Chamber to hold second Women’s Business Awards

By Kelly Cantwell
Editor

The Clermont Chamber of Commerce’s second Women’s Business Awards will take place June 7.

The chamber got 21 nominations for the awards and a committee evaluated each nomination based on the criteria for each of the three categories: Business Woman of the Year, Women Owned Business of the Year and Young Professional of the Year. The committee then selected finalists.

The event will be held at Receptions Conference Center East beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sheila Gray, from Good Morning Cincinnati, is the emcee and Angela Byers, Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division, is the keynote speaker.

Business Woman of the Year

The Business Woman of the Year is a woman who is helping to shape the county’s economic future, Cyn Macke, the director of member service, said last year. The winner could be working in any field.

Nancy Ball is the CEO of Summit Solutions Consulting. Her professional accomplishments include turning the struggling Boys and Girls Club of Clermont County around during her time as executive director. She used similar skills to benefit the national Boys and Girls Club of America but now runs her own company to use her skills to benefit her community, Ball said in her application.

She is a leader because she has four characteristics: team building, a thirst for knowledge, a focus on results and because she adopts a culture of worthiness.

Ball was inspired to be available to share her experiences with other women because when she was a young woman in the printing industry, it was still male dominated. She mentors young women and coaches female executive directors.

Ball has been involved with Impact 100, the Leadership Council of Human Service Executive, Boys & Girls Clubs of Clermont County, the Eastern Area Action Council of United Way of Greater Cincinnati Eastern Area, Agenda for the Future, the Cincinnati Nature Center, Crossroads Church, Cincinnati Adventurers and Volunteers Group and many more.

Mary Eisnaugle, Lykins Energy Solutions vice president of marketing and advertising, lead the company to transition from Lykins Oil to Lykins Energy Solutions. She also helped the company market in new ways. She also worked to create Stopping the Abuse Before it Ever Starts, a program that teaches high school students about child abuse and drug abuse, with the LEAD Clermont class of 2013, she said in her application.

Eisnaugle is successful as a leader because she works hard and strives to improve the world, she said.

“My favorite saying is: ‘If not you? Who? If not now? When?’ I say this almost every day. This is how I live my life. I want to make a difference. This world is a better place because of people who give of themselves and expect nothing back,” Eisnaugle said.

Lykins is a male dominated business, but Eisnaugle worked her way up. She believes woman can be anything they want and is proud of her accomplishments.

Julie Highley, senior vice president of HORAN, has held multiple roles with the company and managed both sales and client service functions. She started a Small Business Team, led the sales organization for Employee Health Benefits and currently leads the sales organization for the entire company.

In Highley’s current role, she directs a team of market leaders, in addition to helping the company grow. Highley also changed the sales process so that the company has a team culture and so each salesperson creates their own goals and business plans.

Highley works to mentor and encourage women, both professionally and personally. Two of the women she has worked to develop within HORAN have become members of the leadership team.

“Julie takes women of HORAN under her wing and helps them become the best they can be,” her application states.

Highley has been involved with United Way – Eastern Area Action Council, the Clermont County Chamber’s Membership committee, the Executive Committee and the Board of Advisors for the Greater Cincinnati United Way and more.

Berta Velilla is the director of early learning programs for Child Focus Inc., where she has spent 15 of the 25 years that she has been working for a non-profit. While she has been at Child Focus, the organization has increased programming, become the first quality rated program in the county, opened a two-way immersion bilingual preschool program and much more, she said in her application.

Velilla is part of Success by 6, the Southwest Ohio Early Learning Leaders, the Ohio Head Start Association Strategic Futures Group, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, the Early Childhood Coordinating Council and more.

She has received the 2005 Irene-Brandy Award and the 2010 Leaders and Legends community volunteer award from United Way.

Velilla acts as a leader by challenging others to assess what works and what doesn’t.

“As a leader, I try to inspire others to be better, to not settle, and to know that we can accomplish more when we target our resources appropriately,” Velilla said.

She helps support women by helping them in the Policy Council, which is made up of Head Start parents that are mostly women. Velilla sees many women transformed by being on the council. She also works to help women who have their first job at Child Focus.

Christine Wick, director of the Clermont County Public Library, has been working for the library since 2002. She started at the New Richmond branch, where she started a program called Library Stars to promote library visits. Wick has also participated in the renovation at the Amelia branch and has helped increase visitors at multiple branches, she said in her application.

She is successful as a leader because she is determined, self-motivated, passionate, driven and experienced. Wick also believes in praising and rewarding employees for hard work. In addition, Wick works hard to make sure the libraries help in pre-reading skills development, which she feels are critical.

“As a manager, I never asked my staff to do something I wouldn’t do from cleaning up biohazard at a branch grand opening, to shelving books, to arriving on time prepared to work and staying late to get the job done,” Wick wrote.

As library work is traditionally dominated by woman, Wick works with women often as she mentors them, including Katie Foran-Mulcahy, who won the Young Professional of the Year award in 2015.

