26. Rich Langdale
Founder, NCT Ventures; executive director, OSU Center for Entrepreneurship (20)
Langdale has taken on the role of chair of OSU’s Entrepreneurship Steering committee, and NCT Ventures continues to look for new investments.
27. Roger Geiger
Vice president, Midwest region, National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio (26)
Now heading the organization’s Midwest region, the power of NFIB is evident — NFIB-backed candidates were winners in 17 states, including Ohio, in the 2004 elections.
28. Leonard Schlesinger
Vice chairman and COO, Limited Brands Inc. (34)
Schlesinger’s community involvements and power continue to increase. He is a board member of the OSU Fisher College Initiative for Managing Services, the governing committee of the Columbus Foundation and United Way.
29. Curt Moody
President and CEO, Moody/Nolan Ltd (28)
Moody’s firm expanded into Indianapolis this past year and has served as principal architect for projects such OSU’s Schottenstein Center and The Mall at Tuttle Crossing.
30. Kurt Tunnell
Partner, Bricker & Eckler LLP (29)
This former chief legal counsel to Gov. George Voinovich has a great deal of influence in political circles.
31. Bob Taft
Governor, state of Ohio (21)
Taft slips further in our standings as Ohio experiences still more job losses and a sluggish economy. The business community continues to be disillusioned with Taft’s business programs.
32. Robert Eversole
President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio (31)
Eversole is on the chamber’s board of directors and worked with other business leaders to keep DSCC Logistics in Columbus.
33. Jeff Keeler
Chairman, Team Fishel (32)
Keeler influences companies including Ruscilli Construction and AirNet as a board member of these firms, and has been active in the World Presidents’ Organization and the Chief Executives Organization.
34. Carl F. Kohrt
President, Battelle (33)
Kohrt has strengthened Battelle’s presence in the community and works with OSU to improve Columbus, with talk of a new research and education center downtown and stronger collaborations between the two research organizations.
35. Karen Holbrook
President, The Ohio State University (40)
Despite losing several top executives, Holbrook continues to work toward making OSU a leading educational and research institution. She serves on the boards of Huntington Bank and United Way, and received the 2004 Women’s Center’s Leadership Award.
36. Curt Steiner
Senior vice president for external relations, The Ohio State University (35)
This former chief of staff for Gov. Voinovich proves political connections pay off. He’ll still be mixing with the powerful in his new position.
37. Tami Longaberger
CEO, The Longaberger Co. (36)
Sales continue to slump, so Longaberger handed over the day-to-day operations of the company to Dave DeFeo, while she plans to work on sales and developing new products. She serves on the board of directors of The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy.
38. Melissa Ingwersen
President, JP Morgan Chase NA Columbus (37)
Will Bank One’s merger with JP Morgan Chase cause Ingwersen to get lost in the shuffle? Or will she increase the bank’s presence here in Columbus? Time will tell. Meanwhile, she’s active at the Columbus Chamber, Arts Council, Franklin University, YWCA and Grant/Riverside Foundation.
39. Julie Kunkel
Managing partner, Ernst & Young (27)
Kunkel runs the 200-employee office and handles the Limited Brands account. Her past clients include Target and Best Buy.
40. Cheryl Krueger
President and CEO, Cheryl&Co (39)
Krueger’s company continues to grow, and her expertise is sought by the likes of Bob Evans Restaurants, Heartland Bank, the Columbus Academy and The James Foundation board.
41. John P. McConnell
Chairman and CEO, Worthington Industries (48)
Under McConnell’s leadership, sales were up 54 percent in the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year. He has served on the boards of Children’s Hospital, the YMCA and the Columbus Zoological Association. He also serves on the board of directors of Alltel Corp.
42. Lewis Smoot Sr.
President, Smoot Corp. (41)
Smoot is still landing big projects, such as the $27.5 million Columbus State Community College’s Academic Center D. He is also on the board of directors of MI Homes.
43. Jack Ruscilli
CEO, Ruscilli Construction Co. Inc. (42)
Ruscilli’s clients include Big Lots, AirNet and Bob Evans.
44. Blane Walter
Chairman and CEO, inChord Communications (43)
Walter’s business is growing. It just launched Stonefly Communications, a company dedicated to communications for pharmaceutical and biotech firms.
45. John B. Gerlach Jr.
Chairman, president and CEO, Lancaster Colony Corp. (44)
Sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council, Fisher College of Business and the Huntington Bancshares board. Also a member of the Columbus Partnership.
46. Walter Cates
Founder and president, Main Street Business Association (45)
Cates will be a powerful force as Main Street is redeveloped.
47. Dwight Smith
President and CEO, Sophisticated Systems (46)
Smith is chairman of Columbus State’s board and serves on the board of the chamber of commerce.
48. M. Valeriana Moeller
President and CEO, Columbus State Community College (47)
Under Moeller’s leadership, enrollment is up, the college is building new campuses and the Small Business Development Council is now housed on the Columbus State campus. Moeller is also active at COSI, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Technology Council.
49. Michael Gonsiorowski
President and CEO, National City Bank Central Region (NEW)
Leads city’s fourth-largest financial institution and is active on many boards, including United Way and Mount Carmel Health Systems.
50. Bob Weiler Sr.
Chairman, The Robert Weiler Co. (59)
Weiler was recently named to the board of the Ohio Capital Corp. for Housing, an organization that works to create affordable neighborhoods throughout Ohio. He also serves on COTA’s board of trustees.
