Business briefs

BROTHERS FORM SCHOLARSHIP: Gary Brantley, senior vice president and chief information officer for the NFL, and his brother, attorney Bryan Brantley, have announced they will establish a scholarship endowment at the YSU Foundation.

The Brantley Family Scholarship will provide assistance to a black and brown student who is a resident of Youngstown majoring in either political science in the pre-law program or computer science, as those were the majors of both Brantley brothers.

Both brothers graduated from Calvary Christian Academy in Youngstown. Gary graduated from YSU in 2002 with his bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences and received his master’s degree in management in 2013 from the University of Phoenix. Bryan graduated from YSU in 2001 with his bachelor’s degree in political science and received his law degree from Duquesne University in 2004.

Gary has been the CIO for the NFL since October 2022. Prior to, he worked as chief information officer for Beazer Homes, the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County Schools, and was the vice president of IT for Ohio.

Bryan is a litigation partner, a member of the board of partners and leader of the transportation industry team at McGuireWoods, a national law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 24 offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia.

WRTA ANNOUNCES CONTEST WINNERS: Thirteen local small businesses were selected to be featured in the 2024 Western Reserve Transit Authority Give Small Business A Lift campaign.

They are All Spruced Up Cleaning Co., Avalon Downtown Pizzeria, J. Jenee Spa & Wellness, Gloris, Counseling Services, La La Love Healthcare LLC, Charly’s Family Restaurant, The Joshua Tree, The Emma Elf Project, Rescued to Riches Pet Groom and Board, Bending Oak, Permaculture Farm, Haus Auto Group, Guided Compass Holistic Health and QUICKmed Urgent Care.

The WRTA began the campaign in 2022 as a way to help Valley small businesses thrive. So far, 37 businesses and their owners have been featured.

The 13 featured small businesses will be promoted on WRTA buses, social media, on a giant digital sign downtown and elsewhere.

CLEVER WINS AWARDS: Youngstown-based marketing firm, Clever, won three awards at the American Advertising Federation’s fifth district competition.

Clever received Silver Addys for the Black History Month Campaign for Alta Care Group and the AdChella Campaign for the Ad Chapter, as well as a MOSAIC Addy for the Black History Month Campaign for Alta Care Group. The MOSAIC Addy is a special judge’s choice award that honors work that best exemplifies a spirit of diversity and inclusion, and it is the second MOSAIC award the team has received for this campaign.

The fifth district represents 11 professional advertising associations and 18 college chapters in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.

PETREY RECOGNIZED BY FORBES: Tim Petrey, chief executive of Liberty-based HD Growth Partners and founder of White Glove Payroll, was recently listed by Forbes as one of “America’s Top 200 CPAs of 2024”.

Forbes’ selection process, spanning nearly a year, is an evaluation of CPAs nationwide. Being part of the list is a testament to the dedication and hard work of each one of the CPAs. Forbes recognizes the honorees for their technical expertise, roles in innovation, thought leadership, community service and ethical standards.

Petrey began working for HD Growth Partners in 2009. The accolade follows recent awards, including CPA Practice Advisor’s 40 Under 40 list, Ohio’s 500 Most Influential Leaders and being named to the Association of Ohio Commodores.

COMPANY TO MARK DAY: City Machine Technologies, Inc. established National Skilled Trades

Day to promote awareness about the benefits of skilled trades jobs in the U.S. and to celebrate skilled trades workers.

National Skilled Trades Day is observed annually on the first Wednesday in May, as proclaimed by the registrar at the National Day Calendar.

CMT is partnering with Penguin City Brewery, 460 E. Federal St., Youngstown, for a family-friendly event to celebrate the day. The “Cheers to Beers and Careers” event will be 4 to 7 p.m. May 1.

Children attending can dress up like skilled trades workers and trick-or-treat in the brewery since it will be halfway to Halloween. There also will be a costume contest and M-7 Technologies will sponsor a kids’ dance party.

People on the move

FIRM ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERS: BSHM Architects has announced Michael Ruscitti, Mary O. Dennis and Michael Vala have been elevated to firm partners.

Ruscitti, who has been with the firm for more than 10 years and is president-elected of the AIA Youngstown Board, will be responsible for co-operation of the downtown Youngstown location of BSHM, as well as business development.

Dennis, also will be responsible for co-operation of the Youngstown office. Dennis, who has been a registered architect for 32 years, has been with BSHM since 2001. Dennis was the first woman president of the local American Institute of Architects, from 1998 through 2000.

Vala will be responsible for overseeing operations of the Columbus location of BSHM.

VALLEY NATIVE ELECTED CHAIRMAN: Richard L. LaRocca, certified club Manager, certified chief executive, was elected vice chairman of the Club Management Association of America at its 2024 World Conference and Club Business Expo in March in Las Vegas.

He was first elected to the board of directors in 2018 and reelected in 2021.

LaRocca, a native of Youngstown and graduate of Youngstown State University, serves general manager / chief operating officer of St. Clair Country Club in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.

As vice chairman, LaRocca will work with the membership, national committees and task forces, partners and the national headquarters team to advance the profession and the broader industry collaboratively.

Founded in 1927, the association is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 7,800 members throughout the U.S. and internationally. Members include more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town and yacht clubs.

NEW MEMBERS JOIN AUTISM SOCIETY BOARD: The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley has brought on five individuals to its board of

Directors. They are:

– Stefanie Hill, a special educator at Potential Development Elementary and Middle

School for Students with Autism.

– Laura McBride, director of special services for the Springfield Local School District.

– Mary Mihalopoulos, director of the Adult Career Center at Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.

– Michael Mock, branch manager, Premier Bank’s Boardman office.

– Chelsea Munroe, a project specialist, Enbridge Gas Ohio and the founding Chapter President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Trumbull County.

The society was founded by local families in 1989 to support local families affected by autism. It is an affiliate of the Autism Society of America and serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.