ENGLEMAN PROMOTED: 7 17 Credit Union has announced that Shelley Engleman has been promoted to executive vice president and chief risk officer.

In this role, Engleman will serve as 7 17’s second-in-command and sole executive vice president. Her appointment to this leadership position underscores 7 17 Credit Union’s continued commitment to balanced growth and strong executive oversight of risk operations.

Engleman previously served as senior vice president of Risk Management. She has been with 7 17 for 37 years.

Engleman holds a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Malone College and has earned several auditing and risk management designations, including the Certified Internal Auditor designation, the Certified Fraud Examiner designation, the Certified Information Systems Auditor designation and the Certification in Risk Management Assurance.

Engleman has developed the credit union’s Enterprise Risk Management program into a vital and effective program to help keep its members safe from fraud. Her overall responsibility includes overseeing internal audit, compliance, fraud and risk, corporate insurance, business continuity, legal, governance and outreach, and enterprise risk management.

EXCEPTIONAL: The Grand Resort has earned the Distinguished Golf Destination Award with exceptional status, the Howland-based hospitality business said in a news release.

The honor, presented by BoardRoom magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, represents the hallmark of excellence for a golf course.

This merit-based designation recognizes exceptional golf courses that exceed expectations in the quality of service and amenities, facilities and the teamwork of the staff and management.

“Quality leadership, exceptional golf experiences and clean and pristine facilities are the elements which have come together to create an outstanding and distinguished organization that truly stands out among its peers,” said John Fornaro, publisher and co-founder of BoardRoom. “We are incredibly proud of The Grand Resort, and (its general manager) Kelli Denman for what this facility has accomplished, and I have no doubt that their guests are equally proud to be a part of such a wonderful property.”

TOURISM LEADER: Trumbull County Tourism has announced that Samantha Ensminger has successfully completed the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy, a six-month leadership program sponsored by the Ohio Travel Association.

The experience strengthens participants’ leadership skills, industry knowledge and statewide networks.

“This is part of our commitment to ongoing professional development,” said Beth Kotwis Carmichael, CEO of Trumbull Tourism. “These are durable skills that strengthen our work now and support our staff as their careers grow in the years ahead.”

Ensminger, who serves as the agency’s marketing manager, called the experience enriching.

“I’m excited to use the tools I gained to help us deliver accountable marketing that supports our local businesses and strengthens Trumbull County’s economy,” she said.

PRIZED CERTIFICATION: Youngstown State University has been awarded a three-year certification by the Foundry Educational Foundation to become the first in Ohio and 1 of only 6 nationwide selected for the 2025-2026 cycle.

The certification recognizes colleges and universities that meet the foundation’s rigorous standards for excellence in metalcasting and foundry education. Certified programs demonstrate strong industry partnerships, modern facilities and student success in areas such as research, competitions and workforce placement. This certification will allow YSU to expand upon its educational offerings in advanced manufacturing and metalcasting disciplines.

“This certification sets YSU apart as a leader in foundry education and advanced manufacturing,” said Brian Vuksanovich, professor in the School of Computer Science, Information and Engineering Technology and YSU’s Foundry Educational Foundation key professor. “Our program has consistently received requests from employers seeking graduates with foundry experience. This recognition helps strengthen our connection to industry and supports our students with scholarships, internships and professional opportunities.”

YSU’s mechanical engineering technology program has established a strong regional and national presence in metalcasting, particularly through its state-of-the-art robotic foundry housed in the Excellence Training Center. The facility was designed and built by YSU faculty, staff and students in collaboration with regional industry partners and uses the same automation and casting technologies applied in the field.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber will launch a new Local Government Leadership Academy in December to help elected and appointed public officials strengthen their knowledge, skills and connections to better serve their communities.

The four-month program will feature leaders from across Ohio, including legislators and representatives from the Ohio Governor’s, Auditor’s and Attorney General’s offices, discussing issues essential to effective local government. The topics are ethics, budget requests and advocacy, efficient and secure government and record management and Sunshine laws. Each session also will include regionally focused courses such as regional collaboration and common obstacles.

Sessions are Dec. 5 — America Makes, 236 W. Boardman St., Youngstown: Record Management and Sunshine Laws; Jan. 9 — Location to be determined: Budget Requests and Advocacy; Feb. 6 — Location to be determined: Efficient and Secure Government; and March 6 — BRITE Energy Innovators, 125 W. Market St., Warren: Ethics.

Limited seats are available. Early registration is encouraged at regionalchamber.com under the Events menu item. Sessions will be half-day programs with lunch provided.

Cost is $100 for Chamber members and $150 for nonmembers. The registration fee covers all four sessions. Attendance is required for all four dates to receive a certificate of completion from the Chamber.

GARRETT APPOINTED: Warren-Trumbull County Public Library Deputy Director Kimberly Garrett has been appointed to fill the executive director position, effective Nov. 24, upon the retirement of Jim Wilkins.

Garrett joined the library system in 2021 after serving more than 11 years with other local libraries. She is active in community and professional organizations and was selected to participate in Library Leadership Ohio 2024, a statewide library leadership program. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing from Youngstown State University.

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: The Governor’s Office of Appalachia wants Appalachian students, which includes Mahoning and Trumbull counties, to make their plans for next year’s summer study programs through the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Students have until Dec. 3 to apply for one of two free summer opportunities. The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy and Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge are competitive, residential programs that bring together students and educators from across the 13-state Appalachian region for hands-on learning, professional mentorship and career exploration. Both programs include round-trip travel, lodging, meals, supplies and extracurricular activities.

The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy is a two-week-long program at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, designed to help students develop essential entrepreneurial skills. From July 11-24, 2026, students will develop, implement and refine their own business ideas, and deliver pitches to a panel of entrepreneurs. Additional details and applications can be found at arc.gov/AEA.

The Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge is a hands-on learning experience for Appalachian middle and high school students and high school teachers in STEM-related fields. Hosted in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, students gain exposure to applied science and STEM education and teachers work with science practitioners to develop STEM-related curriculum. Additional details and applications can be found at arc.gov/STEM.

CELEBRATION DONATION: Pecchia Communications, a Canfield-based public relations and marketing firm, is celebrating 20 years in business by donating $20,000 to the Big Reach Center of Hope, a food distribution center at Greenford Christian Church.

“This 20-year milestone brings great pride,” said Dan Pecchia, founder and president of Pecchia Communications. “It brings an even greater sense of gratitude for the many individuals who helped us get off the ground, sustained us through tough years and powered us to success beyond our dreams.”

Pecchia opened Pecchia Communications in November 2005 after losing his job unexpectedly. His aim was to land a few projects while he looked for another job. But the venture “took off” before any suitable jobs became available, he said.

Now with a team of six professionals, Pecchia Communications has created PR and marketing strategies and materials for more than 70 companies, including Timken, Whirlpool, General Electric, American Greetings, Wendy’s, Wrangler, Corning, the Cafaro Company, Schwebel Baking, Turning Technologies, the Robinson-Shuba Handshake Statue Campaign, the Rayen Stadium Renovation Campaign, Harrington Hoppe & Mitchell, Aim Transportation Solutions, the Mahoning County Land Bank, and the Youngstown Foundation.

A ministry of Greenford Christian Church, the Big Reach is a donation-based food distribution center serving anyone in need from the Mahoning Valley and surrounding communities.

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