William App, CFO and director of R&D at Data-Basics Inc.
App is the driving force behind the company’s Rules-Based Management enterprise software, designed for the service, facilities management and construction industries.
Scott Wakser, president, DiaMed Inc.
Founded in 1994 from a home office, the Canton-based medical equipment distributor has grown into a successful regional niche player with 45 employees and more than $8 million in annual sales.
James Fisher, president, IdeaStar Inc.
Develops and distributes Web-based software products such as CorpMeetings, which automates the invitation and registration process for business events; GalaxyBuilder, which enables companies to design and launch custom-built eBusiness Web sites; and Pulsar, which automates e-mail newsletters.
Hayden “Chip” Leon, president & CEO, Team Wendy
Founded after the death of founder Dan T. Moore’s daughter and Leon’s close friend, Wendy Moore, the company produces the most technologically advanced helmet for skiing, snowboarding and other action sports and raises awareness about helmet safety.
A.J. Hyland, president & CEO, Hyland Software Inc.
Hyland’s OnBase is a globally recognized software that combines the technologies of enterprise report management, document imaging, electronic document management and workflow into a single, Web-enabled application.
D. Scott Hinckley, national sales manager, Vita-Mix Corp.
Always on the cutting edge of the foodservice blenders industry, the company’s most recent innovation is a Portion Blending System that allows users to mix up to four perfectly blended drinks at one time.
Martin Hilovsky, president, Enviroscience Inc.
As part of its lake management division, Hilovsky has developed and uses an environmentally friendly method to control the growth of a nuisance aquatic weed called Eurasian watermilfoil, which is similar to seaweed and has invaded lakes across the nation.
Mike Burke, president, TREK Diagnostic Systems
Launched in 1999, Burke’s growing firm manufactures and distributes automated systems for microbiology diagnostic laboratories — clinical, pharmaceutical and veterinary. Burke’s Value Initiative has instilled a company culture aimed at exceeding customers’ expectations, while honoring employees who succeed at this mission.
Bob Leon, owner, Colortone Audio Visual Staging & Rentals Inc.
Recognizing the need by businesses for more than simply standard audio visual services, Leon instituted a host of ancillary services such as Web streaming, videoconferencing and multi-city bridge point meetings. His firm recently handled many of the staging events for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Jennifer Downey, president & CEO, Ambiance Inc.
Downey has faced numerous challenges in her business, but none as daunting as overcoming her barrier to entry — tailoring Ambiance’s specialty romance products in such a way as to make it acceptable for customers to walk through the front door and shop for what many consider a taboo product line. After 21 years of growth, Ambiance is among the most recognized brand names in Northeast Ohio.
Annette Stevenson and Mark Schikowski, principal and partner (respectively), Cohen & Co.
Developed a structured performance management system and innovative software application to manage the accounting firm’s job-by-job performance evaluations. The system allows for online completion and has become so successful that Cohen & Co. has decided to market the software to other professional service firms.
Jamie O’Rourke, president, The TAK Group
Develops and markets Web-enabled software that creates private trading networks for petroleum companies and original equipment manufacturers to e-enable their global supply chains. Among its clients are Chevron Products Co. and ExxonMobil Corp.
Fred Ode, chairman & CEO, Foundation Software Inc.
Ode’s DataGenie Report Writer allows authors of accounting software programs to define data capsules specific to their application, making it easier to retrieve, analyze and manipulate data. DataGenie is designed for labor-intensive construction firms. The software has been used by firms that constructed, among other projects, Giants Stadium in New York and the New York Convention Center.
Chad Schron, vice president and senior programmer, Tooling University
By combining the power of educational material with the ability to control software, Tooling U leverages parent company Jergens’ understanding of the manufacturing industry to design, develop and distribute training modules for basic manufacturing skills.
Eileen Saffran, founder and executive director, The Gathering Place
A one-of-a-kind nonprofit community-based organization whose mission is to support, educate and encourage people working to overcome the effects of cancer. Saffran offers all services at no cost and is dedicated to providing a caring atmosphere that strives to help people live life to the fullest.
