INTERN PARTICIPANTS NAMED: Twelve business students have been selected to participate in the 2026 Ohio Export Internship Program in the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.

Students selected for this competitive program completed specialized coursework in exporting this spring semester and have been matched with an Ohio company for a paid, full-time summer internship. Internship projects include export compliance and export compliance manual development, foreign market expansion, shipping and logistics, Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications, tariffs and Customs Form 7501 and export credit risk insurance and finance.

The Ohio Export Internship Program, created by the Ohio Department of Development, provides a unique opportunity for businesses interested in expanding their exporting activities. This year’s YSU cohort and their pairings are:

Ameer Abuukaz, Jordan, business analytics and economics — Gasser Chair Company; Biswash Adhikari, Nepal, accounting — Midwest Industrial Supply Inc.; Adam Awad, Boardman, business analytics — Haltec Corporation; Josh Christie, Youngstown, supply chain management — Rust Buster Frameworks;

Jacob Crawford, Howland, supply chain management — Eckart America Corporation; Madelynn Hanna, New Castle, Pa., human resource management — Brilex Industries Inc.; Abby Hughes, Austintown, business analytics and economics — Harrison Paint and Coatings LLC; Tanatswa Mapiki, Zimbabwe, accounting — Haltec Corporation;

Juliana Marbella, Pittsburgh, marketing — CBC Global; Averi Mazei, Columbiana, marketing — CTM Labeling Systems; Geno Millione, Youngstown, business administration — Immobileyes; and Lojein Yacoub, Howland, business administration — D.A. Surgical.

GOODWILL PROMOTIONS: Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries has announced two leadership promotions that reflect the organization’s continued growth, strategic direction and deep commitment to community impact.

Goodwill has promoted Carol Holmes-Chambers to vice president of community and workforce development. Holmes-Chambers joined the organization in December 2024 as community solutions director and has since played a role in strengthening Goodwill’s presence across the region. Through her leadership, the organization has expanded meaningful partnerships and advanced innovative, collaborative programming designed to create sustainable, long-term impact.

In her new role, Holmes-Chambers will lead the newly formed Community Impact Department, which integrates Goodwill’s Mission Services with broader community and workforce initiatives.

Goodwill has also promoted Celina Williams to vice president of human resources. Since joining the organization as HR director in June 2025, Williams has been instrumental in strengthening and modernizing the human resources function. Her leadership has helped establish a stronger foundation for employee support, leadership development, and organizational consistency, while positioning HR as a strategic partner within the organization.

Williams brings both expertise and a people-centered approach to her work, with a strong commitment to supporting Goodwill’s employees, strengthening culture, and advancing the organization’s mission.

As vice president of human resources, she will continue leading efforts to enhance HR processes, support leadership development and ensure employees have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

TWISTED RIBBON CUTTING: Twisted Roots Luxury Lounge & Sports Bar, 34 N. Phelps St., Youngstown, will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Community members, local leaders, and business professionals are invited to join the celebration.

Twisted Roots was founded with a vision of creating more than just a restaurant and sports bar. Owners Barry Hammond and George G. Stokes sought to establish a space where culture, community, entertainment and hospitality come together in the heart of downtown Youngstown. Inspired by a desire to create an upscale yet welcoming destination, Twisted Roots was designed to celebrate connection, bring people together, and provide memorable experiences for guests from all walks of life.

The name “Twisted Roots” reflects the rich histories, diverse backgrounds and shared experiences that connect our community. What began as a dream to create a vibrant gathering place has evolved into one of downtown Youngstown’s newest destinations for dining, entertainment, networking and special events.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the venue, meet the ownership team, learn about upcoming events and celebrate the continued growth and revitalization of the downtown business district.

Twisted Roots hours of operation are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (330) 333-3036 or visit

twistedroots-mb.com.

FISHER JOINS JFCS: Annaleise Fisher recently joined Jewish Family & Community Services as a counselor.

Fisher’s primary responsibility at JFCS is to provide individual counseling services to people from all backgrounds, identities and life experiences. Counseling is available for individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, relationship challenges, life transitions and adjustment difficulties.

“My goal is to help clients gain insight, better understand and manage emotions, develop effective coping strategies, strengthen communication and boundary-setting skills and prioritize self-care,” she said.

She plans to expand services through counseling groups, couples counseling, educational programs and other supportive resources.

Fisher’s past experience includes providing counseling services in both community mental health and private practice settings. She has primarily worked with adults ages 18 and older, but also has experience working with adolescents, couples and groups. She has experience providing clinical supervision to counselors-in-training and newly licensed counselors. Since 2014, she has taught college, both undergraduate and graduate level courses, as well as continuing education courses.

Fisher is a member of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and currently serves as secretary of the Ohio Counseling Association.

