2026 Family Business Achievement Awards

 

Honorees

 

Aerospace Maintenance Solutions (AMS) is a multi-generational family business rooted in aviation heritage, technical excellence and a deep commitment to supporting mission-critical aerospace systems. From its origins as Provisional Resources to its evolution into a specialized maintenance, repair, overhaul and sustainment organization in Northeast Ohio, the company has been shaped by generations of the Dooley family and their shared dedication to aviation.

The roots of that dedication stretch back well before the company’s founding. John and Tom Dooley were raised in a family for whom military service and aviation were central to its identity. Their grandfather served as a pilot in World War II, forging the family’s early connection to military aviation and inspiring a lasting respect for flight, service and technical discipline. Their father, Paul A. Dooley, served in the Army and developed a love of aviation that he passed down to his children.

AMS’s president and managing partner, John Dooley, founded Provisional Resources to meet the specialized maintenance needs of aerospace and defense electronics. Tom Dooley, vice president, joined him, strengthening the company with his engineering background. As customer needs expanded, Provisional Resources evolved into Aerospace Maintenance Solutions, a name that better reflected the company’s mission to provide sustainment and engineering solutions beyond simple repair. ●

 

 

For 50 years, Air Control Products (ACP) has represented the best manufacturers in commercial HVAC and ensured engineers, contractors and building owners always get the right solution. What began as one man’s answer to a gap in the Cleveland market has grown into one of the country’s top manufacturers’ representatives, all while preserving the family character that has shaped it from day one.

Bob Greene founded ACP in 1975. Over the years, the company added marquee manufacturers such as Greenheck and Price Industries, launched a dedicated Architectural Division, and expanded beyond Cleveland — first into Toledo and Northwest Ohio, then into the Columbus market. ACP built and moved into a 38,000-square-foot headquarters on Towpath Road in Broadview Heights — now being expanded by an additional 18,000 square feet — and acquired Air Systems Diversified in Central Ohio.

ACP is a genuine multi-generational story now entering its third generation. Bob Greene led the company through its formative decades and eventually became its sole owner. His son, Mike Greene, started as a salesperson, learning the business and the market from the ground up, and ultimately became president. Today, ACP is beginning the transition to the third generation, with Michael Greene continuing the family leadership tradition. ●

 

 

Founded in 1969 by President Robert C. Meeker, Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler Co., LPA, has served individuals, families and businesses throughout Northeast Ohio for over 55 years. What began as one attorney’s commitment to integrity, compassion and exceptional legal representation has grown into a respected, multi-generational law firm that continues to uphold those principles.

For the Meeker family, the law firm has never been merely a place of business. It has been a calling and a way to serve others. Although the legal profession has changed dramatically over the past five decades, the firm’s commitment to treating every client with compassion, excellence and respect has remained constant.

Today, Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler proudly serves clients in personal injury, wrongful death, estate planning, probate, criminal defense, education law, ADA advocacy and numerous other practice areas. Although its services have expanded, the firm’s mission remains unchanged: to help families navigate life’s most difficult moments with trusted legal counsel and genuine care.

Meeker founded the firm on a simple yet enduring philosophy: clients deserve more than legal representation. They deserve an attorney they can trust, someone who treats them like family and advocates for them with honesty, compassion and integrity. That philosophy has remained the firm’s cornerstone. ●

 

 

Brunswick Companies exemplifies the enduring strength, adaptability and purpose of a successful family business. Founded in 1972 by Morton M. Stein, the firm has evolved from a single entrepreneurial vision into a highly respected, multi-generational organization recognized for its integrity, innovation and deep commitment to clients, employees and the community.

Morton Stein left a successful insurance career to pursue a new fee-based risk management model — an innovative concept at the time. From these entrepreneurial roots, the firm has grown into a full-service insurance brokerage and risk management consultancy, offering commercial, personal and professional insurance, along with specialized services such as surety bonding and claims management.

Over the past five decades, Brunswick has consistently adapted to industry changes while maintaining its core purpose: protecting its clients’ aspirations and accomplishments. Today, the company operates nationally, serving a diverse client base with customized, strategic solutions while retaining the responsiveness and personal touch of a privately held firm.

