Business briefs

MEIJER STORES DONATE: The Meijer Supercenters in Niles and Boardman participated in the third annual Meijer Team Gives fall program, enabling employees at each to donate $10,000 to nonprofit organizations in the Mahoning Valley.

The Boardman store donated $5,000 to the Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation to go toward research for pediatric brain tumors and the families affected, and $5,000 to the Piggyback Foundation of Youngstown to allow children with an ill family member some normalcy, including an afternoon of fun, having a dinner out for the family, tutoring and enrolling in extracurricular activities.

The Niles store donated $5,000 to Needles Eye Christian Life Center, which provides prevention, intervention and counseling to drug addicts, alcoholics and their families and $5,000 to Sahara Club II, which helps people with alcoholism receive help.

Store employees select the nonprofits to help.

In the most recent grant cycle, $3 million was given to nearly 500 nonprofits in communities. Since the program’s start in 2021, more than $10 million has gone to nonprofits across the Midwest.

CREDIT SCORE WORKSHOP PLANNED: Those looking to learn more about how credit scores work can attend Credit Union of Ohio’s free virtual workshop noon Wednesday.

Attendees will learn what makes up a credit score, tips to improve a credit score and how building and maintaining a healthy credit score will positively impact an individual’s financial future.

Registered for the session and learn about other upcoming events at cuofohio.org.

Credit Union of Ohio serves state employees in Ohio and the regional communities of Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, Trumbull counties.

FREE CONTRACTOR WORKSHOP AVAILABLE: The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and the Minority Business Assistance Center at the Youngstown Business Incubator are offering a free workshop for contractors to learn more about becoming a full-lead abatement contractor.

The event is 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the incubator, 241 W. Federal St., Youngstown. Register at tinyurl.com/mbacworkshop by Tuesday.

Tiffany Sokol, YNDC’s housing director, will share about a program that offers contractors training for free.

Support also is available for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses through YBI’s Supply Chain Diversity program, as the program offers procurement opportunities through anchor institutions, universities, government and industry leaders.

Karrington Griffin, director of the program, will be talking about these opportunities at the event as well.

YSU LAUNCHES NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM: Youngstown State University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the College of Graduate Studies have launched a new graduate program to begin in fall 2024.

The Master of Science in Data Science & Statistics is an interdisciplinary program built around a curriculum that will enhance learners’ knowledge and application of data science and statistics, including the use of “big data” to help solve problems and provide insight, according to the university.

The program will take advantage of the relationship between YSU faculty members, the YSU Data Mine and those involved with the Purdue University Data Mine, a learning and research-based community created to introduce students to data science concepts and equip them to create solutions to real-world problems.

External initiatives in the region and state to attract employers, such as Ultium Cells in Lordstown and Intel in Columbus will only increase the need for more employees trained in data science and statistics.

BON SECOURS MERCY HEALTH RECOGNIZED: Bon Secours Mercy Health has received two national recognitions for its commitment to empowering the careers of women leaders and creating a place employees and clinicians love to work.

The health care provider was recognized by Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, as one of the Top 10 Companies for Executive Women and one of the 100 Best Companies.

The top 10 companies are: AbbVie, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Bristol Myers Squibb, General Mills, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson, Lexmark International, L’Oreal USA, State Farm and Zoetis Inc.

Mercy Health-Youngstown is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health and serves the Mahoning Valley, where it has three hospitals: St. Joseph Warren, St. Elizabeth Youngstown and St. Elizabeth Boardman. The greater health system spans five states and includes 48 hospitals and 60,000 employees.

PREMIER BANK LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN: Premier Bank has launched its fourth annual “Powered By (kind) People. Fueled By You.” campaign.

The tagline is a reflection of Premier Bank’s commitment to the community. Powered By (kind) People represents the sense of passion the bank’s associates have for supporting local communities, coupled with the bank’s commitment to giving back. Fueled By You represents the inspiration that the bank’s clients and communities give them to give back and spread kindness in the places they call home, according to a release.

The bank has invited associates to participate in its Community Volunteer Program, which is designed to give them the opportunity to represent Premier Financial Corp. through events and organizations they are passionate about. The program provides paid volunteer time for employees annually.

Premier Bank also has invited 13 of its community partners throughout their markets to join in a video series titled, “Powered by (kind) People. Fueled by You. Video Series,” as they work to spread kindness and support programs to benefit families in the communities they serve.

People on the move

NEW MARKETING DIRECTOR AT FARMERS: Farmers National Bank has appointed Julianna Begalla as its director of marketing.

In the role, Begalla, who joined Farmers in 2022 through the merger with Cortland Bank, will oversee the marketing department and work with Farmers Chief Retail and Marketing Officer, Amber Wallace, on branding strategies and marketing initiatives that support the financial institution’s growth.

At the former Cortland Bank, she was vice president / marketing, communications and investor relations officer, responsible for developing and executing the bank’s marketing strategies.

PROMOTIONS AT FOUNDATION: The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley recently announced the promotion of two of its longtime staff members — Rachael Chacon, now senior director of operations and communication, and Sarah Lowry, now senior director of community impact.

In addition to their tenure with and contributions to the foundation, the shifts in roles also are in response to community needs and will allow the organization to better support local nonprofits and community residents.

Chacon and Lowry assumed their new roles at the beginning of November.

In her new position, Chacon, who has been with the foundation since 2016, will dedicate half of her time to leading the performance and functions of the organization, which includes technology, human relations and facility management. The other half of her time is spent developing and implementing a communication strategy for the foundation’s services and impact.

Lowry will continue to support the Healthy Community Partnership, a collaborative aimed at addressing the region’s poor health outcomes, which she formerly directed, while enhancing the foundation’s commitment to grant investments, community leadership and advocacy.

NEW TEAM MEMBERS AT BRIGHTON: Brighton Realty and Management has added Debbie Parisi, a licensed Realtor since 1992, to the firm.

Parisi has served as president of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors, and was one of the first in Mahoning County certified as an E-Pro associate to assist clients with their online real estate search. Also, she is a graduate of the Realtors’ Institute and is a certified new home specialist.

She also is a managing partner for Iron Sights Armory LLC Canfield, which specializes in traditional firearms and training.

Also recently joining the firm was Patricia Ariss, Realtor emeritus.

Ariss has been a broker since 1974 as the owner of Area Real Estate. She was the 1979 president of the Youngstown Board of Realtors. And along with real estate, she worked as a critical care nurse locally and was a school nurse at Cardinal Mooney High School.

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