Hondros College appointed Dana Smith director of education for the real estate division. He oversees the faculty at all of the college’s campuses, develops new curriculum and participates in long-term planning for the college. Smith is based out of the Columbus campus.
He was previously employed as an enforcement investigator with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. He was also the task force leader and one of the first auditors for the implementation of the continuing education audit process by the division. Smith also holds an Ohio Real Estate license.
“Dana’s wide range of experience and leadership will further strengthen our team of dedicated instructors,” says Linda Hondros, president of Hondros College. “Dana will provide progressive class curriculum and new methods of delivering career education to promote student growth in all courses and preparation for the license exams.”
As director of education, Smith develops and expands class offerings, as well as conducts instructor training. He continually evaluates the curriculum to further ensure that Hondros College offers top-quality education.
“It is exciting to be working with a group of educators and professionals who are pioneering new methods for businessmen and women to advance their careers through education with Hondros College,” says Smith.
CONTINENTAL OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS
Continental Office Environments named Ira Sharfin president and COO.
Sharfin is responsible for daily business management, operations, services and process improvement. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand Consulting in 1988 and was promoted to partner in 1998, the year C&L merged with PriceWaterhouse.
At PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting, Sharfin held various leadership positions and was responsible for several global client relationships. He played a key role in helping PricewaterhouseCoopers integrate with IBM in 2002. Sharfin was most recently a partner with IBM Business Consulting Services.
He replaces Ron Geese, former president and CEO, who assumed vice chairman duties. Geese also continues his responsibilities as CEO and oversees business development, expansion, diversification, parity-plus positioning and manufacturer relations.
PROGRESSIVE MEDICAL
Medical Inc. hired Cheryl Quinn as director of finance.
Quinn brings more than 12 years of experience in accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, revenue cycle oversight and organizational leadership. She is responsible for directing Progressive Medical’s financial and accounting functions, including the establishments of account principles, practices, policies and procedures.
OHIO ORTHOPEDIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
The Ohio Orthopedic Center of Excellence hired Darcy Blessing as marketing director. Blessing manages the center’s community health education and outreach efforts, among other marketing responsibilities.
Blessing most recently served as a territory representative with Indevus/Odyssey Pharmaceuticals in Orlando, and has held sales positions with various pharmaceutical companies in Ohio.
She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Otterbein College, along with a certification in athletic training.
BLUE DIESEL
Blue Diesel named Kymberly Lee vice president, client development. She is responsible for overseeing client relationships, managing the account services team on a day-to-day basis and providing strategic and tactical marketing solutions at the interactive marketing company. She also leads Blue Diesel’s business development efforts.
Lee most recently served as president and CEO of Menco Equine Specialties, a start-up company focused on medical devices for the equine industry. Prior to Menco, she was a vice president with GSW Worldwide, a full-service health care advertising agency and sister company of Blue Diesel. In this role, she led the overall marketing, branding and financial growth of one of Eli Lilly and Co.’s largest brands, the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa.
Lee has also held executive-level positions with Enterasys Networks, Rexam Metallising and Borden Inc. She has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s of science degree from Miami University.
THOMPSON HINE LLP
Tony White assumed leadership of the Columbus office of Thompson Hine LLP as partner-in-charge. White succeeds Thomas J. Bonasera.
White received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1993. He received his bachelor of science degrees in marketing and finance from The Ohio State University, where he was a member of the OSU varsity basketball team from 1985 to 1989. White remains an active OSU alumnus, serving as secretary of The Ohio State University Men’s Varsity “O” Board and The OSU Alumni Advisory Council representing The Ohio State University Office of Health Services. He also serves as on-air OSU basketball analyst for 610 WTVN-AM.
“Columbus is clearly an important market for our firm, and we are prepared to enhance our investment here,” says David J. Hooker, managing partner of Thompson Hine. “Tony is a great leader and very forward-looking strategic thinker; I look forward to working with him as he assumes overall responsibility for managing and growing our Columbus office.”