For more information visit

jewishyoungstown.org/jfcs.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS:

7 17 Credit Union’s annual Financial Wellness Night at the Ballpark will take place at 7:17 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the newly named 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood, Niles.

“This year will be special for us, a sort of homecoming as we celebrate with the community that has supported us for 69 years at the new 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood,” said 7 17 CEO John Demmler.

As part of this collaboration, 7 17 will offer giveaways and special savings opportunities for guests at the ballpark with a year-round focus on financial wellness. As in years prior, 7 17 will buy out the field to provide a night of free entertainment for the community – with the first-ever combined fireworks and drone show at the field.

Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided for attendees. Dollar Dog Kids Club members will enjoy a “kid zone” with a special visit from the Dollar Dog mascot, and more. 7 17 employees and their families will join the community with a company picnic in celebration of financial wellness.

Tickets will be available exclusively at the Scrappers box office.

TOP BANK LENDER: The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Ohio District office has awarded Consumers National Bank the Top Small Community Bank Lender Award and an Ohio Top Twenty SBA 7(a) Lender award.

The Top Small Community Bank Lender Award recognizes the bank’s outstanding performance making SBA 7(a) and SBA Express loans during SBA fiscal year 2025, ranking first among community banks in Ohio. It is the ninth time the Minerva-headquartered bank has won the Top Community Bank award. 2025 marks the third time Consumers National Bank has won the Top 20 Award, which includes all sizes of institutions as well as out of market and non-bank lenders. The bank ranked 12th of all SBA lenders in the state and ranked seventh of full-service banks with Ohio operations.

“On behalf of the U.S. Small Business Administration, we want to express our sincere gratitude for everything you do to help small businesses succeed. Your dedication, expertise and commitment to entrepreneurs make a real and lasting difference,” said Terry Bolden, the district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Cleveland District Office.

Consumers National Bank has 11 business bankers serving business clients from the bank’s 24 offices in Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, Stark and Summit counties. In addition to Growth Capital Corp, Consumers also partners with Cascade Capital in Akron and Valley Economic Development Partners in the Mahoning Valley to finance projects through the SBA 504 Program.

LAWN CARE HELP: GreenPal, an app that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals, has launched its service in Warren.

The app allows homeowners to enter their address, lawn details and preferred service date. Local, prescreened lawn care professionals review the property using Google aerial imagery and Google Street View, then submit competitive bids. Homeowners can compare pricing, read reviews and select the provider they want to work with.

After each completed service, the lawn care professional uploads a time-stamped photo through the app so homeowners can confirm the work before payment is processed.

“After launching in more than 250 markets, we are excited to help homeowners in Warren find reliable, local lawn care professionals,” said Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal.

For more information, visit www.yourgreenpal.com.

MARKING 30 YEARS: Brilex Industries Inc. recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special employee picnic at its Crescent Street plant. The event brought together approximately 200 employees and retirees to recognize three decades of growth, craftsmanship and dedication.

Founded in 1996 with just a few employees operating out of a 5,000-square-foot facility, Brilex Industries has grown into a leading fabrication and manufacturing company with approximately 180 employees operating across more than 300,000 square feet throughout three plants in the Mahoning Valley.

The anniversary event honored the people who have helped build Brilex Industries over the past 30 years. During the celebration, remarks were delivered by Brilex President Steve Davinsizer, who recognized the company’s many long-tenured employees, including one employee who has been with the company for 28 years.

Co-founders Brian Benyo and Alex Benyo also addressed employees during the event, emphasizing that the success of Brilex Industries has always been driven by its workforce.

“Our employees are the backbone of this company,” Brian Benyo said. “We would never be celebrating 30 years without the hard work, commitment and pride each and every employee brings to Brilex every day.”

For more information about Brilex Industries, visit www.brilex.com.

PINBALL CHALLENGE DELIVERS: The top two teams from the second annual Corporate Pinball Challenge & Fundraiser received checks recently for the charities they selected to support through the tournament.

DJV Carpet, which won the March tournament hosted by Past Times Pinball & Video Arcade in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, received a $2,000 check for the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project. Team members were Larry DeMarco, Dan Vecchione, Greg Coulter and Aaron Smigrocky.

Aim Transportation Solutions’ “High Score Haulers,” the tournament runner-up, received a $1,000 check for New Lease on Life Animal Rescue. Team members were Paul Eippert, Dan Kellgren, Alana McBride and John Reed.

The event brings together local businesses for friendly competition while supporting charitable organizations throughout the Mahoning Valley. Teams compete on behalf of a charity of their choice, with donations awarded based on tournament results.

“The competition is a lot of fun, but the real winners are the charities,” said Rob Berk, owner of Past Times Pinball & Video Arcade in Girard. “The Corporate Pinball Challenge gives local businesses an opportunity to build relationships while supporting organizations that make a difference in our community.”

The second annual event attracted 42 four-person teams, up from 31 teams that participated in the inaugural tournament in 2025.

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