ON BOARD: Ely Vuksanovich, a junior at Youngstown State University, has joined Trumbull Foundry and Alloy as a mechanical engineering technology intern, where she is already contributing to key manufacturing projects and hands-on process improvements.

Born and raised in the Youngstown area, Vuksanovich is pursuing her associate and bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology at YSU. Her interest in engineering was sparked early, shaped by a family culture of building, repairing, and problem-solving.

“My family is full of DIYers and engineers in almost all areas of life,” she said. “I grew up knowing how to change a tire, rewire the house lights, and do stuff myself, so engineering was a very easy choice.”

Since joining Trumbull Foundry and Alloy, Vuksanovich has helped bring the industrial 3D printers online for the pattern and mold department and assisted in setting up the machine shop, gaining practical experience across multiple disciplines.

Earlier this year, Ely was part of Youngstown State University’s award-winning team in the 2024 Cast in Steel competition, where students designed and cast a fully functional modern-day George Washington Sword from scratch with the help of Trumbull Foundry and Alloy. For many students, this was more than a competition; it was an introduction to the foundry world.

TROUTT NAMED: Anthony Troutt was named chief executive officer of Belmont Pines Hospital, effective last month. Troutt brings over two decades of experience in behavioral health care operations, risk management and patient safety.

Before stepping into executive leadership, Troutt held roles within sister facilities of Belmont Pines’ parent company, including serving as chief operating officer-in-training at Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health in Virginia, and loss control manager supporting 17 behavioral health facilities across multiple states. In these roles, Troutt specialized in developing employee safety initiatives, injury prevention programs and performance improvement strategies that directly impacted patient outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

From 2005 to 2020, Troutt served in multiple leadership roles at a residential treatment center serving youth from the U.S. and international territories. His responsibilities spanned risk management, compliance, patient safety and international admissions. Troutt also served as the facility’s PREA coordinator, privacy officer, and compliance officer.

“I am eager to continue to lead the Belmont Pines team as they deliver clinical excellence and serve patients,” Troutt said.

Troutt holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Tennessee State University. He has completed extensive professional training through the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, FEMA’s Incident Command System, and the Leadership Excellence Program of the parent company.

TOPNOTCH EFFORT: Representing Boardman Subaru, Master Technician Brendon Maurer placed second in the National Subaru Technician Competition held at Subaru of America headquarters in Camden, New Jersey.

The event brought 14 of the top Subaru technicians from across the United States, each hand-selected by their regional district service quality manager for their exceptional technical skill and performance.

Maurer, who joined Boardman Subaru over six years ago, quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the youngest Subaru Master Technicians in the country — achieving master status at just 24 years old.

The competition tested each participant’s ability to diagnose and repair complex, real-world vehicle issues under timed conditions. It’s a showcase of the precision, technical expertise and problem-solving ability that Subaru technicians demonstrate daily at retailers across the country.

“We’re incredibly proud of Brendon and his accomplishment,” said Scott Ceratti, service manager of Boardman Subaru. “His dedication, humility and commitment to excellence represent exactly what our service team stands for. To see him perform at such a high level nationally is inspiring for our entire dealership.”

MORE SUPPORT FOR TNP: The Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership recently received $8,000 in support from PNC Bank for “Building A Better Warren,” a jobs program that employs local residents in the execution of neighborhood revitalization plans and blight remediation efforts.

“At PNC, we believe the strength of our company is deeply tied to the strength of the communities we serve,” said Ted Schmidt, PNC regional president of Youngstown. “That’s why we invest in programs like Building A Better Warren, which not only create economic opportunity but also bring vibrancy and renewed confidence to neighborhoods across our region.”

The program emphasizes hiring local workers for jobs that improve Trumbull County neighborhoods, such as property rehabilitation, tree planting and ongoing property maintenance. The program also partners with the Trumbull County Land Reutilization Corporation to focus rehabilitation work on properties in the Land Corporation’s current inventory.

