HEINTZELMAN HONORED: Dr. Alex Heintzelman, associate professor of Family and Community Medicine at NEOMED and associate program director of family medicine at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, has been named the 2025 NEOMED faculty recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

This national award recognizes faculty members who are exemplars and mentors of humanism in the care of patients and families. Honorees are selected for their dedication to kind, safe, trustworthy care. Those recognized with this award are also inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a program of the nonprofit Gold Foundation.

“Dr. Heintzelman brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to both his clinical work and his teaching,” said Dr. Jim Kravec, chief clinical officer, Mercy Health-Lorain and Youngstown, and system medical director of Graduate Medical Education at Bon Secours Mercy Health. “He’s a valued mentor to our residents, and this award underscores his commitment to preparing future family medicine physicians to care for Mahoning Valley patients and families for decades to come.”

Heintzelman was selected by students in the College of Medicine for his unwavering commitment to the principles of humanism in clinical practice and medical education. As a physician and educator, he is known for fostering meaningful relationships with his patients and serving as a compassionate role model for future health care providers. Heintzelman received the award and delivered the keynote address during NEOMED’s Virtuous Healer Honor Society induction ceremony, which was held in March.

eXpo AT EASTWOOD: The Youngstown Business Incubator will present its inaugural Advanced Manufacturing User eXpo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles.

This event brings together leading minds in advanced manufacturing, defense, aerospace and emerging tech to explore how innovation is transforming the industrial landscape.

AMUX 2025 will feature expert-led panels, hands-on product demonstrations and curated networking opportunities.

Topics include Industrial Internet of Things; additive manufacturing with polymers; 3D-printed sand core applications; SBIR / STTR funding and R&D programs; and the launch of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Defense and Aerospace.

The event will showcase cutting-edge equipment, startup technologies and regional success stories. Attendees will also have access to representatives from federal research initiatives and capital resource providers to explore funding and partnership opportunities.

Tickets are available for $25 and include full event access, lunch and an open networking reception at the end of the day.

For more information, tickets or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.ybi.org/amux.

FRANCHISE AWARDED: Appell Striping, a leader in professional pavement maintenance and line striping services, has announced its company’s expansion.

The new location is being launched by Valley residents Liam Wickwire and Ryan Clawson. Wickwire, a Canfield native who earned his economics degree from Duquesne University, brings a background in new home construction sales. Clawson, a Youngstown native, worked his way up in the automotive industry before overcoming a life-altering diagnosis that left him forced to relearn to walk and talk. The pair connected through family and business ties, researched multiple franchise opportunities and were drawn to Appell for its opportunity and growth potential.

With a focus on both aesthetics and functionality, Appell ensures that parking lots leave a lasting impression on customers visiting a business. Appell Striping’s commitment to quality and efficiency makes it the go-to provider for huge national brands, including the largest coffee and fast-food restaurants in the United States.

“Liam and Ryan are a perfect fit for Appell, and we’re thrilled to have them bring Appell Striping to Ohio and see them grow,” said Bryan Appell, co-founder of Appell Striping. “Liam’s drive, energy and commitment as a young entrepreneur, paired with Ryan’s resilience, determination and leadership create a strong foundation, made even stronger by their deep ties to the community.”

NAMED TO INTERN PROGRAM: The Ohio Export Internship Program, created by the Ohio Department of Development and offered at Youngstown State University since 2014, provides professional preparation for students to develop the knowledge and skills to help companies expand their exporting activities and supports businesses by providing skilled and knowledgeable interns.

All students in the 2025 cohort earned six industry specialized badges: Export Documentation, Incoterms 2020, Duty Drawback, International Terms of Payment and Export Compliance. If a student passes all five main topics, they will receive the sixth badge, Mastery in Export-Global Supply Chain.

This year’s participants are:

Batool Alkarain, from Palestine and born in Jordan, is a senior majoring in international business; Cara Mia Battaglia, a junior majoring in marketing and a minor in international business; Moritz Bayer, from Vienna, Austria, is a junior majoring in finance-financial management track; Andrew Cvetkovic, who is majoring in business analytics and economics, along with a second major in philosophy;

Hannah Egli, from Homeworth, is a second-year student majoring in marketing; Amber Henriquez is majoring in business analytics and economics with a minor in finance; Gretchen George, from Austintown, is a third-year student majoring in supply chain management; Maria Insana is majoring in business administration with a double minor in marketing and nutrition and health;

Sara Sahagun is a third-year student majoring in international business; Andrew Seaman is majoring in business administration with a minor in finance; James Slessor, a third-year student from Auckland, New Zealand, is majoring in supply chain management with a double minor in international business and professional selling, along with certificates in enterprise resource planning and leadership;

Alyssa Sugar is a junior from Struthers, majoring in supply chain management; and Nicolas Velez is majoring in international business with a minor in entrepreneurship and a certificate in supply chain management.

CITY MACHINE CITED: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Mahoning Valley Safety Council, in partnership with City Machine Technologies Inc., has announced ClarkDietrich Building Systems as the recipient of the 2025 Joan Kovach Safety Leadership Award.

Named in memory of Joan Kovach, co-founder of City Machine Technologies Inc., the award recognizes a company that demonstrates exceptional commitment to safety training, operations, funding and communications. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to a standout organization in Trumbull, Mahoning or Columbiana counties.

ClarkDietrich Building Systems, the largest manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing in North America, operates facilities in Vienna and Warren. The company exemplifies safety leadership through extensive new-hire training, monthly safety committee meetings, near-miss reporting and creative initiatives such as a companywide “Safety Dojo” and a family-engaged safety calendar. These programs and investments, including more than $500,000 allocated for new safety equipment, illustrate the company’s dedication to protecting its workforce.

“ClarkDietrich has always strived to be a leader in every aspect of our business, including safety. Our team at the Vienna, Ohio, plant prides itself on providing a safe work environment for not only our employees, but for everyone who walks into our facility,” said Kenneth VonBergen, safety manager. “ClarkDietrich is always striving to improve safety and we invest large amounts of capital each year to do so. We have several projects that we are currently working on to help reduce/eliminate risks and increase hazard awareness on the production floor.”

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