Smart Business Magazine, June 2019

60 Smart Business Cleveland June 2019 Jill Van Auken PRINCIPAL Van Auken Akins Architects LLC Despite the male dominated nature of the architectural industry Jill Van Auken founded Van Auken Akins Architects LLC in 1992 with a vision to earn a seat at the table and win projects that are rewarding as well as have a positive impact on the community Today although licensed women architects account for just 20 percent of the profession Van Auken Akins has built a staff that is 70 percent female While she is often the only woman at a project meeting or job site Van Aukens hard work and perseverance have allowed her to establish an impressive client list with 80 percent of clients coming from referral She also donates her time and services to schools to mentor the next generation Kevin R Weidinger PRESIDENT AND CEO Great Lakes Fasteners Inc Great Lakes Fasteners Inc has supplied quality production and MRO fasteners to Midwest manufacturers since 1958 The organization has grown largely through strategic acquisitions particularly after the economy slumped in 2008 Unlike competitors during that time President and CEO Kevin R Weidinger led the company to invest in salespeople and work with manufacturers on process and cost reductions suggesting less expensive standard parts and more efficient ways to buy and stock production lines The organization extended special credit terms to several clients to help them through the financial crisis These efforts paid off with Great Lakes Fasteners weathering the storm and benefiting today from a seasoned staff and loyal clients who have rewarded the organization with additional business opportunities and referrals Scott Swaldo GENERAL MANAGER Gervasi Vineyard Through a combination of luck and strength of vision the Gervasi family acquired the nearly abandoned Jabberwocky Tree farm in 2009 and turned it into Gervasi Vineyard a premier winery and vineyard in Canton Today each year the 55 acre estate attracts more than 200000 visitors looking for a great place to dine spend a getaway or host an event General manager Scott Swaldo son of owner Ted Swaldo oversees operations and continued development of the brand inspired by his familys Italian roots Under their joint guidance Gervasi Vineyard has grown to encompass a winery three restaurants indoor and outdoor event venues luxury overnight suites a boutique gift shop and coming soon a state of the art distillery and coffee house by day cocktail lounge by night Sonia M Winner PRESIDENT AND CEO Cleveland Museum of Natural History As president and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Sonia M Winner leads the nearly 100 year old institutions efforts to leverage philanthropic support and share the impact of science education and research both locally and globally Backed by an outstanding team of world class scientists researchers and educators Winner has been recognized by trustees for her effective leadership and strategy to deliver on the museums promise to create a more engaging and interactive showcase at the forefront of conservation science education and scientific discovery Winner has made notable strides in talent management and development for the museum with a passion for nurturing STEM based careers for women She oversees the continued modernization of the museum campus ensuring renovation projects respond to changes in technology science education and the community John Ziss Jr EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Kurtz Bros Inc John Ziss Jr is part of the fourth generation of Kurtz family members moving into leadership roles at landscaping supply and delivery company Kurtz Bros Inc Over the last decade hes contributed to the expansion of the company building a vision for the future that includes broadening of the companys products and services offerings and its reach both regionally and nationally As executive vice president Ziss takes a hands on approach to leadership working beside employees to support and encourage them to be the best they can be Hes also working to implement a continuous improvement model across company operations products and services to ensure the company is the best it can be His smart strategies have helped Kurtz Bros develop into a leader in the waste to resource industry in Northeast Ohio Ed Weinfurtner CEO Great Day Improvements LLC dba Patio Enclosures Stanek Windows Serial entrepreneur Ed Weinfurtner acquired Great Day Improvements LLC the exclusive manufacturer and installer of Patio Enclosures brand sunrooms and screen rooms and Stanek Windows in 2014 The organization was experiencing significant financial and operational challenges and suffering from low employee morale Weinfurtner came in with a simple strategy to turn the business around Focus on the needs of the companys customers and evaluate the organizations core competencies Driving continuous improvements backed by new tools to gauge real time performance and customer satisfaction data Great Day Improvements has since doubled in revenue size expanded into nine new markets over the past two years and ranks as one of the Top 25 largest residential remodeling companies in the U S by Qualified Remodeler 2019 Northeast Ohio Smart