“This program is focused on creating stable, year-round employment opportunities for local residents while restoring and improving our neighborhoods,” said Matt Martin, executive director of TNP. “Through BABW, we’re able to employ community members to make a direct impact where they live, bringing together a range of resources and partnerships to make it possible. We’re deeply appreciative of PNC Bank’s ongoing support.”

ACQUISITION: Tax Shop, a provider of tax and accounting services in Columbiana, announced its recent acquisition of JWS Accounting and Tax Preparation, based in Howland. This move expands Tax Shop’s footprint in the Mahoning Valley and strengthens its commitment to serving a broader client base.

The acquisition brings together two highly respected firms, combining Tax Shop’s innovative approach and comprehensive service offerings with JWS Accounting and Tax Preparation’s community roots and client trust. JWS Accounting and Tax Preparation has been a cornerstone of the Howland business community for more than two decades, known for its personalized service and expertise in individual and small business tax preparation.

“We are thrilled to welcome the clients of JWS Accounting and Tax Preparation to the Tax Shop family,” said Bill Welsh, Tax Shop’s CEO and owner. “This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our growth strategy, allowing us to better serve the Mahoning Valley area with an expanded team of experienced professionals and a wider range of services.

“We are committed to maintaining the high standards of service that JWS clients have come to expect, while also introducing them to the enhanced resources and capabilities that Tax Shop offers.”

Tax Shop offers locations in Columbiana, Niles and Calcutta.

TESLA TEST DRIVE: Tesla has set up an interactive display and demo drive center at Eastwood Mall’s Center Court.

The Tesla Cybertruck is on display and gives shoppers a look at its stainless-steel exoskeleton and groundbreaking features. Tesla employees will be on hand to answer questions, review specifications and help customize and place orders.

Tesla brings opportunities for demo drives to the mall. These test drives will launch from designated parking spaces, located outside the Food Court entrance. In addition to the Cybertruck, Tesla also will offer opportunities to take its four other models for demo drives.

The Tesla display and test drive opportunity is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. To take a Cybertruck for a demo drive, customers need to be 21 years of age or older, with a valid driver’s license and auto insurance policy.

RECOGNIZED: Meridian HealthCare has received its Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike designation, a federal recognition for the organization’s commitment to comprehensive, accessible and patient-centered primary care.

The designation, awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration, acknowledges Meridian as a community-based health center meeting the same high standards as federally qualified health centers nationwide. The achievement follows an extensive application and review process designed to assess clinical quality, accessibility, community impact and organizational excellence.

“This is a major milestone for Meridian and a reflection of the quality, dedication and compassion our team brings to patients every day,” said Larry Moliterno, president and CEO of Meridian HealthCare. “The FQHC Look-Alike designation confirms what our patients already know: that our primary care services meet the same national benchmarks as leading health centers across the country.”

The new status not only highlights Meridian’s standing as a legitimate, federally qualified primary care facility but also strengthens its ability to expand access and recognition as a community-based health center; deepen community impact by reducing financial barriers and ensuring continuity of care; integrate pharmacy services, aligning with the upcoming Meridian Road Pharmacy; increase future funding opportunities and partnerships; and continue to grow programs and serve the community.

YSU RULES: The Student Investment Fund at Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration earned first place in the Portfolio Building Competition at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium, held recently in Chicago.

The annual competition challenges teams from across the country to design a long-term investment strategy and construct a mock portfolio of $100,000 in equities using rigorous fundamental analysis. Over the course of three weeks, YSU students prepared a comprehensive investment plan, demonstrating their ability to analyze economic, industrial, political, global and financial conditions. These students also had to apply valuation techniques and risk management principles into the comprehensive plan.

“This achievement is a direct reflection of the depth of preparation our students receive at WCBA,” said Peter (Huaiyu) Chen, associate professor in the Lariccia School of Accounting & Finance and faculty adviser for the Student Investment Fund. “Our finance curriculum builds a strong foundation in economic analysis, financial analysis, portfolio management and valuation — all of which are critical to competing at this level. The students devoted about three weeks to prepare for this competition, but their success is rooted in the knowledge and skills they develop throughout our program.”

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