26. Jerry Jurgensen
retired CEO, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. (8)
Jurgensen stepped down from Nationwide in February and was replaced by Steve Rasmussen. Jurgensen has reached out to Gov. Strickland to offer his support in the efforts to reform public education in Ohio. He is also contemplating a move into teaching.
27. Russell Gertmenian
managing partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (28)
Gertmenian led his firm through the year without any economy-induced layoffs. Instead, the partners swallowed a 4.5 percent drop in profit to freeze legal fees, but not associate pay, and also offered clients alternatives to hourly billing. The firm was ranked a No. 1 law firm in Ohio on the 2010 Best Lawyers in America list. Gertmenian is still a director of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and a board member of the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation.
28. Ted Strickland
governor, state of Ohio (29)
Strickland has had a turbulent year and the ride shows no signs of easing as we move into 2010 and the end of his first term. General revenue taxes declined by $2.3 billion in fiscal 2009, the worst decline in state revenue in at least 50 years. But instead of increasing taxes, Strickland’s new budget reduces state government spending by an unprecedented $2.5 billion after reducing the state work force by 3,400. Whether or not he gets a second term, Strickland will remain a powerful force in 2010.
29. Curtis Moody
president and CEO, Moody-Nolan Inc. (30)
Moody’s architecture firm has been keeping busy. It is currently the architect-of-record for the Hilton Hotel that will serve as the new convention center headquarters in Columbus. Moody-Nolan was also named to the design shortlist of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. In June, the firm acquired Indianapolis-based historic preservation firm James T. Kienle & Associates Inc.
30. Linda Heasley
chairman and CEO, The Limited Stores Inc. (31)
Since The Limited Stores sold a majority interest in the Limited Stores division two years ago to Sun Capital Partners, the company has been focusing on profitability. It launched an e-commerce site and began planning store openings. The company is eyeing a new location for its headquarters.
31. Doug Kridler
president and CEO, The Columbus Foundation (38)
The foundation boosted the lag in charitable giving by sounding a “critical need alert” and agreeing to match donations, allowing the foundation to distribute more than $1.5 million to 20 organizations in April. A grant awarded to the foundation in September pushed it past the $1 billion mark.
32. John B. Gerlach Jr.
chairman, president and CEO, Lancaster Colony Corp. (39)
In the past couple of years, Gerlach’s efforts to consolidate Lancaster Colony Corp., focusing on food and exiting automotive and glass manufacturing, paid off when the company’s fiscal 2009 profits doubled from fiscal 2008. Gerlach serves as a member of the board of directors of Huntington Bancshares Inc., The Columbus Foundation, Children’s Hospital, Franklin University, Recreation Unlimited Foundation, The Ohio State University Foundation and the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital Board.
33. Lewis Smoot Sr.
president and CEO, The Smoot Corp. (34)
Smoot continues to head high-profile projects across the Midwest, undertaking projects for Columbus City Schools, OSU, a renovation of the historic Georgetown University Library in Washington D.C., Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and the new tower at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
34. Roger Geiger
Ohio executive director, National Federation of Independent Business (35)
Geiger manages the public policy, political, member activism and communication programs in the state. Media outlets regularly turn to him as the voice on issues affecting small businesses.
35. John P. McConnell
chairman and CEO, Worthington Industries Inc. (37)
Worthington ended 2008 by closing three plants, suspending operations at two others and cutting hundreds of employees. It started fiscal 2010 with cost-cutting measures, including a reduction in its quarterly dividend, a one-week shutdown of four plants and compensation cuts for salaried workers. Worthington bought the assets of three companies to fold into its pressure cylinder-making operations. The company also announced plans to buy back debt from investors. This year, McConnell, majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets, joined the board of OhioHealth.
36. Boyce Safford III
director, Columbus Department of Development (36)
In April, Columbia Gas of Ohio Inc. sued the city of Columbus. The company is accusing the city and Safford specifically of enforcing building permit fees that the company says are holding up its infrastructure improvement project. The Department’s Historic Preservation Working Group released its final report this summer, recommending changes to implement in the future.