Now led by CEO Todd Stein, the organization was built on a foundation of trust, integrity and long-term relationships. As the Stein family enters a third generation of leadership, it has intentionally fostered a culture in which employees and clients alike are treated with transparency and respect. ●

 

 

Steve and Tammie Krakomperger began their grocery careers with Bill Brumfield, who owned three independent grocery stores. Tammie joined the company at 16 as a cashier, gaining firsthand experience in customer service and store operations. Steve joined in 1991 as a staff accountant, developing a strong understanding of the grocery business’s financial and operational sides. Working together not only helped them learn every aspect of the industry but also brought them together personally. They married in 2000.

In 1998, Steve took the first step toward business ownership by purchasing two Apples Market locations from Brumfield in Elyria and Norwalk. This marked the start of what would become a continually growing family-owned grocery business.

Over the next 28 years, the Krakompergers expanded their company through strategic growth, opening new stores, acquiring existing locations and making difficult business decisions, including closing some stores when necessary. Throughout this time, they remained committed to providing quality products, exceptional customer service and support for their local community.

Today, the Krakompergers own and operate six independent grocery stores across Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties: Village Market, Elyria Apples, Sheffield Lake Apples, Sheffield Center Apples, Wellington Apples and Shakers Marketplace. ●

 

 

For more than 20 years, Chippewa Stone has been built on the values that matter most to the Gruber family — integrity, hard work, quality craftsmanship and treating every customer with honesty and respect. What began as a small home improvement business operated out of the family’s home and barn has grown into one of Northeast Ohio’s trusted names in custom stone fabrication and installation. While the business has grown over the years, the principles on which it was founded have never changed.

Chippewa Stone was founded in 2004 by the company’s president, Oskar Gruber, and his wife, who started a small home improvement business with a simple goal: to provide homeowners with a more personal experience than they could find at larger home improvement stores.

While seeking ways to expand, the Grubers recognized rising demand for natural stone countertops. They invested in stone inventory, fabrication equipment and machinery to bring fabrication in-house. By 2011, Chippewa Stone had transitioned almost entirely from general home improvement to custom granite fabrication and installation. In 2017, the Grubers purchased the building they had been renting, providing a permanent home for the company’s showroom, fabrication shop, warehouse and offices. ●

 

 

D&S Automotive Collision and Restyling began in 1977, born from Founder Carmen (CJ) Paterniti’s passion for the free-spirited hippie van. What started as a hobby became a business fueled by enthusiasm for custom interiors and paint jobs. This one-stop-shop approach put D&S on the map as a leader in the custom van market. By the early 1990s, the business had evolved to meet growing demand for collision repair.

D&S expanded its offerings to include automotive accessories, rebranding from D&S Custom Van and Auto Body to D&S Automotive Collision and Accessories. The company built strong relationships with insurance companies and began participating in Direct Repair Programs.

Today, D&S is a pre-approved partner with major insurers, including Progressive, State Farm, Nationwide and many more. This vast network of partnerships, along with the company’s commitment to providing exceptional customer experience, remains a cornerstone of its success today and into the future.

CJ Paterniti, owner, president and CEO, has led D&S in leveraging both positive and negative experiences. Lessons from past mistakes guide the company away from pitfalls, while successes serve as benchmarks for continuous improvement. Striving to meet or exceed customer expectations is a core principle, and employees are encouraged to foster a culture of accountability and excellence. ●

 

 

Since its founding in 1979, Event Source has grown from a family-owned event rental company into one of the Midwest’s premier event solutions providers, serving corporate events, weddings, nonprofit galas, sporting events, conventions and celebrations of every size. Now in its second generation of family leadership, Event Source has built a reputation for exceptional customer service, operational excellence and an unwavering commitment to helping clients create memorable experiences. Throughout its growth, the company has remained grounded in the entrepreneurial values and customer-first philosophy established by the Bibbo family more than four decades ago.

The Bibbo family has built a business where family values shape the culture and empower talented professionals across the organization. With multiple family members in leadership roles, the company has successfully blended long-term vision with operational excellence. This collaborative approach has enabled Event Source to preserve its entrepreneurial spirit while scaling into one of the industry’s most respected organizations.

