Smart Business Magazine, December 2018

36 Smart Business Cleveland December 2018 2018Pill r Award for Community Service M ark A Birtha is a highly regarded gaming and hospitality executive with more than 25 years of experience in the world of casino resort hotels At the same time he understands the importance of giving back and has brought his philanthropic spirit to his role as president of Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park Associates Since its opening Rocksino has donated over 33 million in gifts and in kind support to various philanthropic organizations in Northeast Ohio The company has been a success operationally as it was named Hard Rock Internationals Casino of the Year in 2014 and 2016 As president Birtha has overseen the Rocksinos multiple expansions and successes paving the way for more opportunities to give back Birtha not only gives financially he also makes time for mentoring students hosting charity events and supporting veterans as well as participating in various charitable activities in the region He has been a board member at Susan G Komen Northeast Ohio since 2017 was an honoree and speaker for the Human Rights Campaign in Ohio in 2017 and served as honorary chair of the 2017 Urban League of Greater Clevelands 100th anniversary gala Outside of work Birtha has a passion for mentoring future leaders In 2011 he was appointed president of the national executive board of the Cornell Hotel Society the 90 yearold alumni association that represents 12500 Hotel School graduates from around the world Birtha has been a regular lecturer at the Hotel School which is now part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park Associates Mark A Birtha president P I L L A R AWA R D H O N O R E E H ome Instead Senior Care is a health service organization dedicated to providing personalized quality private duty home care to seniors in Northeast Ohio who are in need of the support Under the leadership of CEO Therese Zdesar Home Instead Senior Cares philosophy is we are dedicated to our community through personal volunteer time sharing of employee talents community outreach programs and financial contributions In 2018 the Be A Santa to a Senior program collected gifts for over 1000 seniors in Lake Geauga and Portage counties The project requires yearlong planning coordinating with community partners local chambers of commerce and major local shopping malls Those involved work closely with local nonprofits that serve the elderly to identify needy seniors who could benefit from the program This part of the process involves engagement with local hospitals nursing homes attorney guardianship offices senior centers and local offices on aging The program showcases best practices that can occur when the for profit and nonprofit worlds come together in a spirit of volunteerism to help those in need As a result of economic uncertainty many organizations have seen charitable contributions decrease over the past few years Conversely Home Instead Senior Care has seen significant growth in its Be A Santa to a Senior program and is committed to its continued expansion When the Be A Santa to a Senior program launched in 2004 Home Instead Senior Care collected gifts for 186 seniors It now brings joy to seniors across Northeast Ohio Home Instead Senior Care Therese Zdesar CEO P I L L A R AWA R D H O N O R E E