Wick has been involved with the New Richmond Business Association Board, the Amelia Business Association, the Literacy Council of Clermont and Brown Counties Board, the Board of Directors of Books by the Banks, the Clermont Senior Services Board and more. She is a LEAD Clermont graduate.

Woman Owned Business of the Year

A woman who has shown leadership skills, workplace excellence, a sustainable business and more qualifies for the Woman Owned Business of the Year award, Macke said last year.

Nadine Albenze-Smith is the CEO of Record Express LLC, a company that works on record retrieval, medical record analysis, document imaging, APS statements and paramedical insurance exams.

Her company is a great place to work because employees are valued and rewarded for hard work, there are flexible work schedules and there are fun events, she said in her application.

Record Express stands out from other companies in the market because they look for creative, cost effective solutions and see clients as partners.

“Of course, we have unique products and services but the biggest advantage we have over our competitors is that we care,” Albenze-Smith wrote.

To ensure the sustainability of the company, Albenze-Smith is working on long term document management contracts and providing physician statement and paramedical services to local and national carriers.

Record Express’ 2015 revenue dipped because two multi-state class action projects were settled. However, the new services should help balance the revenue moving forward.

Record Express is active in the community by donating money to start The Shepherd’s Place, a non-profit, faith based teen center in Bethel that works with more than 200 teenagers. In addition, the company participates in food drives, blood drives, a community garden and more.

Letitia Fulkerson is an agent/owner at State Farm Insurance in Cincinnati. She has been an agent for 25 years. Her company is a great place to work because she focuses on efficiency, on what her team learns and on integrity. She looks for employees who are passionate about helping others and are self-starters. In addition, Fulkerson is flexible when her employees have family issues, she wrote in her application.

State Farm is different from others in the market because Fulkerson’s agents are committed to helping clients meet their goals. Everyone on her team is bank certified for State Farm Bank products, the office location is convenient and policies are easily available online.

Fulkerson ensures her company’s future success by planning for the next year during an annual retreat. She also makes sure that her company is in line with corporate goals and plans weekly, monthly and annual goals for the agency. The agents also use empathy with customers, as not everything is covered by insurance.

In the industry, many have seen lapse/cancellation ratio increases in the double digits, Fulkerson’s agency’s ratio has only increased 2-2.3 percent in the last 18 years.

“Retention is the key to any successful business,” Fulkerson wrote.

She is a member of the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, Chi Omega and the Clermont LEAD Class of 2016.

Michelle Hummel, CEO and founder of Web Strategy Plus LLC, feels her business is an excellent place to work because she offers the best tools and training to the Social Media Community Management team. The company also created Social Apps Match, a directory of social media tools and applications to keep employees up to date, she wrote in her application.

The company is a leader because it offers a one-stop shop for a multitude of services, in addition to investing in social media tools, training and community development. Also, Hummel founded Cincinnati Social Media Enthusiasts to offer training classes and a social media lunch. The group now has chapters in 11 cities across the country.

Hummel has ensured the company’s future success through options such as Web Media University, Social Apps Match, Franchise Success Team and more.

“Web Strategy Plus has built many tools, proprietary strategies and relationships nationwide that will ensure its continued success,” Hummel wrote.

She expects major growth this year, which she has already seen. Web Strategy Plus has is bringing on as many as five new accounts each month per franchisee.

As Web Strategy Plus is a leader in digital marketing, it has presented to 23 organizations, including the Clermont Chamber of Commerce Business Technology Summit, Northern Kentucky University and the Home Builders Association.

Robin Throckmorton is the president of strategic HR, inc., a company that has been successful since it began more than 20 years ago because of a team attitude and partnerships with clients. Throckmorton provides mentoring and leadership to her employees and adjunct staff, however, she is also hands-off and allows flexibility. The employee driven culture has been recognized publicly multiple times, she wrote in her application.

strategic HR, inc. is different from the competition because employees provide strong customer service. In addition, Throckmorton strives to find untraditional ways to grow.

Throckmorton meets twice a month with her employees to talk about the direction of strategic HR, inc. In addition, they are always looking for ideas to grow and have built a reputation of customer service.

strategic HR, inc. provides services to non-profit organizations at no cost, including the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Cincinnati HR Association and the Butler Warren Society for Human Resources Management. In addition, Throckmorton and the company are crucial to the success of GETDOT Cincinnati.

“strategic HR, inc. recognizes that community involvement is vital to the Cincinnati area’s ongoing success, and our own continued success. We have an obligation and the privilege to do our part to work towards this region’s success,” Throckmorton wrote.

Elizabeth Tracy is the CEO of TaleMed. She feels it is an excellent company to work for because Tracy values making her employees successful over using them to make her successful. She also is always ready to listen and treats people honestly.

“Selflessness is a cultural value at TaleMed; the staffing company accomplishes its mission when all key shareholders, customers and employes alike are position for success,” Tracy wrote.

TaleMed has been successful because it has a focus on top-notch talent, industry insight and company culture. The company has seen sustained growth since it started 10 years ago in a field that has “limitless potential,” Tracy wrote.