Recognizing that great customer experiences begin with engaged employees, Event Source has made significant investments in developing its people. Led today by CEO and owner John N. Bibbo, the company has built a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and professional development, creating opportunities for employees to grow alongside the business. ●

 

 

Founded in Cleveland in 1978, The Filter Cleaning Factory has evolved from a traditional regional repair vendor into an agile, data-driven industrial asset recovery platform. The company engineered its original proprietary fluid rejuvenation prototypes at its 7400 Bessemer Avenue facility in 1978. These hand-built lines remain active today and have maintained a 100 percent safety and performance record for nearly 50 years.

A multi-generational family business, CEO Jeremiah Phillips first walked the warehouse floors at age 3. Today, the company continues to protect the Great Lakes Industrial Corridor by offering flat-rate, heavy-duty diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleanings for heavy manufacturing, steel and aerospace operations, along with cost savings on other industrial filters it carries.

Corporate operations are driven by structured operating principles that align with the Phillips family’s long-term commercial goals. The company focuses on identifying regional economic and environmental waste leaks, utilizing corporate efficiency as a tool for sustainable growth. The Filter Cleaning Factory provides radical data transparency, serving as a benchmark of integrity against corporate equipment monopolies. This discipline enables the company to run a lean, debt-free operation that systematically maximizes capital recovery for its clients while preserving regional manufacturing margins. ●

 

 

For more than 40 years, Dr. James Kendel, the founder of Medina Family Chiropractic Center Inc. DBA HealthSource Medina, has devoted his life to delivering compassionate, patient-centered chiropractic care.

The practice was built on family support. His mother, Virginia, helped manage the front desk, enabling Dr. James Kendel to focus on providing exceptional care and building relationships. He also volunteered at his alma mater, Highland High School, offering guidance on weight training and injury prevention.

In 2010, his eldest son, Dr. Jimmy Kendel, joined the practice after being inspired to pursue chiropractic care following a sports injury his father successfully treated during his senior year of high school. He practiced alongside his father for 10 years before relocating to Florida. During that time, Dr. Kendel’s daughter, Dr. Danielle Kendel, and son, Justus Kendel, worked as rehabilitation specialists. Like her brother, Danielle’s passion for chiropractic care grew from personal experience. As a competitive gymnast, she relied on her father’s care. Witnessing countless patient success stories and experiencing chiropractic care firsthand inspired her to follow in her father’s footsteps and return to the practice as an associate chiropractor. Justus, inspired by the same example of service and healing, is currently pursuing his education to become a chiropractor with the goal of continuing the family legacy. ●

 

 

Hylant is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated firm, founded in 1935 by Edward P. Hylant, with a clear vision: to build an insurance agency grounded in relationships and trust. With humble beginnings and a $500 deposit, Hylant has grown exponentially since its first year of business. From a small office in Toledo, the Hylant family has expanded to a footprint of more than 20 offices and over 1,200 employees, built through organic growth and family values.

Today, 23 Hylant family members across three generations serve in a variety of roles, still adhering to the family rule of working three to five years elsewhere before joining the firm. This has created a wide range of viewpoints that enrich the business each day. The fifth generation recently joined the business in one of the Michigan offices.

Culture is everything to the company, and no one embodies this more than Nick Hylant, Market President of Cleveland. Perpetuating the Hylant family legacy and continuing to build lasting client relationships are more important than any bottom-line figure. Nick and his family are also wonderful stewards of each community they serve, giving back thousands of dollars annually through the Hylant Family Foundation. ●

 

 

For 70 years, Jamestown Container Companies has demonstrated what it means to be a successful, multi-generational family business. Founded in 1956, the company has grown from a single corrugated box manufacturer into one of the region’s leading providers of custom packaging, contract packaging and supply chain solutions. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to family ownership, employee development, customer partnerships and continuous innovation.

Jamestown Container’s founding mission was simple and remains central to its success: to provide exceptional packaging solutions while building lasting relationships with customers and employees. Over the past seven decades, the company has evolved from a local corrugated box manufacturer into a diversified packaging organization serving customers throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Strategic investments in manufacturing technology, acquisitions and expanded service offerings have fueled sustainable growth while enabling the company to uphold the values on which it was founded. Led today by CEO Bruce Janowsky, Jamestown Container Companies operates multiple facilities throughout New York and Ohio. The company’s ability to evolve while remaining grounded in its founding principles has positioned it as a trusted partner to customers across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, food processing, retail products and more. ●

 

 

Keystone Threaded Products exemplifies the values that define successful family-owned enterprises: long-term commitment, employee dedication, community involvement and sustained business excellence.

