/04/29

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard sits down with Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, President of Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Lodi Hospitals and President of the South Submarket of the Northeast Ohio Market. Dr. Lash-Ritter shares her leadership journey from growing up in Canton to becoming a key figure in healthcare administration, with a strong foundation as a physician leader. She reflects on lessons learned in crisis management, the need

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36:14

Ep. 115 - Small Businesses, Big Impact: The Role of...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/04/22

In this episode, Steve Millard and John Rizzo talk with Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) about the organization's history and the services they offer. Todd provides insight into various issues that small businesses face such as the Small Business Income Deduction, Corporate Transparency Act, R&D amortization, and other actions they're taking to give small businesses a voice among elected officials and government leaders. For more information

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32:13

Ep. 114 - The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition Story:...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/04/15

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to explore how this impactful organization connects communities through history, recreation, and economic development. With over 150 public and private partners, the Coalition works to preserve and promote the rich educational and recreational assets along the Ohio & Erie Canalway like the Towpath Trail and Summit Lake. Dan also details the organizations upcoming “Captains Ball” on April 30–a

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34:08

Ep. 113 - Making Sense of Solar for Ohio Businesses

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/04/01

With energy costs set to rise by a whopping 10%-20% this summer, commercial businesses and residences alike are facing mounting expenses. By investing in solar, businesses can lock in energy rates for up to 30 years, take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit, and even benefit from domestic manufacturing incentives. In this episode, Steve sits down with Anthony Manna Jr., President of Hello Sunray, to discuss how solar energy provides a powerful solution, as well as detailing their large scale

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35:19

Ep. 111 – A Conversation with 2025 H. Peter Burg...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/03/18

In this special episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, we sit down with Rick Rogers, Founder and Executive Director of Curated Storefront and the 2025 recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award. A visionary entrepreneur, business leader, and champion of the arts, Rick has played a pivotal role in shaping Akron’s economic and cultural landscape. From expanding B.W. Rogers Company across multiple states to revitalizing downtown Akron through public art and creative placemaking,

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36:48

Ep. 110 - Unlocking Innovation through the Power of...

Dreamers, Drivers, Doers ·

2025/03/11

In this episode, Steve sits down with Kathy Wilcox and Joe Watson of Switch Innovation Lab to explore the power of design thinking in organizational success and how a human-centered approach can solve workplace challenges, foster innovation, and create psychological safety. The three dive into appreciative inquiry, the importance of focusing on strengths rather than faults, and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. The conversation also covers the necessity of clarity in job roles,

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63 results

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