BOETCHER HONORED: Martin J. Boetcher, a lawyer with Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell Ltd., has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list for 2026, marking his second year in a row on the roster.

Published by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, the list is based on peer review by lawyers throughout Ohio. About 5% of the state’s attorneys are selected to appear on the list.

Boetcher was recognized under the Employment & Labor category in 2025 and has secured distinction in that same practice area for the coming year. He serves clients throughout the Youngstown, Warren and Salem areas on matters of employment, workers’ compensation and general civil litigation. He is certified as a specialist in workers’ compensation law by the Ohio State Bar Association.

Boetcher has practiced law for more than 30 years with HHM and its predecessor firms. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from The Ohio State University. Boetcher also is an alumnus of the Stadium Dorm, where he resided during his time at Ohio State.

MERGER ANNOUNCED: HD Growth Partners, a tax, accounting and business advisory firm headquartered in Youngstown, this month announced its merger with Onpointe Advisors, an advisory firm based in Shaker Heights.

“This merger is about bringing together two talented teams who share the same passion for helping business owners,” said Tim Petrey, CEO of HD Growth Partners. “By combining our strengths, we can provide even greater expertise, tools, and guidance to help companies grow and succeed across Ohio.”

The merger brings HD Growth Partners to more than 80 employees statewide, with offices in Youngstown, Shaker Heights and Cincinnati. A newly renovated office in the Tower East Building, adjacent to the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights, will serve as a hub for the firm’s strategic expansion into the Cleveland market.

HD Growth Partners and Onpointe Advisors are both recognized for their people-focused cultures and leadership in fostering growth, innovation, and excellence for their clients and their teams.

Under the HD Growth Partners name, the combined team will provide an expanded range of services to business owners across Northeast Ohio.

“This merger will enable us to deliver greater value to our clients at every level of service,” said David Leavitt, partner. “They will continue to receive the same personal, relationship-driven service that is our hallmark, now with the added benefit of a larger team and deeper resources.”

RECOGNIZED: Youngstown State University’s newly redesigned website, ysu.edu, has been recognized with a Silver Award in the Institutional Website – Update / Refresh category of the 13th Annual Education Digital Marketing Awards.

The awards celebrate innovative and effective digital communication efforts across the education sector. This year’s competition saw more than a thousand entries from colleges, universities and secondary schools across the country. Submissions were judged by a panel of education marketers, advertising creative directors and industry professionals who evaluated creativity, design, functionality and strategic impact.

YSU’s redesigned website — launched in April — was developed to offer a faster, cleaner, and more user-friendly experience. The updated ysu.edu features modern design elements, simplified navigation and enhanced functionality to help prospective students, current Penguins, faculty, staff, alumni and community members easily access the information they need. The site is fully responsive across devices and built with accessibility and engagement at its core.

The redesign was shaped by campuswide feedback and crafted to better showcase YSU’s academic programs, campus life and university news.

YSU joins a distinguished list of institutions honored for digital innovation across 34 categories, including 229 that received Gold Awards, 139 that received Silver Awards and 79 that received Bronze.

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