Now a woman-owned small business, Keystone was founded in 1920 by Betsy’s grandfather as a family-operated distribution company. In the late 1940s, Betsy’s dad, Jim, joined the company, and he and his father ventured into manufacturing. In the mid-1960s, Jim took over the business after his father died. In 1972, the company moved into a 25,000-square-foot building, where it grew and eventually needed a larger space. In 2013, Keystone moved to an 80,000-square-foot building in Valley View, where the company is still located.

Although Betsy says she has worked at Keystone since kindergarten, she earned her degree and built a career as a social worker before fully joining the family business in 2000. Her father died in 2016. Today, Betsy is a hands-on president and CEO, with a daily presence in the office and on the shop floor. Her sister, husband and daughter also hold roles at Keystone.

Keystone’s committed team produces USA-made parts recognized industry-wide for their quality, reliability and excellence. The company specializes in large-diameter threading and in ACME, trapezoidal and unified form roll-threaded components. ●

 

 

Lintern Corporation has proudly produced industry-leading, severe-duty air conditioning systems and many other types of industrial equipment since 1940. However, Lintern’s history extends far beyond the past 80 years.

Lintern Corporation was founded by William Lintern in 1892 in Berea as the Nichols–Lintern Company. The company initially focused on signal lights and sanders for locomotive applications. Forty years later, the company was officially incorporated and, shortly thereafter, produced the first high-temperature (air-cooled) air conditioner in 1940.

Since its founding, the Lintern Corporation has been proud to be a family-owned company — ensuring that the same values and commitment to its customers’ success endure across generations. To date, five generations of the Lintern family have led the company.

Kirk Lintern is the current president of the Lintern Corporation. After his father passed away, he and his sisters reflected on the idea that family was of the utmost importance. Kirk keeps them in mind with every decision he makes because the Lintern family spirit is crucial to running the business.

Looking ahead to the sixth generation, Kirk knows that all his children will work at Lintern at some point. However, his top priority is to ensure that his children learn as much as possible and develop a thirst for knowledge. ●

 

 

Founded by James and Richard Gebbie in 1982, Midwest Direct began with a straightforward yet critical service: sorting First Class mail. Within a decade, the company expanded into printing and full-service mailing operations.

Early clients such as American Greetings and National City Bank (now PNC) helped establish Midwest Direct’s reputation for precision and reliability at scale. What began as a sorting operation grew into a nationally recognized direct mail powerhouse, now headquartered in Cleveland and with a satellite office in Pittsburgh.

Today, Midwest Direct processes more than 500 million mail pieces annually. Commingling and presorting operations serve clients east of the Mississippi with daily First Class pickups, while printing services reach customers nationwide. Underpinning the company’s services is a strong commitment to security and innovation. Midwest Direct holds both SOC 2 Type 2 and HiTrust certifications, a differentiator that matters enormously to the financial services and health care-adjacent clients who trust the company with sensitive data.

The Gebbie family remains deeply embedded in Midwest Direct across two generations. James Gebbie serves as Chairman of the Board, and Richard Gebbie is the CEO. President Sean Gebbie leads the company, with Mandy Gebbie Clayton serving as Executive Vice President. Family members do not merely hold titles; they set the cultural standard. ●

 

 

For 77 years, the Miller name has been a staple of the Northeast Ohio community. Miller’s Party Rental Center — and its third-generation leader, President Dean Miller — exemplify the power of a family-owned business and the commitment across generations to carry forward the legacy of a dream and a belief in what is possible.

The story of Miller’s is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit. Founded in a modest garage in 1949, the company overcame humble beginnings, including residential zoning challenges, to become an industry leader. Over the decades, the business evolved from simple chair-and-table rentals into a sophisticated 30,000-square-foot operation.

Fueled by the grit and vision of Dean’s grandparents, Jack and Virginia, the company’s history is rooted in strategic growth, innovation and sheer determination. Today, it is not unusual to find three generations of the Miller family under one roof. Charlie, the second generation, still stops by each morning to catch up with the team. Dean leads day-to-day operations, approaching the serious business of event planning with self-deprecating wit, a tireless work ethic and a genuine, infectious love for the people he serves. Meanwhile, the fourth generation is already learning the business the same way every Miller has before them: starting at the bottom. ●

 

 

For more than 50 years, North American Coating Laboratories (NACL) has shown that family ownership can be a catalyst for innovation, stability and long-term success. As a second-generation family business rooted in Northeast Ohio, NACL has built its reputation by combining technical excellence with a people-first philosophy that values relationships as much as results.

