Smart Business Magazine, September 2017

20 Smart Business Columbus September 2017 Mike Davis PRESIDENT Engineered Profiles LLC www engineeredprofiles com Engineered Profiles LLC under the direction of Mike Davis took a hard look at itself and determined that it had to do a better job hiring training and retaining production employees in order to grow Historically the plastic extruder formerly Crane Plastics required four temporary employees to convert one to full time status and on average a new employee took two years to become a senior operator The new internally developed training program blends classroom and line experience Experienced hires are fast tracked others get step by step instruction with take home materials and audio visual aids Twenty new operators were trained in the programs first three months 18 are still with the company Engineered Profiles is also creating lesson plans for advanced techniques and processes to further develop all employees 2017 Central Ohio Smart 50 Philip Derrow PRESIDENT AND CEO Ohio Transmission Corp www otpnet com Ohio Transmission Corp the parent company of OTP Industrial Solutions and Air Technologies understands who and what it is and what its role is in the marketplace In 1998 Philip Derrow took over the company his father founded in 1963 He recognizes any organization is bigger than its leader and has led OTC through both internal change and external growth For example OTC had 290 associates in 2006 When revenue dropped by 25 percent during the recession the company adhered to its long tradition of no layoffs Instead it underwent a rebranding effort revamped its website and even hired employees Today OTC has more than 800 employees OTCs significant growth is due to its bold new ideas strategic acquisitions and a strong focus on corporate culture Troy Gabriel MANAGING PARTNER Franklin Equipment LLC www franklinequipment com Franklin Equipment LLC began with a goal to effectively do both rental and sales for construction and agriculture equipment In less than a decade under Troy Gabriels leadership the company has expanded into 10 cities Franklin differentiates itself through strategic and focused marketing initiatives It uses traditional radio TV print billboard telemarketing social and new web digital geofencing media as well as large scale special events When opening a new location the marketing and leadership teams mobilize to create buzz and generate sales The goal is to minimize the number of days it takes to become cash flow positive Franklin prides itself on clean organized stores and well dressed employees Employees also are empowered to satisfy customer needs and solve their problems including 24 7 parts delivery and service Matthew Goldstein EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Besa www givebesa org Matthew Goldstein couldnt find easy opportunities to volunteer more despite working weekends at a suicide hotline So he left his corporate job and founded Besa a nonprofit dedicated to supporting those who need it most by connecting people and businesses with local charities In four years Besa has organized more than 1000 volunteer projects rallied people to give more than 27000 volunteer hours and provided 900000 in community impact through more than 75 nonprofit partners Not only does Besa have a public web portal where individuals can easily find and sign up for roughly 20 volunteer opportunities each month citywide the organization also developed Besa Promise a software platform that helps corporations such as Big Lots Safelite AutoGlass and GBQ Partners manage their philanthropic efforts Derek Grosso CEO AND FOUNDER Columbus Young Professionals Club www cypclub com Derek Grosso only knew one person when he first moved to Columbus so he started the Columbus Young Professionals Club It is a networking group social club volunteer network and an athletics coordinator all rolled into one that today has more than 25000 members This year the organization which is the nations largest membership club for young professionals expanded its Ohio Young Professionals Weekend into a full week of programming The club is also expanding into other cities establishing young professionals clubs in Nashville and Milwaukee Additionally Grossos consulting company The Grosso Group advises young professional organizations and membership clubs around the country Grosso has helped launch or grow more than 50 young professional organizations and initiatives over the past five years in nearly a dozen cities Dianne Grote Adams PRESIDENT AND OWNER SafeX Inc www safex us Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year SafeX Inc has changed the picture of occupational health and safety consulting in Central Ohio by making it a business about people Under the leadership of Dianne Grote Adams the customer experience is driven by attention to detail customer oriented processes and a no tolerance policy for anything but quality The company delivers training and regulatory information taking safety beyond the realm of just OSHA compliance by offering webinars and hybrid module training courses online and in person This provides an outlet for health and safety needs without the out of office or travel time generally associated with these services Grote Adams also places focus on employee growth and professional development by encouraging continued education and involvement in professional organizations and networking opportunities Smart50COL