37. Sally Boyer
president and general manager, Tween Brands’ Justice Stores (33)
It’s been a tough year for Boyer. In late 2008, Tween Brands began rolling out its 560-store Limited Too chain into better performing Justice Stores. The rebranding process, paired with the economy, has cost the parent company millions of dollars and more than 200 jobs. As stock prices slid closer to $1, Tween got a warning from the New York Stock Exchange that it had fallen out of compliance. Tween’s acquisition by Dress Barn Inc. is moving forward.
38. Gene Smith
director of athletics, The Ohio State University (55)
Smith had a good year in 2009 as he was named in March to the USA Basketball Finance & Audit Committee. He also was appointed chairman of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee for the 2010-11 academic year, a term which begins Sept. 1, 2010. Back at OSU, the athletic department is expected to transfer back to the university more than $29 million in assessments this year, including $14.5 million in grant-in-aid costs.
39. Jeffrey Wadsworth
president and CEO, Battelle (44)
Wadsworth was named president and CEO in January. In September, he was named chairman of a brand-new board that will oversee the OSU Medical Center. Battelle has also announced a $200 million investment in Central Ohio, adding, constructing and renovating manufacturing, office, child care and laboratory facilities, as well as creating 200 new jobs.
40. Jack Ruscilli
CEO, Ruscilli Construction Co. Inc. (40)
This year, Ruscilli Construction Co. has been awarded the Cunz Hall renovation, its fifth project with The Ohio State University, as well as projects for National Church Residences and Northeastern Local Schools in Springfield. The firm was also awarded the Builders Exchange Safety Achievement Award this year.
41. Larry Hilsheimer
executive vice president and CFO, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. (41)
Hilsheimer serves on multiple boards, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Battelle for Kids and CompeteColumbus. He is also an Ohio State University Alumni Association board member. He’ll continue to work with his new boss to keep Nationwide moving forward.
42. Michael Gonsiorowski
Central Ohio regional president, National City, now a part of PNC Financial Services Group (new)
Gonsiorowski leads one of the city’s largest financial institutions and the largest bank in the state by deposits. He serves on the boards of the Columbus Partnership and United Way and is active in the community.
43. David Milenthal
CEO, The Milenthal Group
Some of Milenthal’s clients include Limited Brands, American Electric Power and OhioHealth. He’s still active in the fight against tobacco through his work with the Center for Tobacco-Free Kids.
44. M. Valeriana Moeller
president, Columbus State Community College (43)
Moeller plans to retire in June, but it looks like she’ll be going out on top. The college saw a 10.1 percent increase in spring quarter enrollment over last year’s spring quarter, reaching 24,368 students. The college earned perfect scores for financial responsibility from the Ohio Board of Regents and is on track to open a new campus in Delaware County in 2010.
45. Kurt Tunnell
partner, Bricker & Eckler LLP (32)
Bricker & Eckler laid off employees for the first time in the firm’s 65-year history. A total of 28 people were let go, including nine lawyers. Tunnell still chairs the manufacturing and transportation and logistics groups and serves as legislative and legal counsel to the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice.
46. Curt Steiner
vice president for government affairs, The Ohio State University (45)
Steiner’s office pushed for people to apply for federal stimulus money and was represented on the Ohio Construction Reform Panel studying ways to lower the cost and increase the speed of campus construction projects.
47. Nancy Kramer
founder and CEO, Resource Interactive (51)
Kramer was one of four inductees into the Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame. Her company published its second book, “The Open Brand,” written by the company’s president and its director of thought leadership.
48. Chester R. Jourdan Jr.
executive director, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (46)
Jourdan continues to work to connect areas of Columbus and the 301 Corridor. He recently launched the Center for Energy & Environment to promote air quality, water quality, energy efficiency and sustainable development.
49. Dwight Smith
founder and CEO, Sophisticated Systems (47)
In January, Smith acquired the majority interest in the Dayton-based marketing, branding and Web development firm Implications International LLC. His company is expected to maintain profitable growth and surpass $21 million in revenue for 2009.
50. Abigail Wexner
founder and chair, Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence (50)
In 2008, the New Albany Classic, which is the sole fund-raiser for the organization, raised more than $1 million, making it one of the most successful fund-raisers in Central Ohio. Wexner also continues to serve as the chair of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Center for Child and Family Advocacy.