Today, NACL is led by President and CEO Brian Wilson, whose vision and commitment to continuous improvement have positioned the company as a nationally recognized leader in precision optical coatings serving the aerospace, defense, medical, industrial and advanced imaging industries. Family involvement extends throughout the organization, including Brian and his son, Hunter Wilson, as well as sisters Jeniffer Rodriguez and Liz Rodriguez, whose contributions exemplify the close-knit culture that has become a hallmark of the company.

What makes NACL exceptional is that family is not simply part of its ownership structure; it is part of its identity. While the Wilson family provides leadership and direction, the company’s culture has created an environment where other families choose to build their careers together. The presence of both the Wilson family and the Rodriguez sisters reflects a workplace where trust, loyalty and collaboration are more than values; they are lived experiences that shape the organization’s success each day. ●

 

 

McNeill’s Cabinetry & Flooring / REM Installations is a testament to the enduring power of family, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. The company’s story began long before its doors opened, when Founder and Partner Patrick McNeill learned the value of hard work, integrity and customer relationships while working for his uncle’s painting and wallcovering company. Those formative years instilled not only technical skills but also a deep appreciation for what makes a family business truly successful — a commitment to people, pride in one’s work and a reputation earned one customer at a time.

McNeill founded the company as a flooring installation business with a simple mission: deliver exceptional workmanship and treat every client’s home as his own. Through decades of dedication, strategic growth and an unwavering commitment to quality, McNeill’s Cabinetry & Flooring / REM Installations has evolved into one of Northeast Ohio’s premier design-build remodeling firms. It provides expertly managed kitchen and bathroom renovations, custom cabinetry, flooring, commercial construction and interior remodeling solutions.

The McNeill family, which also includes partners Eric and Ryan McNeill, has built a business rooted in honesty, accountability and genuine care for customers and employees. ●

 

 

Stack Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric was founded in 1976 at the Stack’s home in Lakewood by the parents of current president Brian Stack parents, Andy and Sandy. After other heating contractors called on him in the late 80s for his expertise in steam and water heating systems, Andy decided to focus the business on his specialty: making steam and hot water systems run efficiently.

In 1998, the business outgrew its Lakewood offices and relocated to Lear Industrial Parkway in Avon. Today, Brian and his brothers and sister contribute to the team, building on the foundation of a full-service heating and cooling company. To further strengthen the team, all of Stack’s technicians are considered part of the family.

Recognizing that not all contractors in the area address airflow and home comfort issues, Stack expanded its facility to include a hands-on training room equipped with the latest tools and technology. This ensures Stack technicians remain experienced, knowledgeable and confident in servicing all types of heating and cooling systems.

As Stack grew, it added a full-service electrical division in 2015. Phil Faulhaber, a longtime family friend and electrician, rejoined the team to oversee the division, further expanding the company’s service offerings. ●

 

 

W3 Financial Group is a family-founded-and-led organization that exemplifies the values of continuity, innovation and long-term stewardship that define successful family businesses. Founded by Frank Bevilacqua Sr., the company was built on a vision to help individuals, families and businesses navigate complex financial decisions with integrity and personalized service. What began as a local accounting practice has evolved into a comprehensive financial services organization, offering wealth management, accounting, business advisory, cybersecurity and retirement services to clients across multiple states.

The evolution of W3 Financial Group has been guided by a family-business connection that balances tradition with forward-thinking leadership. Frank Bevilacqua Sr. laid the firm’s foundation through his commitment to client relationships and community involvement. His son, Frank Bevilacqua II, CFP®, CPA, now serves as president and CEO, leading the organization through significant expansion and transformation.

W3 has expanded its service offerings, entered new markets, grown its team of professionals and developed a collaborative model that enables clients to receive comprehensive guidance from a single organization while maintaining personalized attention. The Bevilacqua family’s involvement extends beyond a single generational transition. Today, a third generation is actively contributing to the company’s future through Sophia Bevilacqua, who serves as an IT Associate. ●