This year, TaleMed is preparing to triple the size of the company. In addition, Tracy is reassessing the company’s relationships with hospitals and nurses.

Tracy is on the board of three non-profit organizations and her employees regularly participate in events such as the American Heart Association walk, and regularly volunteer.

Young Professional of Year

The finalists for the Young Professional of the Year award are women who have made a meaningful impact on the organization they are with and with the local business community, Macke said last year.

Samantha Caudill is an account representative at Savor Seasonings. She is the account representative for the midwest and manages about 60 percent of the company’s sales. Caudill also works on marketing for Savor Seasonings and helps the company stay ahead of trends, she wrote in her application.

Caudill is a member of the company’s service team, where she takes employee input on what non-profit organizations to donate to and she leads the food drive. Outside of work, Caudill teaches the 7th grade confirmation class at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

“I find this to be the most fulfilling thing I do in terms of giving back to the community because it is in these classes that I have the chance to impact the lives of these teenagers,” Caudill wrote.

She is a strong leader in her company because working for a small company has made her one. Caudill works with many departments on many different projects, including helping develop and design the new location the company moved to recently and developing a new database system.

Caudill works to mentor others similar to her that are facing challenges, both professionally and personally. In addition, she mentors young women in 7th and 8th grade, who are at an important time in their lives, she feels.

Amanda Fehrenbach, commercial relationship manager for First Financial Bank, started as a part time teller at Key Bank and now works with local business that make $1-10 million in annual revenue and manages $30 million in outstanding loans, she wrote in her application.

She serves on the ME Lyons YMCA board, helps with the financial literacy program at the New Richmond Boys and Girls Club, helps out in her son’s class at William Bick Primary, is a member of the Clermont Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and was an ambassador for the Anderson Chamber of Commerce.

Fehrenbach really enjoys helping businesses meet their goals, which in turn adds local jobs and helps the economy.

“While the process is long, and involves many meetings with the client and our credit team to ensure the best structure for the client it is also my favorite part of my job,” Fehrenbach said.

She advises that other young professional women not be afraid of mistakes, be willing to learn and be a team player.

Jackie McNary is the senior program director for the Clermont County YMCA. She has been working with the YMCA since 2009, when she started as the health educator for YMCA Discover Health. An example of her initiative and creativity was when the Victory Ladies Fitness Center in Anderson was closing. She negotiated an agreement to honor memberships so the women could continue getting exercise. Then, as the women were not used to men and children in their facility, McNary worked hard to make them comfortable, such as telling them low traffic times, she wrote in her responses.

McNary is the Sergeant of Arms and the membership chair for the Cincinnati Eastside Rotary Club, where she begins and ends meetings, takes attendance, recruits, coordinates happy hours and more. She has also been part of the service projects committee.

She considers herself an emerging leader because she puts others first, specifically at the YMCA where she makes members her top priority. McNary feels that her positive attitude is a model for her staff.

“Our member services department can get very busy during our high traffic times, so when I help, I maintain my calm nature and positive attitude to give great experiences to our members. The staff sees and mirrors that behavior because it brings positive results,” McNary wrote.

Andrea Patacca, energy and sales coordinator at Lykins, works on marketing and communications programs, along with product and service expansions, she wrote in her application.

Patacca has been involved with the Clermont Chamber’s Gather on the Green committee, the Rotary Club of Cincinnati Eastside, the Rotary Youth Committee, the Greater Cincinnati Autism Society, the Lykins golf outing that benefits CASA for Clermont Kids and many of Lykins other charitable efforts.

She is the first in her family to graduate from college and is a fourth generation member of Lykins. Patacca launched Lykins’ social media campaigns and the company’s blog and was integral in starting Lykins’ electric business and expanding the company’s natural gas products and services.

Patacca shows support for women best by living by example, which includes volunteering and mentoring others at Lykins.

“She has always been told to work twice as hard as everyone else to show her dedication to the family business and to earn the respect of the Lykins team members, its customers and its vendors,” Patacca wrote.

Danielle Thiel, manager of Park National Bank’s Milford office, joined the bank in 2005 and has had multiple positions. While she was the Banking Center Manager, she and her team led in sales and new accounts and Thiel regularly increased her skills and the skills of her team, she wrote in her application.

She is 2016 Chairperson for the Clermont County March of Dimes campaign, she serves on the Board of the Milford Miami Township Chamber of Commerce and chairs the membership committee, she is a board member for the Milford Schools Foundation, she is active with the Clermont Chamber of Commerce, she has taught Junior Achievement for three years to students at Clough Pike Elementary, Batavia Elementary, Seipelt Elementary and Meadowview Elementary and she has served as a speaker and judge for the DECA program with local high schools. In addition, Thiel has volunteered with many organizations in her own time and with the Milford branch.

Thiel was part of the LEAD Clermont Class of 2016 and has done situational leadership training. She leads by example and enjoys being involved and motivating others.

“I wouldn’t ask my staff to do something that I wasn’t willing to do myself and I think they know that,” Thiel wrote.

All the members of her team at the Milford branch are women and Thiel has development plans for all of them. She prioritizes their career progression and personal development.